Thanks eld6161. The reason for red oak is because the existing floor is red oak, and we want the new wood floor to match.

I know I'm a little defensive about our cabinets--I see so many negative comments on honey oak. We could replace them with a more current look--but then that look would be out of style in a few years--it's a vicious circle! ;}

Your cabinets and layout are FANTASTIC. I'd stain all the oak floors a dark walnut.

Yes, I would make the floor the darker color. It would give more depth to the room. The cabinets are lovely. The black drawer pulls are perfect.

tvq1! I no longer feel alone! We have golden (not orange) honey colored oak cabinets as well and we’re perfectly happy with them!

One concern that comes to my mind is how will the stain will affect the grain in the wood flooring. Will it make it stand out more or will it tone it down?Because you don’t want that grain to compete with the grain in your cabinets. It may not even be an issue because from the picture it looks like your cabinets don’t have a lot of grain in them but I’d ask just to be sure.

If the stainer says it will tone it down the grain in the floor, I definitely think you’re moving in the right direction by going darker.

Hey! That's my kitchen. Same oak cabinets and if my eyes aren't tricking me the exact same counter tops, Silestone! You have great taste, but your kitchen is larger than mine. I like your floor like it is, but do whatever pleases you, no one else!

I will go against the tide with this one. Any darker and it will soak up the light especially that nice natural light from the window. Do you want a sunny warm area or one that will be darker. One thing I would try to stain is that little strip at the bottom of the island. It stands out as an "after thought".

Another floor finishing matter not mentioned is whether to use oil-based or water-based finish on top.

It's been a few years since we had this done but here's what I remember:

A water based polyurethane dries to a clear finish on top of the wood and leaves a hard plastic or resin-like finish. It offers some protection from water and light scratches, although it isn't necessarily more durable, while....

An oil-based finish is absorbed into the wood and doesn't exactly cover it in the same way. This is a traditional finish and produces a wood floor with the grain texture remaining and the appearance of what one may remember as typical from years ago or see today on old floors. Oil-based polyurethane darkens a little over time.

I know we chose and have been happy with an oil-based polyurethane but I wouldn't doubt that perhaps I have the descriptions wrong. Our wood floors aren't in the kitchen, we did tile there instead. Have your floor guy describe to you the performance and appearance choices, you can pick what you prefer. I know they're rather different all the same.

Thank you all for your input--I really appreciate the feedback. Maifleur: that base piece really does stand out in the photo--thankfully, in real life it actually matches! Must be weird lighting or something.

Good point on darker flooring "sucking up" light--I hadn't thought of that. Although-our kitchen and dining room windows face south-so we have lots of light.

KoolBeans--another good point on the grain! I hadn't thought of that, either. I am having some sample areas done in a week or so--so I should be able to see if the grain will be too dark.

Elmer Fudd-I'm pretty sure our installer is using a water based finish, as we discussed that it would not "yellow" as much as oil based. Thanks for the great explanation on the difference.

I knew I could count on you all for advice--thanks again!

Your kitchen floor is beautiful! Why change color? Darker floors do hide dirt better, but they darken the room, too. If that floor needs refinishing, I'd use the same color. Why mess with nice?

When it comes to darker floors, I have a little different perspective. We have very similar cabinets in color with minimal grain as well. We laid a medium oak throughout the main level but put brazillian walnut in the kitchen and dining room. I’ve never felt like it’s darkened the room (it’s not real bright to begin with). To my eye, it offers contrast and grounds the room, kind of like a large rug would in a living room. I prefer that but I don’t think you can go wrong either way though.

I like the lighter color, but only you can decide if a darker, medium brown stain will appeal to you or not.

I prefer white oak as it doesn’t tend to turn red with some of the stains used and you don’t have to worry as much with the mix or what the finish coat will do to the color. Be sure your floor person will give you a true representation sample of each stain color and final finish.

A quote from Joanna Gaines of Fixer Upper fame, "Dark floors, light walls". It's one of her signature decorating moves.

I like contrast. I think the floors would be really pretty with a darker color. Just be sure not to go too dark so the floor doesn't show dust.

I like your floors as they are now. I know contrast is good, but I like lighter floors. I think darker ones show the dust more. Could be because I have lots of it here in the desert. And I like your cabinets. you should probably replace that 4 drawer cabinet. I'd be happy to take it off of your hands...

do you have a dog or cat? does your kitchen match them? if not, you might think of them and their fur in choosing light or dark. There's a long time thread about that over on kitchens.

LOL desertsteph! Do we have a dog?? Yes, we have a very sweet labradoodle named Finley. We were told she would be non-shedding--HA!! She sheds like crazy (we love her anyway) AND she's black. Furballs everywhere! Based on that fact, maybe we should go for ebony stain! Here she is in all her hairy, shedding cuteness:

Flooring guy will be here to do some samples, and he will come back to put a finish coat on the samples, so we can see what the finished stains will look like. I'll be sure to post pics of the samples--I've enjoyed the advice and comments.

I suggest going a few steps darker than the cabinets. Your dark(er) counter top will be your inspiration. The grain in the wood is quite strong which can be used to your ADVANTAGE! If you water pop your wood, the grain will take on the stain a snick more...thereby giving you the DEPTH of colour you crave WITHOUT going so dark that you remove the light from the room (or the floors).

I suggest a mid-tone stain with water popping. I would work a little into the 'green' range as your counter top 'reads' cool tones more than orange tones. Let the GRAIN take a strong stain (water popping) so that you can get all the contrast you desire WITHOUT having to go too dark.

Make sure your refinisher offers some colour samples on your floor (must include a coat of finish to show the true depth of the colour...and if you water pop make sure the water popping is done with all the colour samples).

Once your samples are down, you can take the time to figure out which stain works BEST in your lighting situation as well as with your counter top.

oh look at that face! look at that fur! she is just soooo cute! yep, better to refloor than rehome her for sure. I can see why that carpet would need to go. Maybe you need to redecorate in mostly black? lol! I decided when I moved into where I am now that I'd no longer have carpet. besides dog fur, I live in the desert and sand regularly sifts thru here. We lots of dust storms especially in the summer. A dirt devil can whip up and blow thru often. at least with vinyl flooring I can sweep it up, vac it up, mop it up easier. I needed whatever was easiest for me to stand on, walk on and clean. my main floors are a beigey grey and my girl's fur comes off a pale beige/grey. I sometimes hold up a wad of it to her and ask 'is this your sister? are you hiding a puppy in here?'

you should look up that thread on kitchens. It was so much fun, so many posted pics of their kitchens and matching critters. It should be on one of the 1st few pages 'cause I saw a new post on it recently.

Since you've asked for opinions, here goes. I've had really dark wood floors (Like a mahogany) and they were very beautiful but they do show dust and must be mopped daily. Next, I went a lot lighter but still stained and still showed dust. I'm into easy living so I had my floors refinished, red oak, no stain, just a triple polyurethane finish and this is my favorite of all. Doesn't show dust and always looks nice. I would have the kitchen floors sanded and just put a sealer on all the floors. # 1, they will match, and #2, they will look great with your cabinets and #3 there is very little upkeep. You could have your floor guy show you what natural red oak looks like with just a sealer before you decide.