A straightforward guide from a local Taunton flooring specialist
Choosing wood flooring sounds simple… until you actually start looking.
Oak, walnut, light, dark, wide plank, engineered, solid, suddenly there are loads of options and it’s easy to feel a bit stuck.
The good news is, once you understand a few key things, it becomes much easier to narrow it down. This is how we usually talk customers through it here at TFS Flooring.
Start with the room (this matters more than anything)
Before you even look at colours or styles, think about where the flooring is going.
Different rooms have different demands:
- Living rooms & bedrooms
Pretty flexible, both solid and engineered work well. - Kitchens & open-plan spaces
You’re dealing with spills, heat and foot traffic. Engineered wood is usually the safer bet. - Hallways
High traffic, muddy shoes (especially around Somerset in winter). Go for something durable with a good finish. - Bathrooms
Generally not ideal for wood but engineered can work if everything is done properly.
If you get this part right, you avoid most of the common problems later.
Choose your wood type (it’s not just about looks)
Different woods behave differently.
Oak (most popular for a reason)
- Strong, durable and long-lasting
- Works in both modern and traditional homes
- Takes stains and finishes well
You’ll see a lot of oak because it just works.
Walnut
- Darker, richer colour
- Slightly softer than oak
- Great for a more premium look
Maple & lighter woods
- Clean, bright appearance
- Good for modern spaces
- Can show marks a bit more easily
For most homes we work in around Taunton, oak is the go-to, it’s reliable and suits pretty much any style.
Think about colour (this changes the whole feel of a room)
Colour has a bigger impact than people expect.
Light wood floors
- Make rooms feel bigger and brighter
- Hide dust better
- Work well in smaller or darker spaces
Dark wood floors
- Add contrast and a more premium feel
- Show dust and scratches more easily
- Better in larger, well-lit rooms
Natural / mid tones
- The safest option
- Timeless and easy to match with furniture
If you’re unsure, mid-tone oak is rarely a bad choice.
Plank width (Small detail, big difference)
This is one people often overlook.
- Narrow boards (traditional look)
Great for older homes and smaller rooms. - Wide planks (modern look)
Make spaces feel more open and less busy. - Herringbone / patterned floors
More of a statement, looks amazing, but costs more to install.
We’re seeing more people in Somerset going for wider boards and herringbone in extensions and renovations.
Solid or engineered?
Quick rule of thumb:
- Solid wood
Best for dry, stable rooms and long-term investment. - Engineered wood
Better for kitchens, underfloor heating and modern living.
If you’ve read our previous post, you’ll know the differences, but if not, engineered is usually the more flexible option for most homes today.
Finish matters more than you think
The finish affects both how it looks and how it wears.
- Matt / natural finish
Very popular right now
More forgiving with scratches and marks - Satin
Slight sheen, still practical - Gloss
Less common these days
Shows wear more easily
Most people now go for matt or low-sheen finishes, they look more natural and are easier to live with.
Think about real life (not just how it looks on day one)
It’s easy to choose flooring based on a showroom sample but think about how it’ll actually be used.
- Got kids? Pets? Muddy boots?
- Is it a high-traffic area?
- Do you want low maintenance?
A slightly more textured or brushed finish can hide wear much better over time.
DIY or get it fitted?
Be honest with yourself here, it saves headaches later.
- DIY-friendly options
Click-system engineered flooring can work well if you’re confident and the subfloor is good. - Professional fitting
Worth it for glue-down, herringbone, or anything involving subfloor prep.
A lot of the problems we get called out to fix come from poor prep rather than the flooring itself.
Budget (and what people often forget)
When pricing up, don’t just look at the boards.
You also need to factor in:
- Subfloor preparation
- Underlay or adhesives
- Skirting or trims
- Labour (if not DIY)
Sometimes a cheaper floor ends up costing more in the long run if it doesn’t last.
So, how do you choose?
If you strip it all back, it comes down to this:
- Pick the right type of flooring for the room
- Choose a colour you won’t get bored of
- Go for a quality product within your budget
- Make sure the installation is done properly
Everything else is just detail.
Need a bit of guidance?
If you’re not sure what would work best in your home, that’s completely normal, most people aren’t.
We’re based in Taunton and help homeowners across the Southwest choose and fit the right flooring for their space.
Whether you’re going fully fitted or tackling a DIY job and just want some honest advice:
Get in touch to request your free quote.