When choosing a color for their hardwood floors, most homeowners get stuck on one thing – whether to choose dark or light wood.
While dark wood flooring adds depth to the beauty of a space, light wood flooring offers warmth and character. Besides, light colors are flexible. It means they go well with both dark and light furniture.
It is normal to have confusion between the two flooring options. Rather it is difficult to know whether light wood and dark wood flooring will be perfect for your home, given the benefits of both!
Well, this blog offers a complete guide and explains how choosing light wood floors is beneficial. Having a lot of variations, light wood flooring offers versatility and is available in several species.
Here are 21 appealing light wood flooring ideas that make homes appear classic and aesthetic. In short, this blog gives all possible reasons to choose light wood flooring for your new home or renovated space. So, take a read to make an informed decision.
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How Does Light-Colored Wood Flooring Affect a Space?
Lightwood floors are a preferred choice today for many homeowners for several reasons. They add a natural serenity to the living spaces. Their light and smooth shades create a sense of openness. For this reason, it is typically a great choice for homeowners who want to make their living space pleasant and inviting.
However, that’s not all! There are further ways light wood flooring affects a space, positively.
1. Creates a spacious atmosphere
Light hardwood flooring makes a room or space appear brighter, spacious, and airy. It’s because the lighter tones of the wooden floors reflect natural light during the day and artificial light during the night. It makes the space or room warmer and more inviting.
Since light wood floors make a space brighter and open, they are best suitable for rooms or areas that get limited natural light.
2. Makes the aesthetic of the room modern
Light-colored wood floors smoothly blend with the modern interiors and furniture. They give a neat and minimalist look to the interiors. On the other hand, dark wood floors usually go well with rustic and vintage furniture. The neutrality of light wood tones creates a brilliant backdrop for all types of modern furniture and upholstery items in various colors.
Thus, if you prefer a contemporary aesthetic and a fresh look inside your home, light hardwood floors are for you!
3. Adds versatility to your decor choices
Blonde or light wood floors embrace any type of decor items and fixtures by serving as a plain canvas. In other words, it offers you enough flexibility in designing your space with a variety of decors.
Whether you love to change your interior decors frequently or want to keep timeless decors, you will never have to worry about redesigning the light wood flooring. You can try out endless creative possibilities to design your space.
4. Makes the space appear larger
Light natural hardwood floors have a unique ability to make a space look greater or more expansive. They visually expand a floor, leaving the illusion of a spacious room. It makes smaller rooms look less confined.
For this reason, many shops or showrooms use light-colored wood floors. It enhances the appearance of their stores, offering an inviting and comfortable atmosphere for the customers.
Light Wood Floors vs. Dark Wood Floors: Comparative Analysis of Benefits
Before you dig deeper into the variations of light wood floors, you need to understand how they differ from darker wood flooring. Here’s presenting a comparative analysis of the benefits of dark-colored and light-colored wood floors.
Dark-Colored Wood Floors: Pros
1. Offers depth and richness: Dark wood floors have a unique beauty that adds richness and depth to a space. Light toned wood floors can never offer that. If you have chosen light-colored furniture and interior decor, the dark floors will add contrast and unique aesthetic appeal to the space.
2. Better long-term stability: Since dark wood floors fade less with time, they can remain new and shiny for a long time.
3. Increases resale value of homes: Dark hardwood floors are so in the trend that we predict they will grow more in popularity in the future. If your home has dark wood floors, you might have a greater resale value.
4. Hide dirt and dander better: If you have dark-colored floors, your living space will always appear cleaner. They easily conceal dirt marks, debris, or pet dander. You can skip cleaning the dark-colored floors on some days but can never afford to do that for light-colored floors.
5. More variations: You can find dark wood flooring for any type of interior, traditional, contemporary, or transitional. You can always find a darker shade or finish for your preference or need.
Light-Colored Wood Floors: Pros
1. Natural and subtle look: Most of the light wood types have stains and finishes that look natural. They make your living space look more organic, which offers a comfortable vibe to the inhabitants and guests.
2. Hides dust and scratches: While light wood floors will not hide dirt marks or stains, they are better at hiding dust and scratches from pets.
3. Gives a casual look: Light-colored wood floors give a casual and elegant look to the space, especially with sleek furniture. That’s why they are best for commercial places like offices and shops. Modern light wood floors make those spaces look more professional!
4. Flexible style: Light-toned hardwood floors can blend with a variety of interior designs and furniture. When you complement them with darker furniture and interiors, it gives a unique contrast or ‘pop’!
If you pair light flooring with light-colored furniture and interiors, it offers neutrality and consistency in the look of your living space. This is ideal for any professional space.
Major Color Variations You Can See In Light Hardwood Floors
No doubt that light wood flooring is an ageless beauty that adds both style and grace to homes. But, to know which color of light wood is appropriate for your home’s interiors, you must understand the variations in their colors. The variations in light real wood flooring occur due to the difference in their species, stain, and finish.
While we will discuss later the species of wood available, let’s first understand how the stain and finish of wood create color variations in them.
1. Natural Color: Light natural wood floors mainly get their shade after applying a stain. This makes the light wood floors essential clearer i.e., you can see the texture, knots, and grain patterns. If you want the natural appearance of the lighter wood to shine through, light-stained hardwood floors are the right option for you.
Usually, wood species available in unique dark tones or have aesthetically appealing grades and patterns are made lighter with stains. Walnut, Cherry, and Walnut are some of the species. Staining them retains their natural look and brings a slice of nature into the home.
2. White Wash Color: Hardwood manufacturers apply a whitewash to the solid or engineered hardwood floors to give them a refreshed and modern look. Woods having common light shades or simple grades are whitewashed. They pair best with dark and cool-toned walls such as grays and blues.
Whitewashed floors reflect natural light making the rooms appear brighter and warmer. Therefore, light wood floors with whitewashes are a great way to add more brightness to your home.
3. Light Grey Color: Light grey wood floors give a natural and contemporary look to your home. Manufacturers create variations in wood floors by blending grey or white and ebony. They blend the colors to give a lighter shade depending on the wood species and its natural color.
