Features of dark flooring
A dark floor is a covering not only of black and brown, but also of another dark shade of red, blue, green. Dark colors have their advantages in versatility and a relatively low degree of soiling, but at the same time, scratches and dust are better visible on a black floor covering.
The photo shows a dark floor in a two-tone interior of a modern classic bedroom with a bed on legs, an ottoman and a fireplace.
An interior with a dark floor looks elegant and presentable; depending on the material and quality of the flooring, it fits any style; a dark brown floor will decorate a room in a classic English style, and a dark gray floor is suitable for country and loft styles.
Main nuances
What should you pay attention to first? It is worth considering that dark floor coverings include not only black options. These can be any finishing materials of deep shades. The main feature of this solution is that, for all their apparent roughness, they can look very elegant and sophisticated. Here everything mainly depends on the interior design. If you choose the right combination, this finish will be an excellent finishing touch that harmoniously complements the decor. Dark floors can go well with any style, be it minimalist or classic. Contrary to popular belief, caring for such coatings is not too difficult. Therefore, do not be afraid to use dark floors in the interior.
An aristocratic, rich setting requires a surface made of expensive, high-quality materials. Without them, it is unlikely that the desired effect will be achieved. Dark, luxurious floors are quite easy to choose for such looks. As a rule, natural stone or valuable wood species are used for their manufacture. Such materials will be an excellent addition to interior design.
Combination of floor and doors
Light doors
A light doorway not only stands out against the background of brown and bright walls, but also creates a contrast to the dark floor.
- White doors make a classic combination with a dark floor. Suitable equally for beige, colored and brown walls.
- Beige doors do not get as dirty as white ones and are suitable for brown shades of flooring.
- Light gray doors in a harmonious combination are suitable for a dark gray or black floor. It is better to choose a neutral or rich color for wallpaper.
Dark doors
It is necessary to introduce it into the interior carefully, given that the abundance of darkness in a small or poorly lit room can harm the design.
- Wenge or dark brown with streaks of black or gold will be suitable for a floor of the same color, provided that the furniture and carpet are light.
- Dark grays must be combined with white walls, dark gray floors or brown floors.
The photo shows a dark floor and dark gray entrance doors in the hallway interior against the background of white plastered walls.
- Black doors are used in classic and modern interiors, combined with light, burgundy walls and dark brown floors. If the room is small, glass doors with a black frame are suitable.
- Brown in a light wood version are suitable for any floor, dark brown shades of dark chocolate are combined with beige wall colors and a dark brown floor tone.
The photo shows massive doors with a carved pattern in the interior of a classic hallway of a house with a dark stone floor.
Bright doors
They will become an object of attention and a piece of furniture in addition to their direct function.
- Reds in shades of scarlet, burgundy and ruby will suit beige walls and black floors.
- Green will suit red, beige wallpaper and black, dark brown floors.
- Blue ones will match dark brown and gray floors. In combination with black it will create a classic atmosphere in the interior of an office or living room.
What furniture to choose with dark floors
If the floor is dark, then light furniture against its background definitely looks better - the principle of contrast is in action. But the color of the walls also has to be taken into account when choosing furniture, and here the principle is the same.
Therefore, in certain cases, you can choose furniture in a color identical to the color of the floor, provided that you separate them visually. How can I do that? Simple: place a white, beige, light green, pale yellow or cream rug under or in front of the furniture. Also a win-win option are light-colored covers for armchairs, bedspreads on beds and sofas.
Combination of floor with wall color
Wall finishing materials can range from simple wallpaper to plaster, but the color palette must match the tone of the flooring.
Light walls
Beige, white, light yellow wallpaper, pastel paint, walls with ornaments and patterns are combined with all dark floor colors due to the balance between dark and light in the decoration of interior planes.
The photo shows the interior of a spacious bedroom on the attic floor with dark laminate on the floor and the use of light orange bark beetle plaster to decorate the walls.
Dark walls
Deep shades of the walls, large black ornaments, cobalt, brown, gray walls are combined with light doors, white baseboards and a floor that is several shades different from the walls. It is better not to make walls and floors in the same color in a small apartment or interior without windows.
Combination of flooring with baseboards
The baseboard should first of all match the color of the walls and flooring.
Skirting to match the floor
The baseboard to match the floor merges with the flooring in the same color and frames the bottom of the walls. This combination is suitable for doors in the color of the floor and interiors where the emphasis is not on the floor covering.
Lighter baseboard
In bright, light colors, the white shade is suitable for light walls or it can be matched to walls or light doors. The plinth makes a clear distinction between the planes in the interior of the room.
