Underfoot Upgrade: How We Installed LVP Flooring in Our Old Farmhouse
Why We Ditched the Carpet
When we first moved into our old farmhouse, we knew the floors would need some love. The carpet was stained, threadbare, and honestly, kind of gross. Between pets, kids, and years of wear, it had seen better days. Also, carpet in the dining room? Terrible idea.
We dreamed of something cleaner, more durable, and farmhouse-friendly. After some research (and a few trips to Lowe’s for samples), we decided on luxury vinyl plank (LVP) flooring—and we couldn’t be happier with the transformation.
Why We Chose Luxury Vinyl Plank
LVP flooring checked all our boxes:
- ✅ Water-resistant (perfect for muddy boots and accidental spills)
- ✅ Durable enough for high-traffic areas
- ✅ Budget-friendly
- ✅ Easy to install with just a few basic tools
- ✅ Beautiful—seriously, it looks like real wood!
While we would have loved to restore the original hardwood floors, the house had seen some renovations in its 100+ year history that made that difficult. When it was originally built, it had columns throughout the main floor that were removed sometime in the 50’s. We found evidence of this under the carpet. The LVP solved this problem and was an overall easier and more practical choice for our family.
What You’ll Need to Install LVP Flooring
Before you dive in, here’s what you’ll need for this project:
Tools & Supplies:
- Utility knife
- Pry bar
- Pliers
- Floor scraper or putty knife
- Measuring tape
- Spacers
- Rubber mallet
- Tapping block (or scrap piece of flooring)
- Pencil
- Square/ruler
- Undercut saw (optional)
- Shop vacuum
- LVP flooring
- Underlayment (if your flooring doesn’t have it pre-attached)
- Transition strips (for doorways and between rooms)
Step-by-Step: How We Did It
Step 1: Choose your Flooring
We had a few important factors to consider when choosing our new flooring. While we’re planning a full kitchen remodel in the future, we haven’t finalized colors or finishes yet. Since the new flooring would continue into the kitchen, we needed something versatile—something that would work with our currently imaginary kitchen design.
We also had a lot of beautiful, original wood trim and built-in cabinetry throughout the house that we weren’t planning to change. So, it was important to find a floor that wouldn’t clash with those warm, existing tones.
After researching different brands and narrowing things down based on our budget, we decided on SMARTCORE by COREtec. To keep things flexible, we looked for a color with lots of variation—something that could bridge the gap between our current wood tones and whatever the kitchen ends up looking like.
We brought home a few samples to test next to our trim and quickly fell in love with Claremount Oak. It has a vintage farmhouse charm and a mix of warm and cool wood tones that tied everything together beautifully.
Step 2: Remove the Old Carpet
We started by cutting the old carpet into manageable strips using a utility knife. If you’ve never done this before, fair warning—it’s dusty, a bit grimy, and oddly satisfying. We rolled up each section and set it aside as we worked our way across the room.
In my ongoing quest to reduce waste where I can, we got a little creative with how we reused the carpet. We cut the strips to fit the bottom of our dog’s kennel and stacked them in the basement. Now, if there’s a muddy paw mess or an accident, we can just toss the dirty piece and pop a fresh one in. We’ve even repurposed a few as padding under a slip-and-slide for the kids. Not glamorous, but practical!
Once the carpet was gone, we pried up the tack strips and pulled out every last staple using a combination of pliers and a floor scraper. A shop vacuum made quick work of the leftover dust and debris, leaving us with a clean, smooth subfloor ready for installation.
We wanted to keep our original trim in place, but the quarter round had to go. Luckily, it came off easily with a pry bar, and we were able to leave the main trim intact. If you’re hoping to reuse your trim, just be sure to pry carefully and remove any leftover nails so it’s ready to reinstall later.
💡 Tip: Wear gloves and a mask—there’s a surprising amount of mystery dust under old carpet.
Step 2: Prep the Subfloor
Before installing anything, we checked the subfloor for squeaks, nails, and uneven spots. We hammered down any protruding nails and filled minor low spots with leveling compound. This is important to avoid hollow spots underneath your planks.
If your LVP doesn’t come with a pre-attached underlayment, now’s the time to roll out your underlayment according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Step 3: Plan Your Layout
We dry-laid a few planks to figure out the best direction. For a natural, open look, the general rule is to run the planks parallel to the longest wall in the room. We actually went against this rule, as we were installing the flooring throughout multiple rooms and this layout made the most sense to us. Make sure to stagger the seams at least 6 inches from row to row for stability and visual appeal.
Step 4: Cut and Click
Most LVP planks are “click-lock,” meaning they snap together without glue or nails. We started in one corner, using spacers along the wall for expansion gaps, and worked row by row.
To cut planks to size, we scored them with a utility knife and snapped them. For tricky corners or notches (around vents or doorframes), a jigsaw or oscillating multitool came in handy.
🛠️ Pro Tip: Use a tapping block and mallet to gently click the planks together without damaging the edges.
Step 5: Finish the Edges
Once all the planks were in place, we installed transition strips at doorways and quarter-round to cover expansion gaps for a clean, finished look.
Before & After: What a Difference!
Swapping carpet for LVP completely changed the feel of the room. It’s cleaner, brighter, and so much easier to maintain. Plus, it gave our old farmhouse a modern upgrade while still keeping that rustic charm.
Final Thoughts: You Can Do This!
We were a little intimidated at first, but ripping up carpet and installing luxury vinyl plank was one of the easier DIY projects we’ve tackled. If you’re thinking about doing the same—go for it!
With a weekend, some basic tools, and a little patience, you can totally transform your space too.
