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Flooring for a small kitchen


Small kitchen flooring ideas – the best options for tiny spaces

(Image credit: A2 Studio)

No matter their size, small kitchens serve big needs. Because of their limited space, every inch of a small kitchen needs to be functional, easy to work in, and practical. When it comes to small kitchen flooring ideas, these can serve several purposes: they can inject a design element into the space, make the area seem larger than it is (thanks to clever tile layout ideas), and even bring in a myriad of colors and pattern.

From heritage designs to contemporary schemes, there are so many options to choose from. 'Various tile materials like ceramic, glass, or natural stone can zest up small kitchens by bringing in the excellence of patterns and geometry. Illustrious stone tiles with unique veining are another impactful alternative to bring in drama. Choose tiles arraying from pastels to prints, mosaics to lacquered glass, natural stones, and more to visually expand a small kitchen,' says Rajesh Bhandari, Director, A-Class Marble.

So if you have been blessed with a small kitchen and looking for flooring ideas to add style and space, we have you covered...

1. Pick the perfect tile material for a small kitchen

(Image credit: Marie Flanigan/Julie Soefer)

When it comes to small kitchen floor tiles, the options seem almost endless. But we'd recommend thinking practically first – you want to pick materials that are anti-skid, durable, strong (as this is a high traffic area) yet inherently stylish. Porcelain and ceramic tiles are great candidates as these are suitable for both indoors and outdoors, which means they're hardy materials. Ceramic tiles in particular are resistant to stains and water. Both these tiles are available in a wide variety of colors and patterns. 

The other popular option is a natural stone; be it marble, limestone, travertine, or slate. These tiles need to be sealed to protect them from water and stains, and need to be cleaned with professional cleaning products (keep them far away from acidic cleaners as these tiles are alkaline in nature).  

Wooden tiles have stood the test of time, are highly durable, and give the interior a sense of warmth. You could even choose wood effect tiles if real wood is too expensive. These look like real wood and are available in printed knots and grains. 

Finally, cement tiles are a great addition to modern and industrial kitchens and are available in several designs and colors. However, they are porous, and if not regularly sealed, can have a very short lifespan.

2. Give the space a big personality with patterned tiles

(Image credit: Marie Flanigan Interiors/Julie Soefer)

For a smile-inducing kitchen design, choose patterned tiles that give the space a standout look. The best way to choose a color for your flooring is to pick out a hue that already exists in your kitchen color scheme. That way the space will look coordinated and have a sense of uniformity.

'Geometrical shape tiles, larger or smaller scale, can be used to make unique and fun patterns and emphasize feature areas and paths. Mosaic tiles also look bold & luxurious. Placing them on just on one part of the floor or in the entire kitchen floor will enrich the room and offer an amazing detail,' says interior designer Iman Lalji . 

Colorful tiles look more pronounced when the kitchen has a large window that allows the sun to peek in. The natural light emphasis on the real tones of the tiles and helps create a warm look. 

In terms of materials, you could choose terracotta, encaustic or ceramic tiles, that look wonderful with patterns and prints. If you love the vintage look, you could even speak to tile companies that are able to give new tiles an aged look, helping create a beautiful vintage look inside your kitchen.

3.Match floor tiles to the cabinetry for a cohesive look

(Image credit: Iman Lalji)

If you want to make the small kitchen look bigger, the lesser visual breaks it has, the better it is. A unified, common color throughout the room can make it seem airy and spacious.  

This narrow galley kitchen makes a real case for going darker with your flooring choices too. We know the rule to lighter colors in smaller spaces, but often dark hues can have the same space expanding effects and blur the edges of the room, making it appear larger. The herringbone layout draws the eye along the room.

4. Zone a tiny kitchen with flooring

(Image credit: Neptune)

Be adventurous with your small kitchen flooring and use it to bring character into a small space. Geometric tiles can add a contemporary interest to a space, especially if they're laid out in a creative manner. While wall-to-wall tiles are pretty common, you could choose to create a patchwork effect on the floor, with the printed tiles in the middle and light-toned ones around it.

Another advantage to patterned tiles is that they help delineate a zone, especially useful in open plan homes or studio apartments. The tiles help create a separate section for the kitchen and give it its own personality.

