Is light or dark flooring most suitable for my home?

In recent years, the exceptionally popular craze for all things Scandinavian in the interiors world has meant an increased push towards light and bright flooring. Accordingly, greys and whites have been all the rage for quite some time and continue to be favoured by consumers. However in sharp contrast, the new trend that is taking the interiors world by storm is black, meaning a new obsession with dark flooring. Achieving a starkly different look to white, a dark flooring can open the door to a myriad of design possibilities, whilst also being notoriously difficult to pull off.

Whether you are a trend follower or not, making a decision between a light or dark flooring can be a tricky one, especially as the final looks will be so different. Ultimately it is a personal decision, but there are still various factors to consider that may help you decide. In this post, we will cover the pros and cons of both and hopefully help you make a choice that suits your needs and home.

 

White flooring

 

A beautiful white flooring can add brightness and class to any living space. The clean, modern look is perfect for opening up a small space and giving the illusion of a bigger room. For those looking to achieve that highly Instagrammable Scandinavian look, a white floor will provide the perfect base on which to build your minimalist but cosy haven.

 

 

Another popular advantage of light floors is their unbeatable versatility. Whether it’s a minimalist Scandinavian apartment or a grand country house, white flooring is suitable for a whole range of different interior styles and homes. Plus, it is considerably easier to match with furniture than black flooring and reworking the room to create a new look will not be a problem. Its versatility means you can redecorate and change up the look without having to install a new floor.

 

Black flooring

 

Back in fashion, black flooring has been given a new lease of life in the interiors world. Deliciously rich tones and unbeatably luxurious, dark floorings are in their own league of majesty. However, they are not for everyone and the room size must be considered carefully. A black floor will be oppressive in a small space and will look dull and drab if the lighting is not appropriate.

 

Although black floors can make a bold contemporary statement, it is important to consider how other elements of the room will work for or against the dark flooring. For example, too much black can be overwhelming so it is important to introduce contrasting colours to create balance and interest. Colours such as white, green and yellow work particularly well, as they add variation and break up the darkness.

 

 

Dark floorings are ideal for adding cosiness to a broad space that may feel a bit cold. You will also need to give careful consideration to the lighting of the room, Without good, bright lighting, you risk creating the illusion of a cave in your own home. Maybe that’s what you are going for but we doubt the vast majority of people will be aiming for a claustrophobic space to live in.

 

Despite the potential downfalls of a black floor, there are still various benefits to consider. With a dark wood flooring, you will be able to see the natural grains and textures of the wood more clearly. Accordingly, black floors will add a touch of drama to your home and will certainly create a talking point amongst impressed guests. If you opt for a wooden floor, just make sure you take care to look after it, as scratches and marks will show up more easily on dark colours.

 

Still can’t decide?

White and black floors are two extremes of the colour spectrum and if you are struggling to decide then perhaps you should go somewhere in the middle. Consider a grey flooring, as this combines the clean and contemporary look of a white floor but with the cosiness of a darker floor. Grey is just as versatile as white, as it complements all other colours and will survive through multiple redecorations.

 

 

If you would like to discuss any of these options in more detail, get in touch with one of our flooring experts today or visit our showroom in Sevenoaks.