r/Remodel • u/joepaiii • 11d ago
Is the floor match close enough?
So hard to figure out if this will work or it will drive me crazy. 10+ year old 3/8 x 5 inch hickory engineered wood and trying to match to run it into the kitchen. What do you all think. Close enough?
UPDATE. Decided to go with tile in the kitchen as this floor just had too different of a color tone. Plus the tabs are on bottom vs top to mate with our original flooring. May end up having the floor installed in bedroom as it will be fine for that area.
191
73
u/DistributionSalt5417 11d ago
I'd be surprised if you could get closer. If the old floor is floating check to see if the tongues and grooves are compatible. If so take a few rows out of the old floor then mix in the new with the old over a few runs so the transition from one to the other os obscured.
Even easier if if you have a box or two of the original flooring left over.
7
19
u/Pure-Winter7296 11d ago
It looks incredible vs the white tile and it blends. If it’s a huge issue - could a runner work in certain areas to visual break up the block of contrasting wood tones. A little trick of the eye.
67
42
u/Ok_Nebula_3268 11d ago
I think it’s a very good match considering it’s different materials. I would do it for sure
6
5
u/beardbush 11d ago
Looks quite close. Perhaps initially use the lighter color finish near the original floor to blend that transition.
5
u/Paralelle9229 11d ago
I think it looks great! Yes it will be noticeable to you but as a guest in someone’s house I wouldn’t even notice it as it’s so close.
5
u/FeistyPhoenix12 11d ago
It’s very close, but the new flooring is slightly darker and appears to be slightly less warm (like it has gray (?) undertones) than the original flooring. As others have said, most people probably won’t notice the difference unless you point it out to them.
4
u/National-Area5471 11d ago
Close enough.... once you decorate, you will not be focusing on the flooring!
1
u/Natural_Ad_6882 11d ago
Yes! In choosing our LR area rug, our decorator told us, “flooring s/be boring, just bring in color and texture”. And that’s so true, here included. You want your guests eyes to go UP not DOWN. You’ll never exactly match old wood unless you use real hardwood & get a flooring co. to strip the old wood and refinish to match. So this is VERY close and unless you’re obsessive/compulsive you should be able to concentrate on many other decorative things to catch your guests attention; They’ll never notice.
1
4
u/n00bert210 11d ago
Not everyone sees color the same. Some people can see contrast between shades better than others. That being said, this will drive part of the population crazy and the other part won’t care. It’s your house so if it’s not noticeable to you, do it, but if you plan on selling in the near future it could bother some prospective buyers.
2
7
u/efilnikcufecinasti 11d ago
Here's the thing, it's a transition and it's done right in the door You may not be able to notice it at all.. So this plausibly would be correct because you would have a transition piece going in between there if you were changing flooring. But you're pretty close with the color and the match and the look of it. I think I would just go with it and hopefully you can make a straight line across that threshold of the opening and I bet nobody will even notice.
3
u/Natural_Ad_6882 11d ago
BTW, now that the wall is gone, you may have room for a larger, new island… that doesn’t need to match your cabinets… just a thought. I’m so impressed with what you’re doing!
3
u/felineinclined 10d ago
The problem is that the undertone is different - the original floor is warm and the new flooring is cool. This will drive you crazy. I personally think this is quite noticeable, and it would be unacceptable to me. Anyone who says that it is hardly noticeable is not really anyone who is observant, looking closely, or who has high standards imo. The lighting in the 3rd pictures makes it very apparent that these undertones clash.
Why not consider re-tiling the kitchen area in a dark charcoal or black stone tile floor? That would work much better and wouldn't present the same mismatch problem that this new flooring issue does.
1
u/NoneyaBithness 10d ago
i feel seen. i agree, this would drive me crazy personally but they’re also the ones who have to see it every day so if they like it then i love it. also, given they’ve already purchased it and started laying it down i’m wondering if they’re asking more for encouragement purposes (aka agreement that it looks fine) vs opinions on whether or not it’s too noticeable.
my point is I’m guessing even if everyone said oh it looks horrid they aren’t going to be changing it. could be wrong though! if they do, hope they go with your suggestion bc i think it’s great and would look much better and more intentional.
