The Best Rug Color for a Very Dark Floor

Match the Tone

• While dark wood flooring is a neutral, the most attractive rug choice will match the tone of the wood. A deep cherry floor may have a hint of a purple tone. Choose cool colors like blues, purples and grays for your rug to complement the floor. For cherry woods with an orange tone, stick with warmer earth tones like brown, burgundy and forest green. Truly neutral brown shades can work with both warm and cool color area rugs, including patterned options that incorporate a variety of colors and shades.

Draw Attention to the Wood Flooring

• Choose a white or light color rug with a minimal pattern or none at all. Match the bedding or furniture fabrics and drapery to the rug. A white bedspread and fluffy white area rug creates a fresh, traditional style design and draws attention to the rich, brown tones of the floor and furniture. Deep shades of violet, green and fuchsia add a touch of opulence to the room and enhance the color of the floor.

Highlight the Area Rug

• A boldly patterned rug in any color will be luxuriously framed by the dark wood of the floor. Choose a larger size carpet to prevent it from looking lost on the expanse of flooring. Keep the fabrics and draperies neutral to draw the eye to the rug. Use one of the colors in the pattern for accent pieces or throw pillows, which ties the rug into the rest of the room.

Highlight the Furniture

• Select dark solid colors or two similar colors for a pattern. A deep brown and black checkered rug blends into the dark flooring and highlights the cream leather furniture. A deep green area rug in the bedroom draws attention to the ivory lace-covered canopy bed and white-washed nightstands. A black area rug with a subtle gray stripe provides a sleek and modern backdrop to red lacquered tables and white chairs.