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Flooring ideas for kitchen and dining room


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.

Best Flooring for a Dining Room - Options and Ideas

December 9, 2022, by: Jamie Sandford

Many people say that the kitchen is the hub of a home. As true as that may be, the dining room is where we go to sit and enjoy the fruits of the kitchen. The dining room is a gathering place for friends and family, which makes it a great area of the home to invest in. But as we all know, the dining room is also an area that is prone to food and drink spills!

This means that your dining room floor has a tough job – it needs to look inviting and visually appealing while being durable and easy to clean. Fortunately, we’ve made a guide that discusses the most popular dining room floor options so that you can choose the perfect flooring type for your home.

Whether you have a separate dining room or a combined dining room and kitchen, this Home Flooring Pros guide offers you the top dining room flooring options on the market.

All of these dining room flooring options are offered in patterns and styles that will fit your decorating plan.

THE BEST DINING ROOM FLOOR FOR YOUR NEEDS

Have any of these flooring types caught your interest yet? Let’s take a deeper look at each of the flooring options above and discuss the pros and cons of each as they relate to the different needs of particular homes. Comparing one flooring type with another will help you decide which floor best suits your specific lifestyle and location. As you read the descriptions below, consider your home’s style and atmosphere.

HARDWOOD FLOORING 

Wood floors certainly bring style to a dining room and, as discussed above, they are durable and easy to clean. On the downside they are more expensive than other options so if you have a tight budget, hardwood floors may not be the best choice for your home.

Remember though, quality wood floors that are well maintained will last you a lifetime, so in the long run they can be very cost effective. Wood floors are perfect for city apartments and homes in a moderate climate.

However, if your home is in a region of high humidity, you might want to steer clear of wood floors as they tend to warp, swell, and shrink with changing moisture levels.

Another factor to consider is the lifestyle of your family. Do you have pets that tend to bring in elements from the outdoors like rainwater, mud, or sand? If so, you might be setting yourself up for a lot more maintenance work with a hardwood floor.

LAMINATE FLOORING 

If hardwood flooring isn’t in the budget right now, why not take a look at laminate wood flooring?

Laminate flooring is the least expensive flooring type, and one of the easiest to clean and maintain! Laminate floors can imitate the look of wood, tile, or stone while being much, much cheaper. They are also quick and easy to install, and durable too.

We always advise buyers to invest in the best quality flooring they can afford and they should definitely do so if their dining room is part of an open plan family kitchen/diner with heavy traffic. If you have a stand-alone formal dining room that is used less often any reputable laminate product should be just fine.

LUXURY VINYL FLOORING 

Luxury vinyl is available in both planks (LVP) and tiles (LVT). This flooring type originated in the early 2000’s and has gained huge popularity among homeowners. Why? Luxury vinyl is beautiful, durable, easy to clean, and an affordable alternative to wood flooring.

Luxury vinyl planks are crafted to look just like real wood, but with twice the toughness and half the price. Similarly, luxury vinyl tiles mimic the appearance of stone or marble without breaking the bank. Especially in an area like the dining room where food and drink often end up on the floor, having luxury vinyl flooring can be a huge advantage.

CARPET AND RUGS 

Carpets and rugs are warm and easy on the feet, perfect for a cold climate. However, carpet is really only suitable for specific living situations.

Don’t use carpet in a dining room if you have young children, because food and drink spills can be quite difficult to clean out of the fibrous texture. After a while, you could end up with a stained and visually unappealing carpet rather than the nice cozy one you started out with.

Carpets may not be a great option for households with a lot of pets either, although one or two well-trained pets shouldn’t be a problem. Animals like cats and dogs are more likely to choose a carpeted area to use as a bathroom spot, and they tend to like scratching at the interesting carpet texture as well.

The third factor to consider is how much use your dining room gets. If you’re very social and often have dinner guests then carpet probably isn’t the way to go. That said, for a couple on a budget they work just fine.

TILE & STONE 

You certainly will make a strong statement using natural stone or ceramic tile in the dining room, but there are a few things to consider before deciding on this flooring type.

Both stone and tile can be expensive, although there are some cheaper tile options out there. In general, the less expensive the tile, the less attractive it is, so if your heart is set on a tile floor, make sure to budget for a good quality one! Tile and stone flooring installation can be costly as well.

Stone and tile floors are best suited for a formal dining room and a warmer climate. Remember that if you live in a cold part of the country and you have a large dining room, you run the risk of creating a space that is cold and echoes. This problem can be offset by underfloor heating or adding a nice area rug.

