31 Hardwood Flooring Ideas With Pros And Cons

hardwood flooring ideas with pros and cons cover

Hardwood floors are one of the most luxurious options: they are pricey and their care and maintenance can be challenging but of course there’s no cooler option that that.

Hardwood flooring usually comes in three varieties: strip, plank and parquet. Thinking if you need them in your home or not? Let’s have a look at different spaces and pros and cons of using them there.

Hardwood Floors In The Kitchen

It’s not a secret that some 100-year-old homes still have original flooring made of hardwood that looks good, so if you care for them properly, they can last really long.

What makes them especially good for any kitchen is that they just need sweeping or vacuuming and an occasional cleaning with a wood floor cleaner. Spills aren’t an issue because both liquids and solids wipe up easily without leaving a stain.  Even when they’ve been worn down, it’s usually possible to bring them back with a little TLC.

white kitchen with a stained hardwood floor and wood island and door

white kitchen with a stained hardwood floor and wood island and door

brushed oak floors create an airy feeling in the space

brushed oak floors create an airy feeling in the space

coastal kitchen with whitewashed hardwood floors

coastal kitchen with whitewashed hardwood floors

hardwood floors are easy to maintain, they just need cleaning and sweeping

hardwood floors are easy to maintain, they just need cleaning and sweeping

such flooring is one of the most durable ever (brick backsplash looks great mixed with hardwood)

such flooring is one of the most durable ever (brick backsplash looks great mixed with hardwood)

two-toned wooden floor and brushed wooden island really give this space a rustic atmosphere

two-toned wooden floor and brushed wooden island really give this space a rustic atmosphere

whitewashed hardwood flooring for a modern kitchen with Corian countertops

whitewashed hardwood flooring for a modern kitchen with Corian countertops

light wood floors give this kitchen a warm feeling

light wood floors give this kitchen a warm feeling

acacia hardwood plank floors in several tones

acacia hardwood plank floors in several tones

grey hardwood floors look awesome with stainless steel kitchen items

grey hardwood floors look awesome with stainless steel kitchen items

Hardwood Floors In The Living Room

Whatever style you’ve chosen for your living room, hardwood flooring works with all styles of decorating, from traditional to modern. It is available in several types of woods, such as oak, cherry and walnut, and can be sanded and stained to suit the home owner’s taste.

Hardwood floors are loud, and every sound here is louder, take it into consideration, and older hardwood floors tend to creak. Placing an area rug over the floor can help muffle the sound and provides added warmth to the room as hardwood floors can be chilly in the cold seasons. Adding a rug is also a good idea for families with children or adults who are prone to falls, since it acts as a cushion.

warm wood floors for an all-white kitchen and ceramic tile backsplash

warm wood floors for an all-white kitchen and ceramic tile backsplash

wide plank white oak hardwood floor for a living room

wide plank white oak hardwood floor for a living room

hardwood floors are very versatile and can match almost any living room decor

hardwood floors are very versatile and can match almost any living room decor

putting a rug on the hardwood floors will make them less loud and warmer

putting a rug on the hardwood floors will make them less loud and warmer

there are a lot of types and stains to choose from, hardwood floors are versatile

there are a lot of types and stains to choose from, hardwood floors are versatile

barnwood style floors are ideal for a rustic living room

barnwood style floors are ideal for a rustic living room

custom-stained oak hardwood flooring and white-washed exposed beams create a rustic ambiance

custom-stained oak hardwood flooring and white-washed exposed beams create a rustic ambiance

hardwood floors painted white for a beach cottage living room

hardwood floors painted white for a beach cottage living room

Hardwood Floors In The Entryway

Such floors make any space warmer and inviting, and what else do we need for an entry? Adding hardwoods to your home is a guaranteed way to add to your home’s value. If you care about scratching and spoiling the floors, a simple sanding and refinishing is all it takes to bring your floors back to their former luster.

As for pets, if you have dogs, they’ll hate your hardwood floors. Their padded feet just can’t grip the smooth surface, and they’ll slip and slide every time they pick up speed.

Despite the fact that hardwood floors will still be functional decades after they’re installed, they still scratch and wear, especially in high-traffic areas. The worn look can be remedied with a simple refinish.

hardwood floors with several tones for a warm and rustic feel

hardwood floors with several tones for a warm and rustic feel

dark hardwood floors for an entryway to make it look luxurious

dark hardwood floors for an entryway to make it look luxurious

white oak floors for a hallway will demand more often cleaning

white oak floors for a hallway will demand more often cleaning

hardwood floors definitely add to the value of your home

hardwood floors definitely add to the value of your home

hardwood floors are pet-friendly, dogs hate them

hardwood floors are pet-friendly, dogs hate them

dark wood narrow plank floors for an entryway

dark wood narrow plank floors for an entryway

dark hardwood floors create a contrast with mint green walls

dark hardwood floors create a contrast with mint green walls

if your hardwood floors get worn, they can be refinished easily

if your hardwood floors get worn, they can be refinished easily

white pine flooring for a warm touch

white pine flooring for a warm touch

As for other features of hardwood floors, I can say that hard flooring surfaces are much nicer on allergy sufferers. Allergens like pet dander and dust tend to build up in carpet. They don’t have as many hiding places in hardwood floors. In addition to installation, scuffed and scratched floors will need to be refinished. The softer the wood, the easier it will scratch and blemish.

wide plank wood flooring looks cool everywhere, from an entry to a bedroom

wide plank wood flooring looks cool everywhere, from an entry to a bedroom

weathered wood floors with molding and cream color walls

weathered wood floors with molding and cream color walls

chevron hardwood floors for an entryway

chevron hardwood floors for an entryway

distressed hardwood floors for a living room

distressed hardwood floors for a living room