Skip to content 
Choosing the right oak flooring is more than just picking a color—it’s a design decision that impacts the entire atmosphere of a space. Yet even experienced designers and contractors can make costly mistakes during selection.
At Finefloor, we’ve seen thousands of projects succeed—and a few that missed the mark. Here are the most common design mistakes to avoid when specifying American oak engineered flooring, and how to make smarter choices for your next project.
1. Choosing the Wrong Color for the Space
Color defines mood and proportion. A poor choice can make rooms feel smaller or overly bright.
- Too Dark: Deep tones absorb light, making small rooms feel confined.
- Too Light: Very pale floors can appear cold in large, open commercial spaces.
- Best Practice: Choose tones that complement the natural light and wall finishes.
👉 Finefloor Tip:
Our curated palette—Alabaster, Ivory, and Honeycomb—was developed to balance brightness and warmth, ensuring versatility across different interiors.
2. Ignoring Plank Width and Room Proportion
Wide planks create a luxurious, continuous feel, while narrow planks can make a space look busier.
- Common Mistake: Using narrow planks (under 150mm) in open-plan spaces.
- Optimal Widths: Finefloor recommends 190mm or 240mm planks for most residential and commercial applications.
👉 Design Insight:
The width of the plank should echo the scale of the room—large spaces deserve wider, bolder planks.
3. Overlooking Natural Light and Reflection
Lighting can completely change how flooring appears in color and tone.
- Direct sunlight enhances warm undertones like Honeycomb.
- Cool LED lighting brings out Ivory’s neutrality.
- Low natural light benefits from Alabaster’s brightness.
👉 Designer Tip:
Always review samples in the project’s actual lighting environment before final selection.
4. Ignoring Grade and Consistency
Finefloor’s American oak comes in AB, ABC, and ABCD grades, but many designers underestimate how much grading affects the final look.
- AB Grade: Clean, minimal knots, ideal for luxury residential projects.
- ABC Grade: Slight character for balanced aesthetics.
- ABCD Grade: More natural variation, great for commercial or rustic-modern projects.
👉 Mistake to Avoid: Mixing multiple grades in the same project can create visual inconsistency.
5. Not Considering Long-Term Maintenance
A beautiful floor is an investment that should last decades. Designers sometimes overlook practicality:
- Matte UV finishes hide minor scratches and reduce glare.
- Brushed textures maintain elegance even in high-traffic areas.
- Oiled finishes need periodic care but age beautifully.
👉 Finefloor Tip:
Discuss maintenance expectations with clients early. Finefloor provides after-sales maintenance guides for both residential and commercial customers.
6. Forgetting About Project Timelines and Inventory
Designers often select flooring that looks perfect on paper—but isn’t available when needed.
Finefloor’s U.S.-based inventory (East & West Coast) ensures immediate access to our American oak engineered flooring in all key colors and widths, helping projects stay on schedule.
Conclusion
Avoiding these design mistakes can make the difference between a good project and a stunning one. By considering color, proportion, light, grade, and long-term maintenance from the start, designers and developers can deliver interiors that feel cohesive, timeless, and professional.
