The kitchen is the hub of the home. It is where most of the activity in the home takes place – eating, talking, gathering, homework – you name it. A remodeled kitchen also has a high return on investment, in some cases, almost 80%. 

A new kitchen remodel needs many things, appliances, cabinetry, paint, and flooring. There are many options to choose from when selecting kitchen floors. Let’s look over some of the choices and how to make the best selection. 

Thoughts on Kitchen Floors

Because the kitchen is one of the busiest places in the home, it generates most of the traffic. Here are a couple of things to consider before sorting through your flooring options. 

If you’re in the kitchen a lot, consider a floor that can hold up to massive drops, spills, and walking. You’ll need a highly durable floor if this is your lifestyle, and the extra money might be worth spending. 

Be sure to choose the flooring that fits your style! Kitchen floors are trendy, but trends go out of style. Pick something that you’re happy with and that suits your theme or color scheme you love. 

The kitchen can get messy fast. Between spills and mud-tracked floors, it’s easy to estimate that cleaning the kitchen floor needs to be done daily. Find a floor that’s easy to clean and will resist mold, sitting water, and staining. 

Your budget is a primary concern when it comes to picking a new kitchen floor. Flooring choices can become expensive, so make sure to set a budget and stick to it. Thankfully there’s a type of kitchen floor for almost every budget. 

If you have several patterns in your kitchen, stick with a basic color and type of flooring. Too much design can cause your kitchen to look busy and overcrowded. 

Types of Kitchen Floors

Generally speaking, there are four types of kitchen floors to choose from. Here are the pros and cons of each. 

Tile

Tile offers a variety of choices. Ceramic, porcelain, and stone are three that are low maintenance and can handle heavy traffic and its known for its durability. Ceramic is often inexpensive and long-lasting when well-kept. 

The installation of tile is more time consuming, and your subfloors will need to be in excellent condition. Ceramic floor is made of clay and then painted. If it’s chipped in any way and needs to be replaced, which requires cutting around the grout and installing a new piece. 

Laminate

If you want a cost-effective option for kitchen floor tiles, turn to laminate flooring. Laminate is made from fiberboard, so It’s easy to install, maintain, and works to prevent leaks into your subfloor. There are endless styles and colors to choose from. 

Laminate lacks the durability of tile, and it will show wear and tear sooner. If it becomes too worn, refinishing is not possible, so the entire floor will need to be replaced. 

Wood

By far, wood is the most desirable, especially in a high-end kitchen. It’s stunning, classic, and incredibly durable. Hardwood is a perfect choice because it withstands much traffic and creates a uniform look for open floor plans. 

However, wood is the most costly (yet it can be refinished), and you’ll have to be careful about cleaning because it’s sensitive to moisture.

Engineered hardwood is an excellent choice if you’re on a budget and still want real wood. The installation is much easier compared to real wood. It maintains its durability, cleaning is simple, and you don’t have to worry about too much moisture damaging the floors. 

Vinyl

You can typically find vinyl flooring in a professional setting, but it’s an excellent choice for your kitchen! Their installation is simple (think peel and stick), and there are so many colors and designs, so you can get the look of stone or wood without breaking the bank. 

If you’re looking for a low-cost temporary flooring, vinyl works. However, it is best used in a short-term situation and likely will not hold up for years and years in a home. 

Colors

Now that you know the types of flooring that are available, it’s time to talk about color! The color of your flooring is an element that ties the entire room together. Make sure the colors are complementary to the other items in the kitchen to create a balance.

If you have a smaller space, try going with a lighter color. Light colors give the illusion that the room is more extensive. Comparative to dark floors, light colors don’t show scratches, scuffs, or dents as heavily. 

Many other shades are ranging from warm to dark. Your floor color will depend on other factors like the colors of your cabinets, paint, and countertops. Choosing a warmer or darker shade can be tricky because if space is vast, the dark color appears overwhelming and not as inviting. 

Other Options

If you find the flooring that you love and works within your budget, remember that painting your walls and changing your decor is possible. Sometimes there’s a simple way to make changes and compromises in exchange for other decorative elements you want. 

Are You Ready to Choose New Kitchen Floors?

Picking a kitchen floor can be a fun and exciting experience. New flooring can add a vibrant new flavor to your kitchen, making it a beautiful place to gather. 

With all the choices available for kitchen flooring, seeking the help of a professional might be beneficial. Our team has over 15 years of experience in designing and constructing beautiful and functional kitchens. Contact us today to see how we can help you!