Hardwood floor stain color?

13 years ago

Hi-
We are heading into the home stretch with our apartment renovation and need to start thinking about a stain for the hardwood floor that we had installed throughout our duplex. At first, we were all set to go darker or at least medium dark - close to our island cabinet color. Well, the island turned out darker than expected and I'm kind of liking the color of the unfinished floor. The floors are oak, both up, down and on the stairs. Thanks in advance for any help or suggestions. I've posted a few pix - we have an open floor plan upstairs with kitchen, living room and dining in between. Walls are freshly painted (nice and petty). The hall photo is downstairs where we have two bedrooms.

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S-Squared // Architecture + Interiors + Landscape

13 years ago

As the space doesn't seem to have a lot of natural light and the ceilings are relatively low, I agree with Bobbi that the floors should be a shade or two lighter than the stain color of the pony wall.

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Comments (9)

charleee
13 years ago
I LOVE the natural color of your floors. If you go this way, make sure to put a sealer on it that won't yellow. And dark floors are a nightmare, been there, done that, I will never do it again.
monika2024
13 years ago
I like the light as well. But I prefer the darker warmer colors. I don't have an issue with the dark floors...they're just like everything else..you have to clean them, just like the maintenance on white kitchen cabinets or marble bathroom.
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charleee
13 years ago
monika2024, I beg to disagree! Dark floors are super high maintenance. I've had them, and they just never look clean even if you sweep/vacuum/mop them 3 times/day!
monika2024
13 years ago
Hmmm really? Mine look great. But then again, we have a no shoe policy in the house and clean thoroughly once a week and and vaccum everyday. I really don't think they're more of a maintenance than white cabs or stone floors/counters, etc. But to each is own i guess.
charleee
13 years ago
Your no shoe policy in the house is probably the thing that makes yours work! Are your floors shiny? Mine were extremely dull, and natural light from the sliding glass door was just awful! But I do agree with you that dark floors are warmer, and def more dramatic.
monika2024
13 years ago
Yes mine are shiny and I know when someone snuck in with shoes on... I know it's nuts, but think about it: you walk into a public bathroom and step near the toilet, walk in the parking lots where there's oil resin, walk on grass where there could potentially be dog/cat poop remnants... eeeewwww ...Yes I'm nuts but it keeps my floors spotless. : D
charleee
13 years ago
No, I don't think you're nuts, I think you're smart. And I avoid public restrooms at all costs. Ok, well maybe Starbuck's restrooms, they're usually pretty clean!
jagrawal7
13 years ago
My last house had pretty Brazilian walnut floors. I loved them but they showed every tiny piece of dirt and scratched easily- especially when one would move the dining chairs around. We also have a no-shoe policy but it didn't prevent the scratching entirely. I love the natural look you have- I have that currently. It is pretty. Nevertheless, I think oak is harder than some of the more exotic woods so you may be okay w staining anyway.