If you want flooring that gives a refreshing look to your home and has a slightly darker shade than other natural light tones, light grey colored floors are for you!
Still confused about whether to choose light or dark wood floors after all these facts and explanations? We understand that!
It is possible to love light colored wood flooring while having some preferences for charming and smoky darker shades. After all, natural woods with beautiful grains look good in both and can uplift the essence of your interiors equally.
1. Cost factor: Which one of the two costs more? Have you researched it? Of course, cost is a great factor when choosing a flooring option for your newly constructed or redesigned home. Finished hardwood floors are generally costlier than unfinished floors, regardless they are dark or lighter.
However, finished floors with darker stains cost more than lighter ones because there are more coats applied to protect the shade. Therefore, finished lighter wood floors get a preference regarding this factor.
2. Adaptability with cabinet/furniture: Find out which shade goes well with all types of cabinet or furniture. Generally, dark wood floors do not go well with dark-colored cabinets as they can make the vibe of the room murkier and gloomier. You must choose light colored cabinets and furniture for darker floors.
However, that is not the case for lighter wood floors. They go well with both dark and lighter-shaded cabinets. While they create a balanced and impressive interior with dark-colored furniture, they create warm and vibrant spaces with light-colored furniture. However, you have to be a little bit conscious while choosing the shade of furniture or floors, as they should not be too similar.
3. Resale value: Also, consider the resale value of floors before choosing. Dark colored wood floors fade gradually, and therefore, they do not lose their beauty sooner. You can expect a greater resale value for your home when it has dark-colored floors.
However, light-colored floors lose their shine and fade away faster as they absorb more light. But, do not forget that there is an easy solution to this too i.e., you can refinish the light wood floors frequently and make them appear bright and new again.
Popular Types of Light Hardwood Flooring
Light wood floors offer a sleek and natural look to the interiors. Some of the light colored hardwood with distinct grain patterns and designs adds a luxury feel to the homes. That’s why we often recommend light color wood flooring for Scandinavian, metropolitan, and coastal homes or resorts.
If you are planning to build hardwood floors for your new home, here are the popular types of light wood floors available in the market.
1. Red oak: This is the most pretty light hardwood floor available in pinky undertones. Being one of the palest hardwood types available, this is ideal for areas that need brighter spaces, such as living rooms, lobbies, and dining spaces.
2. White oak: White oak offers the most beautiful light wood floors being available in golden undertones. It is widely used for crafting light wood engineered flooring with applied unique stains. You have a lot of soft lighter tones to explore for this type of wood.
3. Maple: This one is the naturally lightest wood floor that gives a posh and minimalist look to the interiors. The blonde shades of maple are usually softer and smoother, which creates a lavish look. This is the reason interior designers prefer to use blonde maple wood floors with Scandinavian furnishings.
4. White ash: This is a unique and very light wood floor type that appears with prominent burls. This gives the floors some texture and hence, can make your interiors look great!
5. Birchwood: Birchwood is also a light wood flooring type with a natural appearance. It comes as grainy planks that reflect light and make the room appear brighter. Birchwood usually does not need stains as it is naturally light and is ideal for creating simple aesthetics.
21 Best Light Hardwood Floors That Elevate Aesthetics Of A Space
We independently research a variety of light wood floors and recommend the best ones to our clients depending on their needs.
Light wood floors are quite becoming a trend now because they make homes appear brighter and airy. Moreover, you can find widespread tones for light-colored hardwood floors. Whether you need floors for your country house or contemporary townhome, you get a lighter color wood for it.
Given our vast experience in the hardwood flooring industry, we have brought here 21 best hardwood flooring options from our collections. With these, we helped our clients to create timeless interiors matching their distinct preferences and lifestyle. Take a look!
1. Prosecco
This is a softer version of a light hardwood floor, which brings in a touch of nature and sophistication. We made this floor from European White oak, one of the most durable hardwood species. After applying a special finish, it appears truly elegant and visually appealing.
Whether you want to create contemporary or classic style flooring, Prosecco soft and light hardwood is an ideal option. Firstly, the grain patterns of this flooring are unique and so vivid that add a natural character to the space. Naturally, it adds depth and richness to the aesthetic of your space.
Out of all the lighter hues, we mostly prefer the light brown and warm golden shade of this flooring. When we laid this in the dining as well as living rooms of the house, the results looked gleaming and bright. While it added too much warmth and vibrancy to the living room, it added a cheerful vibe to the dining hall.
2. Giannino
Giannino is one of our classic choices of light white oak floors, made from European white oak. Its subtle warm tone with wire brushing finish is something you can never find elsewhere.
This flooring option brings you a treasure trove of light colors in each plank making the entire space extraordinary. They have unique grain patterns and are mostly finished with wire-brushing using UV-cured hard oil wax.
Whether you want a great flooring option for your kid’s study or bedroom, you can find an appropriate design in this flooring variety. With this light engineered wood flooring option, we give every room a distinctive and realistic look that all types of homeowners love!
We talk big about this collection of light wood flooring because it reflects perfection in every way. If you want your interiors to be captivating and truly welcoming to the guests, Giannino is the right option for you.
3. Mariella
Mariella hardwood is one of our top picks in this list because it comes with an extremely lighter shade but with interesting variations in grain patterns, finishes, and tones. Being made of premium quality European oak, it ranks higher in durability and longevity.
European artisans carefully craft Mariella flooring planks by brushing and finishing them with UV-cured hard wax oil. It gives the flooring a handcrafted look, which complements the interior of homes well.
The artisans create distinctive textures in each plank so you can choose a flooring style as per your preferences or interior designs. Need a timeless look to complement your traditional interiors? Want a lighter elegant tone for your smaller rooms to make them spacious and beautiful? You can find a design in this flooring type.
Mariella with its light softer tones, elegant textures, and subtle grain patterns, makes an excellent choice for homeowners.
4. Luigin
Luigina is a premium-quality and durable hardwood flooring option available in warmer tones. We consider this as one of our masterpiece collections because its subtle brown hue with grey undertones gives an exquisite appearance to the flooring.