CORK FLOORING 

Cork flooring is another interesting choice for a dining room. It’s durable but softer underfoot than hardwood and gives a sense of warmth to a room.

It does however have quite a unique look and is harder to blend with the rest of your home decor. Stylistically it either suits your tastes or it doesn’t, as you will see from these cork flooring pros and cons.

Cork is also popular for its eco-friendliness as a sustainable and biodegradable material. If living sustainably is a priority to you, cork is a great flooring material to consider!

CONCLUSION 

Now that we’ve taken a good look at the most popular dining room floor types, you’re all set to start getting down to business in your own dining room. What do you like aesthetically? What is your family’s lifestyle? What climate do you live in? The answers to these questions will help you choose the best flooring material for your home.

We invite you to offer your comments below about the type of flooring you’ve used in the dining room. How did it work out? Your input will help other readers consider their dining room flooring options and choose one they’ll love. Also, feel free to contact us directly.

DINING ROOM FLOOR INSPIRATION – PHOTO AND IMAGE IDEAS

On our Pinterst Board you can find a wide range of photos from across the web that will give you plenty ideas for designing and installing your dream dining room floor.

About the Author:

Jamie Sandford

Jamie Sandford is the Owner and Chief Editor of Home Flooring Pros (find out more). After 12 years’ experience in screen and stage set construction, followed by a further 15 years working in the home renovation/remodeling business, he now writes and curates online home improvement advice.

“Buying and installing home flooring should be a fairly straightforward process, but often it isn’t. After more than 15 years experience in home flooring and remodeling, I started Home Flooring Pros in 2013 to help homeowners navigate the often-over complicated process of choosing, buying and installing a home floor. The aim is to save you time and money by helping you to make better floor buying decisions.”

Which floor to choose for the kitchen? Options, comparison, photos.

Criteria for choosing kitchen flooring?

The room where food is prepared is much more prone to pollution than other rooms in the apartment, which means that the floor must be:

Which floor can be used?

Before laying any material, it is necessary to make waterproofing, which will increase the protection of the room from water, and level the base. Consider the most popular and practical types of flooring for the kitchen.

Linoleum

See also

How to choose linoleum for the kitchen? nine0005

Inexpensive material with many advantages. It is laid exclusively on a flat prepared surface, otherwise all dents and irregularities will be noticeable. The wear of the coating depends on its characteristics: for the kitchen, you should choose class 31-34, which will last about 15 years.

The photo shows a loft-style kitchen-studio. The floor is covered with linoleum with wood imitation.

Linoleum has both pros and cons, consider them in more detail:

Advantages Defects
Water-repellent. If the dishwasher or washing machine leaks, it will not be difficult to remove the water. You can find a budget option, but such material does not have a wealth of colors.
Laying linoleum does not require special skills. Linoleum less than 2 mm thick has dents from heavy furniture. nine0050
Resistant to scratches and falling glassware won't leave dents on a quality finish. Will deform over time. Replacement requires the entire canvas.
Good sound insulation. Poor-quality coating does not imitate wood and stone well.

Laminate

Quite an acceptable option for the kitchen, if you do not choose too cheap material (grade 33 will do). It has many textures and colors, it can look like natural parquet. nine0005

Pictured is a modern classic kitchen with laminate flooring.

What other features does it have? The answers are given below:

Virtues Defects
Even beginners can install laminate flooring. Amplifies the sound of footsteps when not using a mounting pad.
The waterproof laminate will not deform even after being exposed to water. nine0050 Moisture-resistant material is not afraid of high humidity, but over time it begins to swell and rot if water flows into the seams.
Durable, will not scratch or fade. Kitchen laminate joints are recommended to be treated with a transparent sealant.
Easy to clean, pleasant to the touch.

I advise you to look in more detail about the features of choosing a laminate for an apartment.

Tiles and porcelain tiles

See also

Which floor tiles to choose for the kitchen?

The most practical option for the kitchen floor. The tile is rather slippery and less durable; cracks may appear on it during operation. Porcelain stoneware is more resistant to mechanical stress and does not fade. It is recommended to choose a dark grout so that the dirt between the seams is less noticeable.

Pictured is a Provence style kitchen with patchwork patterned ceramic tiles on the floor. nine0005

Consider the performance characteristics of porcelain stoneware in more detail:

Advantages of Defects
Durable, chemical resistant. Difficult to lay tiles without special preparation.
A wealth of colours, shapes and sizes. Can imitate wood, stone. If the room is not equipped with a floor heating system, the surface will be cold and unpleasant for the feet. nine0050
Resistant to dirt, moisture, grease. Low sound insulation.
Environmentally friendly material. High chance of chipping if something heavy falls on the floor.

