Hardwood floors are a valuable investment in any home. There are several varieties of hardwood available, and each style and color comes with its own unique features that can transform any space. Use our guide to discover which hardwood flooring colors are best for your home!

In This Guide:
Style Glossary
Hardwood Floor Styles

Style Glossary

When it comes to hardwood, color is influenced by many factors, including the wood species, surface texture, gloss level, color category, and shade. In addition, sun exposure and wear and tear over time can also alter the hue of your hardwood floors.

Species: When thinking about wood floor colors, the backbone is often the species of the wood. From there, the species can be manipulated to have a variety of looks or colors as we mentioned above. That is why selecting the right species is the first and most important step. Take a look at the different types of species available for your hardwood floors and determine which would be right for your space.

Color: Determining which wood species you prefer can be overwhelming, especially when there is such color variety within each type. The best way to narrow your search is by selecting a color theme or palette. There are six popular color categories to choose from: tan, red, brown, gray, black. Unsure which of these hardwood flooring colors to go with? When in doubt, order a sample and try it out in your space. Does it work cohesively with the furniture and decor that already exists in the room? If there are large windows, does the flooring look different in direct sunlight?

Shade: To further define your ideal hardwood color, pair colors with shades for a curated look. These shades are light, medium, and dark. For example, you might start by searching for a light gray hardwood flooring option or a dark gray hardwood flooring option, and each will give you dramatically different results.

Surface Texture: Selecting a custom surface texture will affect the overall look of your hardwood floor while assisting in its durability. The four common textures to choose from are smooth, hand-scraped, distressed, and wire-brushed. Smooth-textured hardwood comes without blemishes or marks, creating a sleek and supple look. The other three all come with some form of distress or intentional markings. Many choose to have pre-distressed floors so that when they get scuffed or scraped, the marks do not stand out on an otherwise unblemished surface. Hand-scraped wood is more expensive, as the process requires labor-intensive hand scraping to look weathered and worn. Wire-brushed floors show off the heart of the wood by pulling the soft, surface-level grain from the top of the wood. Distressed hardwood provides an antique look and includes aging methods that are often a combination of the other types.

Gloss Level: Adding a gloss to your hardwood floors seals them with a protective layer that will prevent damage over time. It can also be used as a tool to manipulate the color of your hardwood with shine and sheen. The higher the gloss, the shinier the floor and the more reflective of light, footprints, and markings it will be. The four different gloss levels your hardwood can have are high, matte, satin, or semi. High-gloss floors are the glossiest and shiniest option, making them more vulnerable to scrapes and scuffs. A semi gloss finish is the next glossiest, providing a slightly less glossy sheen. Satin-gloss floors show off a more controlled and sleek shine and work well to control most markings. Matte finishes have the lowest luster, giving off a duller shine than other glosses.

Plank Width: Select your preferred plank width for a curated hardwood look for your space. Your hardwood can have four different plank widths: wide, medium, thin, and random. Wide planks have a width of at least 6", medium planks have a width between 3.5" and 6", and thin planks are less than 3.5" wide. Random-width planks are a combination of different widths to create an eye-catching and disparate look.

Hardwood Floor Styles

Consider these hardwood flooring styles if you are having difficulty customizing your own look.

1. Traditional
2. Contemporary
3. Global-Inspired
4. Rustic

Traditional

Traditional is one of the most popular hardwood flooring styles found in homes. Warmer, natural-toned woods are used to create a beautiful and sustainable flooring option. A light sheen is customary, simulating sunlight and a balmy glow. Keep in mind that lighter-toned flooring makes rooms appear brighter and more spacious, while darker colors bring a warm richness to the room.

Traditional Hardwood Flooring Features:
Plank width: thin or medium
Wood species: white oak or maple
Surface texture: smooth
Gloss level: satin or semigloss
Color finish: medium browns or subtle red tones

Contemporary

Some hardwood flooring can make a room feel updated and contemporary, especially if it is paired with minimalist furniture and decor. For a contemporary hardwood look, try pale beige, honey, and gray to add brightness to open living spaces (these work well in coastal-inspired homes). Meanwhile, darker hues add drama and character when paired with lighter furniture and walls.

Contemporary Hardwood Flooring Features:
Plank width: wide or random
Wood species: oak, cork, bamboo, or maple
Surface texture: smooth
Gloss level: high-gloss or matte
Color finish: white and light gray washes or deep, dark browns and blacks

Global-Inspired

Choose from a wide variety of colors and species to create a unique, global-inspired look. This style is a popular choice for those with an eclectic and worldly home. Hardwood floors made from exotic wood species are perfect for this look. They may cost more, but their superior hardness and durability make them a sustainable option.

Global-Inspired Hardwood Flooring Features:
Plank width: medium or wide
Wood species: Brazilian cherry, tigerwood, or bamboo
Surface texture: smooth with bold variation
Gloss level: matte or high-gloss
Color finish: multi-toned dark browns or deep reds

Rustic

Rustic-style hardwood looks aged and timeworn, making this style ideal for high-traffic areas in any home. Due to its decidedly imperfect finish, this is a popular choice among families because it hides scratches and dents easier than other hardwood. Rustic hardwood suits cottage-, country-, and coastal-style homes – and rustic homes too, of course!

Rustic Hardwood Flooring Features:
Plank width: medium or wide
Wood species: oak, maple, or hickory
Surface texture: hand-scraped, distressed, or wire-brushed
Gloss level: semigloss or satin
Color finish: reclaimed, unfinished browns or reds with natural knots and grains