Many things affect the atmosphere of a room, including décor, furniture and paint. Your hardwood flooring stain color has an instant effect on all types of living spaces, and the decision between dark stains vs light stains plays a major role in interior design. Explore all of your options and consider the overall effect of each wood floor stain.
The Effect of Dark Stains
Dark stains help to spruce up older hardwood and work well for restoration projects. Darker tones tend to hide imperfections and even enhance the look of cheaper, less attractive wood species. Any gouges, dents or scratches made in the wood prior to the staining process will be barely noticeable under deep brown or slate gray stains.
On the other hand, dark wood flooring stain colors show post-installation marring and wear. Dark tones may not be an ideal choice for homes with young children and pets, as the signs of abuse will show up quickly and are difficult to hide. Dust and debris also appear very clearly on darker colored wood floors, making clean up a regular necessity.
Dark stain colors add drama to any space, and can create a cozy feeling in your office, den or master bedroom. Choose dark colored stain to create a grand entrance or to warm up a large, open space. Classic choices like cherry or exotic styles like Brazilian Walnut make a statement in any home and help to add an air of formality.
The Effect of Light Stains
Hardwood flooring can also be casual and highly durable. For high traffic locations and to brighten up any space, light colored wood flooring stains make an excellent choice. Light stains tend to dominate the contemporary design trends at the moment, although that often changes over the course of time.
Opt for light colored hardwood flooring in small rooms, such as hallways, powder rooms and in older homes with less natural light. Reflective and bright, clear stains or those with golden tones tend to give off light and enhance the illumination of any room.
Lighter colors also hide marks, scratches and fading that occur post-installation. Homeowners cannot completely protect their flooring, and good quality light stain is the optimum choice for long-term beauty in any space. Light stains also hide dirt and dust, perfect for families with pets and in areas of your home that handle a lot of traffic. You still need to keep this flooring clean to maximize the product’s life, but light colored stains will look cleaner, even when you don’t have a moment to sweep or vacuum.
Good quality wood flooring, both solid hardwood and engineered wood floors, create an atmosphere of luxury and comfort. Darker stains add drama and an air of formality. They also tend to make a larger space cozier, and work well when restoring an older hardwood floor.
Lighter wood flooring stains add brightness in small spaces and hide wear and tear better over time. Think about which suits your tastes and lifestyle and be sure to bring home samples for viewing. The decision of dark stains vs light stains may be easier than you think, once the ideal wood flooring catches your eye.