When making a decision about what flooring type you want for your space, you’ll likely want to make sure there is a good variety of colors and patterns to choose from in order to compare and select the style that fits in with the look that you’ve established or are establishing. For most consumers who have never seen what bamboo flooring looks like, they likely assume that bamboo flooring only has a limited selection of colors to choose from; this couldn’t be further from the truth.
Bamboo floors are available in hundreds of colors, patterns, and hues that help to ensure there is a style that is suitable for every space and theme. Over time, many brands and manufacturers have been able to produce bamboo floors that look very much like the original grass it is made from, while also expanding the line up to include styles that look like more traditional hardwood shades that most consumers have grown accustomed to seeing.
In order to help with understanding the many options that are available to consumers, we’ve put together a list of the wide selection that is available along with what makes the color/shade unique. In addition, we’ll cover the different processes that manufacturers go through in order to give bamboo floors their color.
Our goal in this article is to provide an in-depth look at many of the color options available if you are interested in learning more about bamboo floors. While this article will focus on colors and shades, if you’re interested in learning more, we have also written an article related to the primary types and forms of bamboo flooring.
How bamboo flooring gets its color?
Carbonized
The carbonization process for bamboo floors involves exposing the bamboo to high levels of heat, which results in the bamboo turning into a brown-ish or caramel color.
This is a process that it all about giving bamboo a darker color than what it naturally looks like, but, when referring to solid vertical or horizontal bamboo, this also has an impact on the strength and durability of the bamboo; the carbonization process does have the potential to weaken bamboo flooring. However, this is less of an issue when referring to strand woven bamboo, as the bamboo fibers are compressed after the carbonization process.
This process also causes the bamboo to change color throughout; meaning, in addition to the top layer of the bamboo, the bamboo planks carry the same color throughout. Because the carbonization process can cause wide variation in color, manufacturers normally combine bamboo stalks that have similar shades in order to create more uniform planks.
Stained
Much like many other types of hardwood floors, bamboo floors can also be stained. When compared to the carbonization process, the staining process only changes the color of the top layer. However, the advantage of staining when compared to carbonizing is that there are many more options when it comes to color, as opposed to the carbonization process which typically only creates shades of brown or caramel.
Staining is either done by the manufacturer during the production process, or by a professional or individuals before or after the bamboo floors are installed. If your bamboo floors need to be refinished over time, you will likely need to sand down your floors, which will remove the stain and likely will require re-staining.
No color added
Quite simply, there are many options that add no color to the bamboo while still in grass form or even after they’ve been turned into bamboo planks. This is likely the ideal option for those who appreciate bamboo flooring for its light, tan shade, which can add a touch of “green” to a space.
Bamboo Flooring Colors and Patterns
Solid bamboo options
Color: Honey
Type: Solid – Horizontal
Form: Tongue & Groove
Brand/Manufacturer: Sonora Floors
What we like about it: This color/shade looks very much like bamboo grass (likely because it is solid horizontal bamboo flooring) with a slightly darker shade of brown. The shade isn’t too dark, so it still allows you to see the nodes of the bamboo (if that’s a characteristic you’re looking for).
Who should buy this & where it’ll look best: This is a great color for those who are interested in a natural-looking solution, but isn’t really looking for their floors to look exactly like a stalk of bamboo. Those who are attracted to this color should consider installing this in an area where they are trying to “lighten” the space with more of a natural look.
As an additional note, keep in mind that there are stronger types of bamboo floors (e.g. strand woven or engineered) than solid horizontal. If you are planning on installing your bamboo floors in a high traffic area or one that sees high levels of humidity, you may want to think twice before moving forward.
Color: Natural
Type: Solid – Vertical
Form: Tongue & Groove
Brand/Manufacturer: Sonora Floors
What we like about it: Of all of the samples of bamboo floors that we’ve reviewed, this was the sample that we thought offered the most organic and natural look for consumers. While vertical bamboo does not visibly display the bamboo nodes in the same way that solid horizontal does, you are still able to see a clear difference between this style and hardwoods.
Who should buy it & where it’ll look best: This is a perfect floor for those who are looking for an option that already has a “light” feel, or for those with darker spaces that don’t contain a ton of natural light who are looking for an option that helps to brighten up a space. While we generally wouldn’t recommend vertical or horizontal bamboo in areas like a basement due to potentially high levels of moisture, this could be a great option for a den.
Strand woven bamboo options
Color: Natural
Type: Strand Woven
Form: Tongue & Groove
Brand/Manufacturer: Sonora Floors
What we like about it: This is our favorite choice for those looking for a natural look, as it closely resembles natural bamboo while coming in a flooring type that is much more durable than traditional solid bamboo. In fact, strand woven bamboo often scores much higher for hardness on the Janka scale when compared to other wood floors.
Even though this color doesn’t display many nodes, the shade is still very close to the natural look shown in the vertical bamboo option above.
Who should buy it & where it’ll look best: This is the perfect option for those who want their floors to closely resemble the color and shade of the material it is made from while also offering the durability needed to allow for installation in many spaces. This is a great option for those who want the natural look throughout their home.
One thing to keep in mind is that, while it may be tempting to install these floors in every space in your home, we would recommend that you do thorough research before installing bamboo floors in a bathroom.
Color: Tiger
Type: Strand Woven
Form: Tongue & Groove
Brand/Manufacturer: Ambient Bamboo
What we like about it: As we’re sure you can tell, this color and pattern of bamboo flooring is the most unique style we’ve seen. In fact, we’ve yet to see many options that look anywhere close to this.
