Do You Put Down a Dark Floor to Make a Room Look Taller?

Dark Floors

• Dark colors make the floor seem to recede into the room, thus creating an illusion of height. This makes the space appear optically taller between the ceiling and the floors. Darker colors are often available in linoleum and hardwood. These selections are not difficult to clean and maintain their shiny appearance. Choosing a dark-colored carpet often requires vacuuming two or three times a week -- or more if you have small children, pets or many people living in your home. If you choose dark floors, make sure that the other colors in the room are light or pale colors and that you have adequate lighting.

Lighting

• A well-lit room looks open and spacious, whereas a room that stays dark throughout the day and evening looks smaller. Even a room with a white floor looks dark if there is not enough natural or artificial lighting, but this is particularly important with dark floors. Use window blinds, shades or curtains you can open during the day to allow natural light to enter the room. Choose lightweight draperies, such as sheers or white eyelet curtains to allow the sunlight to enter the room, even if you do not open them. Position table or floor lamps around the room if the ceiling fixture or windows don't provide adequate light. Install skylights or use solar tubes to add light naturally to the space. Torchiere lamps that bounce light off the ceiling and back toward the floor are another wise option.

Paint

• Paint the walls and ceilings in pale or pastel colors to give the illusion of height in a room with dark floors. A pale shade on the ceiling adds even more space to the distance, since the eye naturally flows upward to the lighter color. If you prefer the ceiling paint in the same color family as the walls, choose a color that is two or three shades lighter to make the ceiling seem to rise in the room.

Furnishings

• Light-colored upholstery fabric is another way to make the room look taller. Dark microfiber or leather upholstery draw the eye down to this area, thus making the room appear shorter. If you have dark furnishings and cannot afford to replace them, use light-colored throw pillows, afghans and area rugs to brighten the room and open up the space visually. Another factor is the wood in your furniture. Select sofas, armchairs and other furniture in light-colored woods, such as pine, oak or maple.