Home Design Styles to Pair with Your Antique Hardwood Flooring Installation One of the great aspects of antique hardwood flooring installation is how versatile it fits with any style of home. You can fit the flooring to match your existing style, or it will work with future plans to renovate. This versatility gives you the ability over time to make changes that best fit the décor you are looking for. Plus, it’s a great way to increase your home’s value. Learn about features, elements, and décor styles for the top six design themes, and how you can incorporate your hardwood flooring installation with each.

Rustic

• Style definition: The rustic theme is a very nature and outdoor-oriented. It is often paired with natural colors, such as beige, white, or light blues.
• Features and elements: Wood and stone are the two main features of the rustic theme. The wood and stone can be placed anywhere in a room, from brick or stone accent walls to hardwood beams running vertically over a wood ceiling.
• Décor: When choosing furniture or décor for a rustic theme, a distressed look is popular. This includes handmade furniture with exquisite craftsmanship. It also includes several items that are repurposed, such as lamps constructed out of salvaged materials décor found at antique shops.
• Hardwood pairing: When choosing a rustic home, install hardwood with a distressed look. This will match your other décor and themes within the space. You can work with your local hardwood flooring specialist in pairing in the wood to match for other accents, such as mantels, doors, and fireplaces.

Traditional

• Style definition: The traditional home theme comes from 18th and 19th century Europe and is classic and simplistic in nature. It adopts a natural color palette, with an elegant appearance. Traditional homes incorporate the elements from many different centuries and is warm, rich and inviting.
• Features and elements: Traditional homes typically have beige, white, or light color walls, with accents to help make them pop. Curves and lines are commonly featured in traditional homes but are not over-exaggerated. Tile is also a common feature, especially for backsplashes.
• Décor: When decorating a traditional themed home, elegance is key. Look to find pieces that create symmetry, such as lightly-colored throw pillows to arrange on your couch and simplistic window treatments. In fact, drapes are very common with this style. Wood beams on ceilings are a great accent to add to your spaces too. You can keep them as-is, paint them white, or stain them a color to match the remaining wood accents in the room.
• Hardwood pairing: Medium to dark hardwood flooring is common in traditional homes. If you prefer some carpet, have a lighter color in living rooms and bedrooms, and then utilize hardwood throughout. Or, you can install hardwood throughout the home and utilize rugs to accent the space.

Mid-Century Modern

• Style definition: Mid-century modern homes are influenced by the 1940s - 1960s-time period. They are somewhat industrial and minimalistic in nature, and very focused on clean lines and gentle curves.
• Features and elements: Delving into shapes, mid-century modern homes are heavily influenced by them. Some are linear-focused, while others have elements that are round, oddly-in-shape, or angular. Stone, metal and glass is also common in this theme, but still paired with traditional materials, such as wood. Colors range from neutral to bold, with emphasis on contrasting materials.
• Décor: Pieces from the 1950s and 1960s, or that resonate with that theme, are ideal décor items for mid-century modern homes. This includes chairs that are uniquely shaped, or wooden furniture or shelves simplistically designed and linear in fashion. As you search, find chairs, ottomans, and end tables with legs that slightly bow out. Do not overly decorate—keep things simple.
• Hardwood pairing: Antique hardwood is perfect for a mid-century style home. Choose a light or dark shade with clear lines to help continue the theme.

Industrial

• Style definition: The industrial style home is very driven by warehouses and urban settings. It often exudes an “unfinished” look. The industrial feel is achieved with a mix of grays, neutrals, and rustic colors. This style is typically found in urban areas and incorporates raw materials to give the space an unfinished feel.
• Features and elements: The industrial theme will feature exposed brick, open ducts and hardwood. Metal is incredibly common, from the exposed ducts to various décor pieces. Large sectionals help close off larger spaces and divide living areas, especially in an open loft setting.
• Décor: When designing an industrial space, keep it simple and use raw elements. This includes wood and metal accents. It could be distressed wood beams on a ceiling to a simple piece of art on a brick accent wall. Reclaimed wood open faced shelving and kitchen islands are big hits in the kitchen
• Hardwood pairing: Choose a dark, distressed shade of antique hardwood for your industrial spaces. You can also incorporate pops of lighter color to mix things up.

Modern

• Style definition: Modern, homes are influenced by the time period before the Industrial Revolution. It is a very clean and linear style with minimal detail and sparse design.
• Features and elements: Modern homes are driven by lines and symmetry. They feature oversized tiles, heavily sanded wood flooring, open floor plans with few walls, and minimal trim work. Modern homes are often described as clean, with many natural tones paired with pops of color throughout.
• Décor: When purchasing décor for modern homes, choose clean and sleek designs. Chrome and stainless steel paired with bold, primary colors creates a modern feel.
• Hardwood pairing: Choose a solid color of antique hardwood for your modern style—one that is higher grade, uniform, and evenly sanded and stained will fit best into the design.

Contemporary

• Style definition: Contemporary homes were designed after the 20th century, so while they are often confused as “modern” today, it will change with time. It encompasses specific attributes of all the different styles, with a new take.
• Features and elements: The contemporary style will feature lines and curves throughout, with a natural color palette. You will find this style to have clean elements and features, avoiding a distressed look. Eye-catching architectural elements are popular within this style, and the use of a shapely fireplace or room divider is common.
• Décor: When designing a contemporary space, tie in natural aspects such as genuine fabrics for throw blankets or pillows, and large accent lights. Art is also extremely popular with this style. Furniture pieces should have clean lines and smooth surfaces, and are typically made of light-colored woods, glass, stainless steel, or chrome. Natural fabrics add a sense of texture to the design, while bold colors and patterns can highlight specific areas in the room.
• Hardwood pairing: Choose simple and sleek hardwood floors for this home style. Avoid wood with imperfections as the style is defined by basic lines and patterns. Light or dark colors are both popular for contemporary homes.

To help you find the perfect flooring for the style of your home, choose Ward Hardwood Flooring to help you find the perfect floor to match the design style that you are seeking. Contact today at 303-674-6966 or email info@wardhardwoodflooring.com to get started on your project.