Proven Stain Color Combinations for Stunning Dark Hardwood Floors

Maybe it’s your first home and you’ve decided to stain your red oak floors. Or your current floors are a lighter shade, and you want to go dark, but not too dark. Whether you’re installing new or refinishing, you need to find the right dark floor color. That way you can wake up happy each morning to beautiful floors.

You don’t want to be in the sad situation where the stain is drying, and you start realizing it’s the wrong shade.

It happens, but you can avoid making a mistake with a little planning.

In this article, you’ll learn about staining hardwood floors darker with examples, dark stain color recommendations, and FAQ. In the end, you’ll know how to find a good-looking dark hardwood floor stain.

Is your project already delayed with no time to lose? Scroll down for our recommendations.

The Challenge of Choosing a Stain Color

Selecting a stain can be a challenge. You’re not alone if you’re having a really hard time deciding on the color.

Fortunately, you can take away the guesswork and significantly improve your odds of success with sample boards to test out the colors before you commit to one. You can create test samples yourself or ask your contractor to make some for you.

Once you have a batch of samples, spend some time with them in your home. It’s not uncommon to take a week or more before you decide.

It’s time well spent that will help you make the best long-term decision.

Recommendations for Dark Wood Stain Colors

Typically, you will be staining red or white oak. The examples below feature dark white and red oak hardwood flooring. If you’re staining pine or another type of wood besides oak,  creating samples is especially important.

Dark Wood Floor Stain Colors – No Red Hues

Dark stains without a trace of red are currently more popular than dark floors with red.

Ultra Dark Wood Floors

Are you looking to go extra dark? You can apply Rubio Precolor Easy intense black, followed by Rubio Monocoat charcoal, and periodically use black universal maintenance oil.

Combine Jacobean & Ebony for a Dark and Polished Look

Jacobean mixed with ebony is a winning combination. With Jacobean and ebony floors, you’ll get many compliments for your good taste.

Dark brown Jacobean is one of the most preferred stain colors available. Many people apply Jacobean right out of the tin.

Combining Jacobean with ebony gives you a deeper shade with added richness. Mix them in different ratios to find your favorite.

The pictures below have different shades because of the ratios that were used.

Dark Hardwood Floors with Red Hues

Red-hued dark flooring may not be the most popular flooring in 2023… but with floors that look this nice, it could easily change in the years to come.

For a beautiful dark floor with a tinge of red, apply two coats of ¾ ebony with ¼ royal mahogany on white oak.

Ebony & Red Mahogany

Dark, But Not Too Dark

If you want to go dark but not too dark,, start with antique brown, Jacobean, dark walnut, or heritage brown. Use them by themselves or mix them with other colors.

You may even want to try mixing ebony with neutral!

Dark Walnut & Gray

Dark Hardwood Floors & Staining FAQ

Now that you’ve seen some of the most popular stain colors for dark hardwood floors, read this FAQ to learn more about dark hardwood floors and staining.

Are Dark Hardwood Floors in Style?

Interior designers love dark hardwood floors for their sophistication and classic elegance. The deep tones of the dark-hued surface create a perfect backdrop for a wide variety of décor styles.

Unlike gray flooring, which is beginning to fall out of favor, dark hardwood is a timeless choice for any modern space. You won’t ever have to worry about it going out of style.

However, you will want the floor to complement your décor. If you have a country or rustic style, then dark flooring is probably not the best choice.

What Sheen Looks Best on a Dark Hardwood Floor?

Matte and satin are the most popular sheens for dark hardwood floors. The higher the gloss, the more noticeable everything on the surface becomes.

Choosing a matte or ultra matte finish will reduce the appearance of dirt, dust, scratches, and scuffs. Matte water-based finishes look great because they won’t darken the floors over time. Satin finish is also a solid choice. It’s a popular sheen that’s neither shiny nor dull.

What Color Do I Paint a Room with Dark Floors?

Because dark floors absorb light, they can make small, dark rooms look even smaller. A room with dark floors and walls will feel like the inside of a cave. Large rooms with plenty of natural light tend to look the best.

When your floors are a dark shade, it’s always a good idea to paint the walls a light color. Whether white, beige, or periwinkle blue, light-toned walls with dark floors provide a stunning contrast for a pleasing, balanced aesthetic.

If you have dark flooring and dark furniture, light-toned walls will open the space and bring it all together.

The combination of dark and light will also bring out the subtle beauty of hardwood furniture with medium tones, such as cherry or maple.

Brightly colored furniture like a red sofa will pop out on dark wood flooring, becoming a main feature of the room.

How Do I Hire Someone to Finish My Floors?

If you’ve decided to hire someone to finish or refinish your floors, you will want to reach out to skilled professionals and get a couple of quotes. The cost depends on the floor, the area and layout of the rooms, any repairs needed, and the stain and finish products you want to use. Dark floors can be a challenge, so make sure your floor refinisher is skilled and confident.

It’s also helpful to know that the industry standard is to sand to 100 grit and water-pop the floors. Water-popping will enhance and darken the stain, but it won’t affect the sheen.

Are Dark Hardwood Floors Difficult to Maintain?

Dark hardwood flooring has a reputation for being a struggle to maintain. When light hits a dark floor’s surface, any hairs, dirt, or dust becomes apparent. The same goes for scratches, dents, and any imperfections.

Going with a dark floor generally means you will need to stay on top of a regular cleaning routine.

Maybe you love the look of dark hardwood, but you have a couple of golden retrievers who shed wherever they go. With dark floors, you’ll have your work cut out for you. You’re going to want a good vacuum.

If you have pets who regularly have accidents, then you need to be vigilant about cleaning up the mess because the ammonia from urine can ruin your floor.

Your best preventative measure in this case is to apply a commercial grade finish over the stain, such as Bona Traffic HD.

Your happiness with the look of your floor over time will depend on your expectations and how dedicated you are toward maintenance. There’s more work required to keep the floor looking new compared to light hardwood floors.

What Products Should I Use to Stain My Hardwood Floors Darker?

The products you choose to stain and coat the floor determine the upkeep needed and the quality you can expect. High-quality products won’t scratch as easily, and different stains have pros and cons. Hard wax oil, for instance, offers the option for speedy spot repair that erases scratches and scuffs.

If you have red oak and you want to get rid of the red, you can use Bona Red Out. Or Rubio Precolor easy, which completely changes the look of the floor color.

Rubio Oil 2c Plus works as an all-in-one stain, sealer, and finish, and it allows you to layer colors. Just make sure your floor is sanded correctly before application. If you choose Rubio, you’ll also want to consider Rubio Soap, Rubio Renew, and Universal Maintenance Oil.

For consistent results, always use the same stain brand. Never mix stain colors from different brands i.e. Minwax Dark Walnut with DuraSeal Ebony.

See the products below or browse our inventory of quality hardwood floor stains.