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.
Brushed oak floors create an airy feeling in the space.
Coastal kitchen with whitewashed hardwood floors.
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).
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.
Light wood floors give this kitchen a warm feeling.
Acacia hardwood plank floors in several tones.
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.
Wide plank white oak hardwood floor for a living room.
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.
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.
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 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.
Dark hardwood floors for an entryway to make it look luxurious.
White oak floors for a hallway will demand more often cleaning.
Hardwood floors definitely add to the value of your home.
Hardwood floors are pet-friendly, dogs hate them.
Dark wood narrow plank floors for an entryway.
Dark hardwood floors create a contrast with mint green walls.
If your hardwood floors get worn, they can be refinished easily.
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.
Weathered wood floors with molding and cream color walls.
Chevron hardwood floors for an entryway.
Distressed hardwood floors for a living room.