Yes, you can definitely use more than one type of hardwood flooring in your home—and it can actually look great when done right. Many homeowners want their floors to stand out, and mixing wood types, colors, or patterns can help make each room feel unique while still keeping the overall style of the home connected.
But it takes careful planning. If you’re thinking about it, getting help from a trusted Portland ME hardwood floor installation team can make all the difference.
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Why Mix Hardwood Flooring?
There are a few good reasons why people choose to use more than one hardwood material in their home:
- Different rooms, different vibes – You might want a light, airy feel in the kitchen and a darker, cozier look in the living room.
- Budget control – Some wood species are more expensive than others. Mixing them can help you stay on budget.
- Design interest – Using a variety of wood tones or patterns adds personality and breaks up the space in an eye-catching way.
Tips for Mixing Hardwood Floors the Right Way
If you’re thinking about using more than one hardwood floor material in your home, it’s important to do it the right way. Mixing hardwood can look beautiful and creative—but only if the design feels well-planned. When it’s done without a clear plan, it can feel messy or mismatched.
Here are some detailed tips to help you make your flooring choices look great together and keep your home feeling smooth and stylish from room to room:
1. Keep the Undertones Similar
One of the most important parts of mixing different types of wood is making sure the undertones work together. Even if two woods look very different in color, they can still match well if their undertones are similar.
- Warm undertones include hints of yellow, red, or orange. Woods like cherry, hickory, and some types of oak often have warm tones.
- Cool undertones usually have hints of gray or blue. Ash, gray-stained maple, and whitewashed woods often fall into this group.
- Neutral undertones are in between, often found in walnut or lightly stained oak.
Try not to mix warm and cool woods side-by-side unless you’re going for a bold contrast and are working with a designer. When you keep undertones in the same family, your home will feel more pulled together and balanced.
2. Use Transitions Between Rooms
When changing from one wood floor to another, it helps to create a visual “break” so it doesn’t look like a mistake. That’s where transitions come in.
- Transition strips are small wooden or metal pieces that separate two different flooring types. These are especially helpful between rooms or open spaces.
- Natural breaks like doorways or archways are perfect places to switch up your floor type without it feeling jarring.
- You can even use a border or special inlay pattern to signal a change in material. This adds an artistic touch and helps the flooring look more intentional.
Using transitions makes it clear that the different flooring materials were a choice—not an accident.
3. Match the Plank Widths and Styles
Another detail that makes a big difference is the size and shape of the wood planks. If one room has narrow, traditional planks and the next has super-wide modern boards, the difference can feel too sharp.
To keep your flooring mix from looking out of place:
- Try to use similar plank widths and thicknesses across your different wood types.
- Match the finish style—for example, all matte or all glossy. This creates harmony even when the wood species or stains differ.
- Stick with the same installation pattern, such as straight planks, herringbone, or diagonal. Changing styles from room to room can feel chaotic if it’s not carefully planned.
Matching these small details can help your different wood types work together visually—even if the colors vary.
4. Think About the Flow of the House
When you walk from room to room, the flooring should feel like it belongs together. Even if you’re changing materials, the whole house should still feel like one connected space.
Here’s how to make sure the flow feels right:
- Plan ahead. Look at your floor plan and decide which rooms will have different woods, and why. Don’t just mix floors at random.
- Use the same type of wood in open spaces like kitchens and living rooms to avoid choppy transitions.
- Use different wood types in private or closed-off spaces like bedrooms, offices, or hallways where changes are less noticeable.
- If you’re switching floors on different levels (like upstairs vs. downstairs), it’s totally fine to use different wood types there—it can actually help define the spaces better.
Working with a team that specializes in Portland ME hardwood floor installation can help you plan the flow and choose the right places to mix things up. Professionals will know how to handle corners, transitions, and tricky layouts to keep your home feeling smooth and natural.
Bonus Tip: Stay Consistent with Trim and Molding
Even if your floors change, keeping things like baseboards, door trim, and moldings the same throughout the house helps pull everything together. These details are like the “frame” of your floor design, and they give your space a finished, polished look no matter how many wood types you use.
Popular Hardwood Combos to Try
Here are a few combinations homeowners love:
- Oak and walnut – Oak is classic and light, while walnut adds rich contrast.
- Maple and cherry – Maple offers smooth, clean lines, while cherry has deep red tones that create a warm, bold finish.
- Stained vs. natural – You can use the same type of wood, but stain it differently in each space to give the rooms their own look.
When to Ask the Pros
Mixing hardwood floors takes skill and experience. That’s why it’s a good idea to work with a local expert. At D&T Hardwood Floors professionals will guide you through selecting the right materials, matching tones, and installing the floors the right way so your home looks stylish and feels connected.
Final Thoughts
Yes, you can use more than one hardwood floor material in your home, and when done right, it can add beauty, personality, and value to your space. Just remember to plan ahead, keep things consistent, and work with professionals who know what they’re doing.
If you’re thinking about installing hardwood floors in Portland, don’t go it alone. Reach out to a skilled D&T Hardwood Floors that can help you mix and match like a pro.
