From Bachelor Pad to High-End Rental: How I Installed My Own LVP Flooring

I recently stood in a room that used to be my husband Greg’s bachelor pad—a space that was "filthy, outdated, and honestly looked like it hadn't been touched in years". It was our first home as newlyweds, but after years of renting it out, it needed some serious cosmetic love. I decided to take it from tired and neglected to a stylish, functional masterpiece without breaking the bank.

Navigating the "Utter Mess" of Prep

My first step was dealing with the "total and utter mess" of the existing flooring. I began ripping out the old, dirty carpet in the main living areas and hallways. To save on costs, I chose to leave the carpet in the bedrooms. I carefully cut the carpet around the door jambs, making sure to leave plenty of extra material so a professional could come in later to restretch and tack it down properly.

Safety is always my top priority during demolition. To protect myself from flying debris and "goose eggs," I made sure to wear my Aleah Safety Glasses ANSI Z87.1+. To keep my hands protected while handling old tack strips and debris, I reached for my Aleah Nitrile DIY Gloves.

The Great Linoleum Debate

Once the carpet was gone, I had to face the old linoleum. I’ve pulled up linoleum before, and it can be a total nightmare. After doing some research on the Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP) I chose—which has a nice, thick cork backing—I realized I could save myself the headache by laying the new flooring directly over the thin linoleum. I did create a little damage while testing a corner, so I used some wood glue and my nail gun to secure it back down before moving forward.

Paint, Nails, and Logistics

Before the first plank touched the floor, I decided to "go to town" on the walls. I always prefer painting before the floors are in so that any drips land on the old subfloor instead of my brand-new LVP. I also had to pull the baseboards, which turned out to be a challenge because a "gazillion" three-inch nails were holding them in.

Getting the materials home was another adventure. I had to learn how to use ratchet tie-downs for the 40-minute drive from the store. Once back at the condo, I stayed organized by using my Aleah Silicone DIY Work Mat to keep my small tools and hardware in one place.

Mastering the Install

I quickly learned that the first few rows are "mission critical". If they aren't perfectly aligned, the whole project will be off. My planks were "wiggly" at first, so I used a trick I figured out: I taped the seams of the first few rows down with painter's tape to hold everything in alignment until I established a rhythm.

When I hit tricky spots around door jambs and realized I didn’t have a jigsaw, I didn't panic. I used a combination of a utility knife and a small hand saw to notch out those difficult corners. For any unexpected repairs, the Cordless Power Drill by Aleah Bundle gave me the lightweight power I needed to keep going even when I was exhausted.

By the time the carpet guy arrived to finish the transitions, I was "gassed" but so proud. Stepping back and saying, "I did that," is the best feeling in the world.

🎥 Watch My Full Transformation!

Want to see how I handled every "wiggly" plank and the final reveal of this high-end rental? Click here to view the full vlog on the Aleah DIY YouTube account!. Come see how I navigate the chaos of renovation and prove that we really are powerful enough to build our dreams.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Why did I decide to leave the old linoleum down? Because the LVP I used had a thick cork backing and the linoleum was very thin, it was safe to lay the new floor directly over it, saving me hours of difficult demolition.

2. How did I keep my first few rows of LVP from moving? I used painter's tape to secure the seams of the first two rows. This kept them from shifting while I snapped the subsequent rows into place.

3. Why did I paint before installing the floors? It is much easier to paint when you don't have to worry about protecting brand-new flooring. Any spills or splatters simply land on the old surface.

4. What did I do about the transition to the bedroom carpets? I cut the carpet at the doorways but left extra material. Then, I hired a professional to come in with the right tools to restretch and tack the carpet down against the new LVP.

5. How can I cut LVP if I don't have a jigsaw? For straight cuts, you can score the plank with a utility knife and snap it. For tricky notches around door frames, you can use a small hand saw or a door jamb saw.