Hardwood Floors: Light VS Dark?

Over the years I’ve worked with countless clients who were planning on either refinishing existing hardwood floors or installing new ones (whether traditional hardwood or engineered), and quite often, there is a light vs dark debate.

Light floors are definitely having a moment, however clients aren’t always sure if they’re the right fit for them.

Light-toned flooring, whether its bleached, light-toned oak, or even a pale grey tone, will feel more casual than darker flooring, so that is something to factor in as you’re making your decision. Additionally, if you want it to be very light without any orange undertone you’ll need to bleach the wood prior to staining if you’re using traditional hardwood. This is doable, but it is a multi-step process which will add time and cost.

Lighter floors look great with a matte finish and truly hide scratches, dirt and other imperfections well. This makes them much more family and pet-friendly. You’ll still be able to see the scratches, but they won’t be quite as noticeable as they would be on darker flooring.

Darker floors tend to feel a little more formal and traditional than their lighter counterparts. I believe they look just as beautiful in a matte or glossy finish, however glossy floors will show scratches more, which in addition to darker stains showing scratches more, means that you need to be more mindful if this is your choice. Secondly, dirt, dust and pet hair tend to show up more against darker floors, so they will also require more upkeep in terms of day-to-day maintenance.

If you’re interested in more in depth information about different types of flooring, head to our shop page on our website and download our free Home Design Guide, a 25 page e-book filled with tips, tricks and more design info!

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