Elevate Any Room With The Alluring Wood Flooring Trend That's Taking Center Stage

Hardwood floors have many admirable qualities – they are high-end, classic, and earthy, to name a few. The heavily sought-after flooring category is design-centric with its several options of species that tout various color and textural differences. As interior design continues to evolve, so too do the visual capabilities of wood flooring. It's important to select the right color of hardwood for your home whether it's a light floor like white oak or a rich-color species such as walnut. In particular, darker tones of hardwood are having their day and are seeing an increase in popularity.

Dark hardwood floors are a fashion forward choice for spaces that demand elevated style. The distinct coloring can take any design aesthetic to the next level with its chic tone. Rich wood colors, like espresso and deep ebony, can also add visual depth. Opting for a darker shade of hardwood is a fun way to experiment with innovative color choices without going overboard on design risks. It mirrors a trend we are seeing towards darker hues in cabinetry for a more pronounced look of luxury.

For style-savvy homeowners that want a unique floor in their space, hardwood that trends darker could be a real contender. Artem Kropovinsky, interior designer and founder of Arsight, previously told House Digest in an exclusive interview that darker hardwoods are among the best hardwood floor colors because they "add a sense of luxury and sophistication to a space." They can add opulence to any room and feel exclusive and special. Further, daily wear and tear is less noticeable on a dark floor than it is on a lighter hardwood, meaning it may not require as much maintenance. A dark wood stain can even be added to hide aging and strengthen the color.

The vast color options of hardwood make it easy for homeowners to pick just how dark they want to go with their flooring. Popular wood species that are on the darker side include hickory and mahogany (which also has red tones). Walnut and cherry are also available in many different hues, including cool darker ones for those willing to experiment with color. Some rarer exotic hardwoods like wenge can even have pitch black visuals. Or for a one-of-a-kind floor, consider looking into custom hardwood options.

When selecting a noir shade of hardwood for your space, design experts insist that it is all about balance. A combination of light, neutral furniture can complement dark hardwood and appropriately tie the entire room together. Adding dark wood flooring to a room with white walls creates the perfect backdrop to really make the floor tone shine. It is reminiscent of the timeless duo of black and white, which brings comfort and adds extra dimension to a space. Plus, it assures that the floor's color does not overpower the room or make the space appear unnecessarily gloomy.

It's also important to remember when decorating with dark floors not to overrun your space with too many design choices, or physical items for that matter, as the flooring may make an area feel smaller, especially in compact rooms. The addition of too much in one space can make the room feel disjointed. Keep things to a minimum so your home doesn't feel overcrowded. Dark hardwood floors demand attention, so it is best to keep the surrounding space minimal. It helps to select bigger accents rather than several small ones – a home decor trick to add style, not clutter.