It is 100% made in Europe, and domestic artisans engineer the floors giving subtle variations and natural imperfections. It makes each plank unique from the others, which adds richness and character to the overall flooring.
One of the remarkable traits of this wood type is its greater durability, which makes it an appropriate flooring option for high-traffic areas such as the living room, lobby, entrance areas, and dining.
The knots, uneven swirls, and varied grain patterns give depth to the beauty of the flooring. More importantly, it reflects the undying beauty of the wood. That is why it is the right choice for homeowners who have an affinity towards nature and want to create a countryside theme in their homes.
5. Rosina
If you are looking for a stylish flooring option for your home in a lighter tone, Rosina hardwood floors are the one for you. It elevates the brightness of any commercial or residential place with its even beige tone. And, the consistent brown grain patterns and grey knots give freshness to the planks.
Rosina hardwood flooring is truly a masterpiece collection that is gorgeous in a delicate way. “Sophistication” is the right word to describe this flooring option.
European artisans craft this flooring type ensuring a smooth and stunning shade. The warmer tones with an all-natural UV-cured hard-wax oil finish give the planks an appealing glow. The unique shade of Rosina gives out diffused light, which makes any room appear brighter, warmer, and serene.
This light wood flooring makes any space more inviting with steady details and graceful shine. The durability and ability to light up any room naturally make it an ideal flooring choice for shops or commercial places.
6. Cortina
Want a flooring option that fulfills your desires for white interiors? Choose our unique Cortina flooring, which is not too white and easily gets dirty but has a slight beige undertone. It is elegant and posh and adds a lot of vibrancy to the space.
Having refined grain patterns and consistent tone, it has a dramatic effect on the interiors of the homes. If you are looking for the lightest version of European white oak that also gives a modern appeal to the floors, this is it!
Cortina is unique for its striking coloring options in white and beige. It helps you create a creative interior when you have darker-colored walls and interiors like brown, cherry red, and blue.
However, if you want to create a modern and calm atmosphere with sufficient brightness, this flooring option is just the right one for you!
7. Lancaster
If you are looking for a luxury flooring option in an extremely light shade, take a look at our Lancaster flooring made with white oak. It has a softer look with light brown, golden, and light grey tones.
Each plank has different lighter shades and patterns that give the flooring an interesting appeal. Lancaster goes through a natural smoldering process that enriches the natural tannins of the natural wood and gives it an artistic and soft appeal.
We consider Lancaster as a matchless option for flooring for modern and luxurious properties including, urban houses for its high-level sophistication in the design and satin finish. Experienced hardwood artisans craft the planks carefully with extreme precision to reveal characteristic grain patterns.
Lancaster is one of the few light hardwood floors that age slowly and gracefully. If you install it in your home, you can keep changing your interior designs as they beautifully blend with any furniture or decor. Besides, due to their matchless craftsmanship, you can easily consider creating an inspiring and welcoming living space.
8. St. Moritz
St. Moritz is our next option for light oak engineered wood flooring for several reasons. Firstly, it is an exquisite flooring type that adds sophistication to the interiors of any space.
Secondly, European artisans craft the planks of this flooring giving attention to minute details. As a result, the floors hold timeless beauty in the form of prominent swirls, burls, and knots.
We consider St. Moritz as one of our versatile wood flooring collections since clients asked us to install it in residential as well as commercial spaces. The lighter and warmer tone of the wood adds elegance to the space, whereas the delicate detailing gives an artistic look to the property.
Since this flooring option is widely demanded by homeowners and businesses, we have made these available in wider, narrower, and lengthier planks. Whether you need aesthetically narrower planks for flooring your small and traditional home or wider planks for a modern living space, you have enough options from St. Moritz.
Lastly, this flooring option is marked for its sustainability and long-lasting performance since it is built of sturdier white oak. So, you can consider this as a timeless investment for your new property, which helps to create stylish, sophisticated, and balanced interiors.
9. Santorini
One of the most beautiful light wood floors in our collection is Santorini. It is grey with light brown or beige undertones.
As the name suggests, this flooring style is inspired by the marvelous aesthetic or beauty of the Greek island of Santorini.
So, you can expect such stunning beauty within your home after installing the lighter hues of this wood flooring.
This flooring has calm and smooth hues, which add a harmonious look to the interiors of the properties. If you wish to install it in your home, make sure to install it in the entrance halls and living rooms with white interiors. Its timeless beauty and natural shine make the place a visual treat to visitors.
It is also a premium light oak engineered wood flooring collection, which is ideal for creating extravagant interiors of luxury homes, hotels, and resorts. Since Santorini gives a luxurious look to the property, many commercial outlets, including cafeterias, restaurants, fine dining, and art exhibition galleries.
We craft this flooring type with high-quality oak wood! You can be assured about its durability, and stability along with its aesthetic appearance.
10. Amantea
Amantea is undeniably the finest light engineered hardwood flooring collection we have got!
Its high-grade construction and enhanced durability make it no better option for residential places or businesses with more traffic. European craftsmen extracted each plank from solid oak using the most advanced techniques. Hence, they are non-weary and can resist high temperatures and humidity.
Coming to the beauty of this light color flooring, it is simple and elegant. This type of lighter shade is apt for homeowners/businesses that usually look to create a modern, airy, and spacious ambiance.
Amantea is available in numerous gorgeous grain patterns, and textures along with major light color variations. Therefore, you can create a distinctive flooring option for your space depending on your lifestyle preferences or interior styles.
It is also one of the best customizable flooring options we provide. You can order planks of any width and length according to your flooring construction needs.
11. Diamante
If you want a signature flooring option, we have Diamante! This is an extremely light-toned wood floor among European white oak collections.
This flooring is truly white with beige undertones. The grain patterns and textures appear fine and delicate in this flooring. It shows the superior craftsmanship involved in its manufacturing. It has an all-natural UV-cured hard wax finish, which allows its natural light tone and discrete patterns to shine through.
Diamante is no doubt the flooring choice for exquisite interiors, usually seen in luxury living spaces. Being a natural light wood floor, it blends well with all types of furnishing styles.