5. Choose grout-less small kitchen flooring

(Image credit: Mary Wadsworth)

The biggest advantage of a grout-less tile is that it makes cleaning the floor oh-so-easy! These tiles are made of a solid backing, with no grout or sealer used to hold the tile down.  Ideally, marble or natural stone tiles, that are available in large slabs can be converted into grout-less tiles that can be held together with a strong sealant or sometimes even a stainless steel wire mesh that covers the surface of the tile. 

In a small kitchen, these types of tiles make the floor, and the overall room seamless, large, and breezy. Grout-less tiles, due to their unique make and installation are quite durable and long-lasting. 

6. Keep floorboards light and bright

(Image credit: White Arrow)

A soft, pale wooden floorboard is a fantastic idea for contemporary small kitchen floors. You could choose a white paint or a light wooden finish. The flooring will help anchor the room, make the environment seem calm and collected and take your mind away from the room's small square footage.  

Painting floorboards can actually be a fun DIY exercise if you're up for it. Remember to sand the surface first, using a sandpaper, then wash it to remove all dust. Ask your local retailer for an appropriate primer and paint for the floor. Allow the paint to dry overnight, follow it up with another coat of your chosen paint and watch a brand new kitchen come to life.

7. Create a layered effect with a rug

(Image credit: British Standard by Plain English)

Sure, the kitchen can be a  dangerous place for rugs because it is crumbs, grease, and red wine central. Yet it is a space that so graciously opens up to a rug. Let's not deny it; a kitchen rug is a big, brave statement. And by doing so, you're literally telling anyone who visits, that your kitchen is special. 

Rugs are a great way to add color in a neutral-toned kitchen; they also add a little cushioning underfoot in this place which is frequented often. Another plus to laying down a rug is that in a narrow space, a long, vertical rug makes the space seem longer than it is. Of course, you would want to choose fabrics that are easily washable. Bold colored rugs would ensure the stains and marks are not immediately visible.

8. Stage an illusion with large format tiles 

(Image credit: Mandarin Stone)

To give your kitchen a visual boost, upsize the tiles! Big tiles make a room look bigger – it really is that simple. Stone floor tiles are usually available in large sizes. These are easy to install, and in a tiny kitchen, these add a big dollop of design and a space-enhancing illusion. Ideally, if you're choosing big tiles, ensure you choose light-toned ones, as super large and super dark colors will have the opposite effect. They will make the space seem smaller. 

'Stone flooring is a timeless and hard-wearing choice in terms of floor coverings. Natural stone has been used for centuries in a huge array of architectural settings and no other material quite compares to the inherent natural beauty and variation that stone offers. Due to the natural porosity of stone, for today's modern interiors all-natural stone needs sealing thoroughly at the point of installation to prevent staining. Providing this is carrying out, stone floors should last a lifetime,' says Louisa Morgan, Creative Director, Mandarin Stone .

9. Keep it warm with wood 

(Image credit: Carpetright)

We all love it – wooden flooring is always a stylish choice. These tiles make an interior seem warm, inviting and no matter the size of the space, easily blend into any interior. Chevron patterns are currently a loved style in kitchen flooring, because they make the floor size seem larger with the slanting patterns.

Reclaimed wooden tiles are ideal if you want your home to be more environmentally-friendly. These tiles have an interesting graining and look wonderful and organic. Reclaimed wooden tiles are strong and can last generations.

What flooring is best for small kitchens?

The kitchen is used daily and its flooring takes a beating, unlike any other room. Apart from the foot traffic, the kitchen flooring also witnesses regular staining, moisture, and sometimes even burs (a hot plate or a boiling pt that woefully lands on the floor). This is why, choosing strong, durable, and resistant flooring is of paramount importance. 

Hardwood floors are not only luxurious but are warm, stylish, and water-resistant. These also are available in different looks and offer the kitchen a standalone pizazz. Laminates are great as these are water-resistant, less-expensive than hardwood floors, and replicate the look of any other flooring material. These are also easy to install and have a long design style parade to their credit. Ceramic and porcelain tiles are classic and can last your whole lifetime. These can handle spills, splatters, and messes. And finally, natural stone are beautiful, timeless, and available not just in varied designs and even tile sizes.

(Image credit: KOAK Design)

Do larger tiles make a small kitchen look bigger?

Aapartment kitchens are famously small but as they say, small spaces inspire creative ideas. If you too have a tiny space and want to make it look larger or wider, then choosing large-format tiles may be the best bet. Large tiles in oversized patterns can draw the eye vertically or lengthways and make the kitchen look taller or longer kitchen. Stone tiles can help you achieve this; as can large subway tiles. 

