While warm-toned, specifically yellow-toned, hardwood flooring options like maple, pine, and oak were extremely popular in the 90s and early 2000s, recent trends have given way to much cooler flooring options. Dark walnut and whitewashed natural wood have become much more popular options in the 2010s and 2020s. However, homeowners who are stuck with yellow floors should not give up on them. The best thing about hardwood is that it can always be redone, so here are some of the best ways to modernize your yellow wood floors.
Resand Your Floors
Oftentimes, your yellow hardwood floors are not as yellow as they once were. Certain types of polyurethane, the sealant that most hardwood installers use on flooring, tend to yellow over time. If your floors have not been resanded and given a fresh coat of polyurethane in the last decade, there is a high likelihood that the existing poly has yellowed. This yellowed topcoat leaves the wood underneath looking much more yellow than it did when it was first sealed. If you like a hint of yellow, try resanding and applying a fresh coat of polyurethane for a much more modern look.
Restain Or Add A Paint Wash
If you want to remove the yellow tone from your floors completely, just resanding and adding polyurethane is not enough. The good thing about yellow wood is that it can be stained in whatever color you need, including deep dark colors. If you’re looking for a lighter, more Scandinavian look, you need to add a paint wash. A paint wash is a clear coat of stain, with a bit of paint added to mute the natural tone of the wood. To mute the natural yellowness, most people add a small bit of white paint or an even smaller bit of violet paint. The violet paint is the opposite of yellow on the color wheel, so it cancels out the yellow tone. Just be careful when adding a paint wash, as you do not want your floors to look painted, only slightly toned.
Embrace The Natural Yellowness
When modernizing your yellow floors, sometimes you just don’t have the budget for a complete refresh. In this case, it’s important to embrace the yellow tone of your flooring and connect it to an era that will look stylish and modern. For design inspiration, you’ll want to look at mid-century modern homes, specifically homes in California and the Los Angeles area. These homes effortlessly make yellow wood look chic and current. Try pairing yellow wood with bright natural colors that complement it, like sage green, terracotta orange, and camel brown. Another great strategy for modernizing yellow-wood floors is to use contrasting colors like navy blue, teal, white, and even black. These colors will provide a sharp contrast that will make the flooring look intentional, rather than a leftover from the previous owners. These small changes that you can make with some art, throw blankets, or a paint can, will go a long way in modernizing yellow hardwood floors.
If you need help restaining and modernizing your hardwood floors, you need to contact Troendle Hardwood Company. With over a century of experience, Troendle is the name to trust with the sustainable refinishing of your hardwood floors. Call us at (850) 478-5328 to get started on new hardwood, hardwood refinishing, hardwood stair installation, and so much more.
