What Is the Best Flooring for a Kitchen?

Most people choose between three types: tile, vinyl and linoleum. This guide explains what each one does well, gives kitchen tile ideas (including a farmhouse look) and shows what the lines on a FloorBox product page mean for you.

What should a kitchen floor be good at?

Ask three questions before you look at colours:

• Can it handle water? Look for "Waterproof" or "Water Resistant" on the product page. Our guide Waterproof or Water-Resistant Flooring explains the difference.
• Will it stand up to wear? Look for the traffic rating. On vinyl, also look at the wear layer, the clear protective layer on top.
• Is it easy to clean? A smooth surface with few seams wipes clean faster.

Is tile a good choice for a kitchen?

Yes. The FloorBox Tiles page says tile is mostly used in bathrooms, kitchens and showers because it is water-resistant, and that a quick mop removes stains. The page also explains the two main kinds:

• Ceramic: made of clay and minerals. A glazed ceramic tile is waterproof. An unglazed one is only water-resistant.
• Porcelain: denser than ceramic, so it is more durable and waterproof.

Tile is hard underfoot. If you stand a lot while cooking, put a mat in front of the sink and stove. Floor tiles are in Floor Tiles.

What are some kitchen tile ideas?

Three looks, each with a FloorBox example:

• Wood look. The Anatolia Porcelain Tiles Vintagewood Dune Matte 6" x 24" is a glazed, pressed porcelain tile shaped like a plank. It gives you the look of wood with a tile surface.
• Pattern. The Centura Floor Tiles Encaustic 2.0 Coal Lappato 12" x 12" is a porcelain tile with a bold geometric pattern, inspired by old European floors. Its page lists PEI 4 (Heavy Traffic), a wear rating that means it is made for busy floors. It also lists a slip rating of R10, a score from a test of how slippery the surface is.
• Brick look. See the farmhouse section below.

How do I get a farmhouse kitchen floor?

A farmhouse kitchen usually mixes brick, old wood and simple patterns.

• Brick-look tile. The MSI Floor Tiles Brickstone Red Matte 5" x 10" looks like reclaimed brick in reds, creams and browns. It is a glazed porcelain tile for floors, walls and counters. Its page lists water absorption under 0.5%, which means very little water soaks into the tile. It also lists a scratch resistance of 7 on the Mohs scale, a hardness test where a higher number means a harder surface. The page recommends a 1/8" grout joint (the gap between tiles).
• Pine-look sheet vinyl. The Tarkett Vinyl Sheet TruTEX Farmhouse Pine Harvest 12' gives a rustic wood look in one wide sheet. See the vinyl section below.

Is vinyl a good choice for a kitchen?

Yes. The FloorBox Vinyl page says vinyl is fully synthetic, so it suits kitchens, bathrooms, laundry rooms and basements.

The same page says the wear layer, the clear top layer, resists scratches and stains.

Vinyl comes in two main forms:

• Sheet vinyl comes in a wide roll, so a kitchen floor needs fewer seams. The TruTEX Farmhouse Pine page lists Waterproof: Yes, Stain Resistance: Yes and Pet Friendly: Yes, and names the kitchen as a place to use it. It is 12 ft wide and can be glued down or laid loose (no glue). Its page says it can go over most existing floors. More rolls are in Sheet Vinyl.
• Vinyl planks click together like a puzzle. The Planchers 1867 Vinyl Planks Evolution Magma Pro Fog Click Lock 5-7/8" x 48" says 100% Waterproof and lists Stain Resistance: Yes. It has a foam pad attached underneath. More are in Vinyl Planks.

Is linoleum or Marmoleum a good choice for a kitchen?

Linoleum is a smooth floor made mostly from natural materials. Marmoleum is the linoleum line made by Forbo. Forbo says it is made mainly of linseed oil, wood flour, pine rosin and limestone. Our guide What Is Linoleum Flooring? explains it in detail.

For a kitchen, this is what the Forbo Marmoleum Modular Tiles T5229 Fresh Walnut 9-13/16" x 39-3/8" page tells you:

• Chemical resistance: it resists diluted acids, oils and fats. It does not resist long contact with alkalis (strong cleaners with a high pH), so choose a mild cleaner.
• Traffic: Class 23 Domestic Heavy, so it is rated for heavy use in a home.
• Finish: Topshield pro, the factory finish on top.
• Floor heating: Radiant Heat Compatible: Yes, so it can go over in-floor heating.

Linoleum is glued down with an adhesive made for it, such as the Forbo Sustain 1195 Adhesive for Linoleum & Marmoleum. The floor under it should be smooth, because linoleum is thin and bumps can show through. More colours are in Linoleum & Marmoleum.

What about wood or laminate in a kitchen?

If you want wood in an open kitchen, see Wood Flooring and wipe spills right away. For laminate, check the water lines first. The Planchers 1867 Laminate Flooring Concerto XL Baryton Oak 7" x 48", for example, lists Water Resistant: No and Waterproof: No. Our guide Should I Choose Laminate or Vinyl Planks? compares the two.

What goes under kitchen tile?

Tile needs a solid, flat floor under it. An uncoupling membrane like the Schluter DITRA Uncoupling Membrane 150 sq ft goes between the floor and the tile and helps prevent cracked tile and grout. Our guide What Is an Uncoupling Membrane? explains how it works. Thinset and grout are in Tile Setting Materials.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best flooring for a kitchen with kids and pets?

Pick a floor that is waterproof and easy to clean, and wipe up spills and water-bowl splashes quickly. Of the floors in this guide, the TruTEX Farmhouse Pine sheet vinyl is the one whose page lists Pet Friendly: Yes; it also lists Waterproof: Yes.

Is porcelain or ceramic tile better for a kitchen floor?

The FloorBox Tiles page says porcelain is denser than ceramic, so it is more durable and waterproof. Glazed ceramic is also waterproof.

Can I put linoleum in my kitchen?

Yes. Marmoleum resists oils and fats, but avoid strong high-pH cleaners. It is glued down over a smooth floor.

What kind of tile looks good in a farmhouse kitchen?

Brick-look tile, wood-look porcelain and patterned tile all suit a farmhouse look. The Brickstone Red, Vintagewood Dune and Encaustic 2.0 Coal tiles above are examples.

Can I put laminate flooring in my kitchen?

Check the product page first. Some laminate lists Water Resistant: No, which means you need to wipe up spills right away.