Our last house and our current house both had wood floors and lots of wood furniture. Using area rugs (I've got a weakness for oriental rugs) provides separation between the floors and the furniture. And if the walls are light, as in LesleyH's photo above, you will certainly not feel overwhelmed with wood. The only time there's an issue in my mind is when the walls are also wood clad - that can be a bit confronting and needs management.

Any advice appreciated! I’ve just bought a house and have 5 days before I move in. As a last minute idea I would like to paint my floorboards white or a whitey grey to lighten them up - they are a pine finish. They have recently been done so the surface is even. I had some advice that I could use ‘white knight paving paint oil based’ that would remove the need to sand. I’ve also read that you can use a product that is a ‘liquid sander deglosser’ that prevents you needing to sand. Any ideas welcome regarding the approach to take and the colour to go with. I think it’s an ambitious job for me but if I can do it I’d like to! Thanks The photo is not the best but gives a sense of the flooring

R u laying boards over the concrete or beside?

Hi there. What is your budget ? Consider a floating floor variety like Kardean the board is wider but you’ll get the same look for less. https://www.karndean.com/en-au/floors/products/llp313-north-coast-blackbutt Kardean send free samples very promptly. Then work with your local stockists. Also if you are near a National Tiles they have an engineered timber range that was on special $79.95 a sq m. There was a blackbutt in their range. Aspire flooring also have a lot of Australian timber colours in their range