Should I replace new laminate flooring if I don't like the color?

5 years ago

Hi everyone! I am purchasing a new home! Yay! The Previous owner did some upgrades such as brand new laminate flooring, which is great, but I don't like the color they chose. I'm wondering if I should change it while I have the chance to do so easier (before I move in and the house is empty), or leave it be for now. Money is a concern as you all know purchasing a home isn't cheap, but this is a two bedroom ranch. The current flooring is a light color and I am drawn to the more rustic look of dark floors. Also, do you think dark floors will make it feel smaller? This is already a really small house. Photos are the current light flooring and examples of ones I like. I plan on painting kitchen cabinets white so I'm not worried about clashing with the current honey color. Thanks in advance!

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Comments (5)

ptreckel
5 years ago
Congratulations on your new home! How wonderful! While you might want to jump in and start renovating things....I would wait. At most, I suggest you paint your interior (a relatively inexpensive improvement) before you move in. Then....live with things for a while. I appreciate your desire to want to change the color of your floors. But wait. Look instead at other ways of introducing the look that you like in your new home. Rugs. Furniture. Take your time to establish your priorities. There will be so many things that you MUST do when you purchase a home. And they can eat up your budget FAST! Create an idea book. But also include images of homes with lighter colored floors and see how others have decorated around them. Enjoy your new adventure! And savor the experience!
debshouse2 thanked ptreckel
likestonehomes
5 years ago
If you absolute,y can’t live with the current t floors and you have the $$$ to spare, go for it. Dark floors, show every bit of prints, dirt and dust, ask me how I know. Never again!
debshouse2 thanked likestonehomes
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Ephma
5 years ago
Personally I would wait and live with it a while. My floors are fairly dark and next time I’m definitely doing natural! Too much dust and I think the natural look is very on-trend now. (Also a rug under that living furniture would look much better than the floating rug in the listing photo!)
debshouse2 thanked Ephma
melle_sacto is hot and dry in CA Zone 9/
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
We lived through laminate installation and it wasn't too bad/messy etc. Unless you have the budget and are 100% sure you can't stand the new floors, or there's a major installation problem, I recommend living with them since they are new.

Edit: I don't think dark flooring will really make it look much smaller. Our previous house (where we installed the laminate) was 3/2 1200sf; the laminate was medium-dark with the wider planks and it added a richness to the space that had always been lacking. The home itself wasn't flooded with natural light so the flooring embraced the cozy feel, to me, overall felt better.
Mary Ann
5 years ago
We are re-doing floors right now. Removing old tile and replacing with wood look tile and it is so hard when you live there. I have to move everything.

Are your floors level?

If I were removing laminate I'd personally replace it with an upgrade such as hardwood or tile. They are both natural materials and don't have all the toxins laminate or vinyl has. More money but won't fade, off-gas, and will last forever.