Best Flooring to Increase Your Home Value

If you’re thinking about upgrading your floors before selling your home or simply want a durable, stylish option, Luxury Vinyl Planks (LVP) might be your best bet. In this post, we’ll cover why LVP is so popular, the key things to consider before LVP installation, and how flooring patterns can impact your home’s value.

For a full breakdown, check out the video here:

Why Luxury Vinyl Planks (LVP) Are a Great Choice

Luxury Vinyl Planks (LVP) have become one of the most cost-effective and resilient flooring choices for homeowners. If you’re wondering whether it’s the right option for you, here’s why so many homeowners (including myself!) love it:

✅ Durability – LVP is as close to bulletproof as flooring gets. It resists scratches, moisture, and everyday wear and tear.
✅ Waterproof Options – Many LVP brands offer waterproof or highly water-resistant options, making it ideal for kitchens, basements, and high-traffic areas.
✅ Budget-Friendly – Compared to hardwood or tile, LVP provides a high-end look at a lower cost. It’s also less expensive to install, whether DIY or professional.
✅ Low Maintenance – No need for refinishing or special treatments—just regular cleaning.

Would I put LVP in a luxury home? Maybe in a basement or mudroom, but for homes priced above $1M, solid hardwood might be more desirable in the main living areas. That said, buyers with kids, pets, or busy lifestyles love LVP for its practicality.

Questions to Ask Before Installing LVP Flooring

If you’ve decided on LVP installation, make sure to ask your contractor these questions to avoid common mistakes:

1. Which Direction Should the Flooring Run?

LVP planks come in varying lengths (3-7 feet). Most homeowners install them lengthwise through the house, but flooring patterns like herringbone or chevron require special ordering.
To visualize the look, get 2-3 sample boards and lay them out in different directions.

2. What’s the Plan for Baseboards?

When removing old carpet, a small gap is left between the baseboards and the new flooring. You have three main options:

Install quarter-round trim (most common).
Drop the baseboards lower (requires wall repainting).
Replace all baseboards (costlier but gives a fresh, modern look).

Ask your installer which method they recommend, and don’t assume painting is included—most flooring installers don’t paint.

3. What Flooring Pattern Will Be Used?

Not all flooring patterns are created equal! Here’s what to watch out for:

Avoid stair-step or H-pattern installations – They look cheap and DIY.
Go for staggered seams – This gives the most natural, high-end appearance.
DO NOT line up seams in straight rows – It looks unnatural and fake.

Before the job starts, confirm with your installer how they plan to stagger seams.

4. How Many Boxes Will Be Opened at a Time?

If you’ve chosen an LVP flooring with high variation in color or pattern, the installer should open at least 3-4 boxes at a time. This ensures a well-mixed, natural look instead of weird light/dark patches. If they only open one box at a time, they’re doing it wrong.

Transition Pieces: Don’t Skip This Step!

One of the biggest resale mistakes I see with flooring updates is mismatched transition pieces (the strips between rooms or where the flooring meets carpet/tile).

Here’s how to avoid this:

Match the color as closely as possible – Some stores sell color-matched transitions; otherwise, go for the closest shade.
Decide on the type of transition – Do you want a subtle transition strip, a T-molding, or a bullnose for stairs?
Check how it will be installed – Some transitions snap in, while others are glued or nailed. Improperly installed transitions can look cheap and wear out faster.

How LVP Can Increase Your Home’s Value

If you’re upgrading your floors before selling, you want to make sure it’s a worthwhile investment. Here’s how to maximize your ROI:

✅ Prioritize high-traffic areas – Living rooms, kitchens, and hallways benefit most from new flooring.
✅ Avoid cheap, thin LVP – Thicker planks (5mm+ with a good wear layer) look and feel higher quality.
✅ Choose neutral, modern colors – Lighter wood tones and natural finishes appeal to the most buyers.
✅ Make sure it’s installed professionally – A bad installation can hurt resale value more than keeping old flooring.

If your current flooring is outdated or damaged, replacing it with LVP can help your home sell faster and for a better price.

Is LVP Right for Your Home?

Luxury Vinyl Planks are afantastic flooring option for most homes, especially if you’re looking for durability, easy maintenance, and an affordable way to refresh your space. However, proper installation and choosing the right flooring patterns are key to making it look high-end.

Not sure if upgrading your floors is the right move before selling? Let’s chat! I can help you determine whether it’s worth the investment.

📅 Book a consultation today at www.calendly.com/RealtorStacie or call 720-295-9089.