Which wood floor should I choose for my dining room?

As a space designed for eating and entertaining, the dining room is the busiest area in any home. It's therefore important to choose a wood floor that will stand the test of time whilst helping to create a warm and cosy atmosphere. Two types of wood floor strike the perfect balance between aesthetics and durability: solid wood and engineered wood strips. In this section, we outline the characteristics of each material and the current wood floor trends so that you can make a well-informed choice for your dining room.

Types of wood floors for dining rooms

Similar to the other rooms in the home, there are three types of wood floor that can be installed in a dining room:

  • Solid wood floors
  • Engineered wood floors
  • Laminate floors

Want to install a wood floor in your bathroom? Check out our advice on choosing the right one.

Solid wood floors

Solid wood floors are the crème de la crème of flooring. Each strip is a chunk of high-quality solid wood, making this the most robust type of wood floor. The thick strips can be sanded multiple times, helping extend the floor’s lifespan to up to 100 years. A great option for high-traffic spaces such as dining rooms, solid wood floors stand up well to everyday wear and tear caused by dining and entertaining. Whilst they do require an initial investment, they are the best long-term flooring solution.

Engineered wood floors

In contrast to solid wood floors, engineered wood floors are made from several different layers. Only the visible top layer is made from solid wood. Though this type of floor is less robust, it is also less expensive and the second-best choice in terms of durability. Whilst their thin surface layer means engineered wood floors cannot be sanded as many times as their solid wood counterparts, they should still last a good 50 years.

Laminate floors

Whilst laminate floors are undoubtedly budget friendly, we do not advise installing them in dining rooms. It’s important to pick a durable floor for such a high-traffic area and laminate floor may need to be replaced several times.

Contemporary dining room flooring options

Warmer and cosier than tiles, wood floors come in a range of hues, finishes and configurations to suit every décor taste.

‘Raw’-look wood floors

Raw wood floors are all the rage these days. Not only do they let the wood take centre stage, but they also bring a more contemporary feel to the dining room. Raw wood floors are also very versatile and can be easily incorporated into many different homes. They often come in wide strips, which enhances their modern feel.

Bleached wood floors

Bleached wood floors are a great option for darker dining rooms that lack natural light. They help to brighten up the space and are a versatile choice; complementing a wide range of different wall colours. Once you’ve settled on a wall finish, all that’s left is to choose the colour of your floors.

Antique wood floors

Antique-patterned floors have made a comeback in recent years. Paired with designer furniture, these wood floors will bring contemporary charm to your dining room.

Dark wood floors

Dark wood floors can help create an elegant and refined feel in your dining room. They work well in more lavish houses or apartments.

If you’re trying to decide on a wood floor for your dining room, our suppliers’ stores are a great place to start. Seeing the strips in person will enable you to better visualize how your dining room could look.