Color Combinations That Go With Light Wood
Here we share how to match wall color with wood floors including the best paint colors for light, medium and dark wood flooring designs.
Regardless of the species, pattern and finish of your wood floor, you need the perfect wall color which will not only help enhance its beauty but also help reflect the vibe you want for your space.
In this article, we will explore the best wall colors you can use to match wood floors – – whether it may be light, medium or dark colored.
Wall Colors for Light Wood Floors
Light wood floors vary in color primarily depending on their species. But another factor which gives them different hues is the type of stain used in their finishing.
In general, light wood flooring is often white (bleached), grayish or light yellowish in color.
Light wood floors may either have a cool or warm undertone. Cool toned wood are those that have taupe or grayish undertones, whereas warm toned wood are those that have red, orange or yellow undertones. Read more about colors for gray floors here.
Some examples of light wood floors that have cool undertones are white oak, maple and ash, while light wood floors that have warm undertones include birch, beech and hickory.
Choosing the right wall color to match your light wood floors will depend on the type of undertones present in the wood.
The general rule is that wall colors with cool hues complement cool toned wood floors, while wall colors with warm hues complement warm toned wood floors.
However, this does not mean that you can't go the other way around. If you want a different visual effect for your space and want to create contrast, just simply choose the opposite hue of your floor's color temperature — warm toned wood with cool wall colors and vice versa.
Here are some of the best wall colors for light wood floors:
Whites
Pure white wall paint works with light wood floors, however some homeowners find it a bit stark. In some cases, pure white walls can also give some sort of a "hospital" vibe. If you are not a fan of ultra bright white walls, you can tone it down to an off white shade to give it a softer look.
Fortunately, the color white comes in different varieties and paint manufacturers offer them in hundred different versions. Most white paint comes with small amounts of pigments, and if you look closely, this gives them cool or warm undertones.
Beige, for example, has a warm undertone to it because of the presence of yellow tints. Other shades of white that belong to the same color temperature are cream, egg shell and parchment white.
On the other hand, frost white, porcelain and snow are classified as "cool whites' because they have a tinge of blue, gray or brown in them.
To determine if a white paint has a cool or warm undertone, simply place a sheet of white paper beside your paint swatch. Undertones become more noticeable next to pure white.
With regards to the rule that we have previously mentioned, opt for white paint with cool undertones if your wood floor has a cool tone . Likewise, use warm white paint for the walls if your wood floor has a warm tone.
Neutrals
Similar to white, neutrals can either be cool or warm toned, depending on the pigments present in producing the paint.
Light grays and cool grays are the best gray paints top match cool toned light wood floors. While mid shades of brown are the best paints to pair with warm toned light wood floors.
If you want a more dramatic effect, you can add depth and dimension to your color palette by contrasting your light wood floors with dark neutrals such as black, black brown or charcoal gray. The darkest neutrals look striking with both warm and cool tone light wood floors.
Another way to match neutrals with light wood floors is to opt for a paint that belongs to the same color palette as your flooring — for example light ash floors and smoke gray walls or light walnut floors and tan walls.
To effectively pull off this look, make sure that your wall color is at least two shades lighter or darker than your light wood floors. In such a way, there is still variation and layering.
Cool Hues
These colors are perfect if you want to add a pop of color and create a refreshing vibe to your space. Cool colors also include grayish greens and bluish grays.
Icy pastels, on the other hand, are great wall colors for light wood floors in charming cottage inspired homes.
Warm Colors
In general, warm colors are more suitable for use in common spaces like living rooms, family rooms, dining areas , entrances and kitchens. This is because they generally imbibe a welcoming feel and promote or stimulate the appetite.
Unlike cool colors, they are less used as paints for interiors, but as long as it suits your taste and your furnishings, you can use it as a wall color.
When pairing light wood floors that have a warm undertone with warm walls, opt for a medium bright to dark paint. Warm colors that have intense values remain vibrant even when paired with a light colored floor.
Some examples of warm colored paints which work best with light wood floors include pumpkin, mustard yellow and wine.
Wall Colors for Medium Wood Floors
Similar to light wood floors, medium wood floors also be classified as warm or cool depending on the undertones present in them.
Two of the most popular medium toned wood floors are Cherry and Oak. Cherry is a type of hardwood that is smooth-grained and has a warm reddish brown color.
It is considered to be the most prized wood species used in furniture and kitchen cabinetry in America. Cherry wood is also used as a flooring material because of its durability and reliability.
Oak, on the other hand, is another type of hardwood used in flooring, furniture and cabinetry. Often used in traditional inspired designs, oak is prized for its strength and beautiful uniformed grains.
Popular varieties of oak include White Oak and Red Oak. White oak is a bit light beige to medium brown in color, while red oak has pinkish to reddish hues.
Here are some of the colors which you can match with medium wood floors:
Neutrals
Shades of white can sometimes make a space look a bit dull, so if you want to add a bit of color to your space but do not want saturated hues, one option you can try is to go with shades of brown.
