Jarrah Floor Bleaching and Lightening - Richmond

Refreshing a family home after years as a rental

This project involved Jarrah timber floors that had become dark, cupped, and worn after years of use as a rental property. The homeowners were moving back in and wanted to include the floor restoration as part of a larger renovation project to refresh their home.

The existing floors were structurally sound but heavily cupped and finished in a very dark, red tone that made the downstairs areas feel smaller and dated. The client wanted the floors to feel lighter, cleaner, and more modern while still keeping a natural warmth.

Sanding and Preparing the Jarrah

Cupped Jarrah requires careful sanding to level the boards without removing too much material. Once the surface was flattened and cleaned back to raw timber, the strong red colour of Jarrah was more visible, confirming that a bleaching treatment would be needed to achieve the lighter look the client envisioned.

Sample Testing and Colour Selection

As always, we created on-site samples to show how the bleaching and lime washing would appear on the actual floorboards. The client wanted a finish that felt modern and timeless, leaning toward an oak-inspired tone rather than a heavy red or pale white look.

After reviewing the test areas, they chose a balanced sample that reduced the redness but retained enough warmth to suit the character of the home.

Bleaching, Lime Wash, and Rubio Finish

Once the sample was approved, the entire floor was bleached to lift the deep colour and even out tone differences across the rooms. We then applied a light lime wash to create a soft, neutral base before sealing everything with Rubio Monocoat Oil.

The Rubio finish provided a natural matte sheen that enhanced the oak-like tone the client was after. It also offers excellent durability for everyday use while keeping the surface feeling organic and tactile.

Final Result

The once-dark and cupped Jarrah floors were transformed into a light, natural, and elegant surface that perfectly complements the home’s renovation. The new tone makes the interior feel brighter and more spacious while remaining timeless enough to work with both modern and traditional furniture.

The clients were very pleased with how the oak-inspired tone came together and how the Rubio finish brought out the natural texture of the timber.

Imagined interior with the assistance of Interior AI Tool

Disclaimer

Jarrah is a naturally dense, red-toned timber that can react differently to bleaching depending on its age and tannin content. For this reason, colour samples are always prepared on site to ensure realistic expectations of the final tone. Bleaching and lime washing can significantly lighten Jarrah but will always maintain some of its natural character and warmth.