How to Style Dark Flooring

Opulent and on-trend, it’s fair to say dark flooring is having a moment. After the popularity of Scandi-chic, interior designers are casting their gaze towards the sophistication of dark floors.

When combined with the perfect decor, dramatic dark flooring is breathtaking. But this bold design choice is all too easy to get wrong. Here are our top tips on how to make dark floors work in your home, so that your interiors turn heads for all the right reasons.

Choosing your colour palette

Contrast, contrast and contrast! Too much darkness in a colour palette can overwhelm a room and make it seem imposing. Choosing lighter, neutral shades to offset your dark floors will not only help the stylish covering stand out, it will make other items feel brighter and help your space seem airier.

Supporting walls

Balancing your room’s colour scheme certainly doesn’t mean that all walls have to be boring white or beige. Neutral walls juxtaposed with dark flooring is a timeless trend that opens up spaces, but it’s not your only option. Darker wall coverings are dramatic and fun, so if colour is your thing – be bold! Pairing your dark floor with a rich tone that covers both walls and skirting boards is a great way to add height to a room. And paint-matching the ceiling to your dark flooring is a stunning way to create elegance.

Head-turning furniture

Whether your walls are light or dark, the right furniture will bring balance to your space. A lighter sofa or coffee table can provide the contrast that your dark floor needs. If you’d rather not go light, go bright! Whether this is an eye-catching yellow lamp or a more sophisticated dark turquoise chair, pops of colour will offset your flooring beautifully. The golden rule is to ensure these colours are picked up somewhere else in the room to bring cohesion.

Decoration design

The drama and depth of dark flooring provide the perfect backdrop to show off key pieces of room design. Lamps, rugs and feature furniture gain standout style against the dramatic tones of your floor. Choose striking wall art or rich, black and white photography for a high-end gallery feel, especially when paired with crisp, natural walls.

Feeling the textures

One watch-out for this beautiful floor choice is that dark colours can sometimes lose their depth and flatten out. Thankfully there’s an easy solution to this. Adding texture to your space, even a small amount, can make a huge difference. Chunky woven cushions, or soft, luscious rugs will immediately redress the balance of a room, adding visual interest and breaking up the dominance of the flooring. Another bonus when adding texture in this way is that you can vary the amount in accordance with events or seasons. The more textures you include, the cosier and more inviting a room will feel – perfect for family Christmases or chilly winters.

Want to know more? Stay one step ahead with our style guide on current colours and trends, read it here.