Which direction should I run hardwood for entry?

7 years ago

We bought a fixer upper and new hardwoods will be going into kitchen and entry tomorrow. Kitchen floors will run same direction as existing hardwoods, since we knocked down a wall and those rooms now flow into each other. My anxiety is over entry (In pic with green tiled area; front door is to right). My husband says wood should always run in front of you as you're entering home, but I think keeping all the rooms going the same direction would make it look bigger and less choppy. Post-demo pic shows how all three floors will relate. Help!

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Comments (5)

PRO
Designs by Donna
7 years ago
Yes you should keep the hard woods all going the same direction. The entry is a small area and you will not notice it that much. It might be different if you did not already have a room done, I would leave it and keep that direction going.
acm
7 years ago
plus, if you run the other way, you get a bit of a bowling lane effect. match what you have.
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Lots of ideas....couldn't resist adding my two cents. i copied your photos and did a little cut and paste- it's messy, but hopefully gets the main idea across. i'd put your sofa in front of the large book case, chair by the fireplace, tv on the stand on the wall opposite the fireplace - so you can either look at the fire or the tv. Someone suggested using frames of one color for your photos - an inexpensive way to do that would be to spray paint them all a dark color-black goes with everything. Since your shelves are a medium tone wood, display things that are dark or light so that they contrast against the wood. Limiting your display items pallette to a few values usually helps to unify things. (I think that's why so many people want to paint the shelves or put inserts in the back to help your nice things read more clearly...some get lost). If you want to "splurge" -you may consider having a carpenter make a few solid tall cabinet doors to provide a visual break in the shelving. I'm showing 3 doors - 1 on the right side of the fireplace and 2 on the left to leave two open vertical shelves for display on each side - with things arranged to frame the fireplace as the focal point. To add some height to your big vases, consider stacking some books beneath them. Enjoy experimenting untill you get something you're happy with - good luck!
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Hello the days are brightening up by now and I'm sure the room is looking less drab for it. However I think furniture rearranging will work wonders. You seem to have nice low window sills: show them off. If the sofa goes to the left between window and built-in unit you'll have a view out to the garden and more light in the room. Equally: can you fit the piano between the radiator and the double doors? Again: more light through the window. Low sills are a god-send, and so many of us are stuck with high ones. The room will feel more spacious with a good view to outdoors. The armchairs then: one to the left of the fireplace and one between the other window and piano. TV then between the two windows. (No shine on the screen) Does that fit maybe? Or do you need all five seats facing the TV? I rather like those stripy cushions. Can you find a striped wallpaper in matching colors and with an irregular pattern repeat for your accent wall? if going with wood floors how about a sheepskin rug for each of your doggies? Black or white. One last detail. A lower table for your side lamps would be good: At sofa arm or seat height. Coffee table could work in corner between window and new sofa position. Btw: I liked the suggestion to replace the cupboard doors above the fish tank with full-height ones. In some kitchen shops you can find ready-painted, wooden, panel doors that might fit. It's a long shot but you could be lucky. It would brighten up the corner if you got a light colour.
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Hi Marie. It's difficult to tell how wide the room is but a round table could work at the foot of the stairs. Dress with a large bowl and plants/flowers etc. you could also try hanging 3 chandeliers or pendants down the hall. I would also have either 2 matching consoles opposite each other by the front door or keep your existing and add some seating opposite to create symmetry. I think if you were to dress the console with bigger items it would stand out more ie ginger jars on the bottom shelf, classic urns, plants etc on the top. Once you've got the basics done and budget permits, you can add further floor standing decorative pieces, a small chair etc. I think you definitely need some tall art by the front door though or even mirrors if you're not keen to add art
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acm
7 years ago

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Easy to find examples that run counter to your husband's assumption anyway.

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Or use tile in the entry (better for boots) or have a little decorative pattern, like herringbone, just in the entry and landing areas. Options!!
retrocurious
Original Author
7 years ago
Thanks! He just texted, floor guys advised against two directions and apparently he was more willing to listen to them than me. :) I'm relieved, in my gut I knew to leave it all the same direction.
PRO
Alexis Dietrich Designs
7 years ago
I would have the new wood run in the same direction as the existing wood. It will make the space look larger and more cohesive.

Which direction should I run hardwood for entry?

Comments (5)

Designs by Donna

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retrocurious
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Which direction should I run hardwood for entry?

Comments (5)

Designs by Donna

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retrocuriousOriginal Author

Alexis Dietrich Designs

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retrocurious
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