Hardwood floor help?

8 years ago

We are still deciding on hardwood flooring. I’ve always wanted dark hardwood floors but I also want wide planks. I can’t seem the exact the color I want. The one here is slightly lighter and warmer but not as dark as I would like. The other one is darker but acacia so I know will have some variation. Is the trend towards lighter color? I’ve heard so many people say don’t go so dark. Help!

lighter warmer wide plank

darker açacia wood. plank 4-5

Featured Answer

SJ McCarthy

8 years ago

I would stick with the lighter of the two. Once it is installed it will make the entire home DARKER by 2-3 steps! That's quite a bit. And once the space is darker, the floor will "feel" darker than it actually is. The darker acasia is actually ranked as a DARK floor. The other one is considered "mid-tone". The mid-tone floors are usually easier to live with. They will still offer the drama of a dark floor without all the headaches.

A dark floor should come with a live-in maid. Anyone who has a hard time "seeing" dust is going to have a MASSIVE problem with dark floors. MASSIVE.

The lighter mid-toned floor is going to do everything you want it to do. Drama. Distinction. General appeal to the masses.

As for wood trends, light is back. In fact, white wood (yes...so light it is silver/white) is SUPER HOT. Dark has it's place and it always will. But light/natural colours are coming back into the trend spot light.

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Comments (10)

dmilk
Original Author
8 years ago
SJMcCarthy Thank you so much for your reply! I agree with everything you said and you answered many of my questions. That thought came to my mind today that the house is going to seem much darker once the flooring is in. Maybe selecting a mid tone will actually achieve the dark look I want without it being too dark. Right now my house is cream- white everything. White tile, white molding, white kitchen..It will be a definite change going to the dark floor.

You believe the wide plank mid tone would be a great choice, timeless look? We are putting it in our entire first floor which is 2000sq ft. So a very big decision for us. I dont want a trendy look that will become outdated in 10-15 years. I want a timeless look that holds true to the home.

While at the same time I must like it. I always wanted darker flooring. Maybe this mid tone would achieve the dark look that I want without the headache of dark floors like you said. We actually ordered 1 box of the lighter tone flooring and its coming next week. That way we can put up more of the flooring. The samples they give us are so small and hard to make a big decision off of 1 sample. Thanks again!
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prdanib
8 years ago
I have those dark floors. Though they are beautiful,

they are a PAIN IN THE NECK to keep clean!
PRO
Johnson Flooring Co Inc
8 years ago
I also like the lighter. The Acacia looks rather cheap while the wider plank looks of higher quality in scraping and finish. Buying a box of material is a great idea.
User
8 years ago
Neither. Both are too dark.
dmilk
Original Author
8 years ago
Prdanib would you purchase those floors again if you had to do over?
dmilk
Original Author
8 years ago
Johnson flooring thank you! So you believe the wider plank would look better in the home overall? That’s the way I am leaning now. The lighter color. It seems my phone make them appear much darker than they actually look in person. The lighter one is definitely a mid tone color.
dmilk
Original Author
8 years ago
Here is the box we ordered and laid out. Thoughts on this? Does it look too rustic? Our home is a brick home and was looking for a timeless look. Thanks!
dmilk
Original Author
8 years ago
Here it is
SJ McCarthy
8 years ago
The box shows a decent amount of colour variation (just a snick). The KNOTS are on EVERY PLANK! In fact, I can count 6-7 on a single plank (and part it is covered in rug). That's a LOT of "character". And character implies "rustic".

If you do not want rustic, then you may need to find a higher-grade of wood veneer. And I feel the product is going to make the home feel quite dark. It may require lighting upgrades (more $$$$) just to get a lighter feel to the rooms.

I don't mind character myself...it doesn't bother me. The depth of colour is beautiful but not one I would personally own - only because I'm a light and airy type of gal.

If you do not want "rustic", you will have to find another product.