Should Your Kitchen Floors Be Darker Than Your Cabinets?

When designing a kitchen, there are many factors to take into consideration. According to Vision Interiors, safety, storage, and accessibility to utensils and appliances are all important elements of a fully-functional kitchen. Though, how does personal aesthetic fit into the grand scheme of mapping out a space?

Every homeowner has their distinct style and taste, but specific design choices can make or break a kitchen's functionality and visual appeal. For example, Nelson Cabinetry states that opting for particular color schemes may make your space feel warm and inviting or cold and bleak. The inability to coordinate the components of your kitchen, particularly your cabinets, countertops, and floors, can also negatively impact the room's overall feel. Dark flooring may not fit everyone's preferences, but when worked into a kitchen correctly, it can create a dynamic space in your home that can inspire you to cook, eat, and entertain. Let's compare the upsides and downsides of implementing dark floors in your kitchen.

Dark floors may be the proper choice for those wanting to incorporate a contemporary feel into their home. According to Ottawa Diamond Flooring, adding these floors to your kitchen is a great way to make a bold statement without going overboard with the décor. When paired with the right colors, darker floors can help craft an aesthetic that revives a drab space in your home. Ottawa Diamond Flooring also states that these floors hide stains and spots more easily than floors of lighter hues, which could prove beneficial inside a messy room like a kitchen.

Darker flooring can also increase the value of a home, says Dodgson Floor and Window Coverings. Home buyers are typically attracted to these shades more so than lighter floor varieties due to their ability to make furniture stand out and make rooms appear taller, Dodgson Floor and Window Coverings note. Furthermore, a study from the National Association of Realtors states that homeowners who replaced their floors with hardwood options before listing their houses on the market witnessed a cost recovery of 118% in 2022. This upgrade is great for those looking to sell their home quickly and make a profit.

Dark floors also have their share of disadvantages, many of which have to do with keeping the product in good condition. Harman Hardwood Flooring states that homeowners with dark flooring will have to work harder to keep them clean, as they show dust and grime more prominently than lighter floors. Harman Hardwood Flooring recommends sweeping dark floors daily and removing shoes worn outside before entering the home to avoid tracking in mud and dirt. Scratches also appear more prominently on these floors when compared to their lighter counterparts, and this is especially true with hardwood varieties. So, homeowners with dark floors may feel compelled to put forth a greater effort to keep them in pristine condition.

Color schemes can also affect how large or small a room appears. For those with smaller kitchens, Ottawa Diamond Flooring recommends straying away from dark floors since these models absorb the light within a room and make it feel even tinier. Kennington Flooring disagrees, stating that adding dark flooring to a room can make it feel open and warm due to the product's richness and aesthetic appeal. Dark floors complement some kitchens better than others, so grab some floor samples from a hardware store or consult a professional before agreeing to make a major change to your home's interior.

There are many ways to coordinate the remainder of your kitchen's elements around dark floors. Floor Factors recommends choosing your countertops first, then selecting cabinets and flooring that contrast yet complements the counters' color and finish. Choosing flooring and cabinetry of the same material isn't entirely out of the question, Floor Factors states. If doing so, opt for different colors or shades to prevent your space from feeling one-dimensional. The opposite also rings true; if wanting to incorporate furnishings of the same color, opt for different materials to add dimension to your kitchen. However, Ottawa Diamond Flooring says to avoid using colors that contrast your dark floors too harshly, as this could make the kitchen feel cold and uninviting.

Laurysen Kitchens also advises homeowners to consider the contrast level they want to include within their kitchen. Black and white is a popular color combination, but Laurysen Kitchens recommends homeowners think outside the box and consider other dark and light color schemes. Another factor that affects a kitchen's appearance is lighting. Laurysen Kitchens states that homeowners should consider the way light pours into their kitchen before choosing flooring and other elements to pair with it. Brightening your space with additional light fixtures can drastically influence the look and feel of your kitchen, reducing the effects of drastic contrast and creating a more welcoming and appealing space.