Aditi Sharma Maheshwari is an architecture and design journalist with over 10 years of experience. She's worked at some of the leading media houses in India such as Elle Decor, Houzz and Architectural Digest (Condé Nast).  Till recently, she was a freelance writer for publications such as Architectural Digest US, House Beautiful, Stir World, Beautiful Homes India among others. In her spare time, she volunteers at animal shelters and other rescue organizations. 

22 stylish, practical kitchen floors |

(Image credit: Adam Carter Photo)

The kitchen floor is likely to be one of the largest surface areas in your home, so kitchen flooring ideas always deserve some careful thought and attention. 

When planning your kitchen ideas, your kitchen flooring needs to perform on many levels – durability, safety and ease of cleaning – and of course, it must look great too, so give it as much consideration as your cabinetry.

Flooring ideas should always work together with the rest of the room, so a great place to start in the kitchen is taking the look and material of your units into consideration when picking flooring.

Kitchen flooring ideas

Materials such as durable laminate and matte porcelain will look great in modern kitchens, while natural stone tiles and warm wood suit traditional designs. A popular, contemporary flooring material is polished concrete, which gives a chic, industrial edge.

Budget carefully to include all fitting costs and extra expenses for underlays, fixatives and grouts. If you’re hoping to lay underfloor heating, do check it is compatible with your flooring before you buy.

There is a wealth of kitchen flooring ideas to choose from which makes knowing how to choose the best kitchen floor somewhat tricky, so let us help you narrow it down with expert advice, our top materials, styles, finishes and designs.

1. Choose dark flooring for a contemporary look

(Image credit: James Merrell)

Dark flooring does not need to make a space feel enclosed or uninviting - it can actually achieve quite the opposite effect. When paired with the correct complementary shades, black flooring can make your kitchen space feel sophisticated and contemporary, and is great for coordinating with pretty much any other color out there.

In this modern kitchen, the soft black parquet tiles form an elegant, textured design, with the white paint used on the walls making the room feel light and bright. Further complemented with natural colors and textures, the overall space feels warm and inviting.

2. Opt for luxurious marble flooring

(Image credit: Ti Archive)

Timeless, durable and utterly beautifully, choosing marble flooring can turn your kitchen into a truly show-stopping space. 

From large format-tiles to marble vinyl effects, there are a range of styles and options that can integrate into your kitchen. Whether you complement the marble used on your countertops, or choose a contrasting marble design for added impact, the enduring material can elegantly elevate your kitchen design.

Marble flooring can also be a great option for a smaller kitchen space, George Miller, Designer at Neptune states, ‘choosing flooring for a smaller space, shouldn’t feel limiting, in fact, with a smaller area to cover, you can afford to invest in quality materials that will make a statement and stand the test of time’.

3. Add a rug for inviting comfort

(Image credit: Simon Brown)

Rugs are not typically associated with a kitchen space, however, kitchen rug ideas can make your kitchen more inviting and cozy with added texture. 

Perfect for large, open-plan kitchen designs, a rug can make the space feel more connected and unified, as well as adding warmth and softness to hard floors. Adding a rug to your kitchen space is also a simple way to add color and character to the room.

The rug in this kitchen complements the striking blue cabinets and sits perfectly beneath the dark wooden table, grounding the table to the space whilst effortlessly connecting it to the rest of the room.

4. Create a light and airy feel with white flooring

(Image credit: David Giles)

'Using white flooring in your kitchen is a great way to make the space feel bigger and brighter - ideal for kitchen spaces that are on the smaller side,' says Homes & Gardens' Editorial Director Sarah Spiteri.

Whether you choose white painted floorboards, or opt for white stone or vinyl, white flooring can create a beautifully relaxed, calming atmosphere - perfect for a busy, high-traffic area such as a kitchen. 

The white floorboards in this kitchen beautifully complement the white painted walls, emphasizing the light and space in the room. The blue painted kitchen units create an elegant contrast, adding character and balance to the space.

5. Keep it traditional with terracotta

(Image credit: Adam Carter Photo)

Using traditional terracotta tiles will always create a warming, textured scheme that beautifully echoes designs and materials of the past.  

Working well in both period and modern homes, this ceramic tile design is a popular choice for kitchen tile ideas, often due to its durability and timeless appeal. 

Great for creating a country, farmhouse kitchen style, terracotta tiles add a timeless, earthy texture to a space.

