Lighter tones on a hardwood floor were the standard when they 1st started mass-producing prefinished hardwood floors. Being that Oak is the more prevalent species here in the U.S., a natural red or white oak hardwood floor is pretty much what you’d see in the majority of homes. Therefore, when looking to go with a lighter tone on the hardwood floor, Oak flooring can convey that look as well as add a sense of warmth and character.
Oak flooring has plenty variations which is a plus as the different tones can help compliment furniture and other woodwork. For this reason Oak is a versatile choice when looking at the lighter toned wood species. Maple is another species of wood with a very light and bright natural tone but is very uniform. The main Maple tone, which can be described as a light tan, has the tendency to yellow over the years. Something to keep in mind when considering Maple for a big project. Oak will also go through a mellowing process but instead of much yellowing the Oak will begin to show a slightly darker tone.
For anyone who likes a light toned hardwood floor but wants a ton a variation and a very rustic feel, Hickory would definitely be the way to go. With this wood you will get light colored boards along side medium brown colored boards which all makes for a very exciting and inviting feel. It’s also a very hard and dense wood that is plenty durable.
Another species that is rarely discussed and offers a naturally lighter tone is Birch. I think the reason it’s not as well known is because of the fact that it is slightly softer than Red Oak. This means it might not be the best choice if you’re putting the hardwood floor in a high-traffic area. But, for any other project, Birch has a beautiful light tone that can brighten up any room. It also has a lot of variation which gives it a lot of character.