Wood flooring is one of the most important features of a home or building. The choice must stand the test of time in terms of durability and design. Wood flooring can be both classic and modern. An old house with the original wood planks can be refinished to its charming origins. A high rise apartment with clean and modern decor can be complemented by sleek charcoal wood planks. With such versatility, sometimes making a flooring choice can be difficult. Here are some helpful guidelines on how to complement and stylize your wood floors and corresponding decor.

Establish Creative Direction
To narrow down your flooring choices, first reference your overall design goal. The design goal is the purpose of the renovation or new construction project. The design direction of a hotel lobby may be to establish a modern and updated feeling. The design theme of an office building may be professional and confident. Whatever the design theme or goal, the flooring should support it.

If the building project is meant to be youthful and contemporary, your flooring choice could include a pattern or a bold color. If your design theme is luxurious and high end, then the flooring should look expensive. A solidwood with rich tones will send the message.

If you do not have a design theme yet, it is important to establish one. If you are the lead of the project, this creative choice is yours. If you’re a contributor to the project, urge your lead architect, designer or project owner to establish a design direction. This is crucial to ensure the final result will make the client happy.

The Accents Matter
Once the flooring has been selected and installed, the project continues. At this stage, selecting the perfect decor, artwork, furniture, and accessories will amplify the look of the wood. In artwork and accents, choose colors that will blend and harmonize with your flooring undertone. If you flooring has a red tint, choose warm colors like neutral creams and beiges. Strategically add bold colors, but sparingly. If your wood has a neutral undertone like grey or light oak consider cool tones like blue and green. Accents in gold, silver, or platinum also work well to highlight the detail of wood floors.

Contrast Furniture
When adding furniture, creating contrast will create dimension throughout your space. This means if your floors are dark you should add light colored furniture. If your floors are light-neutral, add dark furniture in deep colors like green, navy, or purple. Experiment with adding furniture in bold colors and neutrals.

Complement Other Rooms
If there are other rooms nearby with wood construction like cabinets, avoid a matching tone. Again, adding contrast between elements like cabinets and wood creates a depth to your room. A room with depth evokes a feeling of warmth and energy.

A Showcase Rug
Adding a strategically placed rug to your wood floor will draw the eye downward showing off the wood floor even more. Choose a rug that has enough contrast to look distinct from the floor. However avoid a rug with too much color or detail as it may dominate the attention in the room. Another technique is to select a rug with a unique texture. Rugs with more texture add personality to a room and an element of comfort.

The best way to showcase flooring is to select a high quality, unique design at the start of the project. That is why understanding the aesthetic scope of your project is so key. When you know your end vision, working with a skilled flooring expert will ensure you execute on the vision. Span Floors has many flooring styles that cannot be found at other retailers and stores. You want your guests to remember your flooring as beautiful and luxurious. We even offer flooring with herringbone or chevron patterns. Our team can help you establish your design direction and bring your vision to life.