6. Invest in real wood kitchen flooring

(Image credit: Kersaint-Cobb)

If it's warmth and character you want, wood kitchen flooring is a great buy.

Jenna Kane, Product Development at Kersaint Cobb says:

'As a particular busy area of the home, the flooring you select for your kitchen needs to fulfil a number of requirements. Wood is a sturdy and attractive solution with the added benefit of wiping stains clean if you are making a particular messy recipe! 

'Wood flooring can be a striking focal point in any kitchen design and the natural grain can add texture and interest to the space. You can opt to select timber flooring that matches wood featured on cabinetry or even smaller accessories and shelving.  

Is wood flooring suitable for kitchens? 'You must always bear in mind that wood is a natural material and can be scratched and dented if too many items are dropped on it or damaged if too much liquid is spilt. Therefore look at your home and who will be using the kitchen to select the option which is right for you,' concludes Jenna Kane.

7. Choose a herringbone wood kitchen flooring for an elegant look

(Image credit: Future)

With so much choice available in terms of both material and pattern, it can be daunting to find the right kitchen flooring ideas when planning a kitchen. 

Herringbone styles are currently very popular, either in ceramic or wood, and they’re an ideal way of introducing subtle yet beautiful pattern and a welcome sense of texture into even the simplest kitchen flooring, instantly making it a focal point.

There has been an increase in the popularity of patterned wood floors. Larger herringbone pieces often look more contemporary. If it’s for an open plan kitchen, a distressed chevron or herringbone floor will stand up well to general wear and tear. 

Choose a delicate parquet if you want to give a nod to a feature floor without being too over the top. Classic parquet flooring can be laid as individual blocks, or the effect can be copied by engineered wood planks, which are easier to fit.

'We would always recommend you seek professional guidance to ensure the flooring is fitted and maintained correctly as moisture can be an issue in this environment, especially with parquet as this is a very skilled install and not DIY,' continues Jenna Kane.

8. Pick real wood for warmth

(Image credit: Future/Darren Chung)

Warm and welcoming underfoot, solid wood kitchen flooring will need careful treating and maintenance to make sure it doesn’t warp, as it is less resistant to water damage than engineered wood (a thin layer of wood veneer). 

However, if your scheme is open plan, you could run the same floor throughout the space to give a visual link in different zones – dining, cooking and lounging, for instance.  

‘Engineered timber is better in kitchens than solid wood, as the layered construction of the boards creates a very strong and stable surface. This is particularly important if you are installing underfloor heating or a cast iron cooker,' says Peter Keane, director of The Natural Wood Floor Company .

9. Combine kitchen flooring materials to complement cabinetry

(Image credit: Nato Welton)

'Anyone who has ever designed a kitchen will know that it's vital to choose kitchen cabinetry at the same time as kitchen flooring ideas,' says Homes & Gardens' Editor in Chief Lucy Searle.

'It makes sense that kitchen cabinets come first, but choosing the flooring should be the next big decision – ideally taken hand-in-hand with picking out countertops. My best advice, if you don't have an experienced interior decorator choosing for you, is to bring a sample of the cabinetry you have chosen into the kitchen, along with samples of flooring and countertops.  

'Hold the cabinetry sample vertically so that the light hits it at exactly the angle it would when installed, then sit the kitchen flooring and countertop samples against it, but horizontally so that, again, the light hits it at the right angle. Observe the different tones it takes on in daylight and under artificial light – only then can you really ensure you have chosen well.'

10. Lay wood-look laminate or vinyl for a practical kitchen flooring option

(Image credit: Amtico)

If you are remodelling a kitchen in a rental property, or need a temporary solution, both luxury vinyl kitchen flooring ideas and laminate (wood particleboard with sealed and protected printed paper over the top), which is laid in planks that fit together for easy installation, are good-looking alternatives to real wood and stone.

Make sure you choose a laminate that is suitable for kitchen flooring use, as some are not suitable in damp environments.

11. Go for a practical wood-effect porcelain tile

(Image credit: Domus)

'Timber-effect plank-shaped porcelain tiles are also popular, not least because they introduce a sense of character and movement,' says Jules Archard, showrooms manager of Domus .  

'Previously, their totally flat printed surface used to give away the fact that the planks were not made of real wood, but now a woodgrain is pressed into the surface of the tile before it is printed, so their texture is realistic too.'