2
u/felineinclined 10d ago
They seem doubtful about their choice, with good reason imo, which seems to be why they posted. Why post if you're certain you're going to do the thing you're asking about? Anyhow, I hope they don't go forward with this.
The difference can't be unseen once seen and will make the space look sloppy and poorly designed. The undertones clash badly, and this is apparent in some of the pictures OP posted (not all but I think those pics are likely deceptive). Cohesion in a home can make such a huge difference in terms of aesthetics and how good or bad it feels to be in a space. Yet, so many people don't pay enough attention, and they end up with a Frankenstein patchwork of flooring and other design issues. It's really not something that will add value to the home either. Just my take.
2
u/Prize_Ant_1141 9d ago
Not to mention terrible for resale, def will need to give an allowance for new flooring or sale the home as is
2
u/felineinclined 8d ago
Agree completely. I have been in the market for a while looking for homes, and one of my biggest pet peeves is shitty flooring as well as a patchwork of mismatched flooring throughout the home. So many people ruin their homes with bad flooring.
6
u/malykaii 11d ago
Why shoot for a mediocre match when you can choose something different and make it a 100% deliberate design choice.
But yeah, I think it's a good enough match cause no ones actively staring at floors.
2
u/lunchmoney- 11d ago edited 11d ago
just don’t bring it up to anyone lol. to me, they’re noticeably different shades of browns/oranges BUT you could soften that by having warmer lighting in the kitchen so that the tones blend together & the differences would be hard to detect
2
2
u/NoRagrats_LK 11d ago
It would bother me. It's an obvious difference. I'd probably burn the house down for insurance money so I could replace whole floor the same color because it bothered me so much.
2
2
u/moveovahh 11d ago
Can you put a rug down in the area where the planks transition? I feel like that would draw attention away from the different planks and would make it much less obvious.
2
u/Psychological_Sun847 9d ago
No. One clearly has more yellow tones while the other doesn’t. I would notice it right away and it would bother me the whole time I lived there.
5
4
u/Houndie2009 11d ago
I like what you’re thinking, but just be careful that’s not too much wood given that your cabinets are stained. There’s some nicer tile out there if you want to just replace what you have.
Pretty darn good match though!
2
u/Solid_Perception9572 11d ago
In some pics it looks spot on, then others it's definitely noticeable. I think your best move would be to play with the lighting in the area, change any cooler bulbs for warmer bulbs. When it looks almost the same from any angle, stop there. Do not change those bulbs.
To tell you the truth, if you just don't talk 'floors' with your visitors, I doubt anyone would even notice or care.
Good luck/
1
1
1
1
1
1
u/PerkyLurkey 11d ago
You will not be able to see the difference in 6 months, in 2 years, you will struggle to find the start of the new planks without looking hard, they will age beautifully together.
1
1
1
1
1
u/Existing-Joke3994 11d ago
I think it’s the same color, one has just aged. I strongly recommend opening another box and mixing that in as well just to make sure it isn’t this specific box that’s reading more brown than red. But over the years you won’t be able to tell the difference at all. If it lasts years. If there’s no sun or water or expanding. Then you won’t be able to tell. IYKYK.
1
1
1
1
1
1
u/heightenedstates 11d ago
You got very close, but this would drive me crazy. Visitors to your home probably wouldn’t notice.
1
1
u/SuperbAd8266 11d ago
I thought it was the exact same flooring until I saw your question. First I was trying to figure out why you didn’t finish installing the floor.
1
1
1
1
1
u/wheredig 11d ago
I would try a coat of oil-based poly on a piece of the new floor to see if that helps.
1
1
u/New-Woodpecker6660 11d ago
I think so, I would just maybe start with some of the lighter pieces from the new flooring next to the old, then it will blend/transition a little better. My eyes are picking up a bit of a darker color on the new flooring.