In the photo, the baseboard is matched to the doors and draws the line between the gray walls and the floor.
The baseboard is darker
A baseboard in a darker color creates an unobtrusive contrast and draws a line between the floor and the walls. Black and dark brown baseboards are suitable for gray and brown flooring.
Three ideas on how to match interior decoration with dark floors
1. Dark bottom - white top
A win-win option is dark floors, contrasting light walls and ceiling. Moreover, it is not at all necessary to turn the room into a strict black and white domino. Beige, milky, coffee shades perfectly combine with rich chocolate-colored wooden floors, adding warmth and comfort to the interior.
It would be appropriate to complement such neutral interiors with bright accent spots. Against the background of dark floors, red, turquoise, light green, and pink details look advantageous. This can be several non-massive pieces of furniture (armchair, ottoman, coffee table) or textile accessories.
2. Dark bottom - colored walls
An option for those who don’t like the black and white palette. Color combinations: - dark gray and blue/pearl/turquoise;
— dark brown and light green/emerald/pink;
- black and lilac/gray/golden, etc.
When choosing the color saturation for the walls, you need to remember the basic rule: the smaller the room, the lighter the color.
It is advisable to select furniture of a third, already neutral shade. Textiles - to match the upholstery or the color of the floor. Accessories should “connect” the interior into a single whole, so it is advisable to find a couple of items that combine all the primary colors (paintings or photographs are an excellent option).
3. Dark bottom + accent wall
Option for a living room or spacious bedroom. The dark floor flows gently onto the accent wall, forming the center of the room. But don't forget about the ability of black to reduce space!
If the room does not have high ceilings, it is better to decorate the accent wall not with a solid canvas, but in the form of a drawing, a large painting, a painting or a stencil on a light background. It is advisable to decorate the remaining surfaces in a neutral color scheme, and repeat the main dark color 2-3 more times in accessories or textiles (chandelier, curtains, decorative figurines, etc.).
Combination with furniture
The color of the closet, chest of drawers, table and other furniture is also important when choosing flooring. For glossy facades, wooden boards, laminate, parquet, matte tiles are suitable, and for matte surfaces - glossy tiles, painted floors and other coatings that give a shine.
Light furniture
Light furniture can be combined with any floor in the interior. White furniture will create a light classic and Scandinavian style in the interior along with a dark brown floor. Beige, pastel pink, light wood colored furniture will go well with gray, brown, or graphite floors.
Dark furniture
Furniture should be lighter than the floor or a different shade of dark color. Gray or dark blue furniture will go well with a brown floor. To match the black floor you need to choose graphite, brown furniture, and wenge-colored furniture. The dark gray flooring in the interior matches black and dark red furniture.
In the photo, the leather bed almost merges with the dark color of the floor; the bedroom has white walls and textiles, which adds light to the interior.
Dark floor colors
Black floor
Suitable for creating a solid interior for a living room or cozy bedroom. Black color warms a cold white interior, is suitable for gold wallpaper, and combines with brown, beige, and colored walls. Universal color, combined with black and white baseboards, light doors.
Dark grey
The color acts as a neutral background for furniture and walls, and can echo the ceiling. Most often used for modern interiors in marine, country and loft styles.
Dark brown
This feeling of comfort is suitable for any room, most often used for the bedroom and living room. In combination with stone on the wall, it is suitable for a chalet living room or a rustic interior.
Dark blue
This flooring is more common than other color shades. Suitable for all interiors in combination with a white or black door.
Dark green
It looks unusual, this carpet resembles grass, the hard covering will become an independent accent and is best combined with neutral furniture.
The photo shows a dark green floor in the interior of a living room in a classic style.
Choosing a style for a dark floor
Classical
The classic style is characterized by sophistication and the use of natural materials for decoration. The flooring is most often made of laminate or parquet boards in wenge or stained oak, which is combined with pale red, beige, white walls, burgundy or emerald tapestry. It is better to match skirting boards and doors to furniture or walls. For the bathroom, plain matte tiles, with ornaments, or wood-look tiles are used.
Modern
This style is not limited to specific dark colors; black tiles, dark brown laminate, painted boards, dark parquet, dark gray or dark blue self-leveling flooring are suitable.
Country
In a rustic style it assumes a floor made of rough boards or laminate; in an apartment it could be parquet made of dark wood. This floor is combined with a leather sofa, shabby furniture, and a wooden table made of pine or pear.
Loft
The loft style is manifested in special negligence and the presence of only the necessary furniture. Comfort is valued above all else, so the floor should be made of wood; black, gray, dark brown laminate colors are suitable. The floor can be made of concrete to imitate an unfinished screed, but then it needs to be insulated.
