dining room decor ideas light wood floors

#Dining room decor ideas light wood floors how to

#Dining room decor ideas light wood floors how to

Kerrie loves to incorporate wood flooring into her designs and provides tips on how to do it. Sacramento-based interior designer Kerrie Kelly of Kerrie Kelly Design Lab shares design advice and inspiration and writes about it for The Home Depot. Whether you choose light and bright or cozy and warm, hardwood flooring adds a beautiful touch to nearly any room of the home. When you plan your hardwood-flooring project, consider your lifestyle, budget requirements, maintenance needs, and style. Engineered hardwood is a great budget-friendly flooring choice, while natural hardwood is an attractive selection for any space. This could mean more options when it comes to changing the color down the road. Longevity is also important to keep in mind: While engineered hardwood is built to last, it is limited in the number of times it can be refinished, whereas natural wood can be refinished many times. On the other hand, natural hardwood has a certain richness to it that engineered wood can’t replicate. Engineered hardwood has an increased tolerance for moisture, while natural hardwood may begin to warp in damp areas. When to choose engineered versus natural hardwoods: Today’s engineered hardwoods are nearly indistinguishable from natural hardwood floors. “Cherry tones can also be used as a great foundation in a rustic space, as they add a certain warmth.” Think about Materials “These are more traditional tones often used in period rooms and classic homes,” says Risdon. The color also works in classically decorated spaces. If you do choose this warmer hue, use it in spaces flooded with natural light and lots of updated elements. “A seasonal beach home where there is a great deal of natural light can create enough balance to make a golden-toned floor feel timeless,” says Weatherspoon. However, there’s still a place for these traditional wood floors. When to choose cherry or golden colors: Cooler shades like gray and extra dark brown have moved to the forefront, with cherry or golden-toned hardwood taking somewhat of a backseat. Alternatively, darker hardwood flooring would be appropriate for living in the city in a high-rise,” she says. “If you live in Palm Desert, you might lean toward lighter hardwoods. An airy and bright setting like a bungalow in a sunny desert town calls for a different look than the sleek and moody atmosphere of a city apartment. When it comes to color, Cole advises clients to take inspiration from their environment and surroundings. If you live in a humid climate, be sure to have a proper air conditioning system in place to keep your hardwoods in good condition. Humidity and moisture can affect your wood, causing swelling or warping. For households with a lot of activity, a cork or foam underlayment can reduce noise. A vinyl or plastic-lined underlayment can help protect the subfloor in areas prone to wetness (great for homes with pets). Factory-applied finishes typically come with a warranty and will hold up longer than self-applied finishes. The wood’s finish and the underlayment material will also affect how well the floor withstands its environment. Oak, maple, and cherry have a high level of hardness, while pine, mahogany, and chestnut are softer and more prone to damage.

The harder the wood, the better it will resist dings, dents, and scratches. Functionality matters as well.įor homes with a high level of wear and tear, such as those with kids and pets, homeowners should choose a durable variety of wood. “It’s not about selecting a floor solely based on aesthetics,” she says. After she gathers her clients’ expressed wishes, she asks key questions about their routine. Is it new construction? Should we respect the integrity of the home?” he says.Įlle Cole, owner of Elle Cole Interiors in Dallas, agrees it’s important to keep function in mind when helping her clients choose flooring. “One of the first things I consider is the type of space I’m working in. Our team frequently notices things even the client doesn’t, like the family’s tendency to keep shoes on in the home or how often the dog runs down the hall after the kids.īyron Risdon, a designer out of Washington, D.C., offers this advice: Assess the space and how your daily activities affect your floor. At Kerrie Kelly, we often tour a client’s home before any renovation or design work begins so we can see firsthand how the family interacts with the materials and elements in their home. When choosing a hardwood floor, consider style, personal preference, lifestyle, and the home’s construction.