Tough one... I would probably replace the old carpet with new carpet until I had enough money to redo the entire floor to match. Tile touching a different pattern tile would look off to me. And hardwood or laminate is probably too $$ so I would just wait and save up. The space will look much better with the same flooring throughout.

Have you checked local tile suppliers to see if the existing tile is still available? I would continue the tile that is there or replace the carpet since placement of furniture will be difficult with two levels of flooring.

Check carpet outlet stores for remnants.........the one near me has a good selection at economical prices.

I haven't checked yet. I feel like it likely would still be available since it's just builder grade, nothing special. The house was built in 2002. I suppose it would make sense to at least cost that out rather than assuming it would cost too much. With 2 kids, 2 large dogs & a personal bias against carpet lol we don't want any carpet in the house. Though I suppose a remnant wouldn't be terrible if it were cheap enough. No different than an area rug really, and I'm fine with those.

For future planning, what about a designed tile "rug" in that spot? Would that look odd also? It's not something I would want to do until we came up with a color plan though. I'm thinking with that sandy brown tile I should probably go with ... greens? I hate brown. Really, really hate it except for actual wood (which I love lol).

We're going for an inspection this afternoon so I'll take some good pics, this is the realtor listing one. I have a feeling I'll be on this board a lot in the next months :P

We had a surprise when we went to the house - the current owner was there. Nice guy! I asked if the tile had been there when he moved in. He said yes & he looked everywhere for a match! Lol I'm not the only one that wanted the carpet gone. So i guess that's not an option.

Seems like my options are a carpet remnant or stubbing our toes for at least the short term.

I think I am confused - but for the future wouldn't it make sense to rip out a couple of rows of current tile (maybe to that wall) and have your transition there instead of that place in the middle? I think 2 types of tile would be odd - maybe price laminate?

What about removing all the tile in that room up to the door, and carpeting the entire room until you eventually replace all the flooring.? I wouldn't do a tile "rug". I think that is too limiting for a permanent feature like tile flooring.

I like pink elephants solution the best.

It's weird but it makes sense--no carpet in the walkways and none in front of the fire place. But yeah. I'd probably put something cheap down (I don't hate plywood for this) and then hide it with an area rug until I was ready to replace it all. Including the tile on the FP.

Vinyl plank or sheet could be used for the entire room if you take out the tile which is definitely what I would do. I can tell you from experience finding a matching tile years later ain't gonna happen. If you have a habitat restore store in the area definitely go there! I got all the tile to do my entire guest bathroom with shower for 70 c sqft! And it's very high quality porcelain tile brand new. There's a Lot of nice new tile at the one here. I got all the replacement lever style door knob sets for the whole house for $3-4 a set. Electrical outlets and cover plates by the bag for just a few dollars. All new in the box Ac ceiling vents for $3 each. I have fallen in love with the Habitat restore store! If you hhate carpet, I do to especially after the flood, consider getting the very low tight pile commercial carpet with a rubber pad or no pad. It's way cheaper! And not nearly as bad for asthma.You ccould leave a little bit of the tile in front of the fireplace as a hearth.

These are great ideas; I hadn't even thought of these. What's funny to me is that we are also ripping out all carpet on the second floor & living with subfloor for awhile. If the subfloor isn't good enough to just paint /seal i was planning to buy plywood. But plywood never occurred to me for this?!

As for Habitat, LOVE it! I haven't had a chance to check out the one here, YET. When we lived in Chicago we went there. Though nothing here is old enough to be interesting to me, I'm sure plenty will be at least useful. If only i could figure out how to get salvage doors & windows here without paying an arm & leg!

The habitat store has a ton of doors of every type. Really beautiful antique doors, to louvered doors, to lead glass mahogany. I wanted the leaded glass mahogany but it was a huge door much too tall for my house. It's just amazing the things you can find. Good luck with your project.

Come back with a picture when you are done. I would be curious to see it! I would love to know why the original owners did such an odd thing!