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The interim results of my unscientific flooring poll

By
Home Builder with The Flooring Girl

mid toned hardwood floorsFirst, thank you all that participated in my flooring poll. This flooring poll is ongoing and you are more than welcome to cast your vote. And, yes, I know it's not very scientific.  But, it's still fun.  Also, I know there are geographic preferences which are sometimes based on house construction, climate, as well as decor/architecture.

 

So, here are the findings so far (with 46 votes cast).  Most of it is consitent with what we are seeing here in the flooring market for westchester.

 

What is your preferred flooring surface for the kitchen?

  • 46% Hardwood
  • 43% Tile
  • 4% Vinyl
  • 4% Laminate
  • 2% Cork

This is fairly consistent with what I would have expected, except that in the Westchester/NY area, there tends to be a bit more a preference for hardwood over tile (whereas in warm climates, there is more of a preference for tile).

 

light hardwood floorsWhich type of flooring do you prefer for the living room?

  • 93% Hardwood
  • 7% Carpet

As expected, the overwhelming majority prefer hardwood floors in the main/common areas of the home.  

 

Which type of flooring do you prefer for the bedroom?

  • carpet in westchester56% Hardwood
  • 44% Carpet

This is consistent with what I see from my customers - they are split on their preferences for the bedrooms.  In our area, for houses that have poor insulation, many customers prefer carpet for the warmth they provide (and lower energy bills).

 

Which shades of hardwood flooring stains do you prefer?

  • 26% Dark
  • 62% Mid-tone
  • 12% Light

This one surprised me as it is inconsistent with what I'm seeing in the Westchester/NY area.  Here, there is a strong preference for dark hardwood floors. And, this is followed by light hardwood floors.  I'm not sure if these results are skewed based on area of the country answering, low sample size or people's definition of mid-tone vs. dark vs. light.  I will say I go on plenty of appointments and aks people what they prefer and their answer is inconsistent with what they actually pick once they see the stain choices.  Funny.

 

Which tones of hardwood stains do you prefer?

  • brazilian cherry86% Browns/golds
  • 14% Reds

This is very consistent with what I see.  Reds tend to be very polarizing and only a minority of customers prefer these tones.

 

While these results may not be scientific, they are directionally correct and mostly consistent with what I see on a daily basis.  Hopefully, this info will help you, especially if you have sellers contemplating what to do with their floors before they put their house on the market. This may provide some guidance on what is most appealing to the largest set of buyers.  If, however, someone is living/staying in their house, it's most important that they choose something that they like.

 

Comments (43)

Brian Schulman
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage, Lancaster PA - Lancaster, PA
Lancaster County PA RealEstate Expert 717-951-5552

Debbie, your poll results largely correlate with my own preferences.  However, I was in the (large) minority when it comes to bedrooms, preferring carpet when walking barefoot.

May 05, 2014 10:10 PM
Michael Setunsky
Woodbridge, VA
Your Commercial Real Estate Link to Northern VA

Debbie, hardwood floors seem to be the trend today. I've been through the cycle once already from hardwood to carpet and now back to hardwood.

May 05, 2014 10:17 PM
ReadySetLoan Team
ReadySetLoan Condo Team LLC - South Windsor, CT
Residential, Commercial & Condo Financing Experts

This is very interesting and it's nice to know that if I redo the wood floors, I should stick with brown/gold tones as it would help with resale.  One of the questions asked about wood/carpet in the living and dining room.  I chose wood but I prefer carpet in the living room and wood in the dining room.

May 05, 2014 10:17 PM
Bruce Kunz
C21 Solid Gold Realty, Brick, NJ, 732-920-2100 - Howell, NJ
REALTOR®, Brick & Howell NJ Homes for Sale

Hi Debbie. Whether it's "Scientific" or not, the results are informative.  Each individual makes their choices in the end anyway.
Thanks for sharing,
Bruce

 

May 05, 2014 11:02 PM
Richie Alan Naggar
people first...then business Ran Right Realty - Riverside, CA
agent & author

Effective marketing that engages the consumer..Keep this up and well done

May 06, 2014 12:16 AM
Sally K. & David L. Hanson
EXP Realty 414-525-0563 - Brookfield, WI
WI Real Estate Agents - Luxury - Divorce

Been there...have that...on to cork !

