How to Choose Hardwood Flooring for Your Style

How to Choose Hardwood Flooring for Your Style

What Exactly Is Hardwood Flooring?

Solid hardwood flooring is made of one piece of wood from top to bottom and can be used in any room that is on or above ground. The most common hardwood species used in flooring are oak, hickory and maple; however, there are many species to choose from. Each species varies in durability, grain patterns and color.

Flooring to Match Your Style

Whether you’re building the rustic family farmhouse of your dreams or renovating your mid-century fixer-upper — the flooring you choose plays a huge role in the overall finished aesthetic of the space.

For a clean, contemporary look, you’ll likely want to consider a light, smooth hardwood like oak or maple. Lighter hardwood floors create a sunny, cheerful atmosphere, and tend to feel more modern and laid-back in style. And if you’re up against pet hair, dust, and debris, lighter colored hardwood flooring will tend to show less than its darker counterpart.

For a more rustic look, you might want to consider hand-scraped or distressed hardwood. Both options evoke an old-world feeling within your home. Whether you’re going for the coziness of a farmhouse look, or the cool factor of an industrial loft — the unique texture of hand-scraped or distressed floors add dimension and offer added charm to your space. From a practical standpoint, distressed floors also do a fantastic job at hiding dust and small debris such as pet hair, and dirt particles.

If it’s traditional elegance you’re after, classic dark hardwood might be for you. A walnut or cherry floor will exude a timeless design aesthetic, and work across a spectrum of styles. Just keep in mind that when it comes to dents and scratches, dark hardwood tends to show them a bit more. 

Check out our hardwood flooring page for more information, stop by one of our showrooms to speak with a Flooring Expert, or schedule an in-home appointment with us today!