Why You Need to Know the ‘Colors of Wood’

Lately, interior design colors have been bright, vivid and fun. Think tropical fruits and icy blues or green – the new neutral, believe it or not. You only have to look at upholstery and other fabrics to see today’s color trends. 
What does this have to do with wood floors? Just about everything, because wood, including a wood floor, has its own unique color, and wood colors need to be included in the overall design scheme of a room.
Wood colors are grouped broadly in yellows, reds and browns. Think of these tones as a decorator would – as cools, warms and neutrals.
With a warm Brazilian Cherry or perhaps a Mexican Rosewood, you might consider a décor rich in warm Cabernets and paprika.
Do you already have a décor in mind? If so, think in reverse. Ask yourself, what wood color would go with this new décor?
To “cool down” a room, you might opt for an exotic hardwood with a hint of blue, like angelim, or amber or yellow from Brazilian Eucalyptus.
For a dramatic statement, think Wenge from Africa with its intriguing grains and black-coffee finish. The color you select may change a bit, depending upon the texture of your floor.
Hardwoods with normal shades of light-to-dark will take on a lighter or darker tone in some areas as each strip is set in place. You may prefer this kind of visual interest versus a tailored, uniform color flow.
There are many things that can affect the color tone of the room. Changes in lighting and gloss level will affect the look as does the type of installation. Different surfaces such as parquetry and hand scraped will change the look of the floor.
Hints for home designers – if you’re redoing one room, give serious consideration to the impact your wood floor’s color will have on adjoining rooms and hallways. If you’re doing a large area with adjoining rooms, resist the urge to mix different hardwoods. Keeping to the same or similar woods presents a consistent design look.
There’s a lot to know about color palettes of today’s wood flooring, but don’t be afraid to dream.
Visit Foglio’s Flooring Center for all of your flooring needs at 344 Rt. US 9, Marmora or call (609) 390-3876. We are open Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.