Light Floors in Apartment: Pros and Cons

Are you unsure whether to choose light floors in your apartment? Check out the pros and cons of light flooring and what experts recommend.

Advantages of Light Floors

It's Beautiful

Airily Scandinavian interiors wouldn't look as effective without light floors. However, you can also find a beautiful shade for any other style.

Looks Great in Small Spaces

Light floors make an interior lighter and visually enlarge small spaces.

Adds Light to the Room

Light surfaces reflect natural light well, so even on a cloudy day, the room will be bright.

Dust and Scratches Are Less Noticeable on Light Floors

Compared to dark floors, light ones look much cleaner, even if that's not entirely true.

Disadvantages of Light Floors

The Interior May Look Cold

If you pick the wrong shade or make the floor absolutely white, the interior risks becoming cold and uncomfortable.

Floors Must Be Protected from Direct Sunlight

On sunny days, uniform white flooring can become too bright, and some wood stain colors may yellow due to sun exposure: special protective lacquer might be needed.

Expert Opinions

Ekaterina Savkina — Expert, Interior Designer and Decorator. Creates Comfortable Spaces in SlowLife Style for A Peaceful and Happy Life

Light or dark floors — it's a matter of artistic vision and client preferences. In my practice, I've seen both options. Dark floors often appear in classical or pseudo-classical interiors. Light ones — in Scandinavian and minimalist interiors: they look modern and give a sense of space and lightness.

There are no downsides to light floors if you look at them from a color perspective. The other issue is the quality of materials. I prefer natural ones: solid wood, engineered or parquet boards.

By the way, the most common question clients ask is: “Will dirt be visible on light floors?” I always answer that if you don’t clean, it will be. Not only on light ones.

Design: Ekaterina Savkina

Anna Shalaeva — Designer. Works with Private and Public Interiors

I prefer to use natural wood tones: solid or engineered boards and handmade parquet. 'Live' wood can’t be replaced — it makes the interior cozier and more intimate.

Usually, clients want a light children’s room and support pastel tones with light floors. Here, a bleached wooden floor or cork flooring would be suitable. The latter is eco-friendly and safe, although not the most durable. Light wood is also appropriate in a living room with modern classic or minimalist style. By the way, light floors can be paired with contrast, almost black furniture.

Dust and scratches are less noticeable on light flooring. But there are downsides too. For example, if something dyeing like coffee or paint is accidentally spilled on the floor, it will be immediately noticeable. Also, white floors give an interior a cold and unnatural sterile look.

Design: Anna Shalaeva

Margarita Rasskazova — Designer and Architect. Founder of Margarita Rasskazova's Studio

Certainly, I'm in favor of light floors. It just needs to be the right color that suits you. Dark flooring isn't worse; it simply gives a different effect. A room with light floors and walls will look lighter and more spacious.

If you choose a light wooden floor, use solid or parquet boards: natural materials in any color look good. If considering white tiles, choose a variant with inclusions or veining — it's more practical. For example, one with a white marble pattern.

Design: Margarita Rasskazova