Dark Floors vs Light Floors

[OrionGrad]

We're planning to re-do the floors in the house we're (fingers-crossed) buying, but DH and I are having the hardest time deciding what direction to go in terms of the hardwood color. I feel like dark floors are more on-trend, but lighter floors might be easier to take care of and they're a little more unique. We're planning to do chunky white baseboards and very light gray walls. We don't want anything with yellow, golden, or red tints, and we don't want anything SUPER dark.

Neither of these pictures is our house, I'm just trying to show the two different shades we're deciding between. Any thoughts on hardwood floors? What looks better, will be easier to take care of with kids + dog, etc.? Please share your wisdom!

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[SoonerTexan]

I like them both! Honestly, they are both medium toned enough (not blonde or almost-black dark) that they should be pretty classic.

Maybe a walnut?

I cannot wait to see what you guys do.

[rufflesanddots]

We're planning to re-do the floors in the house we're (fingers-crossed) buying, but DH and I are having the hardest time deciding what direction to go in terms of the hardwood color. I feel like dark floors are more on-trend, but lighter floors might be easier to take care of and they're a little more unique. We're planning to do chunky white baseboards and very light gray walls. We don't want anything with yellow, golden, or red tints, and we don't want anything SUPER dark.

Neither of these pictures is our house, I'm just trying to show the two different shades we're deciding between. Any thoughts on hardwood floors? What looks better, will be easier to take care of with kids + dog, etc.? Please share your wisdom!

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Quoting to see.

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[ides]

I like lighter floors. I think dark show dirt more.


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[MrsC]

We have dark wood in our kitchen and they're beautiful but they show absolutely every mark and scuff. They're so hard to keep clean. They are more of a reddish tone with a very glossy finish, which doesn't help at all. I like both of the ones you posted but would probably go with the first one. Definitely make sure it's a real hardwood like walnut that can take a beating and that the finish isn't too glossy. I love dark wood but with pets and kids...so much work.

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[OrionGrad]

We have dark wood in our kitchen and they're beautiful but they show absolutely every mark and scuff. They're so hard to keep clean. They are more of a reddish tone with a very glossy finish, which doesn't help at all. I like both of the ones you posted but would probably go with the first one. Definitely make sure it's a real hardwood like walnut that can take a beating and that the finish isn't too glossy. I love dark wood but with pets and kids...so much work.

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I remembered you mentioning that before, and I was thinking about you when we saw some of the darker colored options. Are your floors walnut? Right now we're thinking wide plank oak. With two boys and a crazy dog, I can't handle high maintenance floors.

[MrsC]

uploadfromtaptalk1466473175090.jpg Kind of gives you an idea although you can see the gloss much better during the day. Ignore the old cat
I have no idea what type of wood it is. The previous owners installed it and we didn't think to ask. It's super soft though, everything marks it.
Oak would be great! I think the more pronounced grain would make wear and tear less obvious too. I've never had walnut floors but our walnut table takes a beating and nothing marks it.

[Deebs]

I like the lighter. As others have said, dark shows dirt, fur balls, marks, dust, etc soooo easily.


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[HouseofWool]

Dark Floors vs Light Floors

MrsC, I wonder if it is pine. My parents have that is some rooms in their house and the graining is similar.

Personally, I am not a fan of oak. While it is durable, the grain can be very pronounced.

I have blond maple floors and I flove them.



This was the best shot that I have on my phone. Ignore the crazy kid in the pic.

With the color variations in the wood, I don't see dirt, but he grain is still very tight. I think these floors are original, from 1942.

[ides]

I'm not a biggest fan of oak either but our oak floors sure take a beating, are 86 years old and still look great. I have seen on a wood floor chart about types of wood for flooring that you can get a grade 1 of oak that doesn't have a pronounced grain. There are woods harder than oak too. I would probably go with the hardest that looked good in a medium tone.


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[Pollyanna]

We've had both. We had maple for 13 years, and very similar to your lower pic for the last two years. Neither is better than the other. If you are a perfectionist and don't like scratches, dents, or dings on your floor then do not get real wood. Go with a tile or laminate. I would recommend you go with the color you like best. If you want something more forgiving go with the darker stain.

[GrayMatterWife]

I am so impressed that your DH actually cares! I had our entire front foyer floors refinished and stained a new color and my DH did not notice for three weeks...

[OrionGrad]

I am so impressed that your DH actually cares! I had our entire front foyer floors refinished and stained a new color and my DH did not notice for three weeks...

OMG he cares way too much. I downloaded the Houzz app on his phone, and now suddenly he has all of these opinions and (crazy) ideas that I have to pretend to take into consideration.

[alotofyarn]

I like the lighter. We have sort of a medium oak, and I really like it.

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[Kudzoo]

Light woods are great for hiding dirt. We looked at a home with beautiful mahogany floors that had been rendered destroyed by a dog and a few kids. Lighter is the way to go unless you have no kids and pets and always wear socks.

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