What Kind of Flooring Increases Home Value?

There’s been quite a big change in the last few years. Twenty years ago carpet was in, and then the hardwoods started coming back. But now we’re trending toward the luxury vinyl tile and laminate type of flooring.

Which type of flooring provides the best value to home sellers?

At the end of the day, you need to consider more than just which type of flooring buyers want most. If you’re prepping your home to sell for the highest value, you have to factor in your home’s current condition and the cost of various flooring options weighed against the potential increase in value for each option.

To help you make an informed decision, refer to this table to consider the cost and potential return on investment (ROI) for each potential flooring option.

Flooring type	Cost per square foot	ROI	Pros	Cons
Hardwood (new)	$6-$25	High	• Natural look • Long lifespan	• Scratch-prone surface • Water resistance
Hardwood (refinish)	$2-$7 (without staining) and $3-$8 (with staining)	High	• Newer finishes • Less expensive	• Scratch-prone surface • Water resistance
Luxury vinyl tile (LVT)	$1.50-$12	High	• Easy installation • High durability	• Vinyl aesthetic • DIY mistakes
Luxury vinyl plank (LVP)	$2-$7	High	• Hardwood look • High durability	• Vinyl aesthetic • DIY mistakes
Ceramic or porcelain tile	$2 (porcelain);$4 (ceramic)	Mid	• Water resistance • Great aesthetic	• Difficult installation • Chip-prone nature
Exotic Hardwood (new)	$10-$30	Mid	• Luxurious look • Sustainable	• High cost • Difficult maintenance
Engineered hardwood	$7-$20	Mid	• Low cost • Water resistance	• Lower durability • Harder to refinish
Natural stone	$10-$35	Mid	• Luxurious look • Repolishable surface	• Difficult installation • Ongoing resealing
Vinyl composite tile (VCT)	$1.50-$4	Mid	• Water resistance • Easy installation	• Lower perceived luxury • DIY mistakes
Carpet	$1-$10	Low	• High comfort underfoot • Warm and cozy feel	• Quick wear and tear • Pet and allergy concerns
Laminate flooring	$0.79-$3	Low	• Durable material • Easy installation	• Water damage • Difficult maintenance
Linoleum	$3-$12	Low	• Easy installation • Low cost	• Cheap-looking appearance • Lower durability

Flooring trends have shifted quite a bit over the past couple of decades, moving through different styles as homeowners rethink what works best in modern homes.

According to Singsheim, “There’s been quite a big change in the last few years. Twenty years ago, carpet was in, and then the hardwoods started coming back. But now we’re trending toward the luxury vinyl tile and laminate type of flooring.”

Ultimately, the best value flooring for sellers depends on striking the right balance between what buyers want now, long-term durability, and overall resale impact.

Which rooms matter most when it comes to flooring and home value?

Contrary to what all those home renovations on HGTV made you think, not every room needs to have the ideal flooring. There are definitely rooms where it matters more than others. Additionally, the ideal type of flooring may be different for each room.

The main areas of the home, such as the entryway, living areas, dining areas, and kitchen, are usually the first spaces buyers see and help shape their first impression of the home. Getting the flooring right in these areas is the first priority.

Ashlynn Petrocco, a top real estate agent in Dallas, Texas, who’s sold homes in as few as seven days, explains that buyers want to see hard surfaces in the main areas of the home. “Wood flooring or even laminate,” she says, “and anything hard surface over the carpet.”

While Singsheim agrees that hardwood or a similarly-looking luxury vinyl flooring option is best for the main areas, it can be tasteful to use a nice marble, stone, ceramic, or porcelain tile floor for the main entryway or mudroom. 

“Tile flooring, in general, has always been popular. These are great for landings inside doorways and can be used in tandem with other floorings when done well.”

As for the bedrooms (especially on the top floor), believe it or not, carpet is still a good choice. “A lot of people still use carpet on the second floor instead of the first,” explains Singsheim. “It can help reduce noise, especially when there are young children. It’s more comfortable in areas where you may be spending more time on the ground, and it keeps the floors warmer.”

So while hardwood may be more aesthetically pleasing, it’s okay to choose comfort in bedrooms.

How do you get your floors ready for the home sale?

When it comes time to sell, getting your floors in the right condition can make a big difference in how buyers see and value your home.

Excessive wear and tear on the flooring will drive buyers away, so it’s important to focus on getting your flooring ready, along with everything else, before listing the house.

Singsheim cites the condition of the floor as one of the main reasons that buyers walk away from a sale. “It’s a big expense for a lot of people… It’s not like painting or other things that can be done after moving in. With flooring, you can’t move in until it’s done.”

Here’s how to get floors ready for an open house:

Evaluate the carpets with a critical eye

Carpets aren’t really en vogue today, but whether or not carpeting works in the home depends on where it’s located. “If the carpet is in the bedroom and in good condition, then that’s OK. Buyers are OK with carpet when it’s clean,” explains Petrocco.

When looking at carpets, think of how buyers would feel and try to see the floors with fresh eyes.

Ask yourself these questions to determine if your carpets are in good shape, and be honest.

1. Would you think the carpet was recently installed if this were the first time you saw it?
2. Would you walk barefoot through the house?
3. Would you let a baby play on the floor?
4. Does the 5-second rule apply if you drop your favorite snack on the floor?

If the answers to these questions leave you shaking your head, then it’s time for a replacement. Petrocco summarizes her rule on carpeting as follows: “If you’re going to keep the carpet, make sure it’s fresh.”

Repair hardwood floors

Proper hardwood floor maintenance may considerably increase a home’s value. But, completely redoing hardwood floors is an expensive undertaking if you don’t plan on staying in a home. Rather than making that kind of investment right away, work with a real estate agent to see what can be done to treat the floors first.

A combination of quick fixes and conditioning might be all it takes to get antique floors looking like they just came from the sawmill. “Depending on the condition,” Petrocco says, “Murphy’s Oil Soap or any other floor conditioning can go a long way, you’d be surprised.”

 At a bare minimum, here are ways to bring back tired hardwood floors:

1. Make sure floors are even, not creaking, and that individually damaged pieces are repaired or replaced. Here’s a quick video tutorial on repairing wood floors.
2. Clean and treat worn floors to give them a new sheen. Even a little bit of effort can go a long way in making old floors look brand new. Check out this video on how to refinish floors.

Consider flooring alternatives

Synthetic home materials are getting better all the time, and flooring is no exception.

Many industry leaders expect steady, stable growth in the resilient flooring category in 2026. The resilient flooring industry includes flooring like vinyl, linoleum, and rubber that’s made to be flexible, durable, and hold up well against moisture, impact, and everyday wear.

“Not only is luxury vinyl flooring cost-effective, but it comes in so many different and modern patterns that it can pretty much go with anything to get the feel of an updated home without a huge expense,” says Singsheim.

Faux-wood vinyl flooring is cost-effective, easy to install, and offers a huge variety to choose from. Not all vinyl is soft; some are highly scratch-resistant and have pet-proofing qualities that will go a long way with buyers.

Partner with a top agent who knows what buyers want in your market

Just like walls and surfaces, floors should be at their best during home showings. While hardwood floors are generally preferred, there are more synthetic options now than ever before to give your home a modern look without a huge expense.

Set aside time with an agent during initial meetings to determine what the floors in your home need. Whether it’s a quick clean or a full replacement, it’ll pay off when the buyers arrive.

HomeLight’s free Agent Match platform can connect you with a top-performing real estate agent in your area who can help you make smart decisions about your flooring.

A good agent can take a look at your floors, tell you what needs attention, and guide you toward the updates that are most likely to give you the best return.

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