How Flooring Board Widths Affect Your Design

By Megan Cooney, Contributing Writer for Direct from the Designers™

Believe it or not, the width of your flooring planks can heavily influence the interior design of your home. Perhaps you’re striving for a contemporary look, or maybe you’re going for a classic or rustic feel. Different board widths are ideal for imparting the right kind of charm to all of those styles and more. Let’s see how widths ranging from narrow, standard sizes to noticeably broad differ to see which one is right for you.

Narrow Width Planks

Narrow planks work particularly well in smaller spaces, ideal for a powder room or small guest bathroom. The width we’re calling narrow is actually considered standard and can range from about 2 to 4 inches. This is what you’ll find in the majority of homes, where it opens up the room from the base to give it a voluminous look. These planks are complementary for formal traditional and contemporary styles because they offer a sophisticated and sleek linear appearance.

The cost of narrow planks ranges from about $1 to $5 per square foot depending on the type of flooring. This is on the more affordable side because of its ubiquity, and you’ll likely find any wood species and color you want in this category. Be sure to explore the options to find the one that perfectly caters to your interior vision.

Mid-Width Planks

Sticking to the middle of the road is a safe bet. As fashion trends shift every year, this increasingly popular size is accommodating to new fads as they come along. Mid-width planks range from about 4 to 5 inches wide and are favored by many of today’s homeowners because they have a softer visual effect with fewer lines. This makes them perfect for informal spaces.

The majority of mid-width planks fall between $2 and $9 per square foot and there are still plenty of choices, so you’re bound to find the one for you. Whether you need hardwood flooring that offers a warm and welcoming feeling suitable for your shifting interior or a waterproof vinyl plank or wood-look tile for the bathroom, you’ll be satisfied by the selection.

Wide and Extra Wide Planks

Wide planks are definitely in. The extra width reveals more of the wood’s inherent grains, knots, and character. Wide boards come in spans that range from about 5 to 9 inches and provide a natural and clean feel. This style is perfect for organic modern or totally rustic designs, depending on the color and finish of the boards. If you’re interested in this attention-grabbing aesthetic, see the Broadway Wide Width Collection.

While usually on the expensive side, wide width prices range from $1 to $9 per square foot. Opt for a man-made, unfinished, or softwood flooring if you want to create a luxury look without hurting your wallet. Wide hardwood boards tend to cost more than their narrower counterparts because they require larger trees and careful, specialized processing. As more people choose to go broad, though, you can expect the number of styles available and affordability to increase.

Now that you’re briefed on the aesthetics of varying plank widths, check out Lumber Liquidators’ wide selection so you can make your dream home a reality. And if you want to make even more impact with your floor, you might want to start in their Mix It Up Collection, which includes floorings with multiple board widths for a truly dynamic and one-of-a-kind effect!