So we’re in the process of picking out flooring for the new home. When I first starting designing my dream kitchen, it included things like white cabinets, light countertops, stainless steel appliances, and dark hardwood flooring.
But now I’m getting nervous…
Why? Because I’m not one of those moms that can mop the floor three times a day after each meal. Or even after breakfast and dinner when we’re actually home I guess.
I’ve heard darker flooring shows everything.
Like every little spec.
Uh yeah, I couldn’t handle that. I have to honestly admit that in our old home I swept the floor maybe once or twice a week. I don’t have a crawler and we’re not that messy of eaters.
But I’m afraid the new dark expresso flooring could show everything. And that would drive me crazy.
But of course I still want something dark to contrast with the cabinets, countertops and appliances. Last week I found some upgraded vinyl that kind of looks like slate. LOVE the look, and the price was nice (we need this to cover the kitchen, breakfast room, hearth room, laundry room, back hall and powder room).
I’m not completely sold on vinyl again, but we could always upgrade down the road. And I would still be getting the dark contrast, but I’m hoping that the lighter shades mixed in would help hide any lingering crumbs.
Now for the foyer and dining room I’m actually thinking of sticking with a darker hardwood flooring. I figure these rooms have much less traffic on a daily basis, mostly since we’ll be entering through the garage door at the kitchen when it’s just us. Plus an area rug is always an option for both spaces.
We stuck with actual hardwood here. No laminates or engineered. I though there would be a huge price difference, but I was quite surprised. Some laminates were actually more expensive than real hardwood. And some upgraded vinyls were more expensive than hardwood. Who knew?
Oh, and I have to mention that there are some amazing vinyls out there. We found about 50 different options that looked like hardwood flooring (like we had in our old kitchen, only way better with wider planks, actual texture and not-so-easy-to-tell patterns).
As for the formal living room, family room and all bedrooms we’re sticking with carpet. I have mixed emotions about this as well, especially the formal living room and family room. But alas, I’m not made of money and had to cut certain things. They say when buying a new home…
Stick to structural.
You can upgrade everything else later.
This is oftentimes a hard lesson since you want to move in and have absolute perfection. Yeah, not gonna happen here. This house will be a dream-home-in-progess. And I’m ok with that.
So, what are your thoughts on flooring?
Do you have a love-hate relationship with your dark flooring?
Do you like carpet or hardwood in family living spaces?
Do you despise vinyl?
Taynia @ The Fiscal Flamingo says
Dark hardwood floors are like a black car. Stunning right after they’re cleaned. The rest of the time, not so much.. We have dark cherry floors. After I clean them I often want to lay down and hug them. They are breathtaking and beautiful and show worthy. But within two second you can see my footprints and the little piece of lint the swiffer didn’t get or a spot I missed in the very corner. And just like my love affair is over. This happens daily. 🙂
howtonestforless says
Haha, totally agree Taynia!
Megan says
I have black tiles in our ensuite and they show everything even my brown hair. I was told this when we were looking for flooring when we built last year. I agree with Taynia it will show up everything and if you don’t have time to clean all the time it could annoy you. Good luck with making your decision.
howtonestforless says
Oh my goodness, if my flooring showed hair I would be in BIG trouble!
Starr says
Vinyl production is quite toxic, so I try to avoid it as much as possible. Can you choose tile instead? As for hardwood, I’ve had dark and I’ve had medium toned oak. I much prefer that oak. It’s classic and forgiving.
howtonestforless says
Yes, going for classic styles are definitely key. And we’re hoping to upgrade to tile down the road, once our pocket books are ready!
Linda @ Home is Where My Heart is says
We laid our own flooring in our family room. You can see it here: http://www.lindahomeiswheremyheartis.com/2012/11/plywood-floors.html
We absolutely love them!!! They are plywood and we stained them dark cherry. I don’t find that they show dirt any more than any of my light oak flooring (that I’m dying to stain dark, too!). I vote dark wood floors all the way. Very elegant. You can find great deals at Lumber Liquidators and Empire Today that offers two free rooms when you buy one room. Good luck!!! ~Linda
howtonestforless says
OH my goodness Linda. LOVE your floors. My friend is doing the same in her living room. And I’ll have to check into Lumber Liquidators, but I know Empire Today is not in my area 🙁
Trish says
Hi Erin’ I think you’ve made a good compromise! Hardwood in the kitchen can take a beating too, so tile (tough for feet and dropped dishes) Or vinyl can be an option. If your budget allows, I would suggest a cork tile (http://www.torlys.com/cork). Forgiving due to the natural texture, soft on your feet, and more cushioned for you and dropped dishes! Not to mention, sustainable and less toxic than other option. Good luck!
howtonestforless says
Ooh, I didn’t think about cork. I’ll definitely have to look into that since I love the look. Thanks Trish!