The photo shows a studio apartment in a loft interior and a combination of tiles in the kitchen area with dark parquet in the living room area.
English
In the English style interior, dark brown, black and mahogany parquet are used. The floor is decorated with a jacquard or carpet with patterns and fringes around the edges.
Classic style
Dark interior flooring in this format should be made of natural wood. In such an ensemble, high-quality laminate will look advantageous. But an expensive solid board or parquet would still be better.
A classic interior with a dark gray floor looks good. You can choose a wenge or stained oak finish. Such options will harmonize well with light walls and quality furniture.
Floor in the interior of the rooms
In any room, dark flooring will look appropriate with the right combination of colors of the carpet, furniture, walls and doors.
Living room
For the hall it is better to use parquet boards, laminate, carpet. Warm material, a fireplace, and soft, steamy furniture will set you up for a pleasant conversation. In a small living room, it is better not to use black flooring.
Bedroom
All shades that will be combined with a light bed and wardrobe, as well as colored or dark furniture are suitable here.
The photo shows a bedroom interior with dark laminate flooring and brick-like stone walls, which are painted in different colors.
Kitchen
Gray or brown linoleum, wood-effect tiles or square tiles with alternating colors are suitable. Black tiles go well with a white set; glossy tiles go well with a matte set.
Children's
This is a comfort zone for a child; the floor in the nursery should be relatively soft, non-slip and resistant to moisture. Lacquered parquet, moisture-resistant laminate, carpet or carpet on a wooden floor are suitable. It is better to choose a colored or brown shade for the flooring.
Hallway
As a room that is often exposed to pollution and poorly lit by daylight, it should combine light walls and ceilings with dark moisture-resistant laminate or porcelain tiles. A plain glossy tile with a decorative frieze carpet in the middle of the hallway is suitable.
In the photo, the interior of the hallway with graphite parquet, blue walls and white interior doors, additional lighting and white surfaces add a sense of space.
Bathroom
For the bathroom you need to select non-slip tiles of any dark color; brown and gray can be called universal. If the floor is black, then the wallpaper or painting should be light, stripes are allowed. If the bathroom is large, it can be zoned using different floor finishes, for example, tiles in the bathroom area, and moisture-resistant laminate in the cabinet area.
A dark floor makes the interior presentable and warmer; finishing with stone or oak evokes an association with luxury and comfort. It is best combined with pastel and light colors, high-quality textiles and furniture. Below are photo examples of the use of flooring in dark shades in rooms for various functional purposes.
Advantages and disadvantages of dark floors
Designers claim that black is one of the most capricious colors. In order not to be disappointed in the decision to make a kitchen with a dark floor, you need to first understand what advantages dark shades have and whether they have significant disadvantages.
Advantages of dark flooring:
- Regardless of the material chosen, the black floor in the kitchen will look very impressive and give the room an expensive and respectable look. Dark shades in the interior speak better than any other about the excellent taste of the apartment owner;
- Dark-colored floors or walls create a feeling of psychological support due to the subconscious association with the earth. It has been scientifically proven that being in a room with a dark interior makes a person feel more comfortable and confident;
- black, brown and dark blue shades will favorably transform all pieces of furniture (especially if tiles are used as flooring).
As for the weaknesses, the dark floor has no less of them than advantages. This is why many people refuse this color scheme and prefer more standard light shades. The disadvantages of dark flooring include:
- visual reduction of the room. All dark shades “eat up” square meters, so they are more suitable for the design of spacious rooms. If the kitchen area is about 5-7 sq. meters, it is better to abandon the idea of making a dark floor. If you really want to settle on such a solution, a white set will help to visually smooth out the picture. The best option is if it is made in a minimalist style and its surface is glossy. Such a set will help to visually delimit the space and make the room more spacious due to a slight mirror effect;
- All dirt and debris are better visible on a dark floor. Despite the popular belief that a dark floor hides dirt, in practice everything happens completely differently: it certainly won’t help hide stains and stains. To keep the floor always clean, you will have to constantly do light cleaning. A robot vacuum cleaner will also help you cope with the task;
- if the surface is damaged (especially when scratched), it will be more difficult to disguise the defect than on a light-colored floor.
If you really want to make a subfloor in the kitchen, experts do not advise giving preference to a single-color coating. It is better to choose tiles, laminate or linoleum with a marble, wood or stone pattern.
The textured surface will focus attention and reduce the visibility of dirt. A matte finish will also help to visually hide debris.
