Dark Wood Floor Ideas for Your Living Room

If you’re considering redesigning your living room, whether you’re leaning towards a classic, contemporary, or rustic aesthetic, the foundation you choose can set the tone for the entire space.

At Matt Britton, we’re hardwood flooring experts, and we’re going to delve into the transformative power of dark wood floors and how they can elevate the aesthetics of your living room, regardless of your preferred style. 

What are some dark wood floor ideas for your living room? And how do you style a room with dark wood flooring? Join us as we explore everything you need to know about creating a striking impact in your living room with a dark floor interior.

Why You Should Add Dark Wood Floors to Your Living Room

First, let us give you eight reasons to bite the bullet and choose dark wood floors for your living room: 

1. Enhanced Room Aesthetic: Dark wood floors provide a striking contrast in your living room, making furniture and décor pop, which, in turn, enhances the overall aesthetics of the space.
2. Versatility in Styling: They offer great versatility, blending beautifully with various interior designs, from modern and minimalist to rustic and traditional.
3. Added Warmth and Elegance: Dark wooden floors add a touch of warmth and style, creating the cosy and inviting atmosphere you need in your living room.
4. Durability and Longevity: Dark wood is known for its durability, ability to withstand heavy foot traffic, and lasting for decades with proper care and maintenance.
5. Increased Home Value: Investing in dark wood floors can increase the market value of your home, as they are highly sought after for their beauty and durability.
6. Timeless Appeal: Unlike some flooring options that might go out of style, dark wood floors have a timeless appeal, ensuring your living room never looks dated.
7. Easy to Coordinate: Dark wooden floors make it easy to coordinate with a wide range of rug colours and textures, allowing for easy changes in decor without the need for flooring replacement.
8. Hides Wear and Tear: Darker floors can be more forgiving, helping to hide scratches, dents, and dirt better than lighter floors, making them ideal for busy living rooms.

Dark Hardwood Floor Living Room Ideas

Though dark wood floors offer endless ideas for your living room, here are our top three:

1. Choose a Patterned Effect 

Opting for dark chevron or herringbone flooring instead of traditional plank flooring in a living room can significantly elevate the space’s elegance and visual interest. The angular lines of Chevron or the timeless pattern of Herringbone offer a sense of movement and depth, creating a focal point that draws the eye. 

Moreover, these styles can also enhance the perception of space, making the living room appear larger and more inviting. By choosing dark chevron or herringbone, homeowners can achieve a luxurious, designer-quality appearance that stands out and makes the living room a truly special place to gather and relax.

2. Add an Area Rug

Incorporating an area rug into a living room with dark floors is an excellent strategy for enhancing the room’s overall ambiance and functionality. Not only does it introduce a layer of warmth and texture, making the space feel more inviting and comfortable, but it also serves as a visual break against the dark backdrop of the flooring. The area rug placement can help define seating areas, contributing to a more organised and cohesive look. Additionally, lighter or brightly coloured rugs can contrast beautifully with dark floors, adding a pop of colour that can make the space appear larger and more vibrant. 

But beyond aesthetics, an area rug on dark flooring can protect the surface from wear and scratches, ensuring your floors maintain their pristine condition. This simple addition effortlessly combines practical benefits with stylistic enhancements, making it a smart choice for anyone looking to elevate their living room’s design.

3. Make a Statement with Light Décor 

Dark wood floors stand out the most when contrasted with light interiors. If you’re asking, ‘How can I brighten my house with dark wood floors?’ here are some ideas: 

• Incorporate Light Furniture: Pair dark hardwood floors with light-coloured furniture to create a striking contrast.
• Keep a Neutral Palette: Use neutral wall colours, like beige or grey, to complement the richness of dark hardwood floors.
• Add Natural Elements: Incorporate natural elements, like plants or wooden furniture, to add warmth and texture to the space.
• Make Use of Natural Light: Like making use of a Chevron or Herringbone pattern, maximizing natural light prevents the room from feeling too enclosed, so try opting for sheer curtains or minimalist window treatments in your living room.

Should I get Light or Dark Hardwood Flooring?

Deciding between light or dark hardwood flooring depends on several factors, such as the size of your room, the amount of natural light it receives, and your personal style preferences. Light hardwood floors can make a small room appear more spacious and are great at hiding dust and small imperfections. They also provide a modern and airy feel to a space. 

On the other hand, dark hardwood floors offer a rich, warm aesthetic and can add a luxurious touch to your home. They are ideal for large, well-lit rooms but can show dust and scratches more easily than light floors. Ultimately, your choice should align with your home’s overall design theme and your practical lifestyle needs.

Can you Mix Light and Dark Hardwood Flooring?

Yes, you can mix light and dark hardwood flooring to create a visually appealing contrast in your home. This design choice can help define different areas in an open-plan space, add depth and interest to rooms, and even complement various furniture styles and decor.

When mixing light and dark hardwood floors, it’s important to consider the wood species, grain patterns, and finishes to ensure they harmonize well together. Using transition strips or incorporating a mixed pattern can also help blend the two shades seamlessly.

Do Dark Wood Floors Make a Room Look Smaller?

The impact of dark wood floors on a room’s appearance can vary depending on several factors, such as the size of the room, ceiling height, and natural light availability. Generally, dark wood floors have a luxurious and warm appeal that can add depth and character to a space.

However, in smaller rooms or spaces with limited natural light they might contribute to a feeling of the room being smaller or more confined. This effect can be mitigated by combining dark wood floors with lighter wall colours, ample lighting, and strategically placed mirrors to reflect light and create a sense of spaciousness. Additionally, using area rugs can help break up the dark flooring, adding texture and colour, which can also help the room feel more open and airy.

What Colours go Best with Dark Hardwood Floors?

The good thing about dark wood floors is that they suit a wide array of colours to create either striking contrasts or harmonious blends. Choosing the right wall, carpet, and rug colour can not only enhance the aesthetics of dark hardwood floors, but it can also contribute to a cosier and more cohesive space. Light-coloured decor, such as shades of white and cream, are particularly effective, as they can brighten up a room and provide a stunning contrast to dark wood. Neutral shades like beige, grey, and ivory can add more warmth and softness to the space, making it feel more inviting. For those looking to add a splash of colour, deep blues, rich greens, or even bold patterns can also complement dark floors beautifully, elevating the room’s appeal. 

Explore Dark Wood Floors from Matt Britton Today

If you’re ready to transform your living room with the beauty of dark hardwood floors, consider choosing Matt Britton for all your flooring needs. With a great selection of hardwood floors and finishes, we can help you find the perfect flooring solution to match any living room style.

So browse our hardwood flooring collection, order your free samples, and book an appointment with one of our in-store experts today!