Wooden floor

This segment is represented by natural wood materials: parquet and deck boards. Such a floor is loved by most designers, but not everyone considers it suitable for the kitchen.

Pictured is a Scandinavian style kitchen with natural planks on the floor. They soften the strict atmosphere and give the interior comfort.

Weigh all the pros and cons of wood flooring:

Advantages of Defects
Environmentally friendly material. Absorbs water droplets, grease and odours. Trees are difficult to care for.
Expensive wood species are highly durable and aesthetically pleasing. nine0050 To increase the wear resistance of parquet, it is necessary to cover it with a special protective composition.
The surface is pleasant and warm to the touch. The seams between the boards diverge over time, water and dirt easily penetrate there.

Self-leveling floor

A relatively new and expensive way to decorate the floor in the kitchen. As a result of pouring, a homogeneous glossy surface without seams and differences is obtained.

The photo shows a modern kitchen with a white self-leveling floor.

Consider the pros and cons of polyurethane coating:

Advantages of Defects
Huge choice of colors - any image is applied to the non-woven synthetic material, after which it is poured with a mixture. Time-consuming preparation of the base for pouring.
Easy to clean, scratch resistant, impact resistant. nine0050 High price.
Good water resistance. Any dirt is visible on the glossy surface.
The resin floor is durable and can be repaired if damaged.

Cork floor

Elastic material in rolls or slabs, made from crushed wood. Pressed with thermosetting resins, the coating has elasticity and roughness. The surface is covered with special protective compounds. nine0005

It is worth getting to know the unusual material better:

Advantages of Defects
Cork is quiet and absorbs sound well. Does not withstand prolonged exposure to water.
Does not absorb odors and grease, is not susceptible to fungus, is safe.
Wear resistant, non-deformable. Possible dents from impact with heavy objects. nine0050
Good thermal conductivity.

Combined floor

Some kitchen owners combine two materials in order to make the floor as practical as possible without giving up their useful properties. As a rule, they combine wood or linoleum, covering the dining area with a warmer coating, and laying tiles in the cooking area.

There are several reasons for this decision:

Advantages Defects
Combined floor combines all the advantages of different types of flooring. It is problematic to mask the junction, besides, dirt and dust accumulate in it.
In a spacious kitchen, it is an excellent way of zoning. This option is not suitable for cramped kitchens.
If you plan to install underfloor heating, you can save some money by reducing the area. nine0050 It takes great taste or the help of a specialist to successfully combine two materials.

What is the best floor material: comparison table

This table summarizes the characteristics of each kitchen flooring:

nine0049 -
Material Linoleum Laminate Tile Wood Bulk Stopper
Environmental + + + + – +
Transport + + + + – +
Assembly + + – + – +
Appearance + + + + + +
Wear resistance + – + – + +
Maintainability – + – + + –
Noise insulation + - – – + +
Thermal conductivity + + + – +
Easy to clean + + + - + +
Cost + + – – – +

See also how to combine tiles and laminate in the kitchen.

Today, the construction market allows you to choose flooring without sacrificing aesthetics for practicality: kitchen owners just have to decide on their preferences and budget. nine0005

what is better to make, what is better to lay, types

The question of what modern flooring to choose for a kitchen in an apartment has recently arisen very often during repairs. After all, the modern building materials market offers its consumers such a wide choice that even many professionals run up their eyes, let alone ordinary people.

The kitchen is the central place in the house.

Increasingly, urban residents tend to self-repair, without the help of builders, designers and other craftsmen. It is for such people that this article was created. We will tell you in detail what you need to pay attention to when choosing a floor, how to choose a style and, in principle, tell you about what floors are produced by modern manufacturers. nine0005

The aesthetic appearance and functionality of the kitchen will depend on how well the flooring is chosen.

Kitchen Flooring Requirements

Contents

  • VIDEO: Choosing the floor covering for the kitchen.
  • 50 flooring options for the kitchen:

    • The kitchen is one of the most frequented places in a modern city apartment. There we cook food, receive guests, eat dishes and just eat, after all. That is why it is worth approaching the choice of flooring carefully and with great responsibility. nine0005

    The biggest load in the house falls on the floor.

    After all, who wants to make repairs, lay the floor, and after a year or two, carry out repair work again, because the floor covering has become unusable, has lost its impeccable appearance and no longer fulfills its direct purpose and duties.

