Apr 27, 2023 | Carpet One Floor & Home
No flooring is more timeless and classic than hardwood. But just because it is classic doesn’t mean it’s only an option for a traditional, classic space. Hardwood floors create a beautiful backdrop for any style room – from rustic to modern. There are certain characteristics of hardwood floors that make them more suitable for one style or another. Before you choose the right hardwood for your home, here are a few basics to review.
Solid or Engineered Hardwood?
It’s always good to understand the differences between the types of hardwood before your shop. Solid hardwood flooring is just what it sounds like. Each piece is a single piece of wood. It’s the simplest, purest form of hardwood flooring. It can be sanded and refinished to change the look without putting in a new floor.
Engineered hardwood is still made entirely from wood. The difference is that it is constructed from three to five layers of wood laminated together with grains running at different angles. The top layer is the layer of wood that you see. Engineered hardwood floors are actually more structurally sound so they can actually be installed in areas where solid wood flooring might not be an option – like a moisture-prone basement.
Colours of Hardwood Floors
If your home leans more towards a contemporary style, you’ll want to look at very different hardwood floor colours than someone who has a more traditional approach. But, before you make any decisions about the colour of your hardwood floors, you should first be in tune with your own personal style.
Are you always keeping up with the trends? Are grey and white a staple in your home, or do you love a pop of colour? Do you consider yourself a minimalist, or would consider yourself a minimalist, if it weren’t for the copious plants and natural elements that you’ve brought into your space? If any of these sound like you, you probably have a modern design style.
To find a floor that compliments the modern style and décor in your home, you’ll want to look at either very light or very dark hardwood floor colours. Extremely light or dark flooring is the perfect way to either add contrast to your monochrome style or carry it into your hardwood floor colour choice.
Now, if you’re more traditional, it’s likely that your space will look a little different than those mentioned above. Traditional décor brings in elements from history and the natural world to create an elegant, comfortable space that makes you feel right at home. Warm neutrals are a staple of traditional design, and this carries over into the best hardwood floor colour for your space.
Unlike modern design, traditional design trends tend to stay away from any extreme light or darks, instead focusing on keeping things neutral and comfortable. Therefore, medium tone hardwood floors, like honey or cherry, work well with more traditional styles.
Of course, there are always exceptions to these rules and the only way to truly find the best hardwood floor stain colour for your space and style is to look for yourself. Check out the gorgeous hardwood floor colours in our catalog – light, medium and dark.
Perhaps the most important indicators of how the floor looks are the species of wood and the stain colour. The species of the wood will determine the characteristics of the hardwood floors grain that you see through the stain as well as the performance of your floor (especially if it’s a solid wood floor). Let’s take a look at three of the most popular – Oak, Maple and Hickory.
Oak is very hard and durable. It has a prominent grain so you will notice distinct markings and a wide variation in pattern from piece to piece. Oak is easily stained in many colours.
Maple is not quite as hard as oak but still a great option for floors. Maple has a more even grain and its light colour stains well.
Hickory is one of the hardest and strongest woods. Hickory has a grain with a large contrast of light and dark colours. The grain will be very distinct especially with a light stain.
Wood Plank Size
Plank size refers to the width of each piece of wood in your floor. Plank sizes vary from 2-1/4” to 6” and wider. Narrow planks (or strips) tend to have a more traditional and formal look. They also can make a small room feel larger. Wider planks are a little more casual and rustic. If you’re looking to make a large space feel more intimate, wide planks may be right for you.
Low v. High Gloss Hardwood Floors
Do you want your floors to have that shiny, wet look or something a little more matte? A shiny look will be more formal while less gloss tends to create a more casual look.
This high gloss floor fits well in a more traditional home. High gloss hardwood floors bounce light off the sheen, which can also make the room look brighter.
A low gloss floor looks great in a more casual space. It's also more natural looking, so it's ideal for achieving the perfect rustic style. Matte hardwood floors hide scratches which makes them perfect for homes with pets and kids.
As you can see, there are so many different hardwood styles you can create with a beautiful hardwood floor as your base. Whether you want the perfect modern, contemporary, rustic, or traditional home, there's a hardwood flooring options out there for you.
Ready to shop? Browse our curated selection of hardwood flooring online. Or, are you ready to start the conversation with one of our flooring experts? Contact us today.
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