What Flooring Adds the Most Value to Toronto Homes in 2025?
When it comes to renovating your home, few upgrades offer a better return on investment than new flooring. It impacts everything—your home’s appearance, comfort, functionality, and resale value. For Toronto homeowners preparing to sell, refinance, or simply increase their property’s long-term appeal, the right flooring choice can make a major difference.
At The Floor Shop, we often get asked: What flooring adds the most value to homes in Toronto? The answer depends on several factors—neighbourhood, layout, lifestyle—but certain materials consistently stand out in the 2025 market.
Let’s break down the top value-boosting flooring options, and why Toronto buyers are looking for quality underfoot.

Why Flooring Matters to Home Value
Flooring is one of the first things buyers notice when touring a home. It ties rooms together, influences perceived cleanliness and quality, and can even make a home feel newer or more dated.
Here’s why flooring holds so much weight in the Toronto real estate market:
- Durability and low maintenance are big selling points for busy urban buyers.
- Open-concept layouts are common in Toronto homes, which makes seamless flooring flow essential.
- Condos, semis, and older homes need flooring that handles high foot traffic, fluctuating humidity, and sometimes limited natural light.
- Buyers are looking for move-in-ready properties, and worn or outdated flooring can deter interest or lower offers.
With that in mind, here are the flooring types that add the most value to Toronto homes in 2025:
Living Rooms: Warmth Meets Wide Planks
In living rooms, comfort, style, and visual flow are key. Open floor plans are still dominant in Toronto, and homeowners are choosing flooring that offers a seamless transition from space to space.
Top Trends:
- Engineered Hardwood: Still the gold standard for living areas. Wide planks (at least 6 inches) with subtle grain create a high-end, relaxed look.
- Cork Flooring: For families or condos, cork adds warmth, quiets foot traffic, and cushions everyday movement.
- Matte and low-sheen finishes: Glossy floors are fading out—Toronto homeowners prefer subtle elegance and easy maintenance.
Design Insight:
Neutral flooring tones like blonde woods keep the space feeling modern and help furniture stand out.
Engineered Hardwood: Timeless and Toronto-Proof
Why it adds value:
Engineered hardwood continues to be a top pick among homebuyers in Toronto. It offers the elegance of real wood with added durability and stability—essential for homes that deal with Ontario’s changing humidity levels.
Key benefits:
- Real wood veneer with multi-layer construction.
- Resistant to warping and shrinking.
- Can be installed over radiant heating or concrete.
- Popular in open-concept main floors and living areas.
Best for:
Living rooms, bedrooms, hallways, and anywhere buyers expect warmth and luxury.
Pro tip from The Floor Shop:
Choose a neutral, wide-plank style in white oak or light walnut tones—these are trending in 2025 and appeal to the broadest range of buyers.
Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP): Practical and Polished
Why it adds value:
LVP offers the look of hardwood or stone with water resistance and unmatched durability. In a market like Toronto where families, pet owners, and condo-dwellers need low-maintenance solutions, LVP is a practical standout.
Key benefits:
- 100% waterproof and scratch-resistant.
- Affordable, yet stylish.
- Great for high-traffic areas or rental properties.
- Click-lock installation makes future repairs easy.
Best for:
Kitchens, basements, laundry rooms, rental suites, or entire homes on a budget.
Pro tip from The Floor Shop:
Buyers love consistency—installing LVP throughout a home (even on stairs) can create a seamless, modern look that shows well.
Cork Flooring: Sustainable Comfort Buyers Appreciate
Why it adds value:
In 2025, eco-conscious upgrades are more important than ever. Cork flooring is renewable, quiet, warm underfoot, and naturally resistant to mold and mildew—perfect for health- and environment-focused homeowners.
Key benefits:
- Eco-friendly and biodegradable.
- Hypoallergenic and antimicrobial.
- Naturally insulates against sound and heat.
- Comfortable for standing or walking.
Best for:
Bedrooms, home offices, or upstairs levels in family homes.
Pro tip from The Floor Shop:
Cork’s unique texture and warmth feel luxurious in smaller rooms—and paired with white walls or light cabinets, it instantly modernizes older Toronto homes.
Matching Stair Treads and Rails: The Finishing Touch
Why it adds value:
If you’re upgrading flooring on the main floor or upper level, matching stair treads and railings create visual flow. Toronto buyers pay attention to craftsmanship, and cohesive staircases signal quality.
Key benefits:
- Custom options match hardwood or LVP.
- Stained or painted finishes add style.
- Improve safety and visual impact.
- Easier to clean than carpeted stairs.
Best for:
Two-storey homes, semi-detached properties, and renovations where floors are being replaced upstairs and down.
What Flooring Should You Avoid if You're Selling?
While flooring is a personal decision, some choices may hurt your home’s resale appeal in Toronto’s competitive market:
- Wall-to-wall carpet: Rarely adds value, especially in condos or high-end homes.
- Mixed materials: Too many flooring types across rooms can feel disjointed.
- Bold colours or trendy patterns: May not appeal to the widest audience.
If resale value is a key goal, aim for neutral tones, natural textures, and durability over style fads.
Flooring ROI: What to Expect
In general, upgrading your flooring can recoup between 70–90% of its cost in resale value—sometimes more if it modernizes the entire space. Homes with cohesive, high-quality flooring throughout are more likely to:
- Sell faster.
- Receive multiple offers.
- Appraise higher.
- Require fewer buyer concessions.
Choosing the Right Flooring for Your Toronto Neighbourhood
Toronto is made up of diverse home types and buyer preferences. Here’s what to consider:
- Condos in Downtown or Liberty Village: Prioritize quiet, waterproof options like vinyl with underlayment.
- Older Homes in The Beaches or High Park: Use engineered hardwood to match character while adding modern performance.
- Family Homes in Leaside or North York: Cork and durable vinyl are great for active families and pets.
- Luxury Properties in Rosedale or Forest Hill: Wide-plank engineered hardwood in warm neutrals creates a high-end feel.
At The Floor Shop, we understand Toronto neighbourhoods—and we’ll help you choose flooring that fits both your property and market.
Final Thoughts: Smart Flooring = Smart Investment
The right flooring not only enhances your everyday living—it can have a significant impact on your home’s resale value. In Toronto’s competitive market, buyers are looking for stylish, durable, and well-installed floors that match the property’s character and function.
Whether you’re prepping to sell or planning ahead, updating your flooring is one of the smartest upgrades you can make.
Transform Your Home with The Floor Shop in Toronto
At The Floor Shop, we’ve been helping Toronto homeowners choose, customize, and professionally install high-value flooring for decades. From engineered hardwood to waterproof vinyl and cork, we carry top-quality options that add long-term value and timeless beauty to your home.
Come visit one of our Toronto showrooms or contact us for a consultation—we’ll help you invest in floors that truly pay off.