Dark hardwood floors

[a1m1700]

Does anyone have really dark hardwood floors. I mean really dark like a black or mahagony color. If so tell me how you like them. I'm thinking about putting them in my new home and everyone is trying to talk me out of it.

[T.S.]

Originally Posted by a1m1700

Does anyone have really dark hardwood floors. I mean really dark like a black or mahagony color. If so tell me how you like them. I'm thinking about putting them in my new home and everyone is trying to talk me out of it.

Why are they trying to talk you out of it?

I always like the look of the dark wood kitchen cabinets and dark hardwood floors in models, but I have never had them in a home.

[MyAzi]

Originally Posted by a1m1700

Does anyone have really dark hardwood floors. I mean really dark like a black or mahagony color. If so tell me how you like them. I'm thinking about putting them in my new home and everyone is trying to talk me out of it.

Looks rich but makes the room feel smaller

[the dufferz]

Originally Posted by a1m1700

Does anyone have really dark hardwood floors. I mean really dark like a black or mahagony color. If so tell me how you like them. I'm thinking about putting them in my new home and everyone is trying to talk me out of it.

We went light due to the size of the kitchen, and the issue with the dark wood making the room smaller feeling and darker.

That said, dark is awesome for the rich look. If your homes style lends itself to the old house look, in my book its the only way to go.

[RodFarlee]

Really dark? They may be more difficult than one might imagine to keep clean. Even if you don't have a pet with white hair
(<---like my friend here) it'll show the slightest bit of dust really easily, especially if any part of the floor gets direct sunlight. A matte finish, rather than gloss, might help a little.

The visual effect of a dark floor can be quite nice; it makes the floor appear lower, and effectively raises the ceiling. This effect is most pronounced if the walls and ceiling contrast (are much lighter in color than) the floor.

My neighbor just put in a dark teak and I thought it was very nice, but he felt it made the rooms (which have 12' vaulted ceilings) feel too cavernous. Before the installers even got done, changed his mind and had them sand down the prefinished floor and give it two coats of clear polyurethane to get a much lighter, natural finish. These tall rooms appeared better proportioned with the lighter floors. So realize it has this effect before deciding. It will make a room appear taller.

Best wishes!

[kdm31091]

I'm totally torn on hardwood. I like carpeting for the comfort and the reduction of noise but hardwood looks nicer.

[milliebfit]

I love hardwood floors, any color. I hate carpet especially with pets. Does anyone have a suggestion on how to spruce up my hard wood floors (cheap). to make them look nice for when we put our house on the market?
a1m1700.....have you tried getting the sample colors from the big box stores? It may give you a little idea what it would look like in your rooms.

[a1m1700]

Originally Posted by RodFarlee

Really dark? They may be more difficult than one might imagine to keep clean. Even if you don't have a pet with white hair
(<---like my friend here) it'll show the slightest bit of dust really easily, especially if any part of the floor gets direct sunlight. A matte finish, rather than gloss, might help a little.

The visual effect of a dark floor can be quite nice; it makes the floor appear lower, and effectively raises the ceiling. This effect is most pronounced if the walls and ceiling contrast (are much lighter in color than) the floor.

My neighbor just put in a dark teak and I thought it was very nice, but he felt it made the rooms (which have 12' vaulted ceilings) feel too cavernous. Before the installers even got done, changed his mind and had them sand down the prefinished floor and give it two coats of clear polyurethane to get a much lighter, natural finish. These tall rooms appeared better proportioned with the lighter floors. So realize it has this effect before deciding. It will make a room appear taller.

Best wishes!

Yes very dark like black.
That's exactly what people are telling me about the floors, they are saying they are hard to keep clean and show dust. Do you see the samoyed puppy I have? Well that's what I will have so I will see white dog hair too.

I am willing to try to keep them clean. I like the look of them. Do you really think it makes the ceilings look higher? I actually would like them to look higher. Some say it makes the room look smaller. I picked a plan with 9 foot ceilings but I love the look of 2 story ceilings.

