Does Plank Size or Colour Make a Room Look Bigger or Smaller?

Helen Clark
Jul 21
3 min read

When choosing your engineered oak flooring, it's natural to focus on the colour or finish—but one of the most impactful design choices is often overlooked: plank width.

At JS Woodcraft, we craft bespoke engineered oak floors in a wide range of widths—from narrow 100mm planks to bold 300mm wide boards—as well as different colours and finishes. But how do these choices affect the look and feel of your room?

Let’s break down how plank size and floor colour can dramatically influence your space.

🪵 Does Plank Width Affect How Big a Room Feels?

Yes—very much so! The width of the plank plays a significant role in how your eye reads the space.

✅ Wide Planks (180mm – 300mm):

Create a more open, seamless look
Reduce the number of visible joins, making the room appear more spacious and less busy
Ideal for larger rooms or open-plan areas
Can add a modern or luxurious feel, especially in rustic or nature grades

Tip: A wide plank installed in a smaller room can still look great—especially when paired with a light finish and minimal furniture.

✅ Narrow Planks (100mm – 140mm):

Often suit traditional or period-style interiors
Add texture and rhythm to the floor, but can make smaller rooms feel more compact
Can visually “busy” a space if the grain or finish is bold
Useful in long corridors or small areas where you want to emphasise detail

Verdict:

If your goal is to make a room feel larger and cleaner, a wider plank is usually the better choice. Narrow planks are more suited to creating character and texture, but may make a space feel busier or more enclosed.

Does Floor Colour Make a Room Feel Bigger or Smaller?

Absolutely—colour is just as important as width when it comes to perception of space.

✅ Light-Coloured Floors (whites, pale greys, natural oak):

Reflect more light, helping the room feel larger, brighter, and more open
Work well in smaller rooms or spaces with limited natural light
Pair beautifully with Scandi-style, minimalist, or modern interiors

✅ Dark-Coloured Floors (deep browns, smoked, charcoal):

Add drama, richness, and warmth
Can make large rooms feel cosier and more intimate
In smaller rooms, can shrink the space unless balanced with plenty of natural light and lighter walls/furnishings

Verdict:

If you're looking to make a room feel airy and expansive, go with a lighter finish. If you want depth and warmth, a dark floor can be stunning—but use it wisely in smaller spaces.

Combining Width + Colour for the Best Effect

Here are some ideal combinations based on your goals:

Goal	Recommended Plank	Colour
Make room feel bigger	Wide (180mm–300mm)	Light/natural
Add warmth & luxury	Wide or multi-width	Mid to dark
Create heritage charm	Narrow (100mm–140mm)	Mid-tone or warm
Modern, minimal feel	Wide plank	Ultra matt pale tones
Open up small rooms	Wide, uniform plank	Light/neutral shade

Final Thoughts

At JS Woodcraft, we produce a wide range of plank sizes, grades, and finishes—all made to order in our Yorkshire factory. Whether you’re working with a compact apartment or a spacious barn conversion, we’ll help you choose the right width and colour to achieve the look and feel you want.

Visit our showroom or request a bespoke sample box to see how different plank widths and colours look in your space.

📞 Get in touch today to speak to one of our flooring specialists.