@Elle, can you successfully match new hardwoods with older hardwoods without it looking like you tried if that makes sense? Also would be looking at something more durable and water resistant possibly wood look tile or vinyl

it's quite possible to get the same wood species (looks like red oak) feather in the new planks w/the old and have it all stained at one time. It may not be the cheapest option, but it's certainly doable.

if you don't want to go that route, please, no fake wood against real wood! they look horrible against one another. I'd also ditch the vinyl too.

Do a nice porcelain tile, or black slate.

here is a larger format black hex porcelain tile that's been cut into the wood so that it flows seamlessly over the transition. and look how gorgeous the black looks against the wood (and you brick). It's also very mcm looking.

black slate 12x24 tile

basalt tiles or porcelain that looks like basalt would be a great choice.

now for something really mcm,,,did you know you can take these different color linoleum or marmoleum (very mid century) tiles and cut them in these hex shapes and do a cool floor like this?:

or keep them in their squares

the other period appropriate option is cork

If budget allows,continue the wood. If not,I'd do one of Beth's options. Probably large format black tile.

In my current house we removed a half wall and filled the space with hardwood to match. It was feathered in and the entire floor was restrained. You would never know, just gotta get the species right. Worth the cost if you can justify it!

What you have appears to be White Oak which is readily available. If you like wood, using the same thing all over will give continuity. The older wood may have darkened a bit with age so the new section might need to be treated a little different to get the best match.

Thanks everyone our budget is very tight at this point...but I know I won’t be happy unless I get that seamless hardwood flooring throughout especially because it’s such a large space!

I hope this isn’t too silly of a question but has anyone or do you know anyone that just put down cheap cheap flooring (or even subfloor ) for a while until they could afford what they really wanted?

Another thought! Could I take out hardwoods from bedrooms and place in dining and kitchen or is old hardwoods too fragile to be pulled up?

The last question can only be answered by your flooring guy. I would leave the bedrooms alonebecause by the time you deal with removing the flooring , replacing with I assume carpet it will no be worth it. As for the flooring you still need get have it all the same as mentioned feathering and restaining will be the best answer.I would keep the stain as light as possible .

You have gotten great advice from others especially Beth as to floor options. Imo you will not regret have the wood floors matched. With a tight budget somethings can be done at at later date. If you can live with the subfloor for a short period of time using inexpensive area rugs and or painting it that might be an option. However, to pay for flooring to remove it later might be a huge waste of money. If there is a part of the renovation that would be easier to do later with less disruption I would do the floors while you are not living in the home.

Diane we are trying to do the most we can before moving in but paying mortgage and rent we do have a timeline and unfortunately we have drained some money on structural. Cabinets, flooring and new siding on the exterior (because existing is rotted) are our next expenses. We were going to enlarge the living room window but that may have to wait so that we can put that in flooring. I am ok with subfloors until we get some more money rolling in...just wondering if anyone had personally done it lol

Also I have a fear of flooding in the kitchen (I know one too many it has happened to so am weary of putting real hardwoods in kitchen) but a must must for dining

You've stated that the hardwoods are "unsalvageable". That to me means they are done. They cannot be refinished. So my suggestion, because money is tight, is decide on HOW LONG these floors can "live" before they MUST BE removed.

Excellent. Now that you have a time line for the OLD flooring, you can then budget for NEW flooring that will have the SAME LIFE TIME.

In other words, do NOT spend +++money on "matching" hardwood floors because the OLD ONE will be ripped out in 7-10 years (or maybe less). If the hardwoods only have a few more years left (like 7-10 years), I would plan a basic flooring product that will be 'fine' for the next 7-10 years (you can live with it, it is cheap and easy to install/remove).

When the old hardwoods are REMOVED you can then replace ALL THE FLOORS at the same time...and FINALLY get what you WANT!

So the moral of the story is....check to see how long the old girls will "live" before adding "new kids" to the space. It will take 1-2 days to figure this out. Or less. A long-term flooring plan can then be created without having to spend a penny.

This plan could save you thousands of dollars at the end of it.

"You've stated that the hardwoods are "unsalvageable""

I got the impression that there was hardwood floor on one side and unsalvageable floor on the other. The flooring in the pictures looks to be 2-1/4" wide White Oak strip and is probably 3/4" thick. That would make it likely to have some life left.

Oh gosh I’m sorry I don’t think I was clear. The flooring on the other side of the living room is cork which transitions into linoleum in the kitchen. The cork indeed is unsalvageable! I can see how the cork may look like wood!

There are no “hardwood” guys here in town unless you purchase engineered. I will have to get a bid from an out of town er.

Weighing all of my options before while I wait for a hardwood person to come out to us...I adore slate but do not like that the division is so high in contrast. Would something like this flow nicer? Just want a plan A., plan B., and plan C. If the color is in the same range I’m hoping it won’t be a stark difference. Let me know if this is a big NO.

Slate like tile is not out of the equation I just want to know if that works too. My first choice if not hardwoods was a darker slate

You need to go ahead and figure out how to pay or finance the hardwoods. Old hardwood floors can be matched. As said in post above, you just need to identify the type of oak. Google Rehab Addict or feathering hardwoods to see how to do. If you don't do it now, you need to pick flooring you can live with forever, because you will never fix it. In order to change later, you will have to empty the house to sand the floors. It will not get done. Ask me how I know. House bought in 1980, still the same floors.

I think it is always best to do what you like. Any temporary solutions will add to your final budget too much if you including installation and removal. Also it is nice to install cabinets on top of the flooring...

Following......

jess,,,if those colors jive well w/the wood, and brick, then by all means, those will work. If you don't like the contrast w/the black slate ( it really does look very good w/all your elements) then get the others.

Beth actually I picked up a cork sample and love it. I was a little weary of cork because I saw how damaged it was in the house but then I remembered it was installed in ‘61 and a family of 7 lives there for many many years until the parents passed just a few years ago! Thank you for the cork suggestion...I don’t have the budget for hardwoods as much as I want them and I feel cork will blend so nice and still be time period appropriate.

Thanks everyone for your help!

jess, yes,,cork is very midcentury and they've come along way w/products since then.

to answer your question about subfloors,,,yes,,,you could install some nice plywood, paint it, stencil a design on it, whatever,,,and live on that until you save for wood. It's a very cheap alternative. if you look at some of the "how to stencil or paint plywood floors', you'll get a ton of ideas.

ok, so this is a bit much, but you get the idea!

Beth did not know that was a thing! Thank you!

jess_sterr,

We lived I our current home during a whole house renovation that included an addition and the removal and rebuild of the entire roof I painted the sub floors and loved with them for over a year. I did not paint a fancy pattern, but did use a quality basement floor paint that was easy to mop. In the main living areas I used indoor outdoor patio rugs bought on sale at Lowe’s. It is easy to stress about getting it all perfect, but the time will pass and you will look back at photos and remember the adventure of completing your home your way. If the painted floors are temporary and you want them to look nicer I would maybe just do a boarder. This will be an amazing home when done enjoy it.

Diane so nice to hear from someone that has lived with them! My husband thinks I’m crazy but I don’t want to spend a lot of money on something that we weren’t crazy about in the first place! Although I think we both agreed on cork flooring. It’s affordable, eco friendly, and comfortable. Thanks everyone for your help! Will post pictures when it’s done!