Matching A Wood Floor Stain Color to Existing Wood and Trim Work

Dear Rob: I am having difficulty deciding on a color of wood flooring for my living room. My wood trim is poplar stained a fruitwood color with a vaulted ceiling and front wall which is also wood and stained a similar color. The front wall is mostly windows so there is a lot of light coming in the room. I tend to think everything should match but am afraid it might look like too much wood and be boring. Should I go lighter or darker than the rest of my wood in the room and possibly try restaining something to match my new wood floor? -Tami, Indiana

Dear Tami: That is a great question.  Take a deep breathe, there is no wrong decision here.  I am on the board of a local interior design school, so I talk to a lot of designers.  They tell me that whatever you like is what you should go with, but are are some tips:

• Resanding and staining trim is more problematic and more labor intensive than the floor.  So I recommend that you change the floor color, rather than the trim.
• Make sure to have your flooring contractor sand a spot on the floor, and puts actual stain samples on the floor in the space you are going to refinish, before you commit to the color.

I invite you to check out this great article on Matching Hardwood Floor Finishes to Existing Woodwork, which will help you decide on a stain color.