You’ve had the same outdated hardwood floors for years and always dreamed of upgrading to something more modern. Or maybe you’ve just bought a house, but the hardwood floors don’t quite fit your vibe. Maybe you just took the plunge and invested in some beautiful wood floors and aren’t sure what comes next. When it comes to home improvement projects, staining your hardwood floors is a relatively low-cost way to give your home a total makeover.
Choosing a stain is painless when you already know what you want. However, what if you aren’t sure what you want? If in doubt, it’s always a good idea to first consult with wood floor staining experts, like the folks at this Nashville flooring company. In the meantime, the following factors will help you figure out what kind of stain you want.
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Envisioning the Interior Design
Your hardwood floors are the foundation of your design and tie together all the elements of the room harmoniously. Consequently, the first and most important step is to develop a clear vision of your interior design. While some people opt to hire a professional interior designer, it’s not a necessity if you can get in touch with your inner creative spirit.
To help you brainstorm aesthetics, sign up for a Pinterest account and create collections according to each theme you’re considering. You can also search Instagram for inspiration or leaf through some print or online home improvement magazines.
As you gather ideas, you may start to notice a pattern. What styles and colors do you keep coming back to? Which photos or ideas are you intuitively attracted to? You’ll know you’ve found the right design when it feels the most “you.”
Color & Theme
Color is deeply rooted in psychology. Therefore, the colors with which we surround ourselves play a powerful role in the way we feel. Think about what themes and colors you are generally drawn to. For example, lighter stains create a feeling of airiness and openness, while darker stains feel more dramatic and striking. Here’s a list of examples to get your wheels spinning.
- Would you describe yourself as a bohemian? You might prefer a lighter, washed-out hue that blends well with the neutral tones and earthy decor in your living room.
- Do you prefer bold class and cool sophistication? Consider an inky dark stain that contrasts with the black and white contemporary design in your piano room.
- Maybe you feel inspired by the open-air and spaciousness of the ocean. Take a look at some lighter sandy-colored stains to reflect golden light throughout the kitchen.
- Perhaps you have a vibrant personality that you love to express in all aspects of your life. A pink stain on cherry wood would pair well with a matte finish for a special, quirky look for the bedroom.
Furniture & Decor
Once you’ve got a clearer picture of the kind of interior design you want, you can start to focus on how to implement your vision. Whether you are buying new furniture or have furniture already for your room, your wood stain will have to match. This also applies to any cabinets, trim, curtains or other elements you have in place.
The stain of the floor does not necessarily have to be an exact match with your decor. The goal is to use complementary colors — in other words, colors that don’t clash. Accordingly, the key is in the undertones. The dominant color of your stain is less important than ensuring that your furniture and wood floor share similar undertones.
Other Factors to Keep In Mind
The color of your hardwood floors is not dependent on the stain alone. Humidity, degree of sanding and type of wood will each play a minor role as well. Hardwood floor finish tends to add contrast and make the wood appear significantly darker. The finish will also modify the texture to be glossy, satin or matte. Lastly, certain wood types are more susceptible to changes in light. Oak, for example, tends to be more tolerant of light, while walnut and cherry will gradually lighten over long periods of exposure.
Rather than paying for entirely new flooring, staining your hardwood floors is a more cost-effective way to create that feeling you always longed for in your home. Undeniably, you will feel more relaxed, in control and at home in a space that reflects your unique tastes.