Should You Choose Light or Dark Flooring?

February 1, 2022

When making decisions about home renovation, there are many factors to consider. While current trends are often at the forefront of people’s minds, the far more important factors pertain to the specific needs of you and your family. Once your new flooring is installed, changing your mind on material, stain or finish can be incredibly expensive—and choosing light or dark flooring in the wrong space can impact how you feel about your space for years to come. So how do you confidently decide?

Being an informed consumer is the most important first step. Trends come and go—get to know the benefits and setbacks of both light and dark wood flooring to help you make the best decision for your home and lifestyle. Below are some key considerations to help you evaluate which is right for you.

Light vs. dark wood flooring

When it comes to interior design, there is no one-size-fits-all solution. No matter how much you loved the flooring installed in a friend’s space, it may look totally different in your home, and it may not be suitable for your family’s living space or lifestyle. Here are some things to think about when preparing to change the color of your wood flooring:

  • Style: While relying solely on trends is ill-advised, it is important that you like the color of your flooring. Consider the style of your home and the aesthetics of your decor when evaluating floor color—what will work well in your existing space?
  • Light: Make sure you don’t pair dark walls with dark floors—this will make your space feel small, even if it’s not. While dark floors usually work best with bright, open spaces, they can still do well in a smaller, more enclosed space if peripheral decor elements offset the dark floor.
  • Imperfections: It’s normal for hardwood flooring to dent and scratch over time, but if your lifestyle leaves it more prone to such damage, a dark wood floor may not be for you. A scratch on dark wood may cut through the stain and reveal the light wood underneath, making it much more noticeable than the same scratch would be on light wood. If you have dogs, children or a very active home, consider staying in the light wood range.
  • Cleaning: The color of your floor could highlight dirt and debris in your home. If you have pets or children, light wood flooring may be a good choice for you—it tends to show less than dark wood. If you love dark wood but are concerned about visible dirt, consider a shade in the lighter end of the dark range, like dark walnut or Jacobean. A satin finish will also help hide dirt and other imperfections on your floor.

At the end of the day, choosing the color of your light or dark wood flooring comes down to a matter of preference. With the right accent pieces and lifestyle adjustments, whichever color you like could be made to work beautifully in your home. To talk through all your flooring needs and find the color option that’s right for your space, contact the knowledgeable team at All American Carpet Inc. today.

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