7 Welcoming Paint Colors That Go With Dark Wood Floors

Dark wood flooring has been and still is very popular in homes. With the flooring selection comes a painting color selection to coordinate. Luckily enough, there are not too many wrong answers when it comes to dark wood, because it is pretty neutral (depending on the red or brown tones that can be mixed in).

The only thing you really need to know is the tone you want to set for the area: light, cool, playful, and airy, or heavier, cozy, warmer, and sophisticated. This gives the range of colors you should be considering.

Below are some paint recommendations (Broad and specific) for darker wood flooring based on those two considerations.

Green – Specifically Sherwin Williams Haven: Going full color on the walls is a bold choice, and by selecting a calmer paler green, like Haven, you can avoid the color punching you in the face when you walk in, but instead, gain a comforting feel.

Another option is to just use the green color as one or two accent walls, depending on the space.

With a color on the wall pairing the furniture and finishes with it can be fun, picking blues or a contracting warm color, or even a darker version of the green walls can make them pop and bring some excitement to the space.

Blue – Specifically Sherwin Williams Respite: As mentioned above with the green it is important to not go too crazy with color. Respite is a calming light blue that brings contrast to the dark wood, and brightening up the space.

With the dark wood it is important to not select anything too dark or the room can seem small and uninviting.

Similarly to the green color on the wall, the color blue can also make pairing the furniture and finishes fun, picking contrasting or complimentary colors to the fabrics and finishes in the space can add the last needed thing to a room.

Since the walls take up the color it is also good to add neutrals to the rest of the finishes. Read more about using neutrals while matching wood floors with paint colors here.

Gray – Specifically Sherwin Williams Gray Screen: Using gray lets you embrace cool and modern feelings. Using a neutral wall allows you to use vibrant blues, greens and purples in accent finishes and fabrics while still having the structure of the neutral walls. 

Beige – Specifically Sherwin Williams Accessible Beige: Beige is where you can enact the warmth and the cozier feelings. Using a neutral wall allows you to use reds, yellow and oranges and the brighter warmer colors without overwhelming the room by placing it on the walls.

Gray wall paint is a popular choice for many contemporary kitchens. This kitchen with dark wood floors utilizes several different shades to provide interesting contrast and character to its design.

Beige has been to go-to neutral color for interior designers for many years and we don’t see it going out of style any time soon.

Greige – Specifically Sherwin Williams Perfect Greige: This is my TOP PICK, the best thing about greige is it is a mix of gray and beige, meaning it matches virtually anything. This can go with any color flooring you have, no matter the undertone of the wood.

If it is redder or browner, the greige color appears more beige. If a gray or black undertone it appears more gray. This also plays into the selection of furniture finishes, giving the flexibility to accent the room thereby keeping the walls neutral.

Terracotta – Terracotta paint colors like Benjamin Moore’s “Sienna Clay” can compliment darker hues for several reasons. to start, the warm reddish-brown tones of terracotta harmonize with the inner warmth of the wood’s surface, creating an inviting look.

This earthy hue also feels organic and natural next to rich wood grains, and brings an organic and textural feel. While terracotta tones are lighter than dark floors, there is plenty of depth and saturation to add visual interest. This contrast actually enhances and elevates wood’s intricate patterns.

Ultimately, the pairing of terracotta walls and darker shades results in spaces that feel simultaneously cozy and texturally interesting. This look works excellent with styles ranging from Mediterranean to modern rustic. By balancing its richness with some lighter materials and elements, you can design a space that feels warm, welcoming and visually balanced, and not too intense or heavy.

Pale Lavender – The cool, airy softness of a pale lavender wall hue like Sherwin-Williams’ “Veiled Violet” can create an unexpected yet sophisticated pairing when combined with rich, dark flooring. This interesting interplay of light and dark tones offers both visual contrast and design balance.

The calming, light-reflecting qualities of lavender offsets any heaviness, opening up the space and making it feel more relaxed. And the subtle purple undertones found in many dark lumber complement the lavender walls. The result is a versatile, seasonally flexible backdrop that allows other decor elements to shine while still elevating the room with a touch of color. You can accessorize with some warmer curtains and furniture to further enhance this cool-yet-cozy color-combination.

What are your favorite paint colors that go with dark wood floors? Let us know in the comments and visit our gallery to see more living rooms with hardwood floors.