Now, I had this idea in my head that dark floors make rooms appear smaller, but after doing some research online, I realized that isn't exactly the case. Dark floors don't in and of themselves make rooms feel smaller. Dark floors with dark paint and furnishings make rooms feel smaller. My walls are light and my upholstery is white and cream. My furniture is dark, but I think there are enough light colors here to possibly use this beautiful chocolaty wood.
Thoughts? I don't think there is anything in my condo complex that comes close to this look. The floors in the units here have traditional sized planks and colors ranging from blond to honey.
I loooove the dark flooring! I think that dark floors are also really popular right now so I'm sure it would be great for resale.
ReplyDeletewe have the wide plank in the newer section that steve did, and I love it. That color looks fantastic, I really love the dark richness, and I think you are right, with the lightness of the rest of the place, it won't look small. Esp since you have all that natural light coming in the sliding glass. . .
ReplyDeleteoh and the beveled edge (which it looks like it has) - I think that looks so great and it's not a pita to clean like I worried about at first.
ReplyDeleteI love the dark flooring. I think dark wood floors with light walls and upholstery is a beautiful look...somehow more restful than the blonder, oak colored hardwood flooring.
ReplyDeleteI LOVE the dark woods - I wish I could do mine like that!!!! All of your furniture/paint choices are so light and airy it would totally work. You can always break up the wood with seagrass rugs and the like. I love it!!!!
ReplyDeletePersonally, I love love love dark wood floors with white molding and light walls. Like Young House Love. Gorgeous!! Good luck with what you decide, and it bites that the developer stole all the sale goods. Maybe this is a sign???
ReplyDeleteI had all my floors in my house refinished dark and I LOVE them. They are gorgeous, you will have no regrets.
ReplyDeletejulie
Dark floors can be AMAZING! Check out Holly's blog for proof:
ReplyDeleteinthefunlane.com
:)
My entire second floor will be dark, the same color as our stairs (Varathane espresso), so I'm totally on board with this choice! DO IT!
ReplyDeleteI love it! So beautiful. I think you should go for it!
ReplyDeleteI'd definitely go for the dark flooring especially if a room has good lighting or not. Go for it. I can live trough you when it's done and looks beautiful.
ReplyDeleteHey there! My sister got dark wood floors for her living room and it has been a huge mistake because the room gets a lot of sun and thus every speck of dust on the floor shows up. She is constantly wiping them down and wishes she'd gone for something lighter. So... if that room gets a lot of sun, you may want something lighter. Hugs! =)
ReplyDeleteMalena
I have to second the dust issue. I put in in dark walnut and love them, however when I open up the front glass pane door to let in light, you see all the dust!!!! If you do not have direct sunlight on any areas- go for it- you'll love it
ReplyDeleteI love the dark wood! Especially if you have lighter furnishings, I think it will look fantastic.
ReplyDeleteGo for it - they are incredibly luxe! Just be prepared to become very good friends with your Swiffer and yoru vacum - as they show every bit of dust. If you have a shedding pet I would advise against them, and opt for a mid-tone.
ReplyDelete- Danielle
Maybe losing out on the original flooring you wanted is one of those happy accidents that will work out for the better. I love dark wood floors. Before I bought my house, I was set on a loft. One of the ones I toured was a small one bedroom with gorgeous dark wood floors. It looked amazing and spacious, even though it was a small space.
ReplyDeleteJeannine, that wood is beautiful! Walnut? I love it but I have to say...
ReplyDeleteWe went with mahogany colored wood flooring and (while it looks excellent for the first 15 minutes after I've swept, wet swiffered and gotten down on my hands and knees to wipe clean) it is quite possibly the worst choice we could have made.
Black & white dog fur, dust, bare foot/paw smudges, little sneezey snorty sprays...it shows all!!! And like someone else mentioned, when the sun is shining in, forget about it!! They house looks like a pig sty!
The one advantage to the sample you have is that it doesn't have a shiny/glossy finish like ours does. Let me show you some pictures...
Beautiful color
http://www.flickr.com/photos/missletitia/3679600381/in/set-72157620695130923/
Sunlight reveals smudges galore
http://www.flickr.com/photos/missletitia/3679596541/in/set-72157620695130923/
Nail locations are a bit more visible
http://www.flickr.com/photos/missletitia/3679599329/in/set-72157620695130923/
I haven't updated that flickr set since last summer. :/ And I don't have any photos of the floors with the dog fur...that would just be too embarrassing. Haha.
I *do* think the wood you picked out is lovely...I just worry that you're going to force yourself to vacuum sweep every single day because of fur. :/