Floors

we have real dark wood floors in our living room and yes you can see everything on them. I don't think its any harder to clean them than any other floor in our house, but yes you can see when I miss a spot.

My dad has real wood floors in his house that are a medium color ( its not real light or dark) and they are so pretty, you can't tell when they are normal dirty and he doesn't have to sweep daily and they still look nice.

Im not sure if there will be a big difference between the real wood and the laminate, but there is the difference between the color of wood and how much dirt shows up.

If you get a good, medium-color floor, you may be able to make it seem darker because of the way you decorate the rest of the room. The nice thing about medium is that people who like dark wood may think it's dark, and people who like light wood may think it's light! Why not borrow some samples, take them home, and see for yourself? You want a shade that is a good "supporting cast" member; it will accentuate everything you put with it.

I believe it to be true. They show dirt more, show scuffs and scratches more, and I think they look dingy and not as shiny after awhile. JMO.

I like the medium color wood it blends better I think.

i have dark floors, and i love them. Yes, you can see the dirt and stuff off them, you just have to keep up with it. Make everyone take off their shoes, and brush the animals outside often. Get the kids involved in sweeping daily. But really, it doesn't keep us as busy as it sounds. And you know, IMO dark is so much prettier than lighter wood. And it doesn't have to look dingy either. Make sure you get a good top coat. We put 3 coats on top, when most people do one or two. That really makes for a durable good look and doesn't cost much more. It also makes it last longer. Get what you want, if you go off of what everyone says and end up getting something you don't really want, you will regret it, and you'll have the wrong floors the whole time you live in that house.

Dark floors are not harder to clean but you do have to clean them more often because they do show a lot more. They are beautiful though. My aunt in utah hates her dark floors in the winter though because everyone tracks in the salt everywhere (I told her that was what her mud room was for) You might have to clean them everyday or every other day. But it wouldnt be difficult.

Go with a medium wood tone. It doesn't show the dirt as much. Scratches are less noticeable and it complements all of the other woods. My office has light beech furniture and it pulls the lighter shades out of the wood and looks lovely. But my living room has dark cherry wood furniture and it pulls the darker tones out and looks just as lovely.

I have dark wood. I love the look, but yes, it is a chore keeping it (looking) clean.
BUT...................I don't regret it for a minute. It's beautiful and classy.
I love it :)