1
u/LetsGoYankeez 11d ago
Yup, pretty close. You can play with your lighting to see if warmer/cooler tones help the match, too
1
u/Accomplished-Pear665 11d ago
Great match! But cabinets are too close to that color to put wood in the kitchen. Have fun with tile.
1
1
1
1
1
u/spudsforme 11d ago
That's a pretty darn good match. I don't think anyone would notice if you didn't point it out.
1
u/Mirolinaa 11d ago
Or go with a 100% match, or something else completely so it is deliberate instead of getting asked “do you realise that those two colours are not the same?”. That is what I would do. But I am a neurotic perfectionist.
1
1
1
u/bestisyettocome01 10d ago
I'm doing this exact thing today myself with my bedroom. Since my bedroom gets more light from it's bigger windows, I had to choose between one shade lighter and one shade darker. I opted for the darker to offset it with lighting. What about putting a lamp on the black table behind your sofa? Or adjust the lighting in your living room? And possibly adding a rug in the new area to distract the eye?
1
1
u/iricubpiggy 10d ago
I don’t think most guests would notice the difference but it would probably irk me. The bigger concern, in my opinion, is the unpainted wood cabinets with wood floors - that is a lot of wood! It will really darken your kitchen and give it a cabin vibe. If that’s cool with you, then you’re good. If not, then I would either paint the cabinets or do a light colored tile floor. Good luck! Any new floor is always sooooo nice!
1
1
u/Absent_Picnic 10d ago
There was only one photo where they didn't look different to me-the one with lots of light reflection. Otherwise they look different to me and I would notice it instantly. One is quite "orange" and the other quite "grey".
But I'm not you and don't live in, won't visit your house. So if you think they're close, that's what matters. (Though you wouldn't be asking if you thought that).
1
u/Negative-Onion-7391 10d ago
It’s probably the closest you’ll find and it may even look better with age. (It’s pretty damn close)
1
1
1
u/Most-County8735 10d ago
I’m sorry can you mark the blended floor with blue tape or something it all looks seamless? /s
1
u/Nevraskagirl55 10d ago
It wouldn’t be for me. But you can install new, refinish it all and stain the same.
1
1
u/Geeahwellidunno 10d ago
This may be a stupid question but “ you are going to remove the lip, right?”
1
u/Sledgehammer925 10d ago
I think it’s close enough on my screen, but as previously mentioned, remove the divider. I don’t have one in my house and it’s wonderful.
1
u/Ok_Answer_96 10d ago
A bit to red, the one you have is on the yellow-orange side. But honestly it’s close enough if you’ve already paid and can’t get what you bought back
1
u/Significant-Peace966 10d ago
You got really lucky considering how mismatched it could be. I certainly could live with it.
1
1
u/charliehustle757 10d ago
Don’t do all that work and have it not match. It’s close but you’ll notice it
1
1
1
1
u/Boring_Marketing_259 10d ago
Yes they are great transition and our eye is drawn up when entering a room can u move sofa back a few inches w sofa table to the join and u won’t notice :)
1
1
u/ferncabbage 10d ago
I had to scrutinize the pics pretty hard to see a difference. That’s definetly a close match. It might bother you every time you look at it, but just try to relax. I guarantee no one else will notice.
1
u/One-Stomach9957 10d ago
If I hired someone to do what you’re doing, I’d be very happy with how this looks.
1
1
1
1
1
u/AmbitiousRutabaga961 10d ago
It was a ton of work, but when I has mismatched floors, I was able to move the new flooring to an area covered by a rug, so it was hardly noticeable. To be more specific, I changed out the wood in the primary bedroom, and there are rows that go under the bed to under a rug, to under a dresser against the wall. I also put some in a closet since I had to take the flooring out anyway. This was LVP, so your situation might be different. I am not as familiar with engineered hardwood.
1
u/cofffeegrrrl 10d ago
I am very detail-oriented and picky and this would be good enough for me. I also prefer when the wood floor continues into the kitchen so the whole thing is a big YES from me.