Giving off a very distinct dynamic of light and dark, the Tiger option of bamboo floors from Ambient Bamboo is likely to be a great conversation-starter when you have guests over. Also, this style has very few characteristics that would suggest it is made from bamboo.
Who should buy it & where it’ll look best: This is a great option for those looking for a unique option that will stand out from other types of bamboo flooring as well as other types of hardwood floors. While this may not be a good option for an entire house (even though some may like this style enough), it could be a great focal for spaces that need some color and flair.
Color: Boardwalk Fossilized
Type: Strand Woven
Form: Tongue & Groove
Brand/Manufacturer: Cali Bamboo
What we like about it: The first of the few gray shades of bamboo floors on our list, this color offered by Cali Bamboo adds an upscale touch to any space where it is installed. This is also an option that works well in nearly every space of a home.
We like that it offers a very different color and shade when compared to many traditional bamboo floors. Most may not have even realized that bamboo flooring is offered in this color.
Who should buy it & where it’ll look best: While this is a color that works great in many areas of a home, such as the living room, the basement, or even the stairs, we think this color is well-suited for a space like an office. This is a flooring color that works best for those looking for something that can add a touch of class to a space. It also seem to fit in well in spaces with a more minimalist look and feel.
Color: Bordeaux Fossilized
Type: Strand Woven
Form: Click Lock
Brand/Manufacturer: Cali Bamboo
What we like about it: This color of bamboo floors stands out not only because of its reddish shade, but also because of the distressed finish used. It may actually remind you of more common hardwood floors as it does not resemble bamboo or other common bamboo floors.
Who should buy it and where it’ll look best: This is a color that works best who are not necessarily interested in their floors looking very much like bamboo, but are still looking for some of the qualities that bamboo floors have to offer, such as its durability and eco-friendliness.
It is also a flooring color and shade that goes well in spaces that have more of a farmhouse look that has additional distressed elements. It can be used throughout the home or in specific spaces to add more of a rustic look.
Color: Ebony Night
Type: Strand Woven
Form: Tongue & Groove
Brand/Manufacturer: ECOfusion
What we like about it: As with the tiger stripe style shown above, it isn’t difficult to see why this color of bamboo floors made this list. It is by far the darkest color of bamboo floors that we’ve reviewed and is such a dark shade of brown that it looks black.
We like how unique this color is and that there really isn’t much like it. This could even be a color of bamboo flooring that could replace tile in a given space.
Who should buy it and where it’ll look best: This is a flooring type that would look great in contrast with lighter furniture or fixtures, or a light color paint (think white or cream walls, or white cabinets). The darker features make this a great fit for a room that already has a light touch, but is probably not the best choice for a space like the basement.
Engineered bamboo options
Color: Natural Fossilized***
Type: Engineered
Form: Click Lock
Brand/Manufacturer: Cali Bamboo
What we like about it: It is often assumed that engineered bamboo floors offer the most variety when it comes to colors as it is primarily made of materials other than bamboo. In this case, this is an engineered bamboo floor with the color of natural bamboo and without visible bamboo nodes.
Of the natural options that we’ve shown on our list, we like this one best as it offer some additional durability in the form of a plywood base while being less susceptible to damage from humidity.
Who should buy it and where it’ll look best: This is once again a great option for those who are looking for a lighter, more natural look for their space. It could also be an interesting option in spaces where you should think twice before installing bamboo floors, such as the basement.
Color: Copenhagen***
Type: Engineered
Form: Click Lock
Brand/Manufacturer: Ambient Bamboo
What we like about it: Quite possibly one of the most upscale-looking colors of bamboo floors on our list, this option borders on the verge of luxurious without the luxurious price tag. Compared the the gray shade covered in the strand woven bamboo section, this engineered option offers additional support with a mixed-wood base.
It is also slightly distressed, which adds an additional elements that sets it apart from other options. One thing to keep in mind, however, is that most engineered bamboo floors can only be refinished a handful of times; you should consider this before making a final decision.
Who should buy it and where it’ll look best: This is an option that should work great in a select area, but we also think the color of this option makes it one of the most diverse options on this list. This color option is great for those looking for a simple, minimal option that adds a premium feel to any space where it is installed.
Color: Dovetail Gray
Type: Engineered
Form: Click Lock
Brand/Manufacturer: Yanchi
What we like about it: Though this option does not give off as much of a premium feel as other gray options, we like that the uniqueness of the gradient tone and the added texture that make this option stand out. It is an option that does not look very much like traditional bamboo floors and has a distinctive pattern.
Also, while this article is primarily focused on colors and patterns, it is an added benefit to find a style that you like that includes durable features. While most engineered bamboo floors use a base layer made up of plywood, this option includes a High Density Plastic Composite (HDPC) to help with the strength and density of the floors.
Who should buy it and where it’ll look best: This is a good option for a specific area in your home. While it can certainly be used throughout a home, the color and texture may overwhelm any space it is in. For those who are looking for a floor to install in an office, den, or similar area, this may be a great option for you.
Wrapping things up
In this article, we’ve done our best to show that bamboo floors can be just as diverse and many other flooring options when it comes to colors and patterns. Our goal was to make sure that you understand that you don’t have to sacrifice the look you’re going for when selecting bamboo floors for your space.