It is the latest and most stylish flooring type available oak, and maple, which provide a classic charm and sleek sophistication to the interiors, respectively.
12. Pizzo
Pizzo is a handcrafted and truly aesthetic light hardwood flooring option today! It comes in light brown shades with darker grey and brown grain patterns.
The prominence of the textures and natural brown shade of Pizzo makes it an aesthetically appealing wood flooring option for homes and commercial places. This exquisite flooring option can transform any place into a visual retreat with its bright shine and appearance.
The best thing about Pizzo light colored hardwood floors is that they are extremely smooth and flawless despite being handcrafted by artisans. Due to their super-smooth surfaces, they radiate light and look lustrous. In other words, you get to feel the original charm of oak hardwood with this flooring option.
Each plank is made after handpicking superior-quality timber, which shows unique characteristics and a rich grain pattern. If you want a slice of the forests in your contemporary or country-style home while keeping your interiors bright, Pizzo is an unbeatable choice!
13. Vienna
With tints of light grey and brown, Vienna is a testament to the finest craftsmanship among light oak wood floors.
It is the favorite of numerous interior designers and craftsmen because of the sleek appearance of the planks. The grain patterns are straight and close, which twirl in places to make beautiful knots. The consistency of the patterns contributes to the extraordinary beauty of Vienna light wood floors. Also, there is depth in the texture of the planks, which makes the floor feel amazing to the feet.
This light hardwood flooring option is the perfect choice for homeowners who seek to bring sophistication to their interiors. These are best paired with white, golden, and brown interiors. The incredible grain patterns on the warm hues of Vienna will make your space look as magnificent as the properties shown in the magazines.
The warm hues and steady wire-brushed texture of the planks reflect the light giving a radiant light all across the room. Being a white oak variety, it is highly durable and hence, a practical and aesthetic choice for any home.
14. Amantea
AmanteaTrecento is a light hardwood flooring option that displays creativity with its fine and straight grain lines. It is available in both light grey and light yellow. So, you have enough variations with this exclusive wood flooring option.
You can guess from the extra smooth finish and evenness of the planks that AmanteaTrecento is a light colored engineered hardwood flooring type. Whether you want a statement piece for your new home or need to uplift your interiors into a modern space, this flooring is just for you.
The subtle light shade with light and straight grain patterns adds a touch of luxury. Made by European craftsmen with precision, each plank is a timeless piece. Together, they create ideal flooring for contemporary, traditional, luxurious, and professional spaces.
While the light-toned beauty of the floor makes the rooms airy and vibrant, AmanteaTrecento also radiates positivity. Being 100% European made with sustainable forestry practices, it is a great eco-friendly flooring option we have for you.
15. Coreca
If you are searching for the purest form of light wood floors, CorecaTrecento is the one! It is light ivory in and out with straight fine-grain patterns.
The absolute beauty of this oak hardwood flooring is that it is meticulously handcrafted while providing attention to detail. The fine grains run seamlessly through the planks making beautiful swirls in between, which adds richness to the appearance of the floors.
Coreca flooring shows the natural beauty of wood floors with subtle variations and soothing tones. This is no doubt an exceptional flooring option in the category of light oak engineered hardwoods for its innate beauty, durability, and excellent quality.
Whether you need a flooring option for your living room, bedroom, study, or work room, this is always the best option. While its unmatched beauty will make your room more visually appealing, its scratch-resistant property will make it suitable for high traffic.
16. Belmonte
This is one of the beautiful light brown hardwood floors that can be an amazing foundation for a new home or office space. Brown woods always add a rustic beauty to the floors, and this lighter brown shade is just what you need to blend sophistication with the natural beauty of woods.
Belmonte Trecento is distinctively the finest hardwood floors in light brown shade. Its grain patterns are flat running steadily across the planks. They have dark patches or knots in between that add beauty to the entire flooring.
If you are looking for natural colors in the flooring also add sophistication and luxury to your space, this flooring type will cater to your desires.
Made with white oak, it has long-lasting durability and hence is also suitable for commercial places. But, if you want to elevate the beauty of your bedroom or living room while infusing serenity, Belmonte is the right flooring to choose.
Also, you can find this flooring in a variety of posh light brown shades, which means you can choose a floor that goes well with your interiors. Apart from the warmth and richness of the floors, there’s something extraordinary in this flooring’s finish. Its silky satin finish provides unbelievable comfort to the feet.
17. Arturo
This light grey hardwood flooring option is the epitome of sophistication. The intricate detailing in the grain patterns defines the creativity of European craftsmen. The grey shade with tints of white adds elegance and makes the floor overall amazing.
Laying this hardwood flooring with some planks in lighter brown will revamp any area of your home, be it the patio, living room, or entrance.
Arturo is simply our pick in the list because of its unique color and stunning character, which the visitors will keep praising. Our interior designers prefer this flooring option for clients who wish to make their living space elegant and off-beat. There’s nothing more interesting, and appealing than grey floors for that.
This grey flooring option also explicates the details of European white oak while imparting a radiant shine. The straight-grain patterns, twirls, and knots are visible through their timeless finish and add depth and beauty to your floors.
18. Francesco
It is an excellent flooring option in white oak, which gives timeless appeal to the space. Francesco’s brilliant durability makes it great for light hardwood floors for living rooms, dining, entrances, and other high-traffic areas.
We consider it as one of the exquisite flooring options for the foundation of new homes because its medium light grey tone reflects modernity and class. It can add style to any mundane place and make it look vibrant.
If you are looking for a light wood floor for the living room, Francesco is no doubt the best option we have got! It is sophisticated, high-finished, and durable, which makes the floors long-lasting, upbeat, and inviting.
A noteworthy feature of Francesco is that you never have to worry about the interior designs and decor of the rooms. The chic style with grey soft undertones makes it a statement flooring solution that makes your visitors go Wow!
19. Luisa
Luisa is the best option if you are looking for hardwood floors in a light brown shade. It is a characteristic floor that speaks for itself. It has golden tints in between, which makes the grain patterns with interesting twists and twirls more prominent.
