Can we see a sample of both? I'm not an expert...I'll wait for those to chime in--but I think seeing the colors/styles will help with any advice.

There's nothing wrong with using two different floorings on two different levels.

But this is a new build, so my inclination would be to do the same flooring everywhere (except for wet areas). Are you considering two different floorings for design reasons, or for cost reasons? Whether I would choose hickory would depend on the wood itself.

But now I think I am answering more than you wanted to ask.....

I need more information. Is the upper floor visible from first level? If so, better to use only one type flooring. Also, a “hickory” look engineered flooring might have a high level of variation in tones. Be careful of too much variation. It gets “stripped” looking once laid and makes selecting other design elements more challenging. Just something to be aware of as you decide on what is best. One more thing. Whatever you choose make sure that product has parts suitable to do stairs matching materials. Edges are particularly challenging.

If you have a staircase, besides the concerns that Flo brought up, where will the color change be? At the top of the steps? It may look strange to have two colors so let us know why you’re considering it.

Inside rooms with doors (like bedrooms and bathrooms) a change of flooring makes more sense.

Thank you so much for responding. I've added a photo of the flooring we are considering.

If we go with one flooring, it will be the lighter one on the left. I appreciate all of your comments! Thank you again!

Dark looks better. Lighter for some reason gives a beach sand feeling. It’s definitely calmer but hard to find furniture that works well with light flooring unless it’s cream/ivory.

I'm not drawn to yellow light flooring. The floor can also go darker and more yellow with time and uv exposure. Engineered European Oak using Quercus Robur species provides a less yellow tone when finished with water based matte poly like Ciranova Ecofix. Prime grade unfinished.

Finished.

Rustic unfinished.

These are from Monarch Plank. Many other sources because a lot of production from Malasia, Vietnam and China.

One type of floor for the entire house. Tile in bathrooms. Simplicity is always better.

I agree with dan1888 about the color and Flo about the striped effect of hickory, so you may want to reconsider before you commit. Can you see a large sample of the hickory to help you decide?

True simplicity is not even tile in the bathrooms. I am 5 years in with all wood in bathrooms - including a now 14 year old's bathroom. Wood everywhere - tile is hard, cold, expensive and you have grout to worry about. The only tile I ever stand on is in the shower.

Especially when you are doing engineered.

One floor color. And the lighter one. Dark always looks dirty IMO - like a black car. Scratches are also more obvious.

David, you must all be easy on your stuff! Unless I lived alone, I would never consider doing engineered hardwood everywhere. I even did tile in a long back hallway because that is the main path into the house and the 3 dogs are confined in that area when we are out. The 60 lb dog had diarrhea when I was out dropping my DH for a medical procedure ... I was so glad for the tile in that area. Cleaned it all up with clorox with bleach and then finished with some nature's miracle pet cleaner. Cleaning that mess on top of engineered wood floors would have been awful.

I would look for a floor color that falls between the 2 sample you are showing and use that color throughout.

Your furniture color preferences (I.e. do you have a light couch or do you lean towards darker fabrics?) might dictate the floor color. But these two would look strange together in the same house. Pick one.

I’m with David - all engineered wood except for bathrooms, mud rooms and laundry rooms. If you have pets that can make a mess, then consider LVP. But engineered hardwood flooring is pretty tough - and beautiful.

Except you're not with David--he recommends wood in ALL the rooms, including bathrooms.

My .05 cents worth. Ditch the bamboo idea. It's not 'mountains'