Different Color Finishes for Hardwood Floors

Dark Stains

• Deep dark browns work well in traditionally decorated rooms. The rich color adds to the elegant decor in the home. Floor stains are available in ebony and deep chocolate browns. To create a stark contrast in the room, use dark flooring stain and light colored furniture for a modern interior design. Dark stains show scratches more easily than lighter shades, so use the darker colors in rooms that will not see much use from pets and children.

Reddish Shades

• Reddish stains add to a rustic interior design such as one used in a log cabin or home decorated with cabin-style decor. A reddish stain has a warm hue that creates an inviting atmosphere in the room. Hardwood stains with a reddish cast work well with a primitive or country-style decor.

Honey

• A honey-color stain for hardwood floors falls between the reddish hues and the lighter blonde shades. It has a contemporary look and can hide scratches more effectively than darker colors. The honey color works well in a warmer country-style interior design. It adds a slight color to the hardwood floors, but allows the natural color of the wood to shine through as well.

Blonde and Natural

• For a natural wood finish, just add a coat of polyurethane to the floor and allow the natural shade of the wood to decorate the room. It works well in a contemporary or modern interior design and can add a sharp contrast in a room with dark or black furnishings.

Color Tints

• You can also select a color tint for your floor stain to add an unnatural color to the wood, such as blue, red, yellow or green, while still allowing the grain of the wood to show through. Colors can add a touch of whimsy to a child's room, playroom or family room. For example, a floor stained in a shade of pale blue works well in a beach home.