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I just recently moved into an older home that needs A LOT of help in the design department. I am planing on putting new hardwood flooring down. I was originally thinking of putting a dark colour with a light coloured (light beige, almost white) shag type rug.  My furniture is very dark (a black/brown stain), I thought that the light coloured rug would give it enough contrast, but now I'm wondering if it will be too much dark. I want my home to have a sophisticated, contemporary look with a comfortable and cozy feel. Any suggestions would be wonderful!

If the floor is dark and the furniture is dark wood as well , make sure that the sofas,drapes and accessories are not.  You will definitly  need a light coloured area rug as well.

Thanks for your reply. Unfortunately my sofa and chair with ottoman are also a dark, chocolate brown.... I am thinking maybe a lighter coloured floor might be a better choice.

Hi Lizzie,

 Decorators often use dark wood floors with dark sofas - particularly leather (see examples in magazines).  The trick is to ensure the entire room isn't weighed down by dark color - you can even mix types of wood tones effectively... like Rae Staples would say, "do all the trees in the forest look the same?".  Rugs, draperies, accent decor, art and lighting are used to infuse color, texture and complete the feel of a room.  Given the character of your older home, a dark hardwood could look smashing. 

 A too light floor or area rug can make your furniture look like it's floating because there is nothing to ground the stark contrast so be careful how light you go... perhaps a medium tone hardwood if you would prefer not to go dark and then further ground the furniture with the area rug tone.  One way to experiment before investing in flooring is to purchase a few really inexpensive bamboo area rugs in varying stains (or buy them in natural and stain yourself) and see how they look under your furnishings - you can find them at a low enough cost that you won't mind getting rid of them post-experiment if they are of no further use to you. 

Have fun decorating!

 

Thank you so much for your input.  I decided to go with a medium-dark bamboo Hardwood floor and still going with a light cream coloured shag area rug.  You have made me feel much better about my decision.  Thank you everyone for your replies!

Actually sorry I didn't see this subject earlier as I too am ripping up some of my carpets, Presently their is carpet in the bathroom ( how stupid is that) and the vanity is white .

Then I have a den which opens to my deck which again is stupid as it gets dirty so fast.  There is a built in desk/closet in a medium shade and the table and matching chair I have in there are cherry wood.

I have decided on lamintate though since it stands up better. Which colour laminate would look best since I do not plan on replacing any of that furniture?

Thanks

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