[a1m1700]

Originally Posted by milliebfit

I love hardwood floors, any color. I hate carpet especially with pets. Does anyone have a suggestion on how to spruce up my hard wood floors (cheap). to make them look nice for when we put our house on the market?
a1m1700.....have you tried getting the sample colors from the big box stores? It may give you a little idea what it would look like in your rooms.

Yes I actually brought some samples home today from Lowes but they don't have samples of the dark dark like black, that seems to be a special order always. The darkest sample I brought home was a Bruce hardwood called Saddle it's dark but not black. I like the look of a black hardwood floor and a white throw rug. I love the contrast.

[a1m1700]

Originally Posted by the dufferz

We went light due to the size of the kitchen, and the issue with the dark wood making the room smaller feeling and darker.

That said, dark is awesome for the rich look. If your homes style lends itself to the old house look, in my book its the only way to go.

I'm getting natural maple kitchen cabinets and wanted to do the dark dark kitchen floor. So you think it will make the room look smaller?

I would get white cabintets but thecuban won't let me My ultimate would be the antique white glazed cabinets with the black wood floors but they are too$$$.

[a1m1700]

Originally Posted by T.S.

Why are they trying to talk you out of it?

I always like the look of the dark wood kitchen cabinets and dark hardwood floors in models, but I have never had them in a home.

They say shows dust and will show white dog hair.

I actually love the black cabinets have you seen those? I couldn't do a black floor with black cabinets. They are very expensive anyway.

[milliebfit]

since we are on the subject of hard wood floors, I have a question. We are moving to Tucson in 5 months(can't wait) I was told it is to hot and dry to have hardwood floors there. Is that true? If I can't have wood floors what can I put down if I don't like carpet?

[a1m1700]

Originally Posted by milliebfit

since we are on the subject of hard wood floors, I have a question. We are moving to Tucson in 5 months(can't wait) I was told it is to hot and dry to have hardwood floors there. Is that true? If I can't have wood floors what can I put down if I don't like carpet?

Hmmmmm I live in Phoenix and some people put them in here. I think a lot of people are using that pergo stuff here. I actually have dupont in my famiyroom.

[Spokanite]

I showed a brand new home yesterday that had really dark hardwood floors and all you could see were the footprints and dirt on them. I would say to go with something medium toned unless you plan on mopping & polishing them every day.

[a1m1700]

Originally Posted by Spokanite

I showed a brand new home yesterday that had really dark hardwood floors and all you could see were the footprints and dirt on them. I would say to go with something medium toned unless you plan on mopping & polishing them every day.

I bet if they were clean they would have been beautiful. I think I many just go with natural maple.

[Jenbar]

With ANY hard surface floor, and a pup that sheds - it will show easily.

We had a white boxer, and a very light finish laminate (called Alpine Maple) and I swept 2 or 3 times a day. I also have kids though.... and lived in the Seattle area, where it was constantly wet and people and dogs brought in stuff from outside. Plus we are home during the day.

I would just resign yourself to having to sweep at least once a day, depending on your traffic level... and get what you like. Sweeping is way easier than dragging out a vaccum.

I agree that those dark hardwoods at Lowe's are SOOO nice. If you have the room size to justify it - and it fits your style. GET it, don't worry about the hair & dust... it will be there regardless :)

[Sekretgardengal]

I want lighter color wood floors in the kitchen and livingroom. I need to get the color tone of the ceiling but lighter.

[T.S.]

Originally Posted by a1m1700

They say shows dust and will show white dog hair.

I actually love the black cabinets have you seen those? I couldn't do a black floor with black cabinets. They are very expensive anyway.

Yeah, I guess white dog hair and dark hardwood floors would probably not be a good match.

I have not yet seen black cabinets that I have liked. I like the dark stained wood colors like a dark cherry.