Making the Most of Every Board: Creative Uses for Hardwood Flooring Scraps from Your Ralph’s Installation

Rod Lorenz

At Ralph’s Hardwood Floors, we treat every project like it’s part of your story, not just your square footage. That’s why, when we wrap up an installation, we have had customers ask to keep a few of the scraps.

It’s a simple request with heartfelt meaning. Those leftover pieces aren’t just wood; they’re part of your floor, chosen for your space, in the exact species, finish, and tone that spoke to you. Whether it’s rich walnut or classic white oak, hand-scraped hickory or something smooth and modern, a few extra boards can carry that story forward into creative and personal touches throughout your home.

Here are a few ways we’ve seen customers repurpose flooring scraps after their Ralph’s installation:

1. Matching Wall Accents

Some homeowners create a feature wall or small framed accent using leftover boards from their new floor. Whether it’s a mini mosaic above a desk or a headboard-style panel in the bedroom, these projects carry the same finish and character as your main floors, adding visual continuity and a sense of thoughtful design throughout your home.

2. Coordinated Cutting Boards

A cutting board made from the same wood as your kitchen floor? That’s a designer’s dream. With a bit of sanding and food-safe oil, leftover hardwood scraps can be transformed into beautiful, durable kitchen accessories that feel custom-built for your space.

3. Personal Picture Frames

Frames made from the same wood species and finish as your floor create subtle harmony in a room. Whether it’s a single photo or a gallery wall, matching the floor material can tie everything together in a way that’s both stylish and sentimental.

4. Custom Coasters or Trays

Customers have turned their leftover boards into serving trays or coasters—small, practical items that carry the same warmth and character as the floors we just installed. When guests compliment them, you get to say, “Thanks, they’re made from our floors!”

5. Plant Stands & Decor Bases

For homes filled with greenery, leftover planks can be transformed into plant stands or display shelves. Using the same material as your flooring creates a cohesive look and ensures the wood holds up beautifully over time.

6. Memory Blocks or Keepsakes

We’ve seen customers turn a single piece of wood into something meaningful—a toy block engraved with a child’s name, a paperweight for a home office, even a commemorative plaque to mark the date of their home renovation. These keepsakes, made from your actual floor, tell a story no other piece could.

Start with a Floor You Love and Make the Most of It

At Ralph’s, we’re proud to install hardwood that doesn’t just look great—it lasts, feels good underfoot, and becomes part of your home’s identity. If you're inspired to carry that story beyond the floor and into something more personal, let us know—we’ll gladly leave behind a few clean offcuts for your next creative idea.

📞 Call us at 920-984-3383 or 800-354-9902
📧 Email info@ralphshardwood.com
🏡 Or visit our showroom—we’d love to talk about your project and how we can make every detail, down to the last board, work for you.

More Posts

New call-to-action