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.

HI Demelza If engineered timber is to be floated, then a 2mm dampscreen underlay should be installed. I have not heard of engineered flooring being nailed down, but if you are wanting to "fix" to the subfloor, then you will need a moisture barrier over the sub floor before it is glued - (generally how we do things here in NZ). The timber attracts moisture, so with either a moisture barrier or dampscreen underlay, the intention is to prevent the moisture from penetrating the timber. Depending on which product you are looking at, there is plenty of information on their websites which will help.

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

What are the disadvantages of wooden flooring?