It is 100% European-made, and the distinct characteristics of its texture reveal the artistry of the European craftsmen. Your visitors will be left admiring the floors when they come across its smoothness, sheen, and coherent grain patterns. The visible knots and swirls showcase the natural aging process of this oak hardwood floor, which is rare to find.
Luisa is our personal favorite because our interior designers prefer it for its subtle elegance. It is ideal for bedrooms, living rooms, and common areas because it makes the space posh and inviting.
This light oak hardwood floor is crafted with precision and has a lightly brushed appearance that makes it brighter and shiny. During this time, these floors become prettier and warmer under the influence of natural sunlight.
While the brown shade of the floor adds a touch of nature, the sheen and subtle variations give the floor a luxurious appeal. If you are looking for a practical and perky option for your home, look no further than Luisa hardwood flooring.
20. Lisburn
One of the remarkable collections of medium light wood floors available with us is Lisburn. It is not completely light colored wood given the tints of deep brown present in it. This flooring is a perfect blend of light and dark brown tones but appears lighter overall.
Having a natural brown shade, it displays the rich heritage of oak wood and that is why we consider it as a masterpiece of our collections. Our interior designers or architects love this light wood flooring because it also has an industrial touch too!
The light warm tone with super-smooth finish and radiance gives an industrial accent to the floors.
Lisburn is specifically suitable for traditional homes, rural or country-style homes. Its detailed grain patterns, mature texture, and intricate knots show what the century-old trees have gone through.
Having this inherently beautiful hardwood flooring in your home will radiate your love for nature and infuse tranquility in your living space. When light enters the room, it makes the wood floors shine naturally and creates a warm and comforting ambiance.
21. Rosina 220 G1
We can never skip this Rosina 220 G1 from our list of best light wood floors! Available in extremely light brown shade with flat grain patterns in grey and mid-brown tones, this is one of our awarded floors. It has a natural appearance of wood and fine detailing, which makes it a premium flooring solution.
The light brown or beige-shaded wood flooring is the epitome of style and luxury. Crafted from the finest oak hardwood, it has a seamless texture and smooth straight grain patterns that radiate sophistication in every plank.
Rosina 220 G1 is our award-winning collection not only for the aesthetics and color tone. Its unmatched durability will make it last for years even after high-traffic use. Besides, it comes with a superior finish that makes it resistant to scratches, pet nails, and regular wear and tear.
Needless to say, this hardwood flooring is a practical solution today! It will elevate the aesthetics of a place while providing it with a permanent flooring solution. With proper maintenance and periodic finishing, you can keep this wood flooring in pristine condition for years. For its enhanced durability and subtle sophisticated tone, we also suggest it to clients looking for flooring options in their commercial spaces.
5 Pro Tips On How to Choose Light Hardwood Floors
There is a lot to consider if you choose a light hardwood floor. After all, you are choosing a flooring that suits the home layout, your taste, floor traffic, and more. It can become a cumbersome task. However, you can break down the decision-making into a few parts.
You can think in terms of diverse aspects of your home to get a classic aesthetic look. Do not rush in these matters, we guarantee things might go wrong in a hurry. Here are a few tips for you.
1. For Your Living Room
In terms of the living room, most families spend more time here than any other. It is one of the best areas to interact and have fun. You can try to keep it single or go over the top. We suggest choosing a light wood floor for the living room would be ideal for a simple natural look.
In this aspect choose a light hardwood floor that doesn’t have lots of grainy effects or colors. The mantra is to have little variations and make an impressive statement.
Consult with flooring specialists or interior designers to make informed to enhance the warmth and charm of your living room.
2. The Dark Furniture Angle
You can choose light hardwood floors for your dark furniture setup. Consider dark wood furniture, such as a deep walnut dining table or espresso-stained bookshelves. The contrast between the light floors and dark furniture can create a dramatic effect.
For instance, light hardwood floors with cool undertones, like gray or ashy hues, should be paired with furniture that shares these cool undertones. The color contrast will make things strikingly impressive.
The objective is not to make things clash. So you focus on complementing the light hardwood floors for a cohesive and attractive interior.
3. The Right Wood Species
Different wood species have distinct grain patterns and color variations. Some popular light hardwood options include oak, maple, hickory, and ash. Oak is one of the most common choices for light hardwood floors due to its durability and versatility.
You should discuss this with a professional before making the next move. If you choose the wrong one for your home, it could be a disaster, considering the investment put into it.
4. Determine the Finish
We have seen may make this subtle mistake that has cost them a lot. Choosing a suitable finish when you go for a light colored hardwood floor is crucial. Light hardwood floors can be finished in various ways, including matte, satin, semi-gloss, and high-gloss.
The finish affects the sheen and durability of the floors. Matte finishes are popular for a more natural, rustic look, while high-gloss finishes provide a modern, polished appearance.
Remember that an extremely shiny/glossy finish will take away the home’s aesthetic. You need to weigh all the advantages and disadvantages of both matte and glossy finishes to choose a white hardwood floor.
5. Wide plank wood floor
Wide plank wood flooring is currently a popular choice, especially in lighter shades, which are highly favored. However, if you opt for wide planks with numerous knots, it can give your space a rustic cabin-like appearance. While some people appreciate this aesthetic, others may not find it appealing, so it’s a factor to keep in mind.
Additionally, it’s important to be aware that wide plank wood floors are typically not constructed from solid hardwood. Softwoods like pine are an exception, but wide plank hardwoods like oak are almost light engineered flooring because of the warping situation.
The Best Wood Species for Light Wood Flooring
There are several wood species available under light wood flooring. Light wood flooring is a popular choice for its ability to brighten up spaces and create a sense of openness. Let’s see the best wood species available for light wood floors.
1. Hickory
Hickory has a light to medium color range with distinctive grain patterns. It’s one of the hardest domestic hardwoods, making it highly durable and resistant to scratches and dents. Hickory’s natural variations add character to the flooring.
It has tons of distinct colors and holds stains pretty well. You can get a perfect rustic look because of its fine grains and characters, which elevate the aesthetic of your space.
