The Bathroom Flooring Choice You'll Regret When Trying To Sell Your Home

If you're going to put your house on the market soon, you may want to first renovate some key areas of the home to potentially make it more appealing to buyers. If so, a bathroom makeover is a great place to start. The material used on your bathroom's floor can either make your home easier or harder to sell, as this is among one of the top characteristics that sway potential home buyers, per Frontdoor. There are plenty of bathroom flooring ideas to choose from, but using the wrong materials may be a deal breaker for some buyers when it's time to sell. The worst flooring choice that will make it harder to sell your home is carpeting in the bathroom. While carpeting might be tempting because it would feel warm and cozy underfoot, this feature has some serious cons.

Real estate experts say that carpeting in the bathroom can be a major turnoff and may prevent offers from being put on a home. Carpet in general, but especially in the bathroom, is not ideal for most people. Licensed real estate salesperson Jared Blumberg says "No matter how nice the pattern or quality, most people do not like carpeting in their homes and prefer almost any other flooring type in its place." He continues, "Whatever you do, please do not put carpet in your bathroom. I have seen this more times than I probably should have," (per Homes & Gardens). Find out more about why using carpet in the bathroom is such a bad idea.

A combination of dampness, warmth, and oxygen — which can be found in any bathroom that sees plenty of use — often leads to the growth of mold, especially on or underneath carpet. Whether there is an exhaust fan installed in the bathroom or not, mold and mildew can continue to build up over time and lead to health problems. There are also cleaning factors to consider. Chances are that the floor of the main bathroom in your home is a high-traffic area that often sees lots of water spills from the shower and sink as well as other debris like hair. This makes it problematic when trying to keep up with the cleanliness of bathroom carpeting. Water and messes could also lead to odors that can remain in the carpet for years. Aesthetically, carpet also makes a bathroom look outdated, too.

Instead of carpet, if you're wondering what type of flooring you should include in your bathroom, professional remodelers often turn to concrete. This material will stand up to wear and tear when sealed. Coatings for concrete surfaces have come a long way and can be purchased in a variety of colors. Tile also remains a solid choice and is one of the best materials for resale value. Luxury vinyl tile, along stone and ceramic tile, has proven to be a winner in bathrooms. These options will likely make your home more appealing to buyers.