In the world of interior design, gray walls are often chosen as a neutral and subtle backdrop for bold decor and furniture. However, one aspect that is often overlooked is the color of the wood floors. In modern interiors, gray walls are frequently paired with wooden floors due to the many undertones of gray. If you're wondering what color wood floor goes with gray walls, we've compiled a helpful guide with color pairing ideas to show you how to coordinate your gray walls with wooden floors. Let's explore the best color pairings!
Warm or Cool Gray Undertones
Gray walls allow for a variety of color schemes, as this neutral color can have underlying tones that determine whether the gray is cool or warm. Similar to other cool and warm colors, gray can have red (warm) or blue (cool) hues. This means that the best wooden flooring color can be determined based on the undertone of your gray walls in order to maintain a consistent design.
When paired with light or dark wooden flooring, the hue of gray wall paint can actually change. Despite leaning more towards cool hues, gray goes well with most wooden floor colors. In fact, gray can be seen as a cool version of warm cream or beige. However, it's important to avoid making the room appear gloomy or dull by introducing a warm shade of wooden floor color to add character to your home.
There are many shades of gray that differ in tone, such as platinum, silver, steel, marengo, and graphite. It's crucial to choose the right shade of gray that complements the decor and flooring in your home. For example, pairing a medium shade of gray with dark wood flooring can make the wall appear lighter, while the same shade of gray paired with light wooden flooring will make the wall appear darker.
Best Wood Floor Colors that Go with Gray Walls
Light Brown
Light brown wooden floors perfectly match gray walls. Whether it's walnut, pine, or oak, a light brown wood floor combined with dark gray walls creates a natural and flawless look. Light wooden floors can have either warm or cool undertones. Cool tones lean towards gray or taupe, while warm tones consist of yellow, red, or orange hues. If you prefer light brown wood floor colors, you can opt for oak, maple, or ash. Some examples of warm tones include beech and hickory.
In formal living rooms with dark gray walls, warm wood tones in light colors complement the warm tone of the dark gray. Even in rooms with very dark gray walls, this color combination should not be ruled out. For instance, a sophisticated dark gray wall with a blue undertone works perfectly with light brown wooden floors and the rest of the furniture.
Medium Brown
If you prefer a darker version, a medium-toned brown color is another option that works well with both light and dark gray walls. Oak and birch are two popular mid-toned wooden floors. This color combination is especially suitable for high-traffic rooms, as medium-toned wooden floors hide dirt or dust better than light brown wooden floors.
Dark Brown
Contrary to what some may think, dark brown wooden floors can make a room feel classy and elegant when paired with dark gray walls. In a room with tall walls and ample natural lighting, a bluish-gray shade for the walls and dark brown wood floor can create a lot of contrast and an open and airy ambiance. This color combination is best used in formal dining rooms, as shown in the example.
Gray
A medium shade of gray works perfectly with light gray. You can use this combination for your walls and wooden floors to achieve a cohesive look. To add contrast, incorporate bright-colored furniture to make your modern room more elegant. Gray walls can be paired with different cabinet colors and furniture colors.
White
Bright white is another wooden floor color that pairs well with gray walls. This neutral color is a popular choice in low-traffic areas. If your room is on the smaller side, white wooden floors and light gray walls can make the room appear brighter and more spacious. White works seamlessly with versatile wall paint colors like gray.
Black
Since gray is a neutral color that goes well with white, it can also work nicely with black wooden floors. Black wooden floors are often installed in high foot traffic rooms, as the dark color hides dirt and dust. However, it's important to pair black flooring with a light shade of gray walls to prevent the color combination from appearing overwhelming. Neutral colors reflect natural light, making light gray a great choice with black wooden floors. To prevent the room from appearing too dark or dingy, opt for white or beige furniture and accessories.
Cherry Wood
Cherry wood flooring is a striking color choice for a modern living room. It highlights the gray walls without clashing with the rich undertones of gray. Pair cherry wood flooring with a bluish-gray wall paint color to bring out its beauty. You can choose between red or a tinge of yellow as warm undertones that work well with gray.
Does Light Wooden Floor Make A Room Appear Bigger?
Contrary to popular belief, light-colored wooden flooring doesn't necessarily make a room appear bigger. It depends on the height of the ceiling and how dark the wooden flooring is. Dark floors tend to make a room appear smaller, while lighter ones can have the opposite effect. When you pair light wooden floors with light gray walls, you can create the illusion of more space. However, you should also pay attention to the lighting and furniture, as too little lighting or a cluttered space can make the room seem small and cramped.
Conclusion
A gray wall can serve as a subtle backdrop to a variety of wooden flooring colors. Gray is a diverse color, making it easy to coordinate with the perfect wood floor color. Some great options include white, black, and cherry wood, which are elegant and inviting choices for bedrooms and living rooms. If the shade you've chosen doesn't quite work with your gray walls, remember that you can always stain the wooden flooring a different color. Regardless of the stain color, the combination should complement the rest of the room's decor. For small living rooms, light-colored wooden floors are recommended, while larger rooms with tall walls can handle a darker shade combined with gray walls. Take a look at the examples provided above with images to help you decide on the best wooden floor color that works with gray walls.