2. Maple
Maple offers the lightest wood flooring besides being durable and even in texture. It comes in a great range of light wood colors, from light pink to light brown and grey. Its consistent grain patterns and smooth texture make it an elegant choice for homeowners and businesses.
We prefer maple for constructing modern homes because its color variations go well with any type of contemporary furniture and interiors. However, if you prefer maple for its hardest texture and durability, then do not choose southern maple species.
3. Oak
This is our favorite species of all! You can see our collection of light wood floors, made of European white oak. It is because we find oak as a versatile hardwood flooring species, available in plenty of colors, from light to dark tones.
Most of the light oak wood floors have dark tinges with visible grains and fine textures, which highlight their beauty. Whether you want a flooring type for your spacious hall or a cozy contemporary bedroom, there’s a light shade of oak for that.
Also, oak is an industrially-approved species that meets standards of durability. Fortunately, we have been able to find miscellaneous light wood floors made of oak. That’s why we can always find perfect light wood oak floors catering to the varying needs, interior designs, and lifestyle preferences of our clients.
4. Pine
If you are looking for a subtle and beautiful hardwood species in a lighter shade, pine is the right choice. It is long-lasting and therefore, serves beautifully in high-traffic areas like living rooms. However, it is easily susceptible to scratches and dents, which makes it a less convenient option for commercial places like gyms or dance studios.
Pine wood is available widely, which makes it a cheaper option for flooring. Its texture is appealing and smooth, and the brighter shades of pine add grace to the space. Consider using it for low-traffic areas like bedrooms or study rooms.
5. Ash
Ash flooring is quite a substitute for durable oak flooring. Although it is a little less hard, the consistent and harder grains make it a durable choice of flooring. Ash hardwood also has interesting grain patterns that help in creating aesthetically pleasing flooring patterns.
You have the option of choosing, either solid hardwood or light engineered hardwood planks when it is ash wood. Thus, it gives you more flexibility in the budget, and you can have extraordinary natural light wood flooring installed within your cost range.
Why Finish Is An Important Factor For Light Hardwood Flooring?
Sunlight affects the wood flooring and results in fading of its natural color. That is the reason most wood floors come with a finish that helps in slowing down the process of fading.
Many hardwood floor manufacturers apply a UV inhibitor along with the finish which protects the wood floor from damaging UV rays.
When it comes to finishes, there are two main types of it.
1. Oil-based polyurethane finish: It darkens the color of the wood floor, generally adding a yellowish tint or amber tone to the natural shade of the wood. It is not that bad for light colored wood as it will prevent the fading of floors and retain their brightness and warmth. However, it is preferably suitable for dark-colored wood floors.
2. Water-based finish: It does not lighten or darken the wood but makes the wood floors clearer after drying out. Hence, it is perfect for light color engineered wood floors.
Tips For Maintenance and Care Of Light Wood Floors
Light natural wood floors bring a touch of elegance and warmth to any space, enhancing the ambiance of your home. They show less debris and dirt than the dark in comparison to the dark hardwood. However, to preserve their natural allure in the long run, it is essential to implement a proper maintenance and care routine
From regular cleaning to preventative measures, understanding the intricacies of light wood floor care is vital. Below, we have presented a list of maintenance and care tips for light oak floorboards, which we follow for floor planks at different properties.
Take a look at these and start maintaining your valuable investment today!
1. Sweep or Vacuum Regularly:
Regularly sweep or vacuum to remove dirt and debris. This also prevents scratches and maintains the floor’s shine. We use a soft-bristle broom or a vacuum cleaner with a hardwood floor attachment to ensure thorough cleaning.
2. Avoid Water:
Hardwood floors and excess water don’t mix well. Water can seep into the wood, causing warping and damage. Wipe spills immediately and use a damp cloth for cleaning, not a soaking wet mop. Even the best waterproof-engineered hardwood flooring options are resistant to moisture, but not impermeable completely.
3. Damp Mopping:
For a deeper clean, we damp mop with a barely moistened microfiber cloth. Avoid excessive moisture, as it can penetrate the wood. Use a mild, pH-balanced hardwood floor cleaner for effective cleaning without harming the finish.
4. Avoid Harsh Cleaners:
Harsh chemicals, like bleach or ammonia-based cleaners, can strip the wood’s finish, leaving it dull and vulnerable. Opt for specially formulated hardwood floor cleaners or homemade solutions like vinegar and water for safe and eco-friendly cleaning.
5. Deep Cleaning:
Periodically, perform a deep cleaning to remove ingrained dirt and grime. Consider professional cleaning services or invest in a high-quality hardwood floor cleaner machine. We always follow manufacturer guidelines and consider refinishing if the floor shows signs of wear. This ensures its longevity and beauty.
6. Polishing:
Regular polishing enhances the appearance of your furniture, providing it with a gleaming finish. To polish, we use a soft, lint-free cloth and apply a small amount of furniture polish. Then, we gently rub the surface in circular motions, ensuring an even shine.
Polish not only restores the luster but also acts as a protective layer, safeguarding your furniture from dust and scratches. Be mindful of the type of polish used; different finishes require specific products for optimal results.
7. Use Area Rugs:
Preserve the beauty of your floors by strategically placing area rugs in high-traffic areas. Rugs act as a barrier, preventing dirt and debris from scratching or damaging the floor surface. Choose rugs with non-slip backing to avoid accidents.
Regularly clean and rotate the rugs to ensure even wear. By minimizing direct contact between shoes and the floor, rugs significantly contribute to prolonging the lifespan of your flooring, maintaining its aesthetic appeal for years.
8. Furniture Pads:
Furniture pads are indispensable guardians of your floors. Attach felt or rubber pads to the legs of heavy furniture pieces to prevent unsightly scratches and dents. These pads provide a cushioned layer, reducing the impact when you shift or move them. Ensure the pads are clean and intact; replace them if they show signs of wear.
