Light wood flooring brings warmth and texture to any interior space. But choosing wall colors to complement the floors can be tricky. The wrong tones can make the space feel cold or dated. The good news? Selecting attractive, complementary wall colors is easy when you follow this simple 7-step process.
We’ll guide you through determining undertones, factoring in natural light, creating a mood, and more to pick the perfect wall colors for your light wood floors.
Step 1: Determine the Undertones of Your Light Wood Floors
The first step is identifying whether your floors have warm, cool, or neutral undertones. Here’s how to decode your light wood:
- Warm wood undertones include hints of red, yellow, or orange. Oak, pine, and acacia are examples of warm wood species.
- Cool undertones lean towards shades of blue, green, or gray. Think light maple or ash wood floors.
- Neutral wood (like poplar or hickory) falls somewhere between warm and cool. It has a more balanced beige or brown appearance.
Look closely at the natural grain patterns and colors. Warm woods like oak tend to have dramatic grains, while maple has a more subdued appearance. Identifying undertones helps immensely when coordinating corresponding walls.
Not Sure of Your Floors’ Undertones?
If your light wood floors have been stained or finished, check underneath furniture where the original shade might show through. Or look along the edges of floorboards or in closets. Comparing to wood tone charts online can also help decipher ambiguous floors.
Step 2: Select Walls With Contrasting or Harmonious Undertones
Once you pinpoint your floors’ undertones, deciding on wall colors becomes much easier. You generally have two options:
- Pick wall colors with contrasting undertones from the floor to make it stand out as a focal point.
- Choose wall hues with similar undertones to the flooring for a unified, harmonious look.
Both approaches have merit. Contrast emphasizing the wood’s tone and texture. Complementary undertones promote flow through the whole space. Consider the mood you want for the room when making this decision.
Setting the Mood With Undertones
While individual color preferences come into play, undertones also influence a room’s ambiance:
- Cool tones feel calming, tranquil – great for bedrooms.
- Warm undertones bring coziness to dens, dining rooms.
- Balanced neutral walls suit versatile living areas.
Evaluate the room’s purpose and target vibe. Let this guide paint choices between contrasting or harmonious pairings.
Step 3: Factor in the Amount of Natural Light
| North-facing rooms | Tend to be cooler toned. Pair with warm beige or taupe walls. |
| South-facing rooms | Get warmer light. Cool blue-grays temper the heat. |
| Dark spaces | Benefit from lighter walls to brighten things up. |
| Bright rooms | Can handle richer, darker wall colors. |
Test out paint swatches at various times of day. Note differences in undertones as sunlight shifts to make an informed decision.
Throwing Off Perceptions With Undertones and Natural Light
Don’t be afraid to intentionally clash floor and wall undertones in moderation. For example, pairing a slightly cool-toned gray wall with warm wood can create an impressive, dynamic look. Just ensure both elements complement each other across lighting conditions.
Step 4: Determine Whether You Want a Modern or Traditional Look
The next consideration is which interior design style you want for the space featuring light wood floors:
- Contemporary style emphasizes grays, blues, and greens.
- Farmhouse or traditional style embraces warm beiges, camel, cream.
An eclectic or blended aesthetic combining both modern and traditional elements is also popular. Mix paint sheens in this case – glossy for modernity, matte and eggshell for tradition. Remember to incorporate wall textures like shiplap for extra dimension.
On-Trend Wall Color Combinations
Some stylish wall and light wood pairings include:
- Modern: Oak floors with Sherwin Williams Repose Gray walls
- Transitional: Maple floors and Benjamin Moore White Opulence walls
- Farmhouse: Pine floors paired with kilim-style rugs and BM Swiss Coffee walls
- Contemporary: Birch floors with deep charcoal Matte Muse walls
Step 5: Select Neutral Walls for Flexibility
For resale value or if you may redecorate down the road, fail-safe neutral backdrop walls work with any style. Benefits of neutral wall colors include:
- Allow changing paint colors, art, and furniture without clashes
- Minimize busy patterns or loud colors from flooring
- Visually expand smaller square footage
- Easy to layer textures and warmth
If going neutral, steer clear of stark whites. Instead, consider warm ivory, greige, oat, or tan. Benjamin Moore Edgecomb Gray is a popular neutral balancing cool and warm undertones.
Enhancing All-Neutral Spaces
All-neutral color schemes run the risk of feeling flat or cold. The solution? Incorporate contrast through natural textures. Think cozy linen couches, nubby wool rugs, woven lamp shades, or rattan accents. These elements inject visual interest into pared-back, neutral spaces.
Step 6: Incorporate Texture Through Paint Finishes
Beyond color, varying wall paint finishes generates depth and dimension. Use high-gloss, matte, metallic or textured treatment on accent walls. Pair them with standard eggshell or satin on surrounding walls. Popular paint finish options include:
- Eggshell: Mid-sheen and great hiding imperfections. Most versatile all-purpose finish.
- Satin: Soft glow that’s easy to clean. Ideal for hallways or kids’ rooms.
- Semi-Gloss: Light reflective sheen, often used on trim and front doors.
- Matte: Zero sheen helps hide wall flaws. Modern, especially with dark hues.
- High-gloss: Mirror-like to act as a decorative focal feature.
Integrating multiple finishes creates eye-catching contrast and dynamism. Use accent walls or paint architectural details like baseboards or crown molding in a signature sheen. Try hand-painting designs over neutral walls for artistic flair.
Step 7: Test Out Colors Before Committing
Never decide on wall paint without properly sampling first. Test potential colors using:
- Paint company sample sizes or color cards
- Directly painting swatches on walls
- Moving around 5″ x 7″ painted cardstock in both natural and artificial light at all times of day to judge accurately.
Narrow down favorite contenders. Mix and match paint swatches next to each other to visualize combinations. Once selecting final colors, invest in quality primer and paint to get the right hue.
Coordinating wall colors with light wood flooring requires assessing undertones, lighting and the desired room ambiance. Contrast paint with the floors or opt for complementing tones. Gauge spaces and moods room-by-room, not uniformly. Neutrals suit flexibility, while textures add depth. Proper sampling confirms palette suitability.
Following these seven simple tips removes all guesswork when pairing walls to light wood floors. Tasteful, coordinated spaces await by leveraging the right complementary hues for your home’s new or existing flooring.
