One of the most important decisions you must make when selecting the best-engineered hardwood flooring for your home is whether you prefer dark or light wood. Both alternatives are stunning and have the power to change a space. However, both light and dark wood offer distinctive characteristics that, in some cases, make one preferable to the other. For your project, picking the ideal wood flooring requires considering several factors. It would help if you thought about your tastes, the size and feel of the room, the requirements of your home and lifestyle, and your preferred décor style. With the help of this tutorial, learn when to utilise dark wood instead of light wood.
Lighting Concerns
Everything in the room—and we do mean everything—is impacted by lighting. Light is a critical factor in interior design, influencing everything from the precise hue of your accent colour to how spacious the room feels. Your wood flooring’s ability to function within the space is likewise influenced by light and vice versa. Lighter hues reflect more light, making the area appear brighter. Darker colours, on the other hand, obstruct light and give the room a darker appearance overall.
When deciding on the type of wood hue you desire, consider this. Paler wood shades will help a room feel brighter if it has little natural light. Dark wood, however, can produce a gloomier, more sombre atmosphere. This is a great way to balance out rooms with large windows, skylights, or other light sources that can flood the area with light and make everything appear washed out.
Sun Damage
You need to think about solar damage in addition to lighting. Direct sunlight will cause wood to deteriorate over time, and wood lighter in colour is more vulnerable to solar injury. Keep this in mind when remodelling areas that receive much sunshine. Make sure to use UV-resistant finishes to shield the lighter wood you choose for these areas from the sun. To help protect the areas of your floor that receive the most sun, you can also place mats or area rugs close to glass doors.
Sizing Matters
Your choice of wood colour has an impact on both the lighting and the size of the room. Even smaller rooms appear vast because lighter woods give the impression of being more open and airy. Paler forests’ increased ability to reflect light also aids in this. On the other side, darker woods add weight to the area that may make it appear smaller. This is sometimes a positive thing. Darker woods can help ground a room in large, open spaces. However, lighter wood might be the best option if you’re working in a smaller area.
Compatibility With Your Furniture
You must take into account other factors in addition to the room itself. Additionally, your wood flooring needs to complement the furniture you use to decorate. Mainly when working with wood furniture, you must pay particular attention. If the chair and coffee table legs are too similar to the floor, they will blend in with the wood and have an unnatural uniform appearance. On the other side, a space may appear cluttered or disorganised if there are fewer different wood grains and designs. By selecting a few complimentary wood tones, you may strike a balance. Dark wood floors contrast pleasingly with light wood furniture and vice versa.
Your Decor Style
What style of architecture do you want for your house? Do you desire a pleasant, homey, rustic atmosphere? Modern and basic are more your style. Should it be classy and severe or light and airy? The tone of your wood will help you achieve any mood you’re trying to achieve. Darker colours enhance traditional and rustic settings, while lighter colours work better for modern designs.
To create the ideal design, you may always combine different wood colours. Remember that undertones have an impact on how a room feels as well. Make sure you discover the ideal complement for your perfect design because cool and warm undertones are available in light and dark woods.
Tackling Dust, Dirt & Debris
Your floors will become dirty regardless of the colour of your selected flooring. Living on them entails doing that. Your home’s wood flooring type, nevertheless, may have an impact on how noticeable such problems are. Lighter floors hide grime and dust due to the colour’s similarity. The majority of debris is more delicate. Therefore, on darker feet, it will stand out and draw attention.
Pet hair will be much more noticeable on light wood flooring in houses with dark-furred animals. You have to consider the types of messes you bring into your home while thinking about cleanliness. Also, remember that a sweeping weekly schedule will keep dirt at bay and allow you to enjoy your beautiful floor, regardless of colour.
Dealing With Scrapes, Dents & Scratches
Maintaining your hardwood floors involves more than just keeping them free of dust and debris. You must also consider potential dings, dents, and other damage to your lovely floors. Your choice of flooring might lessen the damage your floors sustain. Hickory, for instance, is a tough, long-lasting wood that doesn’t scratch as easily as other species.
However, after time, dents and scratches can appear on any flooring. Like dirt tends to stand out more, these defects are more noticeable in darker woods because of the starker contrast. A lighter floor that can hide the wear and tear your flooring sustains over time may make you feel more secure if you live in a busy home with lots of pets, people, and activity.
So Which Would You Choose?
Whether to choose dark wood or light wood in a house design depends on you and your preferences. You can use dark wood in a smaller room, has less natural light and is frequently used. The good news is that engineered hardwood flooring comes in various styles, and making your space match the wood flooring you want only requires a little ingenuity and effort. Additionally, several design hacks and tactics can help you complete your ideal style and tie a place together.
No matter what kind of flooring you are looking for, you are sure to find the perfect option at SG Goodwood. Just browse our pages and you’ll surely find what you are looking for to complete your dream interior!