9. Trimming Pets’ Nails:
Furry friends are cute but their claws are harmful to your light wood floor. Trim your pets’ nails to safeguard both your floors and the pets themselves. Long nails can cause scratches. Regular trimming not only protects surfaces but also ensures your pets’ comfort and well-being.
10. Avoid Sunlight:
Limit direct sunlight exposure on furniture and floors. Prolonged exposure can cause fading and damage. Use blinds to regulate sunlight, preserving the vibrant colors of your furnishings and the integrity of your flooring materials.
11. Deep Cleaning:
Deep cleaning helps to remove embedded dirt. Use appropriate cleaning agents for different surfaces. Scrub gently with a soft brush, focusing on crevices. Rinse thoroughly to prevent residue. Deep cleaning revitalizes your furniture and floors, maintaining their appearance and hygiene.
Real-Life Examples of Light Wood Floors
Being a pioneer in the hardwood flooring industry, we have installed impressive floors in a wide range of homes, businesses, hotels, resorts, and many more. Using our years of inherent experience in flooring, we sought to transform living spaces into aesthetically enchanting and inviting spaces with elegant light wood floors. As we have been successful in doing that, here are some testimonies of our work.
1. Living room with soothing light wood oak floors
We were asked by a homeowner to revamp his boring living room with white walls and wooden beams. They kept modern furniture pieces comprising of an off-white upholstered sofa set, grey ottomans, dark grey stools, and a black coffee table. Since the homeowner has a liking towards grey and white, most items including, photo frames, flower vases, carpets, and rugs were in grey, white, and black colors.
When we came across his concept of living room interiors, we thought that nothing could be better than
Cortina, a light brown wood floor in the room. The light shade reflects natural radiance when daylight enters the room, which makes the living room bright and cheerful during the day.
On the other hand, the light colored oak floors allow the dark contemporary furniture to appear vividly. The wooden beams in the ceilings and a hanging black metal chandelier altogether made the living room more alluring, reflecting a pure contemporary vibe.
2. Medium-light wood floors living room with an attached open kitchen
We got a client asking for a perfect flooring solution for the living room of their new home. It was not the usual living room but had an open kitchen attached. The kitchen cabinets were white, while the countertop and dining space were grey.
The living room furniture comprised a brown leather sofa set, wooden chairs with beige upholstery, and a wooden coffee table. The painting of the room was all white.
To set the right vibe for the room, we used CorecaTrecento, which is a medium light wood floor of our collection. The result was amazing!
The rich grains of the flooring added aesthetic beauty to the floors, and the warm hues radiated positivity throughout the seating area and kitchen space. The client appreciated our flooring works and said she loved every inch of flooring as it brought brightness and elegance to the room.
3. White kitchen concept with gray light wood floors
Our client wanted a white farmhouse-style kitchen in their cozy new home in the countryside. They were planning to build wooden floating shelves for it and keep a wooden dining table at the center.
When they shared their idea, we knew exactly what kind of light wood floors would be perfect for that kitchen space. We chose Amantea, which is a light gray floor with beige undertones and black accents. The beige and grey floors matched perfectly with the black borders of the wooden tables and chairs. The black accents added beauty and spark to the otherwise all-white and light kitchen space.
When the job was done from our end, and our client had a look at it, he was totally surprised. He had no idea that his kitchen and attached dining space would look so bright and vibrant after the flooring, under both daylight and night lights. He was happy that his family would now have a warm and cheerful space to enjoy their meals together!
Cost Considerations of Light Wood Floors
The cost structure of light wood floors depends mainly on the type of wood, the labor involved, and the materials’ price. If you are thinking about installing such a floor at your property, make sure you are well aware of the cost factors. This will enable you to prepare your budget and focus on other necessities.
Whenever we plan to install light natural wood flooring, we take into account these factors for a flawless and budget-friendly flooring journey.
1.Engineered Wood:
Engineered light wood flooring tends to be more affordable than solid hardwood. It is composed of layers of wood pressed together, topped with a hardwood veneer. The cost can range from $3 to $10 per square foot, depending on the quality of the veneer, and the core layers.
2. Solid Hardwood:
Solid hardwood, made from real wood entirely, is generally more expensive. Light wood options, such as oak or maple, can range from $5 to $15 or more per square foot. Exotic light wood species, like bamboo, might be pricier, reaching up to $20 per square foot.
3. Installation:
Installation costs depend on whether you opt for professional installation or choose the DIY route. Professional installation can add $3 to $10 per square foot to the overall cost. On the other hand, DIY installation only takes the material expenses and no labor charges.
4. Finish and Grade:
The type of finish you choose, whether it is pre-finished or finished on-site, affects the cost. Higher-grade finishes and special treatments, such as distressed or hand-scraped surfaces, can increase the price. Plus, if have any difficult choice regarding the finish, like an acid-cured finish, this will add up your costs.
5. Location:
Your geographical location significantly impacts the overall cost. The availability of specific wood species in your region affects prices, with exotic woods costing more due to their rarity. Labor costs also fluctuate geographically; urban areas tend to have higher rates due to increased demand and living expenses.
Additionally, transportation costs for the wood contribute. This emphasizes the need to consider regional variations when budgeting for your light wood flooring ideas.
6. Maintenance:
While not an immediate expense, long-term maintenance is crucial to preserving your investment. Regular cleaning products, designed specifically for your flooring type, prevent damage and maintain the floor’s shine. Occasional refinishing, essential for worn-out areas, addresses wear and tear, prolonging the floor’s life.
We advise you to obtain quotes from local suppliers and contractors to get a precise estimate tailored to your specific needs and location. Remember that investing in higher-quality flooring might incur a higher initial cost. Nevertheless, it often pays off in terms of durability and long-term aesthetic appeal.
DIY Installation vs. Professional Installation: Which Option is Good For You?
When it comes to installing light wood floors, choosing between DIY installation and hiring a professional is daunting. DIY projects often lure with the promise of cost-saving and a sense of accomplishment.
However, before you embark on a DIY journey, consider the complexities and potential pitfalls. The below comparison between the two procedures is from our personal experiences only.
