Cherry Hardwood Floors
Domestic cherry hardwood floors come from the hardy American cherry tree, grown mainly in North America. It is known for its unique natural color and distinctive knots and variations. If you’re looking for a floor that will add character and warmth to any room, cherry hardwood may be a perfect choice.
Pros and Cons of Cherry Hardwood Floors
Like any other type of flooring on the market, cherry hardwood floors have their own pros and cons to consider.
Pro: Cherry hardwood features a deep, rich color palette sure to liven up any room. The variations in color call attention to the intricate grains and patterns of the wood. Because of its rich undertones, cherry wood is easy to pair with other wood furnishings in the room.
Con: American Cherry wood is softer than other woods and is more susceptible to dents and scratches. And because of its unique dark coloring, cherry wood can have the tendency to show any dirt or dust collected on the floors. A quick sweep or vacuuming is sure to keep it free of any dirt and debris. Cherry also does not stain well and tends to have blotchy spots if staining is attempted. It is best to finish cherry floors with only a polyurethane to protect their natural beautiful color.
Cherry hardwood floors also have the tendency to quickly darken. This means the wood will not look the same as it did on the day of installation a year, or even six months, down the road. This is something to keep in mind when planning the décor of your room.
Why does cherry flooring darken?
Cherry hardwood darkens because of oxidation, or exposure to air. Combined with repeated exposure to UV light, a chemical change occurs in the wood which affects its color. Being exposed to a substantial amount of natural light will accelerate the aging and darkening process of the wood.
Freshly exposed cherry wood starts out with a light golden/pink tone. However, it will darken over time to a rich, reddish-brown color as it is exposed to light. This darkening process of the wood is most apparent in the first six months to a year after installation.
How should I decorate cherry hardwood floors?
Decorating around a red-tinted floor can be challenging; however, you needn’t feel intimidated. The shade of your hardwood flooring should help drive your decor decisions. Finding the right wall paint, rugs, curtains, and furniture will complement, rather than take away from the rich beautiful tones of your cherry hardwood floors.
The darker your flooring, the lighter your walls should be. Shades of light cream or white, as well as pastels or muted shades of blue and green, will contrast well with the dark reds and browns of your floors.
You can go for the modern look by choosing furniture with chrome or black legs, clean lines, and glass top tables that will contrast well with the warm wood of the floors. Sleek or textured black leather furniture goes well with the color of the wood and will balance the room when paired with light cream or pastel-colored walls and decor.