Jenny says
Do you have pets? I know clumps of pet hair on hardwood would be so annoying! We have hardwood in the kitchen. It’s a light, maple color. I don’t like it at all. It’s always getting scratched. Deep scratches. However, the rest of the house is carpet and I sometimes dream about having hardwood. LOL!
kristin says
We have dark wood throughout the whole downstairs except the kitchen. Knowing they show every piece of hair, dog hair, crumb, sand, food, lint…yes everything I was crazy enough to put them in our master bedroom because that is how much I love them! I bought the roomba a few years back and that has been a life saver but I still sweep at least 3 times a week. I would love them in the kitchen but I do believe that would land me in the nut house. 🙂 Can’t wait to see what you decide. (oh, I wouldn’t go laminate but that is just my two cents)
XO
kristin says
PS Do you have any info on the first kitchen (countertop and backslpash)
howtonestforless says
Sorry for the late response, I’ve been out of town! The walls are painted Benjamin Moore’s Baby Fawn, while the cabinets are Wickham Gray. The rug is Dash and Albert. Sorry, but I have no info on the countertop and backsplash.
Crystal says
When we bought our house ten years ago, it had carpet which we ripped out and replaced with light colored hardwood floors which were great. Last year we upgraded to tile and LOVE it!! Good luck!
Joy says
I love Linda’s plywood floor idea. We are looking into buying a house and I hate carpet so I know we will be pulling carpet out way before we can afford to put in new flooring. I think vinyl works but for what you might end up paying for it and installation? We manage an apartment building and have been surprised by how easy the vinyl has ripped. Even being really careful while pushing in fridges its still ripped several times. We did put down a different kind this last apartment and I am hoping it holds up better. It looks great too. Designed to look like slate.
jess says
When we bought our house it had carpet and cheap laminate throughout. We pulled everything out and put in a natural oak. With pets (and messy kids!!) this has been a must. Somuch easier to clean (when I get around to it) and it really doesn’t show too much. Good luck with the choices, this is the fun part!
Kris Mispagel says
We had prefinished dark hickory installed on our main floor about 8 years ago. It is beautiful, but I have to admit, shows a lot. Then, 3 years later, we had the same brand and color installed upstairs. It does not show near as much as downstairs. When I asked about this, the installer told me that downstairs as a higher sheen finish, and upstairs is more of a matte finish. He said that even though the color and wood stays the same, the finish varies with trends. Maybe you would talk to your supplier about low gloss finish.
Chelsea (@two_twenty_one) says
I totally hear you on dark wood floors. I love them because they’re gorgeous but they show everything– even foot prints. Realizing this about dark wood floors I’ve learned to appreciate our light colored wood laminate floors. I’m not gonna lie, I vacuum them weekly but I rarely steam mop them. I should work on that, eh? I think the slate vinyl is a good option and it’s definitely less permanent than real tile. What kind of carpet did you go with?
howtonestforless says
We upgraded the pad to 8lbs but went with the normal, high grade plush carpeting. I would have loved Freize, but my hubby was a little apprehensive.
Chrissy says
Ok, so my Father owns a flooring business in the STL area and I grew up around the buisness,so when I did my floors I knew exactly what I wanted! It was beautiful dark walnut wood flooring. My father tried to warn me, but no! I KNEW what I wanted. It was so beautiful! Then…we walked on it. Yeah, that was an expensive lesson learned! It showed EVERYTHING! So in our new house that we are rehabbing I found the perfect wood flooring! It has a “teak, pottery barn” kinda look to it. It’s hand scraped so you don’t see all the scratches that come with 3 kids and a dog. It hides everything:) By looking at the picture you posted, it seems we may have the same style . I have numerous compliments and people telling me to submit my house pics to a magazine. So all that to say, from my experience, I’d go back to the drawing board for the wood color choice. I know that I’m so glad I did!
I’m working on setting up and starting my own blog here in the STL area, I should be up and running in about 2 weeks. If you get a chance, stop by thecasuallyclassichome.com and say hi!
deborah says
I have had white linoleum, blond oak hardwoods and now a medium, darkish engineered laminate. They all get dirty and it shows on all of them. So i suggest you pick one you love and deal with the dirt as you see fit. For us, the engineered laminate has been the most durable and has looked it’s best the longest. We sweep at least 3 times a day and there is just 2 of us now.
We have just replaced the flooring upstairs. I had my heart set on the wood look, but the engineered wood was a big risk for bath/laundry rooms. We actually bought and tried to install ourselves the luxury vinyl planks by Shaw with a snap together process. Looked great but didn’t snap easy around the small tight areas like the door ways. We will use that material on another project. Finally, we had porcelain wide plank tile installed. I had them install it tight and use a charcoal grout. Looks like wood and i love it.