Hardwood - Design Ideas

• Consider the species of wood — every type of tree has a unique grain that can have a big impact on the look of the floor. The color of the stain is also important.

• Think about how wide a board you'd like, whether you want each board to be flat or beveled, and if you'd like a special finish such as hand-scraping.

• Light-colored woods tend to make a room appear brighter and larger. Darker-colored woods create a more dramatic environment.

• Don't be afraid not to match the species or graining of your furniture or cabinets. The interplay of different woods can add visual interest and personality to your room.

• Narrow-width strips can add length to a "boxy" room.

• Installing a floor with the boards running across the width or on the diagonal of a narrow room can create a more spacious appearance.

• Wide-width planks work well and are scale-appropriate in mid-sized and larger rooms. 

• Characteristics such as beveled-edge details, light colors, bold graining, random-width planks, surface irregularities and a low-gloss finish can make a room appear less formal, without diminishing overall beauty or sophistication.

• Using the same species and color hardwood flooring from room to room makes your home look bigger and creates a pleasing visual continuity.

• Area rugs can enhance the drama of your hardwood floors, create focal points and help to define spaces. Be sure the rug has a soft, non-abrasive back or use a "breathable" under-pad to protect your hardwood floor.

• Combining different species, or different colors within a species, or different board widths, can create unique design statements within a room.  If you want a less-monolithic look within one species, some domestic and exotic woods have naturally variegated graining, coloration and/or surface characteristics.