What Hardwood Floor Looks Good With Knotty Pine Paneling?

Wood Types

• When you're looking for a hardwood floor to complement knotty pine paneling, select flooring with rustic details to enhance the country feel of knotty pine. White oak, red oak, Eastern white pine or heart pine are all suitable choices. Character grade wood flooring contains knots or streaks of color that add to the floor's rustic look. Oak and heart pine floors are more durable than Eastern white pine, which is a soft wood prone to dents and dings. Eastern white pine is a historically accurate option, however, and in a country home, the dents and dings add character.

Color

• Once you've selected the wood, the next task is to decide on a color. You can leave the wood its natural color, which will yellow or darken slightly with age, or you can have the wood stained the same shade or darker than the paneling. Whatever your choice, the effect of wood paneling and wood flooring together in a room can be overwhelming. Use area rugs, curtains and upholstery to add color and variety to the room, while maintaining a unified look.

Styles

• In addition to color and wood type, consider the style of the wood floor. Wide plank or random width floors are typically associated with a casual, country feel, while narrow oak floors have a more formal look. A low-gloss or matte finish is usually preferable to a high-gloss finish for a rustic feel. Details, such as hand-scraping, add to the country look.

General Recommendations

• Take a piece of the knotty pine paneling to the flooring store, and place it next to potential flooring choices to see how they look together. The flooring doesn't have to be the same color as the paneling, but it should complement it. Knotty pine usually has warm undertones, so you'll want a wood that picks up those undertones. Warm brown, orange or red undertones usually work best. Avoid wood with a cool or gray undertone, which likely will clash with the paneling. Take a sample piece of the wood flooring home, and set it against the knotty pine paneling to see how they look together in the lighting in your home.