Mixing Hardwood Flooring Species From Room to Room

There’s no doubt that hardwood floors are a worthy investment for every homeowner. They add warmth, beauty, and character to a home. And, if you ever want to sell, having hardwood floors in the whole house will significantly increase the property’s value. If you’re thinking about extending hardwood floors from one room to the next, don’t be afraid to mix hardwood species and create an interesting design aesthetic.

Mixing species from room to room
Choose contrasting wood species from room to room so that it looks like a choice, not a mistake.

Mis-Matched Hardwood Floors

Sometimes, perfectly matching wood floors from one room to the next can be difficult. But, if you choose to play with your flooring design, and purposefully use contrasting hardwood flooring types, you can create something unique and stunning. If a doorway or hallway divides each room, there is a natural break from of one kind of flooring to another.

However, you need to be careful not to make every room different. You may choose a light wood for some spaces, and dark wood for others to create a mosaic effect. Just make sure you are thoughtful about your choices. Too many different types of wood could give off a sense of chaos.

Repairing Old Wood Floors

If your old floors are due for a sanding and refinishing, the first thing you need to figure out is if they can still be refinished. If your old floors are engineered, there is a limit to how many times you can repair them.

So if the old floors are worn and in need of repair, you may want to talk to your contractor about the cost difference between refinishing the old ones, or ripping them up and installing new floors. You’re already extending your hardwood floors, so if the old floors aren’t salvageable, or it’s not too big of a room, then tearing them up and getting new planks could be a more cost-effective solution.

Refinishing old hardwood floors
Refinish old hardwood floors, or you can replace them to match the new floors.

Contrasting Wood Species

If you like the idea of mixing wood species throughout the home, be sure to choose wood that has a big contrast. If they are too similar from room to room, but not quite matching, it may look like a mistake. If you’re going to mix wood, make it a bold contrast for the most attractive effect.

Colorado Hardwood Flooring Retailer

We’re one of Colorado’s largest hardwood flooring retailers. To get a first-hand understanding of your hardwood flooring project, and how to mix wood, stop by our hardwood flooring showroom in Denver and Evergreen. One of our hardwood flooring craftsmen will be happy to talk you through your choices, help you understand the project, and make you feel like you are making informed decisions.

Schedule a free consultation with a hardwood flooring expert!

Picture of Chris Keale

Chris Keale

Owner & Operator of Tongue & Groove Flooring
Wood Flooring 101 Course Creator

Chris Keale is the owner of Tongue & Groove and the creator of the Wood Floors 101 course, an educational resource that helps homeowners and design professionals make confident flooring decisions.

With a career that began in global technology and consulting, Chris traded boardrooms for floorboards, bringing his leadership skills and love of craftsmanship into the hardwood flooring industry. Since 2007, he has grown Tongue & Groove into one of Colorado’s most trusted flooring companies—built on a foundation of integrity, education and precision. 

Known for his sharp insight, dry humor and genuine commitment to his clients, Chris has helped homeowners, builders and designers through the complexities of choosing and installing hardwood floors. Whether teaching in the showroom, on a jobsite or through his Wood Floors 101, his mission remains the same: to simplify a complicated industry and deliver floors that stand the test of time.

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