Should You Replace Carpet Now or Wait? Design Advice with a Realtor’s Perspective

Should You Replace Carpet Now or Wait? Design Advice with a Realtor’s Perspective

Every so often, I get a question that perfectly blends two of my favorite worlds: design and real estate. This past week, a friend texted me about updating the flooring in her home, and her dilemma might sound familiar to a lot of homeowners.

Her house has travertine and travertine baseboards throughout the main areas, with carpet in the bedrooms (and no baseboards). After years of pets and family life, the carpet was ready to go. Her question was simple but loaded:

“Do I just replace the carpet now and wait to do the whole house later? Or should I switch to LVP or wood-look tile? Would it look okay next to the travertine? Or do I redo the bedrooms now and the rest later?”

Here’s the advice I gave her:

Wood-Look Tile: The Strongest Choice

From a real estate standpoint, wood-look tile is the most durable and timeless. Buyers consistently see it as an upgrade, especially in higher price ranges where long-lasting finishes are expected.

LVP: Great Look, Some Limitations

Luxury vinyl plank (LVP) is budget-friendly and looks great, but it isn’t ideal in wet areas and tends to wear faster than tile. It’s a good choice for certain rooms, but not the best option if you want one consistent look across your home.

Consistency Creates Flow

Homes feel more polished when the flooring flows seamlessly from room to room. Whether it’s all tile or a simple mix like tile + carpet in bedrooms, consistency is key.

If You’re Budget-Conscious

• Refresh bedrooms with carpet now and save to do the whole house later.

• If you find tile/LVP you love, buy enough for the entire house, even if you only install in bedrooms now (just note grout color and wear patterns can shift over time).

• Don’t forget baseboards — clean and tall lines are trending and give a home an instantly updated feel.

The Takeaway

Sometimes, design decisions aren’t just about what looks good right now. They’re about making choices that hold up over time — for your family and for future buyers if selling ever comes into play.

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