Finding hues you love for your home that harmonize with existing tones seems simple but can feel overwhelming. Especially if you’re lucky enough to have wood floors. Matching new paint colors with the undertones in wood flooring can be tricky if not totally elusive. Don’t worry though – we’ve got you covered! We’re sharing four designer-curated palettes of complementary hues to get your walls in tune with your floors.
Light Toned Floors
The timeless and classic appeal of light toned wood floors is still trending. They pair well with a wide range of hues, especially fresh, clean neutrals that provide a simple backdrop. Soft shades of white like Pure White and Ice Cube create a crisp and airy look, while a light green like Sea Salt is a great choice for a subtle pop of color. The soft, slate gray undertones in North Star’s light blue hue elevate your space with a bit of depth and simple sophistication. Lean into darker shades like Peppercorn and Iron Ore to infuse moodiness and a stark, dramatic contrast to the flooring.
Naval SW 6244, Cornwall Slate SW 9131, Thunderous SW 6201
Gray Toned Floors
Similar to lighter toned woods, gray toned wood floors provide a versatile, neutral foundation for your space. To evoke a breezy, calming atmosphere, consider the restful shade of a soft pastel blue like Tradewind, whose light tone adds a touch of color without overwhelming the space. The cool blue-gray personality of a lofty white like Olympus White has a similar calming effect. Muted, earthy hues like Cornwall Slate and Thunderous play well with the natural undertones often found in gray floors and make smart choices for a cozy, nature-inspired environment. If it’s drama and mood you’re after, dive into the bold contrast of Naval’s deep, dark blue.
Tavern Taupe SW 7508, Evergreen Fog SW 9130, Silvermist SW 7621
Dark Toned Floors
The deep, rich character of dark toned wood floors carries a wide range of looks. Because they can have cool or warm undertones, however, it’s important to complement and enhance them with the right tones on the wall. A bright neutral backdrop of Greek Villa or Natural Linen allows the natural beauty of the wood to stand out and creates an elegant contrast that can make a space feel larger. A tranquil hue like Sivermist breathes a calming, spa-like ambiance into a space, and highlights the cool undertones in darker wood floors. Embrace the rich warmth in the floor tones with a comforting shade like Tavern Taupe, perfect for cozy gathering spaces like a living room or dining room.
Colonnade Gray SW 7641, Magnetic Gray SW 7058, Lullaby SW 9136
Red Toned Floors
Keep these floors feeling current by balancing the red wood tones with muted, cooler colors. A natural, stony gray like Colonnade Gray brings a stately warmth and helps to bring out the natural grain of the flooring, while a soft hue like Lullaby adds a hint of color and a little contrast. Versatile, cool whites like Zurich White and Snowbound brighten the space and bring out the rich, warm tone of the wood. Create an inviting atmosphere with a light neutral like Simplify Beige, whose tinges of red undertones keep this hue in harmony with the floors.
Ready to play matchmaker for your own walls and floors? Start with samples. You can order color chips online for FREE (Light palette, Gray palette, Dark palette, Red palette), and you can also purchase peel & stick samples to try on your color in seconds with no mess or dry time. For personalized, one-on-one guidance, book a FREE Virtual Color Consultation with one of our color experts to make your inspiration a reality.
Drop a comment below to let us know what type of flooring you’re working with and head over to #SWColorLove to share your project inspiration pics!
Thanks for making my design choices easier!
Hi Michelle, so happy we can give you some inspiration!
I have a 50s house with honey oak floors. I know it’s not fashionable, but I’d love palette suggestions. Thank you!
Wood has a color to it, especially hardwood flooring. Check out some suggestions below for paint colors that will complement your particular flooring.
If your hardwood floors read red look at these colors:
SW 6204 Sea Salt
SW 6161 Nonchalant White
SW 6147 Panda White
If your hardwood floors read brown look at these colors:
SW 9632 Serenely
SW 6000 Snowfall
SW 6189 Opaline
If your hardwood floor read golden yellow/orange look at these colors:
SW 9636 Windchill
SW 9180 Aged White
SW 9627 Pacific Fog
It is always best to look at color in your lighting. Order some free sample chips from our website to determine which color will work best for you.
I have medium oak floors in the living room – I used Sea Salt for the walls and love it!
Sea Salt is a classic! So glad to hear that you’re loving it for your own space!
what about oak. I have medium oak floors. sort of a yellow undertone. But I don’t like yellow.
Wood has a color to it, especially hardwood flooring. Check out some suggestions below for paint colors that will complement your particular flooring.
If your hardwood floors read red look at these colors:
SW 6204 Sea Salt
SW 6161 Nonchalant White
SW 6147 Panda White
If your hardwood floors read brown look at these colors:
SW 9632 Serenely
SW 6000 Snowfall
SW 6189 Opaline
If your hardwood floor read golden yellow/orange look at these colors:
SW 9636 Windchill
SW 9180 Aged White
SW 9627 Pacific Fog
It is always best to look at color in your lighting. Order some free sample chips from our website to determine which color will work best for you.
What about those of us with older oak flooring with golden tones? That’s what I see the most of in this area.
