Dark hardwood floors are dramatic and elegant, with the deeper tones drawing attention to the natural beauty of the wood floors. They also provide a warm, neutral background for the room. Balancing the effect of dark wood floors is easy when you paint the walls a medium to light tone and the ceiling a very pale tint of the wall color. Having lighter colored walls will emphasize the contrast and make a confident, sophisticated design statement.
You may think of white walls as boring, but when paired with a hardwood floor they look beautiful and elegant. Both cool, bright whites and warmer, creamy tones work well with dark flooring. Silvery gray floors, beige, or warm pink sand tones all can work in the space depending on your tastes. A benefit of lighter colors on the walls is that it will help the space to feel larger and less closed in. Paint the trim white for a nice finish.
A very popular combination currently is pewter gray walls with dark cherry-finished floors. This color combination is very stylish as well as a perfect backdrop for your furniture, allowing you to bring in other neutral pieces as well as pops of color. Gray also has different undertones while still considered a neutral color. Gray with blue undertones is beautiful with dark cherry, while other grays will look beautiful next to black or nearly black flooring.
Jewel tones can also look stunning with the contrast of dark floors. Think of coral pinks or marigold yellows to give the room a more intimate and cozy feel. A bold color may overwhelm the space but choosing a slightly lighter shade can give you the look you desire.
Hopefully when choosing dark hardwoods, you placed them in a room that receives plenty of natural light or the room may feel too dark. Consider the lighting of the room as well as the shade of the flooring to choose a wall color that will look good in this space. Hang paint swatches on the walls in various spots and evaluate the look at different points in the day, so you can get a feel for how the room will look in morning light, at dusk, or on a dreary day. Lighter neutrals will help a room feel brighter and more spacious, as will adding overhead lighting or lamps to the space.
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