Dear Dave,

Two years ago we completely remodeled our kitchen and replaced all the tile floors throughout the home and living areas with laminate wood, but decided to wait to replace the bedrooms’ existing carpet for financial reasons. We will be selling our home next year and are ready to replace the carpet, but now we aren’t sure if we should replace it with new carpeting or the same laminate flooring as the rest of the house. I’ve learned from your articles that both choices would give us an excellent return, however which choice is more appealing to buyers in our area? We are so conflicted!

— Virginia, Grand Junction

Virginia,

I totally get why you’re conflicted—and honestly, I am conflicted in my answer, too! On a personal level, I’m definitely a carpet person. I find it hard to imagine walking barefoot on anything other than soft carpet, especially in a bedroom. Even though my bathroom has tile, I usually wear slippers or socks around the house, and on trips, I often miss the cozy feel of carpet after spending time on hard floors or sand.

That said, I know carpet isn’t perfect. It’s more difficult to keep clean than hard surfaces, it can trap dust, allergens, pet dander, and even dust mites, which can be a concern for buyers with allergies. Plus, carpet can wear faster than quality laminate or tile, especially in high-traffic areas.

Now, when it comes to your situation, you’re absolutely right that both carpet and laminate flooring are strong choices when it comes to resale value. Laminate has become incredibly popular, especially with its durability, ease of maintenance, and the stylish wood-look finish many buyers love. Your choice to install laminate in the common areas and kitchen was spot on, since those spaces tend to get the most foot traffic and are more prone to spills or messes that are easier to clean off hard surfaces.

When it comes to bedrooms, though, the story is a little different. Bedrooms are spaces where buyers tend to want a warm, cozy, and inviting feel. Soft carpet provides comfort, warmth, and a more relaxed vibe that most buyers find appealing for bedrooms. It’s one of those sensory factors that buyers might not even consciously realize, but it can definitely influence their emotional connection to the home.

There’s also a practical consideration here: laminate floors in bedrooms can sometimes feel colder and more “institutional,” especially on chilly winter mornings.

In many markets, especially where the climate is colder or more temperate like Grand Junction, buyers often expect bedrooms to be carpeted. It’s a subtle expectation that can work in your favor when staging and showing your home. Having carpet in the bedrooms paired with laminate throughout the rest of the home strikes a balance between durability and comfort, and many buyers appreciate that thoughtful combination.

If you do decide to replace the carpet, investing in a neutral-colored, mid to high-quality carpet can provide a nice contrast to your laminate floors and appeal to the broadest group of buyers. Avoid very plush or overly thick carpet, as it can look dated, but a medium pile carpet that feels soft without being too fluffy tends to be popular.

In short, you can’t really go wrong either way, but my recommendation is to stick with carpet in the bedrooms for that cozy, inviting feeling buyers seek. You’ve made a great choice with laminate in the common areas, and pairing that with carpet bedrooms will keep your home feeling warm and welcoming.

Dave Kimbrough
The Kimbrough Team – RE/MAX 4000
HAVE A QUESTION? ASK DAVE!
dave@thekimbroughteam.com