How to Mix Different Colors for Prefinished Floors

Choose a floor color pattern. For example, if you want to draw the eye in to the center of the room, you can use darker flooring around the periphery of the room and lighter flooring in the center. If you want a striped effect, you can alternate colors.

Choose the colors. Pair a light wood with a dark wood for a bold effect. Choose colors close in shade to each other for a more subtle effect. To create a cozy space, opt for darker colors. To make a room feel larger and more open, choose lighter-colored flooring. Make sure the colors you choose won’t clash with furniture you already have.

Measure the area for each color to determine how much flooring of each you will need. If you are using each color equally, as in the stripe pattern, you need to measure the length and the width and multiply the two numbers. Write the measurements down on a paper to refer to when you purchase the flooring.

Get samples of the flooring and place them in the room to make sure you like the colors next to each other. Most flooring manufacturers offer samples for a small fee. Taking this extra step can help you feel more confident about your color choices.