Wide plank flooring has been a popular choice in many homes across the world for hundreds of years now. This type of flooring was initially favoured due to its convenient installation and durability but is now considered fashionable and a must-have for those looking to create a timeless classic style décor. Wooden plank flooring is available in an endless number of styles, colours, and designs which can often mean that plank width is overlooked. However, the width of your wooden flooring planks is far more important than you might think, and it can actually have a significant effect on the overall appearance of a room by creating an illusion of its size. Not only does this style of flooring add character but does wide plank flooring really make a room look bigger? And if so, how?
Wide Plank Flooring in a Small Room
Many of you may be looking to install wide plank flooring in your home but are worried about the size of your rooms. We are often left wondering how wide planks will look in our homes, particularly if a number of our rooms are on the smaller side. But should we opt for wide or narrow planks for a small room? Contrary to popular belief, wide plank flooring does not make your space look smaller. In fact, wide plank flooring in a small room often has the opposite effect and can enhance your space. This is done by creating an illusion whereby the eye is drawn across each wooden plank and the fewer seams there are, the larger the room appears. Therefore, if you are looking to maximise the size of your smaller rooms, avoid narrow plank flooring and opt for wide planks in your small room instead.
Wide Plank Flooring in a Large Room
Bigger rooms tend to get away with both wide and narrow floorboards and every width in between. Sometimes however, wide planks can actually work negatively in a large room and give the space a smaller appearance. It is often a good idea to use a combination of both narrow and wide plank flooring in larger rooms in order to add character, depth, and texture to the overall design of the room. Many homeowners look at using wooden floorboards to create shapes which can enhance the look of a large room. For example, fitting a rectangle of narrow planks in the centre of a rectangular shaped room where the sides are parallel to the walls with a border of wide plank flooring is a great way to add decoration to your home.
More Flooring Tips for Small Rooms
Colour can have a huge impact on how big or small a room feels. Naturally lighter coloured flooring actually helps to make a room look bigger by reflecting light. When paired with walls painted in a similar shade, this impression of open space is accentuated due to the low contrast between the walls and flooring.
Choosing the right finish for your wooden plank flooring is also important. The main thing to remember is to keep it simple and try to avoid flooring which is too shiny in smaller rooms. By opting for a simple yet high-quality finish, your small room will not only appear classy but larger too.
One of the most effective ways to make your smaller rooms appear more spacious is to avoid having too much clutter and keep your floor space as clear as possible. Keep the furniture, rugs, and other accessories to a minimum and instead make use of vertical space. Try fitting hanging shelves and cupboards on the walls instead of free-standing alternatives to maximise floor space and give the impression of a bigger area.
Flooring can have a significant effect on the perceived size of the smaller rooms in your home. This is why it is so crucial to choose the right style of wooden planks for each unique space. If you require further information or are looking to install wide planks in your small room, our team are on hand to provide reliable recommendations. Get in touch with us today!