How to Pick the Right Colour of Laminate flooring

Shopping for laminate flooring can be a daunting task.

Once you get over the seemingly bottomless choice of brands, get a crash course in why thickness matters, compare the click systems & make sense of everything technical, you still have to make the most important choice of all: how to pick the right colour of laminate flooring.

With so many options to consider, it can be confusing and somewhat overwhelming. It's not like slapping paint on a wall and then throwing a different shade over because it wasn't just right; when your floor is down, you never want it coming back up because you made the wrong choice.

At Wood Floor Warehouse, we stock hundreds of different types of laminate, in all shades, colours & tones, so we know a thing or two about colours. With so much choice, how can you buy laminate with confidence? Well, if you follow our advice in today's guide, you'll soon know how to pick the ideal laminate colour for any room.

Starter for 10: Should you pick dark or light laminate flooring?

The vast majority of laminates sold in the UK would be considered more like shades than colours, i.e. people will compare light browns to greys and walnut to oak, rather than blues to red. That means you're best to build a picture of your preferred laminate by asking yourself if you need to have dark or light laminate flooring.

Typically, dark flooring can often look its best when you're in a room when:

• - There is good Natural Light
• - You have a light wall colouring
• - Creating a rich interior
• - Creating a moody interior
• - Creating a cosy interior (dark floors can "shrink" a room)
• - You have a large floor with plenty of free space

On the other end of the spectrum, light coloured laminate flooring works best when:

• - a space needs brightened up
• - you're dealing with smaller spaces
• - creating a calming interior
• - decorating with pastel colours
• - adding texture, e.g. rugs and such "pop," more against light laminate
• - you want to create contrast to your furniture and accessories, like vases and drawers
   

These are the main aspects to think about first. If you're keen on having a unique pattern, or fancy herringbone/parquet flooring, darker laminate is preferred because it can show more character. When you're getting familiar with colour/shade, it's time to think about what message you want your laminate to give off.

Are You Opting for Rustic or Clean Decors?

Colour is one thing, but how that colour comes across from your floor is another. The finish/print/style of your laminate can dictate how a room feels. For example, just look at how much variety our white laminate flooring has when you look at the different patterns:

As laminate becomes more and more realistic, rustic and distressed style decors have really grown in popularity. This type of wood finish has lots of natural features such as knots, splits and colour variance. It is versatile and works well in both traditional and modern spaces.

Typically, the smaller the space (think box bedrooms and home offices), the more likely you can make rustic and patterned flooring work best, as it won't be overwhelming.

Tile effect laminate is less common but can work well in bathrooms, utility rooms & kitchens

EXPERT TIP: In very large spaces where a lot of the flooring is visible, opt for a cleaner style. Laminate flooring will have pattern repeats, and these can be easy to identify in bigger rooms. If it is well broken up with rugs and furniture, then it won't be an issue. Brands like Swiss Krono have what we would call "clean" patterns on their laminates.

Picking a Laminate Floor Colour

Now we're getting to it. You have your idea of how light/dark you need to go and whether you're going rustic or minimal/modern. Finally, you can pick a colour

There really are not a lot of common colours to choose from in laminate flooring. While there are colourful laminate floors available, the majority of choices are in shades of black, brown, grey, "natural', oak and white.

Here are some tips on how to pick the right colour of laminate flooring.

Go for colourful laminate when:

• -you want something that really stands out
• - the floor is the main feature
• - you have themed spaces like games rooms or children's rooms
• - in design-led spaces like cafes, salons, etc.
• - you need to add energy to an interior
• - you are confident in your interior design skills
   

EXPERT TIP: If you're going for a bold colour for a high-traffic/public-facing area, opt for flooring with a 5*/AC5 wear rating

Choose a natural wood shade laminate when:

• - you want to play it safe
• - dealing with busy rooms like living rooms, kitchens
• - you want to create a natural interior
• - you have striking furniture or accessories to create a feature
• - you want a timeless interior

Choose black laminate when:

• - you know you'll keep the floor dust-free
• - you want an ultra-modern feel in the space
• - you already have a lot of light coming in or brightness

Choose white laminate flooring when:

• - you know you'll keep on top of cleaning
• - you need as much light as possible
• - you want to brighten the room

Choose Grey Laminate Flooring when:

• - you want to be on-trend
• - you can contrast with colourful accessories
• - creating a luxury feel
• - you want to play it safe
• - you want to match with almost anything
   

You can use multi-coloured laminate when:

• - you know you can get away with it
• - the rest of the space is light/quiet
• - you know you won't contrast with the rest of the room

Still need help picking the right colour?

With so much choice out there, hopefully, we have been able to provide some practical help. You can view our full range of laminate floors and filter by shade, colour and much more.

If you still aren't sure how to pick the right colour of laminate flooring, or it is your first time buying this flooring type, we have a handy guide to help you figure out which laminate floor style is best for you.

Your Top Laminate Colour Questions Answered by Our Experts

What are the best laminate flooring colours for small rooms?

Rich and dark shades are your best friend in smaller rooms. They help them feel cosier and help shape a room.

Does laminate flooring have a different colour from hardwood flooring?

Hardwood flooring can be finished with stain, oil, or lacquer. Because laminate flooring is composed of layers that can be bonded and coloured in any way you like, you get more variety.

How can I choose laminate flooring colour to match existing furniture?

It is mostly a matter of your personal taste, but a very rough rule of thumb is if you have really intense colours on your wall, go light. If it's the other way, then vice versa. This is really just to help balance a room. A bad example of how to visualise similar styles would be to go to your garden shed and look at how the same colour makes the space you're standing in feel.

What are the best laminate flooring colours for a modern interior design?

Light shades of grey are really popular just now. We stock a lot of grey Egger laminate that people love in their hallways and kitchens.

How much does laminate flooring cost per square foot?

£10-£12 is a good starting point, but you need to remember that colour doesn't determine the price of your laminate. Other factors, such as thickness & wear rating, brand & width, all determine the cost per square foot.