12. Source reclaimed wood for a rustic, country look

(Image credit: deVOL)

Reclaimed wood floors are not only full of charm, character and history, but buying anything salvaged is environmentally responsible and spot-on for today's recycling trend. 

Whether it's oak beams recovered from old American barns or Burmese teak parquet reclaimed from a remodelled school, salvaged boards bear the unique marks of time, much like a slice of history at home.

'You can't get more green than buying reclaimed timber flooring,' says Nick Newman of celebrated British salvage specialists Lassco . 

'It is environmentally responsible and will have been sourced relatively locally, had the nails removed by hand by us, then sorted and stacked. Reuse reduces landfill while curbing the need to plunder the earth's resources. Salvage generally has not travelled very far, so it bears a comparatively tiny carbon footprint.'

13. Be on trend with a large format kitchen floor tile

(Image credit: Quorn Stone)

If you're looking for kitchen floor tile ideas, you might wonder what's on trend.

'At the moment, we find customers are leaning towards larger tile sizes as often minimizing the number of grout joints is a priority,' comments Joshua Fernandez at Quorn Stone . 

'In terms of kitchen trends, we always advise customers to steer clear and go for a classic style in the kitchen area. Purchasing a stone flooring or porcelain floor is an investment for the home and one that often takes careful consideration – our advice is to always go neutral in your chosen floor covering for ground floor spaces and instead inject colour through paint colors and accessories. A lick of paint is far easier to change in years to come than a different floor. '

14. Install a matte finish stone for a relaxed look

(Image credit: Future/ Paul Massey)

'We are seeing a move towards kitchen flooring ideas that create a very relaxed feel with a reassuring warmth, and soft, matte limestone-effect porcelain tiles fit the bill well,' says Jules Archard of Domus.

'This finish is also easier to keep clean than polished or very textured tiles. Consider large format tiles, such as 1.2 x 2.4m, if you want to create a sense of scale and drama, even with a neutral tile.'

15. Choose natural materials for an elegant look

(Image credit: Future/Davide Lovatti)

Natural stones like marble and limestone can create a timeless look, like in the elegant white kitchen above. 

However, Jules Archard adds: 'If you prefer to use a real stone, such as limestone, for its natural beauty, you do need to embrace the fact it is porous and may stain and weather over time, requiring regular maintenance to keep it looking its best. '

16. Pick terrazzo for contemporary kitchen flooring ideas

(Image credit: Ofelia)

'Porcelain tiles are by far and away the most popular material these days, because they are robust, non-porous, highly stain and scratch resistant and work well with underfloor heating, and because they come in such a huge variety of designs, colors and formats,' says Jules Archand. 

'Stone-, wood-, concrete- and terrazzo-effect porcelain tiles score highly; it’s crazy how faithful some of the reproductions are.'

Layering in kitchen rug ideas is a great way to add warmth and softness underfoot, helps with acoustics and brings extra texture and pattern to a space.

(Image credit: Domus)

If you want the soft powdery colors and pattern of encaustic (concrete) tiles without the maintenance requirements, consider an encaustic-look porcelain, such as Puzzle from Domus (above). 

Or create a bespoke floor by combining shapes: it is amazing how many different kitchen floor tile ideas and designs you can create with a triangular format in a range of colors.

18. Find the right stone kitchen flooring

(Image credit: David Cleveland)

Stone kitchen flooring choices include natural stone, man-made ceramic, terracotta and porcelain. All are hardwearing and easy to clean, with porcelain being the most hardwearing of all due to its non-porous, scratch resistant properties.

For kitchen flooring ideas with individual character and natural beauty, look no further than natural stone: no two tiles will ever be identical, so your kitchen flooring will be unique. 

Stone offers a classic and luxurious look and tends to improve as it acquires the ‘patina’ of age. Smooth marbles and honed limestones are a sophisticated and smart choice, or choose a weathered flagstone that sits comfortably in a country kitchen.

Make sure your tiles are treated before laying to avoid staining.

19. Add a pop of color with kitchen flooring ideas

(Image credit: Future/Jon Day)

We’re so accustomed to standard tiles that it is often easy to forget that the variety in size and manufacturing processes gives rise to a huge number of design possibilities. Kitchen flooring ideas are a beautiful way to experiment with bold, distinctive pattern choices, especially if you choose to keep the rest of your kitchen color scheme neutral.

'We’ve found that tiles of this nature were commonly used in smaller spaces, such as shower enclosures, cloakrooms and kitchen backsplashes, but as we’ve grown to know and love playful patterns, we’re branching out to using them in large kitchens and open plan spaces,' says Katy Harris of Verona .

