Perfect Pairings: Matching Vinyl Flooring to Wall Colours
How to Match Vinyl Flooring Shades Against Wall Tones
Choosing the right vinyl flooring shade to complement your wall tones is an essential step in achieving a harmonious and visually appealing space. The colours and tones of your walls and floors set the foundation for the room’s overall aesthetic, influencing how light, space, and décor elements are perceived.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through the principles of colour matching, practical tips for pairing vinyl flooring with wall tones, and how to create a balanced and stylish look in any room.
Why Colour Matching Matters
The interaction between your flooring and wall colours can:
- Set the Mood: Colour choices can make a room feel warm, cool, spacious, or cosy.
- Enhance the Space: The right pairing can make small spaces appear larger or accentuate architectural features.
- Tie the Décor Together: Coordinated flooring and wall colours create a cohesive foundation for furniture and accents.
Key Principles for Matching Vinyl Flooring with Wall Tones
Contrast vs. Complement
Decide whether you want your flooring and walls to contrast or complement each other.
- Contrasting Colours: Light walls with dark floors or vice versa can add depth and visual interest.
- Complementary Colours: Subtle variations within the same colour family create a seamless, harmonious look.
Undertones Matter
Identify the undertones of your wall colour and choose flooring that complements them.
- Warm Undertones: Pair beige or tan walls with warm wood-look vinyl or earthy tones.
- Cool Undertones: Light grey walls work well with ashy grey or whitewashed vinyl shades.
Lighting Considerations
Natural and artificial lighting can affect how colours appear. Check how your chosen wall and flooring colours look in different lighting conditions to ensure they complement each other.
Tips for Matching Vinyl Flooring to Wall Tones
Start with a Neutral Base
Neutral tones for either the walls or the flooring give you more flexibility with furniture and décor.
- Light Neutrals: White, cream, or light grey walls pair well with vinyl flooring in natural wood tones or soft greys.
- Dark Neutrals: Deep grey or taupe walls look stunning with lighter flooring to create contrast.
Consider the Room’s Function
The room’s purpose can influence your choice of colours.
- Living Rooms: Opt for warm, inviting tones to create a cosy atmosphere.
- Bedrooms: Cool, calming tones promote relaxation and comfort.
- Kitchens: Neutral or light tones keep the space bright and clean-looking.
Balance Patterns and Textures
If your walls have a textured finish or bold pattern, opt for simpler vinyl flooring to avoid visual clutter. Conversely, if your flooring has a strong pattern or texture, keep wall tones understated.
Use Samples to Compare
Always request samples of both your vinyl flooring and wall paint before making a decision. View the samples together in the actual room to see how they interact under the lighting conditions.
Follow the 60-30-10 Rule
This design principle helps balance colours in a room:
- 60%: Dominant colour (usually walls or floors).
- 30%: Secondary colour (e.g., flooring or large furniture pieces).
- 10%: Accent colour (decorative elements like cushions, rugs, or art).
Matching Ideas for Popular Wall Colours
- White Walls: Pair with almost any flooring shade. Light wood-look vinyl adds warmth, while darker tones create dramatic contrast.
- Grey Walls: Light grey walls pair well with ashy or whitewashed vinyl, while charcoal walls pop against light oak or beige vinyl.
- Beige Walls: Earthy, warm-toned vinyl shades enhance the natural warmth of beige walls.
- Blue Walls: Cool-toned vinyl in light greys or whites complements blue walls beautifully.
- Green Walls: Pair sage or olive walls with natural wood-look vinyl for a calming, nature-inspired palette.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Overmatching: Avoid making the walls and flooring exactly the same shade; it can make the room feel flat.
- Ignoring Undertones: Mismatched undertones can clash and disrupt the room’s harmony.
- Not Considering Décor: The flooring and walls should complement your overall décor, not just each other.
Conclusion
Matching vinyl flooring shades with wall tones is about finding the right balance of contrast, harmony, and functionality. By considering the undertones, lighting, and room purpose, you can create a cohesive and stylish look that enhances your home’s aesthetic. Whether you choose complementary colours or bold contrasts, a thoughtful approach will ensure your space feels both beautiful and inviting.
Easipay Carpets can help you get brand new flooring without the high up-front cost – by simply letting you spread the cost of the flooring over time instead. There’s no interest on our plans so you aren’t spending a penny more than you would buying it outright and we include underlay, door trims, carpet grippers and laminate beading for free. Prices start from just £10 per week!
It starts with a free home appointment and quote, to get booked in at a time that suits you, tap the “Get Started” button below and fill out the contact form!
Still Got Questions? Here's 10 FAQs!
Yes, with its wide range of shades and finishes, vinyl flooring can complement almost any wall colour.
Neutral tones like light greys, whites, or beiges work well together and with most décors.
Both options can work depending on the desired effect. Lighter walls with darker floors create contrast, while similar tones create harmony.
Choose a wall colour that complements one of the prominent tones in the patterned vinyl to tie the look together.
Yes, but ensure there’s enough lighting in the room and use lighter furniture or décor to balance the space.
Both light and dark shades can work well. For a cosy feel, try light wood tones. For contrast, opt for dark or charcoal tones.
Natural light can make colours appear warmer or cooler, so always test samples in the room during different times of day.
Many paint and flooring retailers offer online tools or apps to visualise colour pairings.
Pair bold walls with neutral, understated vinyl flooring to avoid overwhelming the space.
Yes, but do so thoughtfully. Use one tone as dominant and the other as an accent to create balance.
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About The Author
Matt
Matt is a master at gathering relevant information and rolling it into a ball of digestibility. Fuelled by caffeine and metal bands, you'll usually find him in the office either writing blog posts with verification from our most experienced flooring fitters, creating new ad designs, working on our social media and website or finding ways to improve our customer's whole experience with us. Matt is part of the background force that keeps the Pay Weekly side of Easipay Carpets growing.