Hardwood Floor Colors Buying Guide
Learn about different hardwood floor colors and shades.
We know the power of paint when it comes to defining a space, but hardwood floor colors also have a significant impact on how you choose to design your home’s style. Determine the shade – light, medium, or dark – or color – like white, black, or tan – that's the right hardwood floor colors for your rooms.
Hardwood Floor Wood Colors
Brown Wood: Dark hardwood floor colors like brown, show the grain of the wood better than floors with a lighter color. Dark brown hardwoods contribute to the richness of the space and can instantly upgrade any room with a traditional flooring color.
Gray Wood: A gray hardwood floor color is typically easier to keep clean than dark brown hardwood floors because it shows less dust. Lighter gray floors can make a room feel open and airy, while darker gray stains can visually reduce the space.
Tan Wood: Light hardwood floor colors like tan offer a casual design style, making them the perfect base for a low maintenance yet cozy home. By incorporating a tan hardwood floor color, you allow for furniture, eclectic decorations, and wall colors to stand out.
Red Wood: The uniqueness of a red hardwood floor color is showcased by its distinctive look. Red wood features a natural, wide grain pattern that is available in a range of shades to completely customize your space. Red wood is also easy to finish and stain without any potential blotching, making it the perfect wood for DIYers.
White Wood: White wood floors exhibit a classic style that you can’t get from other hardwood floor colors. The clean-looking color has a calming effect on a space that remains uncluttered when paired with different colors and textures. White wood floors are incredibly versatile and work with many design styles.
Black Wood: If your self-proclaimed style favors the darker side of decor, having a black hardwood floor color could be just the right addition. Dark flooring adds an elegant feel to spaces making any room feel exclusive and luxurious.
Tip!
Did you know you can order flooring samples from Wayfair? If you can’t decide between a few hardwood floor colors, simply click the link in the item’s description to order a sample and see exactly how the flooring looks right in your home.
Hardwood Floor Shades
Light Wood: Light hardwood floor colors come with lots of benefits that serve both fashion and function. Wood floors with light shades are best at hiding dirt and bouncing light around a space creating the illusion of a larger room. They model an organic look that creates a striking contrast against darker furniture, area rugs, or cabinetry offering you greater flexibility for style.
Medium Wood: Medium hardwood floor colors also have several advantages. These medium tones will hide scuff marks and debris more easily than dark hardwood floors. As a bonus, they're perfect for higher traffic areas like foyers where dust, dirt, and pet hair may accumulate.
Dark Wood: Dark hardwood floor colors are less susceptible to fading because they absorb light. This means you won't have to refinish your floor as frequently as you would a lighter one. Dark floors are a popular flooring trend, which can benefit you long term as they help increase the value of your home when you go to sell it.
While some woods are best left in their natural color – such as cherry, maple, mahogany, or aged pine – most other wood types and light wood shades can benefit greatly from a stain in a new color. If you’re installing flooring yourself, be sure to verify the wood type and determine the definition of the grain size before picking a stain color. Be sure to check out more tools for floor installation and accessories for flawless new floors.
With so many options available for hardwood floor colors, examine your home’s current decor and color pallet to determine which hardwood floor colors are best suited for your home’s style.

