As the years go by, trends in fashion come and go—and the same goes for interior design. For example, if you had dark hardwood flooring installed in the past, you might be considering the lighter hues that have become popular in recent years. If you’re not ready to replace the flooring altogether, there might be an easier way to transform your home’s most prominent surface.

How to Make Dark Hardwood Flooring Light

Just like when it comes to lightening hair from brown to blonder, turning darker wood planks into lighter hues requires a lot more than just the application of a high-quality stain. To begin, make sure your floors are made of genuine wood—not engineered. If the planks are sealed or made of laminate, they won’t be suitable for refinishing.

If your hardwood flooring is deemed refinishable, a contractor will start by sanding down the finish, removing all sealants and stains until the inner flesh of the wood is visible. At this layer, the wood is porous and fresh, so you can start over with a blank slate. From there, you’ll need to choose the light-hued stain that’s best for your living space.

Choosing the Right Color

Lighter-colored hardwood flooring is currently sought-after because of the visual effect it leaves in rooms. In a sense, the light color lends itself to an optical illusion, making the surface seem broader, and blurring the room’s borders. This is especially useful in small, cramped rooms, or rooms that don’t get a lot of natural light. From an interior design perspective, lighter flooring also makes colorful furniture, walls, and accent pieces pop.

To choose the right hue for your hardwood, consider what color palette your design scheme will possess. Warmer tones like marigold yellow, emerald green, or garnet red will benefit from a neutral tone with the same warm nuances—like a cream- or caramel-colored hardwood flooring. Rooms with cooler tones like turquoise, lavender, or charcoal will pair better with ivory- or taupe-colored hardwood.

If you’re interested in transforming your hardwood flooring, get in touch with JT’s Floor Refinishing of Springfield, MA. They will ensure your existing floors are reinvigorated and made to match your new design scheme. For more information on their process, visit the website or call (413) 788-6149.