May 06, 2014 12:26 AM
Myrl Jeffcoat
Sacramento, CA
Greater Sacramento Realtor - Retired

First off let me say that the flooring in your first photo is gorgeous!  

I also agree with the results those polled created.  I have always been partial to the redder colors of flooring, but find they seem to be limiting in the number of other decorative options you associate with them.

May 06, 2014 12:31 AM
Dwight Puntigan
DRP Realty, LLC - Saint Peters, MO
Dwight Puntigan

Thanks, I just used your share button above to share on my facebook page.

May 06, 2014 12:43 AM
Adrian Willanger
206 909-7536 AdrianWillanger-broker.com - Seattle, WA
Profit from my two decades of experience

Debbie, thanks for sharing the results. In the NW we see much more hardwood over tile and lots of carpeting in bedrooms. I personally would like to see more cork used. 

May 06, 2014 12:58 AM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Debbie- I loved seeing the results, which was pretty much what I chose.  That was fun.

May 06, 2014 01:05 AM
Debbie Gartner
The Flooring Girl - White Plains, NY
The Flooring Girl & Blog Stylist -Dynamo Marketers

All - Thank you so much for your comments and support. It's been a crazy morning.  I will try to respond later.

May 06, 2014 01:53 AM
Debbie Gartner
The Flooring Girl - White Plains, NY
The Flooring Girl & Blog Stylist -Dynamo Marketers

Myrl - 1st photo is Brazilian walnut.  It's beautiful, but tends to be expensive. Very hard, too.

May 06, 2014 01:54 AM
Debb Janes
Nature As Neighbors - Camas, WA
Put My Love of Nature At Work for You

I had fun with your poll and most all top votes matched my choices - except for  bedroomw - I have indoor allergies, so I need hardwoods everywhere. Not a fan of carpet and all of the things that hide in the fibers. 

May 06, 2014 03:10 AM
Ann Zieve
Keller Williams Success Realty - Eden, UT
Unmatched Ownership Experience

The results were excellent Debbie. Will consider doing it on our area so we'll what are their floor preference. Thank you so much.

May 06, 2014 04:56 AM
Tamra Lee Ulmer
Arizona Resource Realty - Payson, AZ
NRBA ~FORCE~ Over 1000 REO Assets SOLD!

Great results!

May 06, 2014 05:49 AM
Sharon Parisi
United Real Estate Dallas - Dallas, TX
Dallas Homes

Debbie, the results of your polls follow what I am seeing in the DFW area.

May 06, 2014 09:02 AM
Jennifer Fivelsdal
JFIVE Home Realty LLC | 845-758-6842|162 Deer Run Rd Red Hook NY 12571 - Rhinebeck, NY
Mid Hudson Valley real estate connection

Debbie nice pool I was with the majority except for the red floors  :)

May 06, 2014 03:06 PM
Kat Palmiotti
eXp Commercial, Referral Divison - Kalispell, MT
Helping your Montana dreams take root

I love this and will take your poll as well - I like the darker hardwood so that's how you can tell I was a Westchesterite at one point!

May 07, 2014 02:46 AM
Jeff Jensen
The Federal Savings Bank/Lending in 50 states - Greenwich, CT

It is iinteresting that folks prefer the warm carpet in the bedroom.

May 07, 2014 07:32 AM
Kristina Heili
Keller Williams Premier Realty - Woodbury, MN
Comprehensive Real Estate Services

You've answered questions I've pondered about. If it wouldn't be financial suicide, I'd rip up my expansive ceramic tile and carpeting and replace it with wood flooring and the gorgeous area rugs that are now available. 

May 08, 2014 12:43 AM