I say get the same laminate everywhere, but it might look a tad bit monotonous, so I suggest also adding a runner (esp since laminate can be really slippery).

not this color exactly, but you get the idea:

thanks B F. i really like that idea. i’m just not sure i can find the exact same, so is a close match good enough? idk

if you can't get an exact match, then I say yes to doing the upstairs with the laminate that's close, and doing something completely different for the stairs. I think a more updated carpet will look good, but I can see you are not keen on the upkeep with boys in the house.

black stairs might look pretty, but a warning about practicality: black will show every speck of dust, hair, footprints, etc. especially since it looks like they're well lit from that window. they'll be easier to keep clean than carpet, but they will probably look a little bit dirty every day.

why don't you order some samples of the laminate you're thinking and see if it does match? it sounds like you don't even know yet.

yeah i have samples that are close i just wasn’t sure if it wasn’t a good idea to get something that was close but not exact. but your comments have been very helpful! thank you

these kinds of projects are never easy, right?

if the grey laminate is a close match, maybe a runner will help it blend in.

do a mockup. buy a whole box of that laminate (you'll use it upstairs anyway). place some on the bottom steps, and lean some against the risers. place a towel over the middle as a "runner". stand back and mull it over for a while. maybe since only a few inches are peeking out either side, the color difference won't be noticeable.

It is considered acceptable (in design as well as for resale) for a home to have two different 'wood' choices for two different levels. Many people have two different coloured 'woods' on two different levels. The most important thing to consider is the stairs.

Stairs are normally considered 'connected' to the public areas of the house (ie. main level = level where you entertain). The carpet on the stairs is a PERFECT match to the laminate on the main level. I would stick with that idea.

The top of the stairs then transitions to the new laminate = new design concept.

When in my youth I had a child (who seemed to be friends with several hundred kids) and two very large dogs. We had carpet on the second level to reduce the noise level. Suggest you have the current carpeting re-stretched. Equipment rentals have dehumidifiers for use after a carpet steam cleaning, they make a huge difference.

Has your existing laminate flooring been exposed to lots of sunlight? If so, it might have faded to an extent that it won't match new flooring of the same type.. Is the laminate you have on your main level still being produced? Some styles get discontinued.

I like the idea of either the black stairs or a close match with a runner and I agree the flooring upstairs does not have to match the main level and for sure get rid of the carpet and add some area rugs if it too noisy. I will take a bit of noise over gross carpet anytime.

thanks everyone! i don’t know how to respond to specific comments but i appreciate all the input. we have some leftover boards from our current laminate and the color is significantly different from how it is now. (it’s the horizontal grey board). i’m considering the bottom left for upstairs because it seems like a close match and while i’m not expecting it to be perfect, i think something similar will be a good idea. and then black or laminate on the stairs, depending on how things go.

You will regret getting laminate on the second floor with "three young boys." Laminate is even noisier than a solid hardwood.

the bottom left will look great on the upstairs.

it's hard to tell because it's partially in a shadow, but that sample kind of looks close enough to do the stairs with a runner too -- but ultimately that will be up to you! I think we all gave you some good feedback to mull over. I'll be curious what you choose-- post pictures!

I vote for laminate everywhere, including the stairs. And I like a runner on the stairs, for safety (if someone were to fall) and for sound absorption.