I would do both rooms the same.

I see carpet samples. Are you for sure doing either carpet or laminate, or is the choice laminate vs no change?

The picture has carpet samples and laminate samples. The carpet needs to be updated so my dilemma is to stay with carpet for this room or change to a laminate.

Do you mean from a resale value point of view? I looked at the Remedy "Birmingham Hickory" and it looks a little orange to me. (I like neutral brown floors, no red, no orange, etc.)

The carpet you have in the guess room is nice and welcoming. What other flooring do you have in the house and how many other bedrooms, single level or 2-story? You don't want it to be a patchwork look. Do you plan on using this flooring elsewhere in the house?

No. Not necessarily. We don't have any plans on moving right now. I am making an office out of one of the 4 bedrooms and want to use laminate as the flooring. As the carpet in the guest bedroom is worn I was planning on replacing the carpet to match the other rooms. Then I thought maybe I should put laminate in there as well. It is a two-story house.

I don't want an orange tone. It may just be the picture. It's so hard to decide from a small sample.

"my dilemma is to stay with carpet for this room or change to a laminate."

In that case I would keep all the bedrooms consistent including the guest room. The room being used as an office can be different, that's fine.

(Test the sample over by the window and under artificial lights at night too.)

thanks. I do kinda agree but since I like the look of wood and think it is cleaner, it's a hard decision. I keep going back and forth. Plus the room gets so little use I didn't want to spend the extra money.

I understand -- I looove the look of wood. What is the price difference with carpet?

There's also the consideration that you'll always be able to find beige carpet to match when it's time to replace carpet in the other rooms, or if you should ever want to go back to carpet in the office (for sale, for example). But it is very likely that you *won't* be able to match the laminate in order to get consistency that way. Beige carpet is beige carpet to most people and they wouldn't notice slight variations. Different laminate styles look incredibly different.

You'll enjoy the look of the laminate as you use your office frequently. You will rarely see the guest room floor. I would go carpet with no hesitation! Spend the extra $ on something you'll enjoy!

Lindsey - I think you are absolutely right as I have a lot of other projects and the money will come in handy! thanks for the advice and input. BTW - are you a decorator?

I personally would NEVER decide on a floor with just a small sample. I'd choose the floor that I was almost certain would work, and then order a box of it. Then make your decision.

I like the color I see on my screen, especially with your bedding. I'd want to see a whole box of it to see that "distressing" or wavy grooving in the floor. Some laminates do that in such a repetitive pattern that it looks kind of ridiculous (imho). I do like laminate though, just would want one that looks real. Also check the beveling on the edge, to be sure you like it. That can really add to the realism.

"BTW - are you a decorator?"

No, only an interested amateur :) I'm happy if I could give you some useful advice as you make your decision though :-D