If you are shopping for a new hard surface floor – LVP, laminate, or hardwood — you are going to see lots of light colored floors. When we talk about light hard surface floors, we’re generally talking about shades that are known as “blonde”. These floors have very pale or golden undertones.
Light Wood Floors Can Make a Space Brighter
If your space is naturally bright, light wood flooring is a great way to play into that natural luster. Light floors are excellent for sunroom flooring, for example. It feels like a natural extension of the sun, just begging people to come and luxuriate in its warmth. A dark floor, on the other hand, may wind up giving the space a colder feel.
PRO TIP: Laminate floors are your best choice for a sunroom that gets a lot of natural light. Laminates have a "no fade" warranty, hardwood and most LVP does not.
And They Can Give Some Pep to Normally Darker Rooms
If you have a room that doesn’t get much natural sunlight, it may need help to prevent it from feeling gloomy. Many bedrooms, for example, aren’t built with sun-facing windows (which are often reserved for larger family rooms and kitchens).
Blonde Tones Can Also Make a Space Appear Larger
Light wood floors are fantastic for creating the illusion of more open space. Think about the words used to describe light-colored rooms: airy, open, and natural. Not only does lighter flooring fool the eye into thinking there’s more space than is really there, but any natural sunlight will reflect off the floor, too—further adding to the illusion of space!
Lighter-colored floors reflect light, making rooms appear brighter and larger. Dark hardwood, on the other hand, absorbs light. This has the opposite effect, making rooms feel closer and darker. In some rooms, this is an advantage! In others, not so much.
Light Flooring Appears Cleaner Than Dark Floors
Want to hear something counterintuitive? Dirt is super easy to notice on dark hardwood floors. It doesn’t blend in as well as you’d probably think. Dust, hair, and crumbs are typically pretty light, so they’re much more likely to contrast with the dark background. Light floors do a better job of hiding your dirt!
That’s not to say that you can give up on cleaning your floors, but you may cringe a little less when unexpected guests drop by.
Light Hardwood Flooring Doesn’t Show Scratches as Easily
Of course, your hardwood floor isn’t going to be impervious to scratches. Even the most durable wood flooring can get dinged up now and again. And the damage will probably stand out more on darker hardwood.
This is because almost all dark hardwood flooring is stained a darker color, so the natural wood underneath is a lighter shade than what you see on top. When the stain layer gets scratched or dented, it creates a sharp contrast.
A light hardwood floor, on the other hand, won’t have that deep contrast. Scratches won’t stand out as much because the top layer mostly matches what’s underneath. If you don’t have super scratch-resistant flooring but you do have kids or pets, light wood may be the way to go.
Light Hardwood Flooring is Better for Dog Owners
As any dog owner will tell you, our four-legged friends can be a bit messy (and occasionally destructive). If visible scratches stress you out, light hardwood is an excellent option to consider. It is among the best wood floors for dogs, since it hides scratches pretty well. And dogs are going to scratch.
The ability to hide dirt, grime, and scratches a bit better than dark hardwood makes light hardwood floors good for homes with kids and high traffic areas, too.
Red or White? American or European?
Most hardwood floors are oak, and since laminate and LVP mimics hardwoods, you will have both options to choose from in LVP and laminate as well. Red oak is very light and has pink tinges, with a very visible grain. White oak, on the other hand, is surprisingly a bit darker—it has more of a golden tint to it, and it’s a tiny bit harder.
European white oak is very popular. It has a fine, tight grain and smaller growth rings than American oak, giving the graining a more uniform flow. It also has more even color across boards. This, combined with a more wavy grain pattern than American oak’s mostly straight grain, allows for better contrasts between shades in the grain pattern, giving it a more unique aesthetic. With less sapwood and a higher tannin content, European Oak also absorbs stains better than American oak —making scratches less noticeable.
Hickory is another popular option. Hickory is a very strong and durable wood. It’s excellent if you like a rustic look, as most hickory has a lot of character and heavy grain.
Should Floors be Darker or Lighter than Walls?
Here’s a question that has no definitive answer. In general, darker floors and lighter walls help to create a sense of order for the eye.
However, a light floor and darker walls can be pulled off if done correctly. Be sure that the undertones of the walls and the floor match, and you’ll be ok!
Maybe you have (or want) grey walls. They’re very contemporary. The only catch is that they can feel a little cold. You might be tempted to think that light hardwood floors with grey walls would only increase this cold feeling. Not so! Pairing them with some white trim and a light golden floor warms up a space.
Is Light Right for You?
An airy, bright space is just so cheerful—and couldn’t we all use a little cheer in our lives?
Of course, not everyone has the same tastes, and light wood floors simply may not be your vibe. And that’s ok! But if you’re like us, you think that light wood flooring is absolutely gorgeous. Come in today and let us help you find the perfect light colored floor for you!
How Much Does It Cost
Here’s the scoop on some of our recent installations of light colored floors:
450 sq ft Somerset hardwood floors Classic Collection ¾” x 3 ¼” color Red Oak Natural in the large kitchen and foyer of a Marietta home for $6300
684 sq ft COREtec VV024 Plus Plank 7” wide color Foxbury Oak in the primary bedroom, 2 guest bedrooms, and hall of a Marietta home for $5100
Wonderful World Of Window Treatments
The colors used for your interior décor influences the temperature and light you get inside your home. Dark and light colors have their own set of advantages and drawbacks. From the color of the wall paper or paint, to furniture upholstery and window coverings- the choice between light and dark plays an important role. There are numerous factors that you will have to keep in mind while choosing the colour of your drapery.
Dark-Colored Draperies
The following are the advantages associated with dark colored drapes:
- Dark colors work very well when you have a spacious home. Drapery in rich dark shades make large and high-ceilinged rooms visually shrink and appear cozy. If the furnishing is scarce and there is a lot of empty spaces, dark colored drapes can make the room look fuller. To balance the overall décor, use similar colored upholstery and other elements in the room.
- Dark tones add a visual contrast to your room which can be dramatic and striking. This also draws the attention of the viewers towards your drapery and away from any imperfection or clutter in the room.
- Dirt and dust do not show up as easily on darker fabric which means they don’t require as frequent vacuuming.
- There is a variety of dark shades and each color is strikingly different from each other giving homeowners more choices.
However, there are certain drawbacks as well to bear in mind:
- Darker colors can be overwhelming in a small room and make it appear even smaller.
- Planning your interior design theme based on dark colors can be tricky as even the slightest mistake in the design gets highlighted.
- Drapes should be complementary to the wall color for the best results. However, dark colored drapes can be difficult to match with anything but neutral and light walls.
Light-Colored Draperies:
Light colored drapes have a few perks that makes them a popular choice:- Shades of beige, white, ice blue, grey, and other neutrals have a timeless appeal and never go out of trend.
- Light colors reflect the light better and create the illusion of space even in a small room.
- If you are looking for lightweight translucent drapes, usually they are available in lighter colors. These fabrics like lace beautifully flows and drapes that add more dimension to your interior decor.
- Fading from sunlight is not as prominent in the light-colored drapes.
