The Best Paint Colors to Match Wood Floors

When deciding on a color scheme for a room, there are many things to consider, but one of the most important is how well the paint colors complement the room’s flooring. If your room has wood flooring, one of the most popular and timeless options, you should use its hue to inform the wall colors and result in a cohesive scheme.

However, this is often easier than it seems, and you may be wondering where to start mastering your color choices and paint ideas. To guide you in the right direction, we spoke to several interior designers who shared their expertise on the best paint colors to go with wood floors, which we explore here.

Whether your wooden floor is light or dark; in warm or cool tones, the ideas below will give you tips to ensure your room’s color ideas are well balanced.

The Best Paint Colors to Match Wood Floors

White kitchen, wood and pastel green

(Image credit: Naked Kitchens)

There are many aspects to consider when choosing the right paint colors to best complement your wood flooring. From the way light interacts with wood to its tones, interior designer Erica McLain, founder of McLain by Design Interiors, shares some of the most important elements to consider below:

“When choosing paint colors for environments with wooden floors, it is essential to take into consideration how natural light interacts with the tones of the wood throughout the day and how the environment will be used”, begins Erica. “Wood floors can range from warm honey tones to cool grays, and selecting the right paint color can enhance or counterbalance these natural tones.”

‘In addition to aesthetics, I always consider the principles of neuroaesthetics when selecting colors, as they can significantly impact how we feel in a space. The right tones have the power to elevate mood, reduce stress, and even improve cognitive function. For example, blues and greens tend to have a calming effect and promote concentration, making them ideal for a home office or peaceful retreat. Warm, neutral tones can evoke a feeling of comfort and security, perfect for living areas where connection and relaxation are key.

“Ultimately, the goal is to select colors that not only enhance the natural beauty of the wood, but also create an environment that supports how you want to feel and function in the space.” Each environment has a unique story and color is one of the most important tools we can use to tell it”, says Erica.

Bright neutrals for open spaces

(Image credit: Future PLC)

If wood floors run seamlessly throughout your home and your home’s layout has an ‘open’ feel, meaning each room is not closed off, choosing a timeless neutral paint can often be a great way to complement the wood tones while creating a cohesive feel.

“If the house is very open, I will typically choose a lighter wall to run through with some variation from room to room,” says interior designer Gray Walker of Gray Walker Interiors.

Although neutrals with strong tones can be considered too warm or too cold, balanced off-whites are a good option in these spaces. “A favorite neutral that isn’t too gray or too cream is Seapearl by Benjamin Moore,” adds Gray. “It’s a fresh, modern white that pairs well with many wood stains.”

This off-white paint doesn’t feel harsh thanks to its subtle gray tones, making it a great all-around solution for open spaces.

Earth tones to complement the warm wood

(Image credit: Studio McGee)

If your wood flooring has a warm tone, earthy colors can be a great way to bring the color scheme together, especially if you want to go for a cozier look.

“If the floor has warmer golden tones, I often gravitate towards earthy tones like muted tones, muted greens or even rich terracottas,” he explains. Erica McLain. ‘These colors ground the room while complementing the warmth of the wood, creating a cozy and harmonious environment.’

The same approach can also be applied to cool-toned wood tones, where cooler tones like blue or even cooler whites complement the floor: ‘Conversely, cooler-toned wood pairs beautifully with serene blues, crisp whites or light grays, evoking a sense of calm and sophistication,” adds Erica.

Mix and match warm and cool tones

(Image credit: Estúdio Duggan)

Instead of pairing warm paint colors with warm wood and cooler colors with cool-toned wood, taking a mix-and-match approach can also work, creating a more unexpected look.

“I like to play with the interplay between the cool and warm tones of wood, using paint colors to create a striking contrast or harmony,” explains Orange County designer Olga Doykhen. ‘For example, a warm beige can complement a rich walnut floor, while a soft, cool gray can enhance a lighter honey-toned floor. This juxtaposition adds depth and personality to the space.

Use green for a calming scheme

(Image credit: Benjamin Moore)

If you’re looking for a fail-safe color to pair with wood flooring and want to venture away from neutral tones like white or beige, consider decorating with green.

“Wood flooring tends to bring a lot of warmth to a space, so we love incorporating cooler-toned colors that create a contrast to that warmth and create balance in the design,” says Miranda Cullen, principal designer and founder of Inside Stories.

“Two of our favorites are earthy greens, like olive and sage,” adds Miranda. ‘The green tones highlight the organic nature of the wood, creating a calm and natural atmosphere in the room. They complement light and dark wood, harmoniously combining the elements of the room, creating that warm and fresh contrast.

There are lots of green paints to choose from depending on how light or dark you want to go, but shades like Farrow & Ball’s Vert De Terre are good and versatile.

Vert De Terre, Farrow & Ball

A light green paint with a blue undertone, this shade will provide just enough coolness for wooden floors.

Choose rich, warm tones with light wood

(Image credit: Farrow & Ball)

If your wood flooring is a light tone, richer colors can be a great way to add depth to the room and ensure the color scheme doesn’t look too bright and pale.

‘What we pay most attention to is the tone of the wood’, explains Diane Rath, founder and lead designer of The Rath Project. “Lighter blonde oaks look great with plums, reds, raspberries and tangerine.”

‘Darker, warmer woods – pine, cherry and walnut – those with darker, deeper tones, pair well with cooler colors like green and blue,’ adds Diane. ‘When you’re not sure which colors will complement your floors, just look back to your color theory lessons. Complementary shades are those that are opposite each other on the color wheel.

There are many things to consider when deciding on the best paint color to match your wood flooring, from your desired warmth levels to the amount of contrast you want to create. Before choosing a paint color, test it first to see how the color looks at different times of the day as the natural light changes.