Wood has a color to it, especially hardwood flooring. Check out some suggestions below for paint colors that will complement your particular flooring.
If your hardwood floors read red look at these colors:
SW 6204 Sea Salt
SW 6161 Nonchalant White
SW 6147 Panda White
If your hardwood floors read brown look at these colors:
SW 9632 Serenely
SW 6000 Snowfall
SW 6189 Opaline
If your hardwood floor read golden yellow/orange look at these colors:
SW 9636 Windchill
SW 9180 Aged White
SW 9627 Pacific Fog
It is always best to look at color in your lighting. Order some free sample chips from our website to determine which color will work best for you.
I have tile floors in my kitchen that are more of a taupe color. My countertops are granite with shades of gray, taupe, beige, and a hint of white. My cabinets are maple. I’m struggling picking out colors. I’d like a white shade (had no idea there are SO many shades of white) and another color for a contrasting wall. Would you have any ideas of a color palette that would be appropriate? Thank you!
Hi Pam! Are you painting your cabinets as well or just the walls? Also, is there anyway you can send us a photo on one of our social media channels which would show your flooring, cabinets and countertop? Thanks again.
I see you’ve addressed the honey oak color recommendations in the comments above, but will you be adding a graphic with the colors (like you did with each of the other wood colors) to the blog post?
Thanks for the big help in selecting a color to go with my new gray wood floors!!
Hi! I have these orange tone wood floors seen in older apartments. I have a color scheme idea to do grey, black, and white with accents of gold and teal as decor. As far as painting goes, I don’t want to leave my walls white. I plan to paint the whole place. I have an open floor plan from kitchen to living room, three bedrooms and two bathrooms. I want the living room/kitchen to be a moody elegant feel with lights to brighten it. I want the bedroom and bathrooms to be light. What shade of grey or black (one dark and one light) would pair well with the orange-looking wood floors?
For a job of this scope and detail, you would benefit best from a one-on-one virtual consult with one of our designers. You can schedule a “real-time” appointment with a designer when you sign up. This virtual consult will allow the designer to see your space and lighting which would be the best option for your project. Click the following link to get started. https://homeowner.sherwin-williams.com/colorconsult/
We’re having to re-floor our basement (because of a flood). Not much light down there so we’re putting in a light flooring called Coastal Oak by Natural Living Flooring (I dropped a link to an online image below).
I plan on white trim and white drapes on the large sliders leading to the covered patio (again, not much light – that’s the only window in the space). Can you recommend some wall colors please? Thanks so much.
https://www.bing.com/images/search?view=detailV2&ccid=XG1bQ892&id=DCD890FCFFCBCE3F46F34F9F7D484388A71A55E0&thid=OIP.XG1bQ892cwdiPEtRUuCi8AHaHa&mediaurl=https%3a%2f%2fwww.naturallyagedflooring.com%2fimages%2fproducts%2f1582844354.jpg&cdnurl=https%3a%2f%2fth.bing.com%2fth%2fid%2fR.5c6d5b43cf767307623c4b5152e0a2f0%3frik%3d4FUap4hDSH2fTw%26pid%3dImgRaw%26r%3d0&exph=2500&expw=2500&q=natural+living+flooring%2c+coastal+oak&simid=608045474203376186&FORM=IRPRST&ck=33622787B00048E5B7B9B89998646C9D&selectedIndex=0&idpp=overlayview&ajaxhist=0&ajaxserp=0
Hi Diane! Consider using one of the light Greiges (grey+beige) below for your basement. Any of these options would complement your new floor beautifully. Look at:
Skyline Steel SW 1015
Shoji White SW 7042
Repose Gray SW 7015
It is always best to look at color in your lighting. Order some free sample chips from our website to determine which color will work best for you.
I just painted my walls SW Silverpointe. Any flooring suggestions? Particularly laminate brands sold by SW? Thanks!
Silverpointe SW 7653 is a subtle gray with a blue/green undertone. Consider a vinyl plank in a light silver or gray color. Make sure you get samples from the SW flooring store near you – it is imperative to look at the floor in your lighting. Thanks again.
I would love recommendations for concrete floors. We are building a barndominium and plan on keeping the floors the natural concrete color that they are. Not stained concrete, just good old plain concrete. So far the laundry is Dover White and bathroom is Pure white. Getting ready to paint the remainder of the house and my husband really wants Dover throughout but I am open to ideas for accents etc…
Thank you!
For a project like this, you would be best served with a Virtual Consult. This is a free one-on-one half hour consult which you can do through Zoom or phone or email – whichever works best for you. You can sign up for that consult through this link: https://www.sherwin-williams.com/en-us/virtual-color-consultation#book-now
I am struggling to fine a warm paint color for my open concept kitchen/living room. As my kitchen cabinets are canvas in color and my floors are a darker grey, and suggestions?
For a project like this, you would be best served with a Virtual Consult. This is a free one-on-one half hour consult which you can do through Zoom or phone or email – whichever works best for you. You can sign up for that consult through this link: https://www.sherwin-williams.com/en-us/virtual-color-consultation#book-now