Hardwood and LVP: Flooring Styles to Fit Any Home Decor

Flooring is a key component  in realizing your vision for your home. Hardwood and luxury vinyl plank (LVP) are two of the most versatile – and beautiful – options on the market. They make themselves perfectly at home, in any home, able to fit any decor from contemporary and cottage core to traditional and transitional.  

5 Tips for Selecting the Right Hardwood and LVP Flooring Styles  

Choosing the right hardwood or LVP comes down to your needs, aesthetic, and preference. If you love it, you love it. If you need a little guidance in your selection, though, try these helpful tips: 

1. Visualize the Stain Color

There are some hardwood and LVP stain colors that are on-trend for 2023, including pale pine, bleached oak, espresso, and mid-tone browns – and some that are not, such as yellow- and orange-tones. But beyond the shade of the moment, think about hues that complement and enhance your decor. For example, in a Modern Farmhouse, Cottage Core, Scandinavian, or Coastal style home opt for lighter stains and go with a natural, white wash, or gray mix. In a Contemporary, Minimalist, or Mid-Century your palette may be a lot darker: think espresso, dark walnut, or ebony.  

Dark floors can make a striking contrast with light walls in a modern space while lighter shades create a more airy and open feeling.  

2. Visualize the Plank Length and Width

Part of the versatility of hardwood and LVP is thanks to the plank length and width. You can use your floor to enhance the style of your home. For example, narrow planks have more lines or visual breaks, which works well in large rooms or with more traditional decors. In smaller rooms, however, they can create too much distraction, making the space appear crowded. Here, a wider plank opens the area. 

Length is also important; if you have wide, short planks, for example, it can make your floor look choppy. A longer plank elongates the room. More and more, we are seeing a mix-and-match approach: integrating planks of different lengths and widths ensures you will have a one-of-a-kind result that is ideal for your space. 

3. Visualize the Edge Style

The edge of the hardwood or LVP flooring impacts how it will look when it is put together. For example, a square edge blends seamlessly and minimizes visual interruptions. It’s great for a polished, upscale, or traditional look. A micro-edge makes the seams a bit more pronounced and works well with more relaxed eclectic, cottage core, or coastal styles, for example. For a casual, rustic, or Farmhouse feel, you can opt for a beveled edge, which has distinct grooves. If you want a lot of distinction between planks, micro-beveled and scraped edge options are worth considering.  

The edges can greatly enhance the look and feel of the planks and contribute to your overall aesthetic.  

4. Visualize the Grain

The lovely grain is a big part of what makes hardwood so versatile and beloved. LVP is manufactured to evoke the same natural appeal. Think of the grain as a pattern created by both the species of tree, its growth, and the method by which it is processed into lumber. No two grain patterns are exactly the same. They can look like swirls, wavy streaks, spirals, consistent lines, interlocked streaks, or be irregular.  

Do you want to highlight the grain or go for a more subtle look? Do you want relatively straight grain or more dramatic patterns?  

Typically you will find a more subtle grain in modern, minimalist, or even coastal style homes. A dramatic grain pattern will look perfectly at home with cottage core or other more rustic designs. 

5. Visualize with ACo

Long, narrow walnut planks in espresso stain with subtle grain and a square edge… Red oak with a light stain, pronounced grain, and a micro-beveled edge… Or what if you switched to a less dramatic beveled edge? The options are nearly endless! This is why it is so helpful to visualize your floor before making any decisions. 

With our Flooring Visualizer, you can experiment with different looks in a sample room or upload a photograph to see what various options will look like in your home. You can select from different products that feature a wide variety of stains, plank widths and lengths, edges, and grains and even look at options for area rugs that will add just the right finishing touch to your decor.  

Play around. Experiment. Explore. Find inspiration, and connect with our team of experts for guidance, suggestions, and ideas that put you one critical step closer to your vision of home.  

Love where you live. Start with ACo.