Wood floor ideas for a bedroom – 10 ways to add character

Choosing wood floor ideas for a bedroom is an exciting part of a room design as there's a huge array of practical and stylish options available to stamp personality on your space.

Hardwearing, durable and available in a host of grains and colors, wood makes a great flooring idea for any room in the house. Bound with the beauty of nature it's a particularly good choice for restful spaces such as bedrooms and makes a timeless foundation for both traditional and contemporary homes.

From solid hardwood and engineered planks, to wood effect solutions, there's a wealth of options to choose from, so to help you decide we've rounded a selection of inspiring wood flooring ideas perfect for bedrooms along with some handy tips from the experts.

Wood floor ideas for a bedroom

Deciding on wood floor ideas for a bedroom takes careful consideration as what type is best for your space will spend on a huge array of factors, from the size of the room to the look you want to create. Bedroom flooring is also a big investment which is not easy to change once installed, so it's important that the style you choose has enduring appeal.

One of the key decisions to make when it comes to wood floor ideas for a bedroom is what type to choose. Luxurious and long-lasting, solid hardwood offers unrivalled character and timeless charm plus can wear beautifully with age. 

Capturing the look of solid wood, but with the ability to be used over underfloor heating, engineered wood is a popular option for bedrooms where comfort is key. Alternatively, wood effect options such as luxury vinyl tile are perfect for bringing the character of wood without the maintenance needs.

1. Choose pale wood for an warm, bright feel

Bedrooms are private spaces where we relax and unwind, so it's important that calm prevails. Opting for a pale timber with a gentle grain as part of a neutral bedroom scheme is guaranteed to create a restorative, restful feel. 

If you love light colored woods then the bedroom can be a great place to showcase them explains Amina Kamara, Chelsea showroom manager at Havwoods.

'In general, lighter colored floors will require more upkeep than darker or more varied colors in a higher traffic area, so a lighter floor is suitable for a bedroom, whereas a living room or dining area would be better suited to a dark color palette.'

2. Choose wide planks for a simple look

When choosing wood floor ideas for a bedroom one of the key decisions to make is whether you want a traditional plank style format or a patterned design. For those looking to create a simple bedroom then choose straight-laid planks for a clean, streamlined look. 

'An oak plank floor with few knots and grain structure variations will give a uniform, architectural look whereas a two-strip (two staves of wood per floorboard) will give much more variation and expression,' suggests Richard Aylen, technical manager at Junckers,

If opting for a plank design it's also important to consider the width of the planks as this can impact the look and feel of the space. 'Wide board plank floors will give a more uniform look, especially if you choose a Classic grade with very few color and grain pattern variations,' he adds.

3. Add texture with decorative grain

If you're looking to add texture to a bedroom then consider a wood with plenty of grain variation and knotting as well as designs make up of thinner planks. Wood flooring with highly decorative grains are a brilliant foundation for rustic bedrooms which are characterized by their abundance of natural materials.

Some wood flooring companies grade their timbers by how textured they are to make it easier to for consumers to decide. How varied the grain of the timber is depends on what part of the tree it is from, explains Richard Aylen at Junckers.  'We have three grades, Classic, Harmony and Variation. The Classic grade is made from the innermost part of the tree, where there is less variation in pattern and color; Variation is made from the outer part of the tree which has more changes and differences; Harmony in the middle. All the colorations and grain patterns occur naturally in the timber and its personal choice as to which one you go for.'

4. Bring warmth to monochrome schemes

Laying a wood floor is a beautiful way to bring warmth and texture to black and white bedrooms as demonstrated in this sophisticated space. While decorating with black and white is timeless and elegant, it can cause spaces to feel stark and lifeless, but a wood floor in a rich chestnut brown will be the perfect antidote. 

5. Add pattern with herringbone parquet

Suitable for both contemporary and traditional bedrooms, herringbone wood flooring is a fabulous way to bring a touch of pattern and a timeless feel to interiors.

'In the past decade, the herringbone pattern has become extremely popular, showing no signs of abating. It’s an elegant flooring choice and the play between the strict geometric forms and the natural pattern of the wood is hard to beat,' says Richard Aylen at Junckers. 

With its soft, honeyed coloring this oak parquet brings beautiful warmth and texture to this blue bedroom.

6. Zone spaces with different laying patterns

When deciding on wood floor ideas for a bedroom it's a good idea to think about the spaces that connect to it, too, such as en suites and walk-in closets. Using the same tone of wood throughout is a great way to unify these spaces and creative visual harmony.

In this apartment by Kasha Paris, both the bedroom and closet feature the same warm-toned wood, but the two areas have been subtly defined using a mix of straight-laid and herringbone designs. 

7. Choose a dark wood for an atmospheric look

Dark colors can be well suited to bedrooms, helping to create a cocooning and intimate feel. To prevent dark bedroom ideas feeling too austere try adding a wood floor which is rich in texture with deep, warm coloring such as these Burmese wood planks from Ted Todd.

8. Warm up the space with a rug

Wood flooring can leave bedrooms feeling cold underfoot, but adding a deep pile bedroom rug will instantly bring a layering of warmth and softness for a cozy feel, plus they can help muffle sound too, helping to create a relaxing environment conducive to sleep. This Berber style design is the perfect finishing touch to a bohemian bedroom scheme. 

9. Maximize light with a white wood floor

Helping to reflect light, painting a wood floor white is an easy way to instantly brighten up a small bedroom but also makes a beautiful foundation for a coastal bedroom scheme. 

If painting a wood floor, 'it is essential to use a specially formulated floor paint that will be durable and hardwearing,' says Ruth Mottershead of Little Greene. 'For soft woods, knots should be sealed with a wood primer to prevent staining.'

10. Create a feature floor

Painting the floor is an easy way to create a playful feature in a kids' room. You could try painting each plank in different color, or try a checked pattern to give a nod to a circus theme.

Is wooden flooring good for a bedroom?

Wooden flooring is a good choice for a bedroom as it is both stylish and practical. As well as being hardwearing and durable, wood comes in a huge array of colors, grains and finishes and can make a timeless foundation for both traditional and contemporary spaces.

Being a natural material is also a benefit, explains Robert Walsh, founder and owner, Ted Todd Floors. 'When it comes to the bedroom, wood floors work beautifully as they are one of the most traditional and natural types of flooring. Bringing in a touch of nature and the great outdoors, they can really help to transform your bedroom into a calming and relaxing escape.'

'It’s important to make sure your subfloor is in good condition. It should be flat to within 3mm in a 2m radius, structurally sound, free of squeaks and free of protruding fasteners,' adds Robert Walsh. 

Which wooden flooring is best for bedroom?

Which wooden flooring is best for a bedroom is dependant on many factors, from the size of the room to whether you want to create a contemporary or traditional look.

Luckily, wood flooring comes in a host of designs and can be laid in a wide array of patterns, offering scope to create myriad different looks and styles, from sleek and modern straight-laid designs to decorative parquet designs. 'You can make a real statement with a herringbone or chevron design or allow the floor to blend seamlessly with your existing décor with a plank format,' explains Robert Walsh. 

Luxurious and authentic, high quality solid hardwood options can last for generations. When it comes to species, 'oak, ash, beech and maple are all hardwood timber species, very hard-wearing and ideal for use as flooring,' says 'When made in hardwood through and through, a wood floor can be sanded and refinished several times to good-as-new condition, or to add a new colour or surface treatment to give it a completely new look says Richard Aylen, Junckers’ technical manager. 

Equally sturdy and durable and offering the look of solid timber, engineered wood can be fitted over underfloor heating which can often give it the edge when it comes to creating a cozy bedroom environment.