That's a nice looking staircase. You do not have to match the stain for the floors. A lighter floor would contrast nicely with the darker steps.

Thanks Suzyq,
Staircase seems a little formal and I want to relax the look on the floors I put in, any advise on their type/texture?

See how the risers on the steps are the flooring material. You could do that using the new floor and leave the darker tops. This is white oak.

Clark Street Before/After · More Info

I love that idea of the euro white wood. What does clear mean?

Also, the vertical part of the risers are very stark aren't they! The risers face a southern facing window which pours a lot of light across - onto it, while the rest of my space seems a bit dark due to shade from trees. I like your idea of a runner to soften the look. Do you have any pictures of your vision?

I like the idea of complimenting the RISER to the wood flooring. I would take the idea of the white/light coloured riser and use THAT as your inspiration for the flooring.

The idea of a wide(r) European Oak (it has silver tones rather than gold tones) in a character grade will do REALLY WELL with your stair case.

If you need to, you can tone down the white on the risers by using an off-white....but that's about all you have to do. The stairs are VERY handsome (super striking looking! Don't touch!). They are the show piece of the main floor. Let them steal the show. That's what they were made to do.

I would pick a pale/silver coloured floor that is a "like for like" replacement for the pale carpet you have now. It will keep everything light and airy and less formal - just what you want.

Yes I see that on the risers! Extremely soothing compared to my delemma.

Is that floor the Euro white oak?

suzyq53 & SJ McCarthy

Wow, thanks for the great direction of how to take this, I can feel the burden lifting from shoulders...you have set me right into the look I needed.

I am on concrete foundation, and it is open floor plan, so the white oak will go into my kitchen. Should I stick with real wood or try to find the white oak in the newer lvp luxury vinyl plank.

Real wood or engineered. Pre-finished is a good way to go. Clear is a higher grade of hardwood that has less variation in color and more uniform with less knotholes, so not as rustic and busy looking and less of a statement. Character grade has lots of variation and knotholes. It depends on your taste. I tried to find pics of what I suggested and couldn't find the right combo, but this pic shows the lighter flooring used on the risers to tie it in.

PH#22 · More Info

This shows an interesting riser treatment. The tile could include both wood colors.

Mediterranean Staircase · More Info

This shows darker stairs with a contrasting floor that contains the stair color and other lighter colors.

WEST HAMPSTEAD FAMILY HOUSE · More Info

European Oak (European species) is different from White Oak (N. American species). A product might be White Oak (species) in a European Oak "look" (gray stain).

Complicated isn't it? Either way (actual European Oak or White Oak stained to LOOK silvery) you would be in good hands.

I have engineered european oak floors. This would be clear grade look with matte finish.

Thanks suzyq53! That's EXACTLY the look I was thinking of. I would look amazing with the stairs.

As for "real" wood vs. laminate or vinyl....that is a choice based on location, value of the home and the budget. European Oak is EXPENSIVE!!!! Almost double the cost of White Oak. The same visual in a laminate or Vinyl can be half the price of real wood.

Again, the type of flooring is a personal choice based on many, many things. The VISUAL option (what it looks like) is what we are recommending (see photos above).

We just installed 3/4" X 5" wire brushed oak hardwood flooring throughout the entire 1st floor. We kept the family room carpeting. There are so many variations of hardwood you can choose from that would look ideal with your beautiful staircase.

Looks great Pagirlhere!

@pagirlhere do you happen to know/remember the wall paint color you have on the stair photos? we're trying to paint the house bluish gray and that looks very good in your photos. (sorry to trigger this on old thread)

The paint color is Sherwin Williams Agreeable Gray 7029. This staircase faced south and received direct sun all day long. You can bring the color palette to Home Depot and have them mix a sample before painting your walls.

Thanks Cornelia