Pairing shades of equal values or intensity can help render a low contrast in a space. Medium toned browns like Tan and Sand are two of your best bets as wall color for medium wood floors. These lovely shades help enhance the natural warmth of wood and brings a cozy feel to the space.
Greige is another example of neutral that goes best with medium wood floors. Considered to be the "new neutral", this versatile shade is a combination of beige and gray.
Greige walls combined with medium wood floors offer the perfect background for introducing other accent colors to the space such as warm yellows and oranges.
Wall Colors for Cherry Hardwood
To complement its beauty, you can pair it with a nice light colored paint for the walls. Shades of white, for example, enhances its undertones and allows it to stand out in a space.
When choosing the right white paint to go with cherry hardwood floors, just make sure to go with a warm toned white or those that have a tinge of yellow to it like beige, as it matches very well with red.
Green and red are considered to be complementary colors, which makes the former a natural choice for cherry hardwood floors if you want to create a striking contrast in the space.
If you are not a fan of green, another cool hue like a very light shade of blue can also be paired with Cherry hardwood floors.
Since blue and green have the same color temperature, light blue walls also bring in some contrast to the space and balances out the overall palette.
If you want to add some more warmth to your space, another option which you can try is orange.
Terracotta, pumpkin and tangerine can sound a bit overwhelming at first, but when juxtaposed to the luxurious reddish tones of cherry hardwood floors, the resulting overall look is not only rich but also has a very welcoming feel.
Wall Colors for Oak Hardwood
Red oak has a warm reddish tone to it and can be paired with a muted or medium shade of yellow or orange.
Wall paints like apricot or yellow help create a warm feeling room and promotes a cheerful vibe. However, if you are bold enough, you can also go for red walls to match with oak hardwood.
Alternatively, cool colors can also be paired with red oak floors. A light or muted shade of blue can help tone down and balance the warm undertones of medium wood floors.
White Oak, on the other hand, has a more "bleached out" appearance. Depending on the finish used, its color may range from light tan to medium brown. This particular type of wood floors are best paired with pastels and dark colors.
Going with pastels create a soft, charming vibe, while dark wall colors render a strong contrast and project a classy, formal look. Some examples of pastels and dark colors that work well with white oak floors are mint green, misty blue and charcoal.
Wall Colors for Dark Wood Floors
One of the best advantages of having dark wooden floors is the flexibility it offers when it comes to design. Dark wood floors are so versatile that they work well when paired with colors at both ends of the spectrum.
Light wall colors are your best bet if you want to create contrast with dark wood floors, while dark wall colors are the ideal option if you want a palette which will complement its warm tones.
Choosing the right color to go with dark wood floors will ultimately depend on which of these visual effects and design attributes you want to stand out. Read more about paint colors that go with dark wood floors here.
Below are a list of the best wall colors which go with dark wood floors:
Light Wall Colors that Contrast with Dark Wood Floors
Light colored paints can help tone down the richness of dark wood floors. These colors are also an ideal choice if you want to make your dark wood floors the focal point of the space.
White and Beige
White and beiges are typically used as wall colors if you want to create contrast between dark wood floors. White offers neutrality that contrasts so well with dark wood floors, whether it may be in a rich reddish hue, a dark yellowish tone, a warm chocolate brown or a deep black shade.
Beige , on the other hand, is a good alternative to white walls. Some homeowners find white walls a bit too sterile, plain or dull.
Beige has a creamier tone with a slight tinge of yellow and offers a slightly warmer feel. Beige walls work well with dark wood floors as they leave an inviting atmosphere and create a cozy ambience.
Not only can white and beige walls balance the richness of dark wood, but it can also enhance the undertones present in it and make it appear brighter.
Both wall colors can be used in a wide range of design settings whether traditional or contemporary.
However, if your house has a contemporary, modern or minimalist style, pair your dark wood floors with white wall paint. Whereas, if your home has a traditional motif, opt to pair your dark wood floors with beige walls.
Other shades of white and beige that contrast well with dark wood floors are cream, ivory, ecru, ultra white, off white, pearl white, seashell white and frost white. You can find a wide range of these colors from popular paint manufacturers and home improvement stores.
Soft Grays and Cool Grays
Soft and cool grays wall paint paired with dark wood floors, provide a good background to introduce other accents to an overall color scheme of a space.
One of the best advantages to this color combination is you can mix and match accessories easily. In addition, this color combination can render a dramatic effect to a room and give it more depth and dimension.
Light shades of gray are considered to be the new alternative to white and work best for modern and contemporary spaces that have dark wood floors.
Pastel Colors
Some pastel colors that work best with dark wood floors are mellow yellow, primrose pink, mauve, coral, mint green, robin's egg blue and powder blue.
Pastel colors are also your best bet if you want to add a bit of color to the space without committing to bright, intense and vivid hues.
Since they are light, they can also help make a space feel a lot more bigger, so make sure to try them as wall colors for small rooms that have dark wood floors.
