How to Match Wood Floors With Knotty Pine Cabinets

Comparing and Contrasting Floor Samples

• 1

  Select samples at a wood flooring retailer. Bring home three flooring samples that are close to the finish color of your pine cabinets, two or three samples that are significantly lighter than the cabinets and two or three samples that are significantly darker than the cabinets. If possible, bring a drawer from the cabinets with you to help select suitable samples.

• 2

  Place the flooring samples in the space and observe them at different times of day. The natural and artificial light sources in the room will affect how the colors of the floors and cabinets relate to each other.

• 3

  Choose a medium-toned floor finish to match most closely knotty pine cabinets with a golden honey-toned finish. A finely grained hardwood, such as birch, maple or acacia, can match the color tone but not compete with the distinctive pattern of knotty pine. Wooden floors are not a flat color, but have a range of subtly related tones that describe the wood grain. When the cabinet color appears in that range of colors, the colors of the floors and cabinets will harmonize.

• 4

  Choose a light finished floor if you are striving for an airy contemporary look in the room. Lighter flooring expands the perceived space. Birch is a good hardwood choice for a natural light finish. For a more intimate and cozy atmosphere, a darker finish hardwood works best. Maple, black cherry and hickory take dark finishes beautifully.