How to choose the right timber flooring colour for your home
Timber flooring adds warmth, elegance, and timeless appeal to any home. However, selecting the right colour for your floor can feel like a daunting task. With so many shades and finishes available, making the perfect choice involves a balance between personal taste, your home’s style, and practical considerations. If you’re in Australia and considering timber flooring, here’s a guide to help you choose the right colour for your space.
- Consider the size of your space.
The colour of your flooring can have a significant impact on how big or small your space feels.
- • Light colours, like blonde or ash timber, can make small spaces feel larger and more open by reflecting natural light.
- • Dark colours, such as walnut or espresso, create a cosy, intimate atmosphere in larger rooms but may make smaller spaces feel more cramped.
- Match Your Home’s Style
Your flooring should complement the overall style of your home:
- Modern or minimalist homes: Opt for lighter shades like pale oak or whitewashed timber for a clean, airy look.
- Rustic or traditional homes: Rich, dark hues like jarrah or spotted gum add a touch of sophistication and character.
- Coastal themes: Soft, natural tones like grey-washed or blonde timber evoke a breezy, seaside vibe.
- Coordinate with Existing Décor
The colour of your timber flooring should match your furniture, walls, and cabinets.
- For neutral-coloured walls and furniture, almost any wooden shade will work beautifully.
- If you have bold or dark-coloured furniture, balance it with lighter flooring to prevent the space from feeling heavy.
- Think about maintenance.
Dark timber floors tend to show scratches, dust, and pet hair more prominently than lighter shades. If you have a busy household with kids or pets, mid-tone or lighter finishes might be more forgiving and easier to maintain.
- Account for Natural Lighting
The amount of natural light in your home will influence how the flooring colours look.
- North-facing rooms in Australia typically receive more consistent sunlight, so you can experiment with darker shades.
- South-facing rooms often have cooler, softer light, making lighter shades a better choice to brighten the space.
- Test Before You Commit
Always request timber samples or swatches from your flooring supplier. Place them in the room you’re renovating and observe how they look at different times of the day under natural and artificial lighting.
Australia is home to some stunning native timber species that offer unique colour variations. Consider species such as:
- Spotted Gum: A popular choice with a mix of light and dark shades.
- Blackbutt: Known for its pale, neutral tones that suit modern interiors.
- Ironbark: Offers a rich, reddish-brown hue perfect for traditional homes.