Finally, white is a popular choice for those looking for timeless wood floor colors that never go out of style. White-washed hardwood floors can create a bright, open, and airy feeling that can be greatly enhanced with modern furniture pieces.
Best known as the traditional color of hardwood flooring, shades of brown are still as popular as ever. Much like tan-toned hardwood, brown flooring is suited for any aesthetic. Lighter tones can set the basis of a neutral design, while deeper tones have the power to convey depth and luxury.
The Best Timeless Flooring Options
For a classic look, choose mid-range tones that are not too light or dark. Opt for timeless wood colors such as oak, maple, mahogany, pine or ash.
Mid-toned brown hardwood floors
This flooring color truly never goes out of style. It's not going to be the trendiest color on the color wheel, but it's timeless and enduring. You'll find mid-toned brown floors installed in homes from the early 1900s, all the way through modern new builds.
If you've been following my work, you'll know that I often say that pale natural (oak or maple) or medium neutral brown (like oak or hickory) are the most timeless colour options for wood or wood-look floors.
Dark hardwood floors are a classic and timeless flooring option and are a great choice for those who want something that won't become outdated. They are known for their beautiful and rich hue, which adds warmth and character to any space.
Greige and white oak are two of the most popular choices for hardwood flooring when it comes to house resale. They provide timeless elegance and neutrality, making them ideal for any home.
If you're looking for cool shades for your hardwood floors in 2023, look no further! Light tans, and browns with hints of grey or white will be popular as well as whitewashed finishes. Meanwhile, yellow-toned shades are moving out of favor.
Floors with a white finish go with almost everything. A light burlap-like color is a great choice because you still get a light floor, without installing a truly “white” floor. You can use a variety of wood species to create a light floor.
Dark colored hardwood floors are highly sought after by home buyers because they match modern styles. Lighter hardwood floors don't have that same appeal to many buyers, but buying quality hardwood can help. Use a discerning eye when choosing your hardwood floor and stain type.
These classic hues include neutrals (blacks, creams, beiges), navy blue, and darker shades of green. These timeless interior design colors just never seem to go out of style, and are very safe choices for an ageless look.
Grey floors are easier to keep clean than dark brown hardwood floors because they show less dust. Lighter gray floors can make a room feel open and airy, while darker gray stains can visually reduce the space.
Don't Fear Dark Wood Colors
It's a misconception that dark wood floors constrict our sense of space. Paired with the right combination of wall color, trim, and molding, darker species like walnut and exotic Brazilian cherry can, in fact, make a room look bigger.
Lighter colors help brighten up a room, making it feel bigger. The amount of natural light in the room: If you love natural light, and your home gets plenty of it, you may want to opt for a darker wood floor as it tends to fade less quickly than lighter flooring options.
Gray And White Washes
Despite their classic appeal, hardwood floors are constantly evolving and the latest trend is grey or white washed floors. Although gray is extremely versatile and perfectly complements any neutral décor, it is not as timeless as traditional hardwood tones.
Another top flooring trend in 2023? Light and neutral flooring. Modern grey wood flooring continues to be popular, as are light floor colors like blonde and beige. A great way to add these lighter flooring shades to your home or business is to use bamboo flooring.
1. Lighter, Brighter Wood Finishes. Wood flooring with character-rich, lighter stains shows no sign of waning in popularity, says Margaret Donaldson, founder of Margaret Donaldson Interiors. “Homeowners are primarily using white oak, but walnut is starting to surface more, especially with lighter finishes,” she says.
Contrast Is Key
Darker wood floors can make lighter wood furniture pop and look extremely satisfying. Alternatively, lighter wood floors provide the perfect balance for darker furniture pieces. Without contrast, a room can appear monotonous, and smaller pieces easily become lost in the space.
The good thing about light floors is that they go with almost any aesthetic, bring airiness to a space, and match easily with other shades when choosing wall colors and furniture. Dark floors work with a more dramatic style, adding sophistication, coziness and contrast for other bright décor elements to pop.
Depending on which interior designer you ask, both light and dark hardwood floors will always be in vogue. If you like white kitchen cabinets and countertops, a dark hardwood floor creates an elegant counterpoint. If you have space with little or no natural light, a light hardwood floor brightens the room.
Does this mean that your gray floors are “out of style” now? Not to worry. Gray flooring will always have its place in modern homes and buildings, and shouldn't be thrown out just yet. That being said, if you are in the market for new flooring, you may want to consider a few things before making your color selection.
Classic dark hardwood has become more popular in the last few years. Dark hardwood is a great way to bring some interesting contrast and opulence to your home. Even when the dark hardwood trend ends, dark hardwood flooring never goes out of style and is considered a timeless classic.
Vinyl has been increasing in popularity as a flooring option, with more than 200,000 users searching for it on Google in 2022. Whatever variation you prefer, it's clear that hardwood and vinyl are both here to stay in 2023.