Our Real Estate Expert Names The Kitchen Flooring Choice That Can Hurt Your Resale Value

Are you ready to sell your home and move into a new one? Or are you considering selling your home in the future and unsure what changes you should make to it now to get the best resale value? Some ways to boost your home's resale value include giving the interior a fresh coat of paint, staging the space, and updating your kitchen. The kitchen, in particular, is the home's heart and the first thing many homebuyers notice. You can make minor updates by easily painting the kitchen cabinets, adding an impressive backsplash, and changing out the light fixtures, but if the flooring is dated and doesn't match the kitchen's aesthetic, it can hurt your resale value. Carpet, laminate, and low-quality vinyl flooring in a kitchen can decrease your home's value and won't appeal to many homebuyers — plus, they're harder to keep clean and aren't the most durable, unlike ceramic tile, hardwood, or stone porcelain flooring.

Updating your kitchen flooring can affect the resale value of your home for the better, according to our exclusive interview with Shaun Martin, founder of Sell My House Fast. Here's what the real estate expert had to say about the least appealing flooring for your kitchen — and how to fix it.

Easy-to-clean and durable options are best when choosing the best flooring for your kitchen since cooking can be messy. Plus, having versatile and attractive flooring will improve the kitchen's overall look. "There are a few flooring options that might impact the resale value of a home," Shaun Martin exclusively told House Digest. "One of the most common culprits is carpeting, especially if it's old or worn out. Carpets tend to wear out quickly and can be a hassle to keep clean, which might make them less appealing to potential buyers." Even though carpet adds texture to a space, its non-versatility makes it challenging to pair with interior styles like a modern farmhouse, shabby chic, or contemporary kitchen.

On the other hand, your home's resale value could also decrease due to laminate and cheap vinyl. They're budget-friendly flooring options if you're looking to replace your current flooring temporarily, but they don't offer any value to your home. "These options are often seen as low-quality and can easily get damaged and worn out," Martin said. "They don't have the durability and longevity that other flooring types like hardwood or tile provide." Instead, low-quality vinyl is vulnerable to denting and scratching, while laminate floorings easily get damaged by water. They won't last long due to heavy foot traffic around the house, especially in the kitchen.

If you want to increase your home's resale value but have carpet or vinyl in your kitchen, it's best to replace it. However, removing and replacing kitchen flooring can be expensive. The cost to install new flooring in a 500-square-foot kitchen can range between $2,000 and $7,500, depending on the type of flooring. If installing new kitchen flooring isn't in your budget, Shaun Martin suggests that keeping up with carpet maintenance by regularly deep cleaning will reduce a negative impact on your resale value. Another exclusive tip from Martin? "Add some area rugs or runners to cover up any worn or stained areas. Not only will this add a stylish touch to your home, but it will also protect the flooring and make it more appealing to potential buyers." Rugs can also be expensive, but you can find affordable styles at Home Goods, Target, Wayfair, and other retailers.

Replacing vinyl can be tricky, but Martin advises updating your vinyl flooring to a better quality vinyl material or installing an entirely different flooring style. "Although it may require a bigger investment initially, it has the potential to boost the resale value of your home in the long term," he said. "Another option is to give your vinyl flooring a fresh look by refinishing or repainting it." If you've never painted vinyl flooring, there are other ways to spruce up and fix it without breaking the bank that will give you clean, sleek floors.

You don't have to spend an arm and a leg on replacing your carpet, vinyl, or laminate floors with the most expensive flooring styles. Shaun Martin exclusively told House Digest that budget-friendly choices like high-quality laminate or engineered hardwood won't hurt your home's resale value. "These options give you the look of hardwood without breaking the bank, and they're often more durable and easier to maintain," he said. If you want the luxe look, Martin added, "Another popular choice these days is luxury vinyl tile (LVT) — it's affordable, durable, and looks great. So, if you're looking to replace your flooring without spending a fortune or affecting resale value, LVT could be a solid choice." Avid DIYers can install floating LVT without hiring a professional and save more money.

Before diving into replacing your kitchen flooring, Martin notes that homeowners should choose flooring that complements their interior design — which can enhance the appeal and value of their home. Avoid choosing trendy materials that will go out of style and eventually hurt your home's resale value. "It's important to keep in mind that the impact of flooring on resale value can vary depending on where you live and the current real estate trends," Martin said. "It's always a good idea to do some research on the popular flooring choices in your area before making any changes."