DIY Installation
Embarking on a DIY installation grants you control over the process. You decide the pace, ensuring each plank fits seamlessly. However, this freedom comes with substantial risks. Without professional expertise, you risk uneven floors, visible gaps, or even irreversible damage to the flooring material.
Even minor errors can accumulate, resulting in an unappealing and structurally compromised floor. DIY projects demand significant time and effort, often stretching your patience and testing your skill set.
Furthermore, the lack of professional tools might hinder your progress. Precision cutting and seamless joins, critical for a flawless floor, are challenging without the proper equipment. Without experience, navigating corners and irregular spaces becomes an arduous task. You also have to bear the wastage of expensive wood.
Professional Installation
Hiring professionals assures you of a skilled workforce equipped with the expertise and tools necessary for a flawless installation. Professionals assess your space, ensuring an accurate estimation of materials and minimizing wastage. They tackle all complex layouts and irregular spaces adeptly. As a result, you can expect a polished, cohesive look.
Moreover, professional installation saves you valuable time and spares you the physical strain associated with DIY projects. It guarantees a level surface, eliminating your concerns about unevenness or squeaks. Your investment in light wood floors is at its best!
While DIY projects offer a sense of achievement, they come with significant risks and challenges. For critical installations that demand precision and durability, we suggest you invest in professional services. It is not just a prudent choice but also a necessity. It ensures a seamless, stress-free experience, saving you time, money, and the frustration that often accompanies DIY endeavors.
Get Impressive Light Wood Floors At European Flooring!
Light wood floors are something that will always stay in trend! By making places brighter and roomy, they make your home cheerful and inviting. But, when it comes to choosing a light wood flooring solution, much confusion or dilemmas strike you.
Will it look better than a darker shade of wood floor? Are light wood floors more prone to dirt and scratches? Will the resale value go down?
While multiple things can come across your mind when you go for light colored hardwood flooring, this blog attempted to clear your confusion. From the benefits of light wood floors to their comparison with dark wood floors, best flooring options to costs estimations, this blog explained everything for you. Our experts tried to assist you in making an informed decision when it comes to choosing light colored wood floors.
If you are now sure of your decision, have a look at our exclusive collection of the best light colored hardwood floors. We at European Flooring, offer premium-quality and affordable wood flooring of LegnoBastone that adds grace to the space. Our experienced interior designers and hardwood floor installers further make your journey easier by offering hassle-free installation services. Contact us today for an unmatched light natural wood flooring solution from us!
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. What is the lightest hardwood flooring?
We recommend you polish your wooden furniture every 2-4 months to maintain its shine and protect the surface. However, the frequency depends on usage and environmental factors. High-use items might need more frequent polishing. Always check the manufacturer’s recommendations for specific guidelines tailored to your furniture.
Q2. Are lighter wood floors in style?
Yes, lighter wood floors are currently in style. They create a spacious, airy ambiance and complement various interior designs. Lighter hues like oak, maple, and ash are popular choices. They not only brighten rooms but also provide a timeless, elegant look that aligns with contemporary design trends.
Q3. What are the best light wood floors?
Oak stands out as the best choice for light wood floors due to its durability and natural beauty. Its warm tones add elegance to any space. Additionally, maple and birch are excellent options. They are popular for their light hues and resistance to wear, ensuring a timeless and vibrant flooring choice.
Q4. Are light wood floors hard to keep clean?
No, light wood floors are not inherently difficult to clean. Regular sweeping and damp mopping with a mild cleaner maintain their appearance. However, they may show dirt and stains more visibly than darker floors. Prompt cleaning and preventive measures like rugs can easily uphold the cleanliness and charm of light wood floors.
Q5. How do I choose the right shade of light hardwood for my space?
Selecting the perfect shade of light hardwood involves considering your room’s natural light and existing décor. Opt for lighter tones like ash or maple to brighten small spaces, while warm shades like oak complement traditional interiors. Test samples in your space to observe how they interact with the lighting, ensuring a harmonious match with your room’s ambiance.
Q6. Can I install light hardwood floors myself, or should I hire a professional?
Yes, you can install light hardwood floors yourself. Start by preparing the subfloor, then lay down a moisture barrier. Next, install the underlayment and begin placing the hardwood planks, ensuring a snug fit.
Finish by securing them with nails or adhesive. However, hiring a professional ensures expert precision, saving you time and potential installation errors.
Q7. Are light hardwood floors environmentally friendly?
Yes, light hardwood floors are environmentally friendly. They are often sourced from sustainable forests and certified by organizations like FSC. Lighter finishes require fewer toxic chemicals, promoting indoor air quality.
Additionally, their natural brightness reduces the need for artificial lighting, conserving energy. Opting for light hardwood supports eco-conscious choices in flooring.
Q8. How do light hardwood floors hold up against pets and kids?
Light wooden floorboards can withstand the challenges posed by pets and kids effectively. Their durable finishes and resistant coatings endure scratches and spills. Regular cleaning and area rugs in high-traffic zones add extra protection. With proper maintenance, modern light hardwood floors maintain their elegance while accommodating the playful antics of pets and kids.
Q9. Can I install light hardwood floors over existing flooring?
A: Yes, installing light hardwood floors over existing flooring is possible, provided the current surface is flat, dry, and structurally sound. It is crucial to properly clean and prepare the existing floor. Applying an appropriate underlayment ensures a smooth base for the new hardwood. Consulting a professional for specific guidance on your flooring type is what we recommend for optimal results.
Q10. Are there any trends in light hardwood floor design?
Yes, light hardwood floor designs are currently trending. Homeowners are opting for lighter shades like oak and maple, enhancing the sense of space and brightness. Wide planks are in demand, providing a modern, expansive look. Matte finishes are also popular, offering a sleek, low-maintenance appeal, making them a top choice for contemporary interior designs.
Q11. How long do light hardwood floors typically last?
Light hardwood floors can last for several decades with proper care and maintenance. On average, they endure 20-25 years. However, high-quality wood and diligent upkeep can extend their lifespan. Regular cleaning, avoiding excessive moisture, and refinishing when necessary contribute significantly to their longevity, ensuring enduring beauty.