One of the best pastel colors that work best with dark wood floors are soft yellows. The color yellow in general can liven up a space and add a cheerful ambiance to it.
This makes it the perfect combination to dark wood floors which usually have the tendency to make a room feel too overwhelming. Pastel yellow walls are also a great way to brighten the color of dark wood floors.
Powder blue and light blue are other examples of pastel colors which pair well with dark wood floors. Instead of adding a lively element to a space, the color blue, in general, can help create a calm atmosphere and renders a refreshing feel.
You can try out this hue if you want to make your dark wood floors the focal point of your space since light blues will not compete with their richness.
Pastel colored walls paired with dark wood floors are also the perfect color palette for cottage inspired homes.
Medium to Dark Wall Colors that Complement Dark Wood Floors
Dark colored paints can help enhance the luxurious look of dark wood floors. These paint colors are the perfect choice if you want to create a dramatic effect in a space.
Muted Shades of Green
This pairing reminds us of nature, combining the right amount of warmth with a cool toned hue, which in turn renders a naturally cozy ambiance to a room.
Muted shades of green are those which are toned down with a bit of gray , such as sage, moss or olive. These colors help enhance the richness of dark wood floors without making the space feels too overwhelming. This pairing is ideal for traditional and contemporary spaces.
Shades of Brown
In interior design, monochromatic color schemes are often effectively achieved by taking a color then toning it down to a lighter shade or adjusting it to a darker shade , then applying the resulting varying shades to the different finishes in the space.
Let's say you have dark espresso wood floors, you can either go with mocha walls and medium toned wooden furniture.
Monochromatic color schemes, in general, have the tendency to make a space look either dull or too overwhelming.
When using shades of brown as a wall paint to pair with dark wood floors, make sure to provide diversity in terms of the layering of the colors, as well as variation in terms of materials and texture.
Pairing shades of brown with dark wood floors produces a harmonious overall look in a space. Together, they create a sense of warmth and a cozy and very homelike feel to space.
You can try out this color combination for interiors which are country, traditional or contemporary. They are also ideal for large spaces or homes that have open lay-outs.
Some of the best shades of brown that pair well with dark wood floors belong to the light to mid spectrum — specifically light mocha, tan or sand.
Deep Jewel Tones
Deep colors help enhance the warm undertone in dark wood floors, while at the same time creates an ultra rich, dramatic and stately look for your home.
Some examples of deep and rich tones that work well with dark wood floors include wine red, maroon, plum, navy, teal, moss green and emerald.
One of the best advantages of using these colors is that they can give a "pop" of color to a space, without being too overwhelming.
Pairing them with dark wood floors can be a bit tricky to pull ff, so make sure to add in some sort of balancing hue to your color palette to prevent the space from looking too gloomy. A light colored visual element or introducing a different texture can help break off the color scheme.
Aside from old world inspired spaces, country homes and traditional interiors, you can try this rich color combination for large rooms like family halls, living rooms or dining areas. We do not recommend them to be used in small spaces because too much dark colors can make them feel more cramped.
Tips For Choosing Wall Colors for Wood Floors
No wood is plainly solid brown in color. If you examine it closely, you'll find that wood usually has a base color that is highlighted with tinges of hues.
Depending on the species, wood grains, mineral streaks and stain used in finishing, these undertones can range from beige, shades of brown, red, pink to golden yellow.
These undertones may either be classified as warm or cool. Wood with warm undertones have inherent reddish tones, a yellowish base or an orange tinge. Whereas, wood with cool undertones have varying shades of gray and brown that show over its surface.
When you already know the type of undertones present in your wood floors, you can easily narrow down your paint choices.
The general rule is that your walls must match the color temperature of your wood floors. For example, reddish wood floors are best paired with warm wall colors, gray wood floors are best paired with cool wall colors, etc.
You Can Never Go Wrong with Neutrals
Neutral colors like white, off cream, beige are all go to shades for a lot of interior design styles and they can work with a variety of floor colors too.
Using a neutral shade for your wall to match with your wood floors also provides you the opportunity to introduce some more colors to your palette through your accessories, furnishings and furniture.
Choose an Analogous Color Scheme
Analogous colors are groups of three colors that are found next to each other on the color wheel. For example, red – red orange – orange or yellow – yellow green – green. These color schemes can be used if you want to add a pop of color to your space.
Choosing a wall color that is related to the undertones present in your wood floors will complement it beautifully. For instance, if your wood floor has a golden yellow color, choose a warm shade of butter yellow for the walls.
Go Bold Using Contrast
To determine the colors that will contrast well with your wood floors, you first need to identify the undertone of the wood. Next, find the opposite shade of it in the color wheel, and use that for the walls.
For instance, if your wall has a reddish color, use green for the walls. A good muted shade of green like olive will contrast beautifully with cherry hardwood floors. Another example would be lilac walls to match yellow toned wood floors.
Color Combinations That Go With Light Wood
Source: https://designingidea.com/how-to-match-wall-color-with-wood-floors/