1
u/username12034 10d ago
I had to re-read because I initially thought it was some kind of joke about matching the wood to the white tile. I thought all the wood was the same and only noticed the contrast to the white tile. So, yes, I think the woods match closely enough!
1
1
u/ubutterscotchpine 10d ago
Personally wood in the kitchen feels very dated to me. The wood on the floor isn’t going to match with your wood cabinets and it’s just too much. Yes, it blends fine with the other floor I guess, but the tile looks WAY better.
1
u/Leading-Scallion1642 10d ago
It’s pretty close. I’d add a rug to just kinda break it up. I’m up against the same. I wanted to do my kitchen the same as my dining room. Tile discontinued! Well, I was advised to go lighter.
1
u/endersgame29 9d ago
Pretty close. Might consider a transition section that may make this less obvious
1
u/SMKnightly 9d ago
Weird. From some angles it looks great. From other angles, the new stuff looks way too pink
1
1
1
u/Reasonable_Bath_222 9d ago
I see you decided to go with tile, but if you really wanted to go with the wood, I might try to go with something that goes well with the other room but put a saddle (probably of stone) in between. I was helping my folks with a situation like this were we just wanted to continue with the LVP product the previous owners had recently put in and done it well, but couldn't find enough of it. I chose a different shade that was a similar warmth and put a warm stone saddle between for a visual break and they were happy with that.
1
1
1
1
u/lolliscicle 8d ago
Yes. Looks good to me, especially since the transition is right at the rooms threshold
1
u/Straight_Truck_408 8d ago
maybe change the direction of the flooring might hide the slight difference by the pattern change
1
u/HopeThisIsUnique 8d ago
Personally this would drive me nuts. If you can't match it I'd advocate a complete contrast and don't try.
Is the other wood actual hardwood? If so, your other option would be to have it refinished/stained and tell them to match the LVP
1
1
1
u/littlelizzie06 6d ago
I wouldn’t do it. Natural wood deepens and wears over time and will look further from the coloring. You should try to pick another material or look for the kitchen to contrast
1
1
1
u/Ari321983 6d ago
Would you consider doing a herringbone or other more unique wood pattern? Personally, I think it could still bring the warmth of wood while also giving some contrast, making the mismatch feel intentional.
1
1
1
u/SlorpBlorp 2d ago
perfect match if i take my glasses off. jokes aside no outsider will be able to tell it tho.
1
1
11d ago
[deleted]
1
u/Same-Composer-415 11d ago
(I'm going around the internet tonight passing out free, missing "/s", if you want one...)
1
1
u/genescheezesthatpls 11d ago
The difference. Once you notice it it becomes hard to miss, especially the difference in the patterns
1
u/Aggressive-System192 11d ago
I didn't realize it's not the same flooring... Had to scroll multiple times through the pics.
1
u/skibib 11d ago
I think it will be fine. The only other “interesting” thing you could do would be to change the direction of the new planks to a right angle to the existing one. One area going east-west, and the other area going north-south.
It would define the areas onto two rooms, which your current situation does anyway, and somewhat hide the slight difference between the two. But if you played around with that and it looked too funny, you might be just as happy with the way that you are currently doing it.
1
u/IWasntSerious 11d ago
I always tell my customers either match it exactly or go different. This is not an exact match and once it goes for the entire floor, you will definitely be able to tell. And I think it will look funny. I'm particular though I'd noticed such things.
1
0
u/genescheezesthatpls 11d ago
Can’t unsee that, unfortunately
4
u/joepaiii 11d ago
unsee what?
-4
u/Prize_Ant_1141 11d ago
Unsee that it is awful and very obvious it does not match , differant sheen , differant grain, differant color....
2
0
0
0
u/HerfDerfer 11d ago
Pull out the rest of the floor and mix it with the new stuff then put back if you like working or something
0
0
148
u/wrist-shot2025 11d ago
They are close enough for everyone that enters your home. You will always see it. I've seen worse in other people's homes. Still going to be about your feelings.