Is it best to match the kitchen floors with the cabinetry? This is a million-dollar question. The answer all depends on personal preference and what type of style you desire your kitchen to reflect.
By installing flooring that does not match your cabinetry, you create contrast. When used appropriately, contrast is good because it makes things more visually appealing. For instance, if you already have wood flooring, you can create contrast by having white cabinetry.
Expert Suggestions
Suggestion One: While the decision is ultimately up to the homeowner, some design experts feel that using colors that are similar in nature to the cabinetry and flooring will result in material confusion. Going at least three shades lighter or darker than your flooring will prevent your kitchen from becoming aesthetically-confusing.
Suggestion Two: If you are set on using wood material in both your cabinetry and flooring, you might want to consider using different grains for each entity to contrast the tones. For example, if you have dark and rich cabinetry, you would use a light grain or your floors, such as maple or hickory wood.
Matchmaking Flooring to Cabinetry
Matching your floors to your cabinets creates a unified look. On the other hand, achieving an exact match is nearly impossible. If you were to select oak flooring to match your oak cabinetry, the chances are high that the grains will not be identical. A single wood type can have small variations in color and grain. The finishes used also gives the material a different personality.
If you are installing new wood cabinetry to match your existing wood floors, you have to take into consideration the quality of the existing floors. Do they show obvious or excessive signs of wear and tear? If so, having an already aged floor can further complicate things.
Before purchasing anything, you should get samples of your flooring and cabinetry. This will let you see how it all looks in the light and determine what is a good look for your kitchen.
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