Let’s talk about wood. We decided on solid oak hardwood for the four upstairs bedrooms and the hallway because many of the rooms downstairs and the stairs already have a medium-toned oak that matches well with our style and lifestyle (durable and kid- and dog-friendly). We wanted a cohesive look throughout the house, similar to the hardwoods we used in our previous home.
We started by checking local listings for reclaimed or surplus flooring, but didn’t find the right match. Next we visited Lumber Liquidators, a store we’ve used successfully in the past for large flooring purchases and underlayment supplies. They carry a wide selection in stock, along with tools and accessories, which makes them a one-stop shop for a major flooring project.
Our toddler wandered the store and made herself comfortable while we looked at displays and samples. We pulled six different samples to compare against the stairs and waited for morning light at the house to judge colors accurately. Natural light showed subtle differences that artificial lighting can hide, so we recommend viewing samples at the installation site when possible.
Before committing, we stripped the carpet off the top stair to confirm the wood beneath was in reasonable condition. After removing numerous staples, we found the floor in good shape and favored a medium brown tone that wasn’t too yellow, dark, or red—essentially a “just right” oak. This tone had worked well for us previously with our furniture and day-to-day life.
There are both aesthetic and practical reasons for choosing a not-too-dark, not-too-light oak. Dark floors can highlight dust and pet hair, while very light floors can show wear more readily. A medium tone offers a balance—visually forgiving while still warm and classic. We also prioritized matching grain and board width to the existing flooring for consistency throughout the house.
Of the samples we tested, one clearly matched the stair color and grain. It was also the same width as the existing downstairs flooring (2 1/4″), which made it the best choice to maintain a cohesive appearance. Although wider boards looked appealing, matching the established look of the house felt like the correct decision.
Removing that first carpeted stair took about 20 minutes, which gave us a realistic idea of the effort involved for the entire staircase. We held off on stripping more stairs because the main priority was removing the upstairs carpeting and installing the new floors before moving in. The stairs can be stripped and refinished later if needed.
With our sample chosen, we returned to Lumber Liquidators the next day to place our order. We had accurate square footage measurements for the rooms and hallway, so the order process was straightforward. Our selected product is Lono Oak, a solid 3/4″ oak floor (not engineered) that can be refinished multiple times and comes with a 25-year warranty. Its list price was very competitive.
When it came time to buy, a quick price check paid off. Asking “what’s your best price?” and mentioning we were repeat customers earned us a 10% discount on the flooring and accessories, lowering the per-square-foot cost and reducing the price of underlayment and other materials. Small negotiation steps like this can lead to meaningful savings.
We plan to install the hardwood ourselves to save on labor costs; the installation quote we received from the store’s crew was significant, so tackling the job ourselves should yield substantial savings if all goes well. With a move coming up in a few weeks, we’ll be painting trim and potentially doors while the carpet is out and before the new floors go down. That sequencing helps avoid extra work and ensures a cleaner finish.
While placing the order, our little one found ways to entertain herself among the brochures. We left the store excited about the project and relieved to have the hardwoods chosen and on order. Next steps include scheduling installation, preparing the rooms, and tackling the trim painting—possibly using a paint sprayer to speed the process.
More Flooring Projects
If you’d like to read about other flooring projects we’ve completed, see the list below.
- Refinishing Hardwood Floors 101
- How To Install Hardwood Flooring Yourself
- How To Install Hardwood Floors Without Nails
- How To Install Click-And-Lock Cork Flooring
- How To Paint A Floor
- How To Stain A Concrete Floor
- How To Remove Carpet