Trying to decide between light or dark hardwood floors?

Dark Hardwood Floors

Dark hardwoods floors are both dramatic and sophisticated, from elegant ebony to a ruddy cherry. Pair dark floors with light furnishings for a thoroughly modern combination. Use dark floors as a foundation for rooms filled with light-colored slip covers and area rugs.

Pros:

• Dark stains enhance a wood's grain.
• Dark hardwood floors absorb light and are not susceptible to fading.
• Many dark woods such as mahogany, walnut and African jatoba provide a rich sumptuous look providing an overall luxurious effect.
• For floors that hide the dirt choose walnut or medium dark woods.
• Natural clear finishes wear better than high gloss .

Cons:

• Certain woods, such as maple don't take stains very well. This may be a factor if you are refinishing floors as opposed to installing new.
• Dark woods show dust and pet hair.
• Scratches tend to show more on dark hardwood floors.

Light Hardwood Floors

Light hardwood floors offer a crisp modern look or a casual traditional feel depending on the space.

Pros:

• Light hardwoods are perfect in rooms that don't get a lot of natural sunlight.
• Light hardwood floors make a room appear larger,
• Light floors look cleaner longer and camouflage wear better than dark floors.

Cons:

• For a more contemporary look try beech or bamboo.
• Unstained floors will darken faster than dark woods. Use a protective finish that incorporates UV protection.
• Some light woods - white ash and beech are too soft for high traffic areas. Harder varieties - oak, maple, yellow birch are better for kitchens, and mudrooms.