Popular wood flooring color?

Question

I am having trouble picking a wood flooring color for my first flip. I am think a warm medium brown color for the flooring. In today's market is there a specific color that homebuyers seem to be gravitating to? Any input would be greatly appreciated. I hate light wood but what I like is not what I am going for here, trying to figure out what sells. Thanks guys.

Phil Z. · Answer

Dark walnut colors are trending in our area, but they are hard to keep clean (Shoes off!).  You can also ask your hardwood floor person what is 'hot' or look at new construction.

Ben R. · Answer

I see a lot of mahogany finish in new construction and like it. Really pops with a cream trim...

J Scott · Answer

We've progressively moved to darker stains over the years, as it seems that tends to be the trend in the areas where we rehab.

These days, we're use Minwax "Special Walnut" (a medium dark stain) in all of our projects that have hardwood.

Ben R. · Answer

Lolita Ellis, go here and scroll to the pictures at the bottom. The center photo is the most accurate rendering of light and color...

http://www.blprime.com/How_We_Do_It.html

Lolita Ellis · Answer

I think mid browns to light is better gives room open airy look. For my home I have a soft red tone Asian cherry love it but not durable for children or high heel shoes. Tons of dents.

Lolita Ellis · Answer

Ben R.  I'm curious to see a photo when you have a chance.

Grant Horton · Answer

Thanks for all the input, the home is in Louisiana and has alot of windows and gets alot of light. I am thinking the medium brown is the way to go and use wall colors to accent it. I gotta make sure I get that WOW factor when my potential buyers walk in. Thanks guys

Ben R. · Answer

We always insisted on lighter color flooring because of the darkness factor. Well, I got tired of replacing rooms full of carpet because of sodie pop spills and went to a chocolate brown. Renters LOVE it. We added some accent hardwoods in a dark cherry recently along with the dark carpet and it really is an eye catcher.

edit: the home we live in was built in 2007 and was a parade of homes winner and it has a relatively dark carpet matched with golden oak hardwoods and a bunch of earthtone wall colors, which works quite well.

editx2: don't reinvent the wheel. If there is a property in the neighborhood that has features and colors that look good, copy it.

Page Huyette · Answer

It depends on how much light the rooms get--warm climates tend to favor lighter woods and colder or northern climates like darker.  It is truly a personal choice, but I would stay away from the open grains and go with something neutral.  If you want to be bold, go there with paint and other accents, not the flooring.

Anson Young · Answer

Probably depends on areas, but I dont think you can go wrong with a medium color.