I'm trying to modernise my home. Getting contemporary fittings and furniture. I have a black leather couch, some pine timber furniture, a white kitchen... So I'm really stuck of a good colour wooden flooring. I'm not a huge fan of my terracotta look tiles but it's simply to expensive to replace them all.

Hi Rachael and rhjaai Regarding batch numbers................I have not heard that one before, wondering who advised you of that, and which product. Quickstep, Godfrey Hirst, and other quality manufacturers do not have batches, as such, that require matching. You can replace a plank with another batch and it will make no difference. Rachael, I agree you have perfectly matched the floor with cabinet sample, and will look great, but if you haven't already purchased, I'd recommend you look at http://www.karndean.com/en-nz/floors/easy-fit-ranges/karndean-looselay These vinyl planks are amazing and are quickly becoming a best seller here in NZ, soft underfoot, easy to keep clean, R10 slip rating ( R11 is required behind bars/clubs etc, so very high), lifetime residential warranty, and look great.

Photo for reference, a little darker in perso

If you were selling , are you sure you will recoup the extra $$$$ ? Get it wrong , and a potential buyer will walk and/or offer $50k less , whereas if you leave it as it is , they will know it needs replacing , offer $10k less , but you have gotten an offer ! Just me , but what I would do is rip up the fake tile lino in the foyer ( I assume it is lino -- it doesn't look to be 'proper' tiled ? ) , and do that in a darkish timber laminate -- slightly lighter than the front door , slightly darker than the stairs . Or go really dark -- almost a dark weathered grey or a similar dark brown to the drawer unit in the lounge -- the rest of the colourings will lighten it a bit , but it will all tie in . OR actually tile it , maybe a black or charcoal gloss marble or marble effect with lighter streaks through it ? The house and colourings look an older style , this continues that theme , but I feel white or beige tiles would look too bland . $2k max instead of $10k -- marble tiles may be more than $2k , but up to you .