The best thing about having timber floors installed in your home is you can always change their look by staining. However, it becomes hazy when choosing the right colour, especially between light limewash/whitewash stains and black/dark stains. That’s why we are here to help you with some valuable tips. Before that, let’s quickly have a look at both light and dark stains.
Limewash/Whitewash Floors
Limewashing, also called liming or whitewashing, is a great way of staining timber floors to get lighter, bleached floors. They offer a modern and minimalistic look to any living space, making them stunning and elegant. They are also highly durable and easy to maintain.
Limewashing offers many colour choices, ranging from creamy white to pale and chalky white to grey tones. Modern limewashes enhance the natural grains of timber flooring and offer a more natural look. However, one misconception about limewashing is many homeowners think limewashing turns timber floors yellow over time, which is not true. Limewashing does not turn timber floors yellow when you use water-based polyurethane coatings.
Black/Dark Floors
Dark timber floor stains are evergreen choices. They are bold, warm, and beautiful— and offer a timeless and dramatic appeal to any living space. Dark floors also highlight the beautiful patterns of natural wood and work exceptionally well with old hardwoods. They make a statement in any home or commercial setup.
Dark stains are also available in various colours, ranging from dark greys and chocolate browns to reddish browns and black. When it comes to how much dark you can go, it all depends on your personal preference. Dark wooden floors are also highly durable and help cover minor imperfections.
How To Choose?
When deciding the stain colour for your timber floors, you need to choose based on two important factors: Looks and Practicality.
Looks
Staining timber floors after floor sanding and polishing will not just improve the look of wooden flooring but the overall look of your home. Hence it is crucial to consider the look of your entire house when choosing a stain.
First of all, let’s consider space. A dark stain is not a typical option for smaller living spaces as they give a congested appearance, making the house look further smaller. It gets worse when there is poor lighting. So smaller space calls for light stains that naturally reflect light and helps open up the space. It helps create an illusion of a larger living space. On the other hand, dark stains like black, red tones and brown timber floor stains pairs exceedingly well with large houses with high ceilings and open plan living. It helps create a beautifully dramatic look.
Secondly, consider your wall colour. If you have darker walls, adding dark stains can be overwhelming. In such cases, a limewash or whitewash is the best option. On the other hand, black and dark stains look good with neutral and light colour walls.
Finally, consider your interior decor, accessories, and furniture. Creating a sense of contrast between timber flooring and decor elements elevates the aesthetics of your home. For instance, a limewashed timber flooring looks beautiful with darker furniture and wall decors. Similarly, a dark timber stain looks good with lighter or neutral furniture and decors.
Practicality
Practicality is another huge factor in deciding the right timber floor stain. A limewashed timber floor is easy to maintain and does not show up dirt. On the other hand, a dark or black stain hides minor imperfections on the wood but needs regular maintenance. So, depending upon your lifestyle, choose the one that’s perfect for your needs.
Need our assistance in choosing the right stain for your timber floors? Contact us now. Stanton Flooring is the expert timber floor sanding, polishing and staining service in Sydney.