You will never regret choosing to have timber floors in your home. When it comes to flooring, timber floors can’t compare with other elements. Timber flooring is extremely versatile; you will always enjoy it even when you change your home’s design and décor. Choosing the perfect shade of timber ensures that your floor does not look out of place. Light or dark wooden flooring has a different impact on your environment.

Before you choose the shade of your timber flooring, consider the following:

Room size

It would be best if you understood that while light flooring creates an illusion of space, dark flooring, on the other hand, makes an interior look smaller. Neither of the choices is wrong. When designing a large space, choosing a dark timber floor will draw the room in and cause a dramatic contrast. When working on a smaller space, go for a light timber floor; it usually appears larger.

How frequently is a room used?

The more frequently a room is used, the more maintenance it will require. A light timber floor is the better choice for a room with a lot of traffic. You will find that a dark timber floor easily shows up scuff marks, dent, and scratches. Light timber floors are more forgiving in hiding dust and dirt. Therefore, if you often entertain or have pets and children, a room will get more tear and wear – going for a light wooden floor is recommended.

Furniture and décor

The surrounding setup of a room is another factor to consider, especially that floors don’t exist in isolation. The shade of floor that you choose should work well with the decor and the furniture. For example, if you have warm-coloured furniture, then going for a dark timber floor would be a perfect combination. To achieve the desired effect, play around with matching and contrast. Light timber floor enhances bright patterns and colours.

Natural lighting

Natural lighting affects the effect of a given flooring blend in a room. A dark floor will make a room look darker, while a light floor makes a room look brighter. If a room is intended for studying or kitchen purposes, consider a light floor for better lighting. A dark floor might be problematic if a room doesn’t have adequate natural lighting. You have to incur extra costs for artificial lighting. Weigh all the aspects before making the final choice as still a lot of rays plus a light-coloured floor is problematic too.

Pros and Cons of Dark timber floors

Pros

  • Dark timber floors do not fade easily.
  • Dark timber floors hide regime and dirt.
  • Dark colours enhance wood’s natural character giving a powerful je ne sais quoi to a home, making it dramatically beautiful.
  • Increase value of a home.

Cons

  • Not a good choice for children and pets
  • Do not hide scratches
  • They make a room appear smaller

Pros and Cons of Light timber floors

Pros

  • They work well with most internal décor
  • They provide a great camouflage to scuffs and scratches hiding them
  • Tend to make space look bigger

Cons

  • Highly prone to wear and tear
  • Stains and scratches are more noticeable
  • Not recommended in much light

Wrap up

Regardless of the floor shade you will choose, your maintenance determines the look, the value, and the span that your timber floor will last. Your decision should be wise, and either is good.

If you’re still unsure, get in touch and discuss your options with our professionals.

1