20. Pick concrete kitchen flooring ideas for an industrial flavor

(Image credit: Polished concrete in a kitchen setting, design by Main Kitchen Company)

Far from being ordinary construction materials, the raw unfinished beauty of plaster and concrete find a very stylish home in kitchen flooring ideas. In their exposed, uncovered state, both plaster and concrete have a bold, utilitarian quality, and an almost brutal sophistication. 

Concrete, in particular, is a hardwearing and versatile material that can be cast into shapes and slabs, or poured, smoothed and polished, making it suitable for floors, countertops and even part of the kitchen itself if it’s an industrial look you are after.

While polished concrete requires specialist installation, it can last a lifetime and requires minimal maintenance. It is wise to install a heating system as your concrete flooring goes in, otherwise it can feel quite cold underfoot – and retrofitting can be a costly and disruptive task. You may also want to add a large cozy rug to soften up the space and help absorb sound and prevent unwanted echoing throughout your property. 

21. Be bold with pattern for a lively, fun space

(Image credit: Future/Simon Brown)

Love a dramatic scheme? Bold geometrics and exotic Moroccan designs are particularly contemporary and versatile kitchen flooring ideas, as they have a timeless appeal that means that they’re equally at home in both modern and traditional kitchens.

22. Choose a cottage-look tile

(Image credit: Future/Simon Bevan)

In small kitchens, 'keep it simple and don’t use too many different tile formats, colors and finishes,' advises Dorothee Junkin of Dorothee Junkin Design Studio .  

'Less is more when it comes to bold kitchen flooring, so use pattern selectively. It loses its effect when there is too much of it or when there are other patterns competing for attention. 

'Try a classic diagonal checkerboard or a very defined and crisp geometric, so that the eye can catch the defining principle of the pattern with just one glance.' 

What is the best flooring for a kitchen?

Natural stone is arguably the best kitchen flooring. It should last forever and acquire a lovely patina over time, but it can be cold and unwelcoming underfoot, so ensure you couple it with underfloor heating and rugs. 

Wood planks are a timeless classic but can be expensive and need regular after-care, while tiled floors can be cold and unforgiving underfoot (underfloor heating will help). 

If you have an open plan kitchen living room, you may want to use contrasting floor materials to define zones, or else use the same floor throughout for a fluid, seamless space (a good option for small kitchen layouts).

What is the most durable kitchen flooring?

Again, natural stone is the most durable kitchen flooring, closely followed by porcelain tile – if you are trying to balance kitchen flooring costs, the latter will give you good durability at a lower price. 

All kitchen flooring ideas need to be tough, long-lasting and hardwearing, so consider comfort, durability and maintenance issues as well as pattern, finish and looks. 

It is always better to get your floor laid by a professional, whichever type of material you choose; they can advise on substrate, quantities and any special finishes or treatments that will extend the life of your kitchen flooring. 

Limestone, slate, granite, sandstone and travertine (a limestone/marble mix) come in many sizes, formats and finishes depending on the color and finish you want. Not all stones are equally durable though, so ensure your choice is sealed against splashes and stains.

What is the easiest kitchen flooring to keep clean?

Single sheet kitchen flooring ideas are easiest to keep clean – poured rubber, concrete and vinyl sheet are all really resilient to dirt, scratches, chips or stains. However, all can be damaged if not swept regularly, as constant treading in of small stones or grit can eventually mark the surface. A quick mop with a general cleaning solution will finish the task. 

Polished concrete will need resealing every three to nine months, but other than that you can treat it like any other durable floor and sweep and mop it to keep it clean.

Stone floors are tough, won't harbour dust and are easy to maintain with a quick vacuum and mop with a mild detergent, although pitted tiles and grout lines will attract dirt. 

Laminate is durable, but needs a good vacuuming (with a hard floor attachment) before being cleaned. Use a general floor cleaner diluted in warm water, but as you would with wood, make sure no pools of water sit on the floor as you clean – a damp wipe with the mop is perfect. 

Jennifer is the Digital Editor at Homes & Gardens. Having worked in the interiors industry for a number of years, spanning many publications, she now hones her digital prowess on the 'best interiors website' in the world. Multi-skilled, Jennifer has worked in PR and marketing, and the occasional dabble in the social media, commercial and e-commerce space. Over the years, she has written about every area of the home, from compiling design houses from some of the best interior designers in the world to sourcing celebrity homes, reviewing appliances and even the odd news story or two.

