I have an integrated garage on my basement level. What that means is I enter from my garage into the mudroom area and then there are stairs on the left hand side going up to the first floor. Currently, I have ceramic tile (terracotta color, ugh) and a berber wall to wall in the rec area and up the stairs. Both need replacing. I plan on a low pile wall to wall in a griege color. I cannot choose anything too light due to the stairs. As for the tile, I will either choose an updated ceramic or an luxury vinyl tile to look like a wood floor. The room has little light so I am concerned about a dungeon feel. There is ONE small 2 x 3 window. Pics were taken on a sunny day and all lights were on. Decisions are not coming easy for me in this room.

The different paint color (Ben Moore Pale Oak) in the tiled area is probably the color I will choose for the room, but TBD. My questions: Should these 2 floorings match or contrast? Will a LVT in a darker color be too dark? All thoughts appreciated.