Choose the Best Flooring for Your Kitchen

The floor you choose greatly affects every other element of your design, and with the variety of materials, colors and textures available today, there’s something for everyone.

Here are some things to keep in mind when shopping for kitchen floor tile:

Lifestyle. When relatives or pets join the mealtime fun, choosing flooring material can be tricky: Some stand up to heavy use; others don’t. And if you have young children in the house, it’s important to invest in a surface that won’t slip underfoot.

Your Style Sense. Flooring is often ignored when designing or remodeling a kitchen, but it can take an ordinary space and turn it into something extraordinary.

Comfort. If you spend most of your time standing on your feet, tile floors might not be the best option. Wood or resilient floors are better for reducing leg fatigue. And whatever you choose, a soft rug can add comfort as well.

Ease of Cleaning. Kitchen floors get dirty quickly, and require regular upkeep. To save yourself time in the future, choose a flooring material that is easy to clean— as well as water resistant and not prone to staining.

Cost. When planning a remodel, most people budget for countertops, cabinetry and lighting. How much space do you have to work with in the kitchen? It’s always better to know this before buying flooring so that you don’t get stuck with more than your project can handle. There are many different types of flooring available, so be prepared to take into consideration additional costs like delivery or removal of your old floor. In the end it’s worth it for a kitchen that looks great!

Vinyl

100% waterproof and featuring an attached cork underlayment that is naturally resistant to mold, mildew and odor—the luxury vinyl hardwood-look flooring was constructed with warmth, softness and quietude in mind. This makes it the perfect choice for a major gathering space like this one at home.

Resilient flooring comes in a wide range of styles and colors that are relatively affordable.

Sheet vinyl is a good choice for bathrooms, kitchens, and home offices. It’s waterproof, stain-proof—and easy to clean up after spills happen (though weeding small pieces out of the grout lines might not be so appealing). The flooring comes in an array of colors: from basic tans or black hues all the way up to embossed varieties that mimic real stone tile. Sheet vinyl has a soft surface that makes standing on it for long periods of time more comfortable. If you drop dishes or glasses onto this type of flooring, they usually won’t break. Many types of sheet vinyl can be purchased for very little.

Porcelain Tile

Porcelain kitchen tile flooring is stronger than ceramic, and it’s less porous so stains can’t soak into the surface. Glazed porcelain tiles have a glass-like coating and come in any color, while unglazed tiles retain the earthy colors of their natural clay base. Some porcelain kitchen flooring tiles have been proven to be slip-resistant by the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Domestic Breakfast Kitchen

Hardwood

Hardwood flooring creates warmth and beauty in the large kitchen, where it also works to cushion footsteps. If you have an open floor plan and want a single type of flooring that extends beyond your kitchen, hardwood is a good choice. It combines durability with low-maintenance: Properly finished hardwood resists moisture from occasional splashes but should be wiped up immediately if it gets wet. Engineered wood flooring has a top layer of real wood, supported by layers of plywood that make it more stable in humid and hot conditions. Such hardwood kitchen flooring ideas are the best there is!

Linoleum

Linoleum is another eco-friendly kitchen flooring option. Made from renewable cork powder and linseed oil, it has no harmful VOCs; unlike most other types of flooring, which wear out quickly when exposed to harsher chemicals such as detergents or cleaners used in the kitchen environment Linoleum is resistant to damage by harsh cleaning products and difficult spills Moisture-resistant, but a bit susceptible to staining. Make sure that the product you buy has a protective coating against scratches and spills.