5 hardwood design trends for Keller homeowners

Hardwood may be one of the oldest building materials known to man, yet architects, designers and homeowners are always finding fresh ways to use it in the modern home. What's the appeal? Flexibility and variety, for starters.

For Keller homeowners looking for modern hardwood options; here's what's trending.

Wide-plank flooring
Perhaps no recent trend has been more influential than the use of wide-plank hardwood flooring. Traditional plank widths, ranging from 2 1/4 to 3 1/2 inches, are still popular. But today's homeowners often ask for widths between 5 and 7 inches, and there is even demand for up to 10 or 12 inches. Wider floorboards usually make your space look more modern and larger. With less seams, these floors can be treated like a canvas: ebonized oak or walnut for a sleek, dark look; light woods like ash or maple for a chic, urban vibe; weathered-gray tones for a slightly rustic affect - many possibilities are available.

Wood ceilings
It used to be that hardwood planks primarily went on floors or walls, but today they're appearing on residential ceilings too. Simple beadboard, painted white or with a light natural stain, looks crisp and airy overhead, adding visual appeal while remaining modest and unassuming. For a more assertive vibe, one might try  tongue-and-groove walnut or hickory, characterful woods that give a degree of enrichment. For that reason, they're best reserved for large, high-ceiling rooms that aren't easily overwhelmed. In smaller, lower spaces, a ceiling with too much personality can feel oppressive.

Mix and match
Architects and designers, who once avoided using different varieties of hardwood in a single residential space, now mix and match them with newfound enthusiasm. Clearly contrasting wood tones - blond maple and black walnut, for example - create a striking effect that can work well in both traditional and contemporary settings. This is particularly true in kitchens, where a favorite configuration features upper cabinetry in a light-color wood such as birch, and lower cabinetry in a dark-color wood like cherry. The result is a space that has strong visual interest, and is light and airy, yet solidly grounded.

Gray stains and finishes
Gray is a classic "neutral" that never truly goes out of fashion. It's currently one of the most popular colors, ranging from pale smoke to deep charcoal, showing up in hardwood flooring, paneling and cabinetry. Either light or dark, gray stains bring out any wood's natural texture and grain. Grays are timeless and versatile - quiet and soothing colors that recede into the background without losing intrigue.

Distressed hardwoods
Keller homeowners drawn to the popular look of weather-beaten rustic and elegantly timeworn are turning to distressed hardwoods - new product to which scrapes, nail holes, notches, saw marks and other signs of wear and tear have been carefully applied, often by hand. Manufacturers are able to reproduce convincing facsimiles of anything from the burnished walnut floorboards of an 18th century salon to the rugged oak-plank siding of a 19th century Pennsylvania barn. It's a distinctive look that offers a wide range of aesthetics.

Whether it's selling your home or finding a new one, we have designed this site so that you can quickly and easily locate the information you are looking for. The Grove Team's client-centered approach results in the best possible outcome for you. Please contact us now to begin the process of achieving your dreams in home