What kind of flooring to choose for a small kitchen: 8 types of materials

Repairing or replacing the floor in a small kitchen is a time-consuming process that must be approached with all seriousness, and the choice of flooring is an integral part of it. A lot depends on how correctly the material is chosen - the durability of use, practicality in care and, of course, the overall interior design of a small kitchen. These finishing materials will help create a unique interior, but the kitchen is a specific room where the floors must be resistant to moisture, possible temperature changes, wear resistance, and also be non-staining and wash well. So what to choose from a huge variety of finishing materials for the floor in the kitchen? Let's figure it out. nine0003

Laminate

Laminate is a common kitchen floor finish. With its help, it is easy to create an interior in many styles, from classic to minimalism, laminate flooring is affordable. Laminate floors, thanks to the underlay used when laying, are sufficiently warm, with a non-slip surface, some are suitable for use with a “warm floor” heating system. When choosing a laminate for a small kitchen, we recommend a coating of at least 32 moisture and wear resistance classes. nine0003

Only if the rules of operation and care of the laminate are observed, its service life in the kitchen increases.

Laminate - an affordable and high-quality flooring for a small kitchen

under conditions of use, the laminate will delight its owners for a long time

Porcelain tile or ceramic tile

Ceramic tile and porcelain tile are the leading materials for finishing kitchen floors. A variety of shapes, colors, textures allows you to create a kitchen interior of any degree of complexity. The incombustibility of the material, resistance to abrasion, kitchen dirt, moisture and household chemicals gives a significant advantage over other materials. Although porcelain stoneware is cold for use on the floor, the device under the tiles of the “warm floor” system fully compensates for this shortcoming. nine0003

Ceramic tiles are the most popular finishing material for kitchen floors

Ceramic tiles in the kitchen have some disadvantages. Such a surface must be protected from strong impacts with heavy objects. It is advisable to lay the floors of ceramic tiles or porcelain stoneware with the help of professional craftsmen. This will guarantee high-quality styling and many years of coating service. Relief, rough or matte tiles with an increased wear resistance class (you can distinguish it by marking PEI-III and PEI-IV) and a friction coefficient of 0.39 are suitable for the kitchen floor. up to 075.

Choose high-quality tiles of the 1st grade, since tiles of the 2nd and 3rd grades, although inexpensive, have a large amount of defects in manufacturing, which will affect the decorative appearance of the finished floor

Porcelain stoneware is unpretentious in maintenance

Ceramic tiles you can choose any size, color and shape

Linoleum

Linoleum is another common type of flooring that combines a lot of advantages. This is an inexpensive material, with a wide variety of colors and textures. nine0040 Able to imitate laminate, parquet, ceramic tiles and wood flooring, easy to install, therefore often used in interior design.

High quality linoleum is resistant to grease, moisture, abrasion, cleanable with household chemicals, so it does not lose its appearance

For people prone to allergies, natural linoleum or marmoleum is suitable. Most often, one-color marmoleum is found on sale, calm color shades, with properties the same as those of linoleum made of synthetic materials. nine0039 The disadvantage of marmoleum is its high flammability with the release of toxic substances.

Important to know! For the kitchen, it is recommended to choose household linoleum of 22 or 23 wear resistance class, without an unpleasant odor, inhomogeneous blotches or damage, with a clear pattern over the entire surface.

Linoleum is easy to install and maintain, which is why it is popular

Video - How to choose linoleum for the kitchen

To figure out which linoleum is better to choose, we recommend watching this video. nine0003

PVC linoleum tile

PVC linoleum tile consists of squares with dimensions of 30x30, 50x50 and 65x65 cm, similar in characteristics to linoleum. Taking into account the size, PVC tiles facilitate the installation process, have a low cost, but require a perfectly flat subfloor surface. Unfortunately, such a floor does not have high hygroscopicity, over time dirt accumulates under it, moisture gets in, it is impossible to call linoleum PVC tiles ideal for finishing the floor in the kitchen. But it is not an expensive finishing material, therefore it has its own application. Look at the photo options for kitchen floors with PVC linoleum tiles. nine0003

