choosing a wood floor

Listening to your heart is the best advice when it comes to choosing a wood floor. But there are certain important things you should also consider before you decide. Below, interior designer Maria Kingsley explains a few of the most important aspects of choosing the right wood floor for the right context. But the best thing is always to visit one of our retailers – as nothing compares to seeing the floors in real life and touching the surface to get a real grasp of what characterises each specific floor.

Oiled or lacquered?

”Many people ask whether they should choose a lacquered or an oiled wood floor. This is natural, as the surface treatment plays an important part for the overall impression of the floor. Generally speaking, a lacquered surface reflects more light than an oiled one. An exception to this rule is floors treated with Kährs new ultra matt lacquer, which gives the impression that the floor has been made out of untreated, newly sawn timber, while it still has a strong protection against daily wear and tear.” “Regardless of surface treatment, and a strong reason why I often choose Kährs floors for interiors I design, is that they will keep their beauty for many years to come. But you have to maintain them correctly. An oiled floor demands more maintenance than a lacquered floor – but is, on the other hand, easier to repair.”

Light, dark or neutral?

“People tend to know before they start looking for a wood floor whether they want a light, dark or neutral floor. But there are certain things you should consider as the colour of the floor has a strong impact on the overall impression of the room. It’s also a good thing to have a long-term perspective before you decide, as wood floors last for a long time.” “A general rule is that dark floor “swallows” a lot of light, while it also creates a warm and cosy atmosphere. A light wood floor, on the other hand, reflects the light and adds space to a room, while a neutral floor will create a classical and naturally beautiful backdrop for other design elements in the interior.”

Clean or rustic?

”The impression of a floor is made up by what your eyes see and your feet feel. The choice of wood raw material for the floor, and how this is treated, is decisive for the final look and feel of the floor. Knots, cracks and colour variations in the wood give the floor a rustic look, while clean planks with few knots will give it a calm and elegant expression.” “These natural variations of the wood can be further enhanced through many types of treatments, including brushing and hand scraping, which accentuate the graining of the wood and give the floor structure. Saw marks and bevelled edges on the planks enhance this further.”

How many strips – and in which direction?

“The number of strips on each plank affects the overall impression of the room. A good way to create harmony in a home is to choose wood floors that match, but are optimal for each room. For example, you can choose a single-strip floor for the living room and its 3-strip counterpart for the bedroom. If you go for matching skirtings and moulding, the impression will be further enhanced.” “It is also important to consider which direction the planks are installed. The general rule is to install a floor lengthwise towards the light. But to widen a narrow space you could consider installing it side-to-side.”