7 Unexpected Wood Flooring Ideas That Are Extremely Cool

Written by

Caroline Biggs
Caroline Biggs
Caroline is a writer living in New York City. When she’s not covering art, interiors, and celebrity lifestyles, she’s usually buying sneakers, eating cupcakes, or hanging with her rescue bunnies, Daisy and Daffodil.
published Nov 2, 2019
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Credit: Ken Hayden

Believe it or not, your wood floors are brimming with design opportunities—it just takes a little imagination to get them there. To prove our point, we rounded up seven unexpected but stylish wood floor ideas that will quickly transform the vibe of an entire room. From hand-painted patterns to pink staircases and beyond, these surprisingly savvy ideas will revamp your boring hardwood floors. 

Credit: Pati Robins

Mix and Match Wood Tones

If you thought mismatched wooden floors couldn’t look sophisticated, then it’s time to think again. Follow in blogger Pati Robins’ footsteps and use  salvaged wood in different shades to score an eye-catching, patchwork-inspired kitchen floor.

Credit: Ken Hayden

Pale Pink Stairs for the Win

A little pale pink paint makes a huge difference. Case in point: The blush-painted wood stairs inside this Palm Beach Home, also designed by Caroline Rafferty. The color livens up the narrow staircase without overpowering the rest of the eclectic decor in the space.

Credit: Drew Hoffpauir

Reimagine Traditional Tile Floors

Why settle for plain wood floors in your bathroom when you can have patterned ones instead? Take a cue from Lance Thomas and Drew Hoffpauir of Louisiana-based Room Service and paint a cream-and-sand colored check pattern in your bathroom for a modern twist on old school black-and-white tiles. 

Brighten Up a Small Space

Nothing opens up a small room faster than a coat of glossy white paint. Create the illusion of more space in your cramped living room with a monochrome palette of white walls and floors, as seen in Kate Levinson and Mike Muschong’s Chicago home

Credit: Ken Hayden

Paint a Subtle Pattern

Looking for a creative way to add depth and dimension to a neutral room? Take a cue from interior designer Caroline Rafferty and paint a white trellis pattern on pale gray floors to create the illusion of a textured rug, just like she had artist Joseph Steiert do in this Palm Beach Home. 

Credit: Submitted by Meghan

Focus on a Tiny Area First

Not ready to commit to painting every inch of your wood floors? Try this idea out in a small space instead. Here, this homeowner used painter’s tape and black paint to create a tile-inspired pattern in her bathroom, and the end result is striking. 

Get Wavy

If you feel like your room is lacking a focal point, paint one. Try an undulating two-tone pattern like the black-and-white waves spotted in Matt Austin’s Brooklyn studio.