Self-leveling floor

Self-leveling floor is a modern finishing material that is gaining popularity among owners of apartments with small kitchens . In the people self-leveling floors are called "liquid linoleum". Unlike other floor coverings, the self-leveling floor is not laid, but poured, obtaining a smooth, even surface, without seams and joints. The self-leveling floor is resistant to mechanical and chemical influences and is unpretentious in maintenance; it is made of epoxy or polyurethane resin, therefore it is considered harmless, environmentally friendly and resistant. The high cost of the material, laying the floor and the impossibility of dismantling are its main disadvantages. nine0003

Installation of liquid linoleum can only be entrusted to professionals

Self-leveling floor can be made based on your own drawings

Thanks to the 3D effect, the brightness of colors and the absence of seams, the self-leveling floor visually expands the space and is the best suited for a small-sized kitchen, perfectly fitting into a modern interior

Wooden floor

Solid wood floor is suitable for connoisseurs of natural and environmentally friendly materials. For the kitchen, we recommend choosing a hardwood board for laying the floor: larch, oak, ash. nine0003

Important to know! Wooden floors, especially in the kitchen, are treated with special products that increase the resistance of wood to moisture, abrasion and mechanical damage. It is better that the master is engaged in the flooring of the wooden floor. Below in the photo, see examples of wooden floors.

Parquet flooring

Parquet or parquet board is similar to natural wood, both in performance and care. The only difference is that the parquet board has a greater variety of textures and colors, it is laid in small fragments, which simplifies the work. Since parquet is expensive, has low hygroscopicity, and is not resistant to kitchen dirt, it can hardly be called an ideal option for finishing the floor in the kitchen, but it is quite capable of creating a cozy homely atmosphere. nine0003

Parquet flooring loves dryness and cleanliness

In a kitchen with parquet flooring, you will always feel warm and cozy. Cork flooring is made from cork oak bark, it is comfortable for bare feet, helps to reduce the load on the joints and spine.

Cork is believed to have bioenergetic properties and beneficial effects on the human body

Advantages of cork flooring:

  • does not rot, does not deform from moisture;
  • does not attract dust;
  • heat and sound insulating material;
  • cork in the kitchen is easy to clean, because it is resistant to stains;
  • variety of textures and shades;
  • cork floor will fit into any interior.

Despite the above positive qualities, cork floors have their disadvantages: high cost and susceptibility to mechanical damage. nine0003

Cork flooring can lose its surface integrity and aesthetics from heavy or sharp objects dropped on it and from hot grease. Therefore, for the kitchen, you need to choose a cork with a special wax impregnation and a protective varnish coating

Small kitchen interior with cork flooring

So, having considered 8 options for flooring, before choosing a particular one, you need to carefully weigh the pros and cons of each of them. It is worth giving preference to those that will correspond to practicality and help create a beautiful design solution for the interior of the kitchen as a whole. nine0003

Video - Overview of flooring in the kitchen

If you have not yet decided on the choice of flooring for your small kitchen, we suggest you watch this video review.

https://www. youtube.com/watch?v=QAPK5bBQk1o

Small kitchen floor

Home Small kitchen Small kitchen floor

Finishing works in the kitchen are aimed at combining practicality and realization of
taste preferences of the owner of the room. This is especially important for small
rooms, where all interior elements must be selected and placed in accordance with
ergonomic requirements and convenience for the possibility of cooking. And the general design of
due to the proximity of the surfaces relative to each other will not allow
significant differences in colors. This also applies to works on
finishing of the floor surface. It is advisable to make the floor in a small kitchen in
calm colors, best of all in the same one as the floor of the adjacent
premises. At the same time, it must be remembered that special requirements are imposed on the floor covering in a small kitchen
- it should not be afraid of moisture, or drops of
fat, or accidental mechanical damage.
The service life of the floor directly depends on the quality of the surface preparation, therefore, with
, approach the base device with all responsibility. If you plan to make
underfloor heating, you must choose flooring designed for
use with the "warm floor" system. nine0167 Ceramic tile remains the best material for making a floor in the kitchen.
Keep in mind that it must not be slippery. Well suited for the kitchen
porcelain stoneware.
You can put linoleum or laminate on the floor. Just pay attention to the
strength characteristics of the selected coating. Linoleum must be wear-resistant
, and laminate must be at least class 33. Today,
self-leveling floors are becoming very popular, which are not only cheaper, do not require
special experience in their manufacture. This material is self-levelling, immediately
hides all the imperfections of the existing surface. Its high strength is
the reason why this type of flooring is used even in public garages where heavy vehicles move
constantly.

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