Hardwood flooring is a really ideal choice for homes of all kinds. It is practical because it is easy to care for, it will last for years into the future, and it is sturdy enough to handle tough use on a routine basis. Hardwood flooring also comes in all kinds of colors and textures, which is perfect when you are looking to tie together the design notes in each part of your home.
Choosing a hardwood pattern can feel like a high-pressure decision. There are so many kinds of hardwood flooring and so many colors, grains, and textures that are offered within each type of flooring. You might be uncertain about how you should make your choice, but don’t panic. There are some simple guidelines that can help you make a smart decision that will lead to you selecting the perfect flooring for your home.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Hardwood Floor Pattern
Hardwood flooring comes in all kinds of colors and types these days. Now that there are manufactured wood products on the market, you are only limited by your budget or styling constraints as you select your new flooring. Make sure that you keep these tips and tricks in mind as you are thinking about which flooring pattern might suit your needs and taste preferences the best.
1. Think About the Width of the Color Variations and Striations
One of the things that can sneak up on people who have never picked out flooring before is that large color variations in some hardwood materials can translate poorly in certain living spaces. Hardwood flooring with large color striations or big blocks of color can be the wrong choice for small rooms because you won’t be able to see the variety of colors if you are not able to install the full length of the planks in your living space.
Many smaller rooms require that the planks are cut down significantly to fit the size of the rooms. This can lead to flooring that looks like it’s a single color or that has strange, large splotches of color in it. Be conservative about flooring types with large color variations unless you are adding new floors to a very large space.
2. Consider Texture
There are all kinds of textures that you can choose from when you are looking at hardwood floors. Some are very smooth while others have a rough texture like natural wood. Texture can be great if you have pets or if you want a very natural-looking floor, but it can also trap dirt and grime in high-traffic areas. Be sure that you think about upkeep and the overall style that you want to contribute to the room.
Texture can make or break a hardwood floor decision, so it’s important to think about whether you want a really smooth floor or a highly textured floor while you are also thinking about colors and other design notes.
3. Compare to the Rest of the Room
Lots of people choose hardwood floors without thinking about the rest of the décor that is already present in their home. Even neutral flooring can be the wrong fit for some homes. You should take a sample of all of the various hardwood materials that you are considering home with you and place them all next to your cabinets, carpet, and furniture before making a decision.
Spending some time with the flooring materials that you are thinking of investing in can help clarify which ones make sense in your existing living spaces and which ones don’t quite fit. If you are remodeling your whole home, you will need to look at all of the various samples that you have selected and ensure that they will all work with one another.
4. Changing the Perception of the Size of the Space
Small, narrow rooms can benefit from smart choices when it comes to the flooring that you select. Small spaces often benefit from patterns that make the floor appear wider. You might want to choose light or neutral tones as well as matte finishes for these kinds of rooms. As noted in the first tip, be wary of large splotches of color in the flooring materials that you are thinking of using for the project. Large swathes of color can be very distracting to the eye, and they can also bisect the room in unflattering ways.
The kind of flooring that you elect to use for your room can make it appear smaller or larger, but it can be hard to tell which end result you will achieve from a small sample. A flooring visualization tool can help you imagine what the entire room will look like with each flooring installed in it. You should consider uploading an image of your room to one of these tools and taking a look at all of the flooring choices on your list. This could be a great way to imagine how the size of the room will be impacted by your flooring selection.
Choosing a Hardwood Flooring Pattern Doesn’t Have to Cause You Lots of Stress
Hardwood flooring is a great choice for rooms of all kinds. Whether you are looking at installing flooring in a kitchen, living room, or bedroom, the pattern that is part of the flooring design matters. The color, texture, or pattern that is part of a flooring material you choose can make the room seem bigger or smaller, and it can contrast or blend with the other materials that are already in place in your home. Choosing the right flooring can make or break a living space, which is why you need to be aware of these tips and tricks as you are shopping for the right flooring solution for your house.
If you are not sure about which flooring to choose, consider taking samples home and taking a look at them for a few days in your actual home. Also consider using a visualization tool to help you imagine what each flooring option will look like in your home.