    There are many requirements for such a coating, all of them are very important.

    To prevent this from happening, when choosing a material, you should immediately take into account a whole list of properties that it must have. Let's list them and analyze each property in more detail. nine0005

    The floor in the kitchen should not be afraid of water.

    It must be shock and impact resistant.

    For those who want to make the floor in the kitchen warm with heating, it is better to choose a coating that can withstand temperature changes.

    Please note that there are types of floor coverings that require the participation of professionals and special equipment.

    Local repair or restoration possible

    Please note that the floor is much easier to repair or restore than to change it completely. By restoration, we most often mean local, that is, partial, replacement of components. Restoration is a cost-effective solution that can quickly and efficiently eliminate minor defects, while again you do not have to spend large sums of money on repairs. nine0005

    For some types of flooring it is necessary to pre-prepare the floor.

    Therefore, the material for covering the floor surface should also be chosen based on this parameter.

    It is very important that the kitchen floor is not slippery.

    What can be repaired locally.

    We must not forget about environmental friendliness. It is better if the coating does not emit harmful substances.

    At the same time, the terms of work are relatively short. Especially if you compare them with the time spent on a complete floor repair. On average, all work takes from one hour to several days.

    The coating must be in harmony with the overall color background.

    Choosing a floor to match your kitchen style

    It may seem that choosing a floor covering is an easy task. But in fact, it is not so simple, because at the same time you need to take into account so many parameters and factors. In addition to wear resistance, resistance to temperature changes and strength, it should also be taken into account that the floor is combined with the rest of the room in style. nine0005

    The kitchen floor must also be abrasion and wear resistant.

    Let's start by learning about the stylistic directions in the modern world in which the interior is executed in the kitchen, and then highlight the most versatile material for flooring.

    The color scheme is calm, without bright neon colors.

    Please note! The classic style is not suitable for decorating kitchens with a small area.

    In some ways modern can even be compared with minimalism.

    If you like everything so much that you can't choose, mix it up and no one will judge you. nine0005

    Summing up the styles, I would like to say that tiles and parquet boards will be a universal solution. But the world of finishing materials does not end with these two materials.

    Today's market and rapidly developing new technologies offer many different types of kitchen flooring.

    Modern kitchen floor coverings and their features

    Now, in conclusion, let's take a closer look at the types of floor covering materials and, finally, decide what to choose for your kitchen. nine0005

    From frequent visits to the premises, the coating can quickly become unusable.

    Kitchen floor linoleum

    Linoleum is one of the most popular floor finishes in Russia and CIS countries. This material found its popularity justifiably for its relative cheapness, attractive appearance and quality that has noticeably increased since Soviet times.

    The most common flooring material is linoleum.

    Modern linoleum can serve you for a whole decade without significantly losing its appearance. Although, it is easy to set fire to such a flooring, but it will not work to restore the damaged area and you will have to re-lay it all over again. But these unpleasant situations can be avoided by simply handling hot objects more carefully and adhering to safety precautions. nine0005

    Available in stone, parquet, wood imitation, smooth, textured, polished and matt.

    Ceramic tiles

    Porcelain tiles are as popular as linoleum. All because of its strength, practicality, moisture resistance and ability to withstand large temperature changes. If your floor is tiled, then heating can be installed under it without any problems. Not a single linoleum can boast of such a property, believe me.

    The advantage of such a tile is that it is easy to lay, if over time damage appears in some places on it, such areas are easy to replace without disassembling the entire floor.

    Also worth noting is the fact that the tile is a versatile finishing material, suitable for absolutely every fashionable stylistic trend. What is the reason for such versatility of coverage? Obviously, the variety of colors and prints that are applied to porcelain stoneware using modern unique technologies. nine0005

    The surface must be carefully prepared for it, it must be perfectly flat.

    Here you can choose the colors and imitation of all types of wood and natural stone, various patterns and drawings. In general, a solid variety for imagination. And such a pleasure will cost, albeit a little more expensive than linoleum, but much cheaper than parquet or laminate.

    Ceramic tiles impress with their variety. She has a lot of colors from plain to the most exotic. nine0005

    Parquet and parquet board in the kitchen

    The wood from which parquet components are most often made does not withstand moisture and sudden changes in temperature, so it is not recommended to install it in the kitchen, unless, of course, your plans include repairs and restoration once or twice a year.

    Thanks to modern technologies, wooden floors are made sufficiently durable, wear-resistant and not afraid of moisture.

    Kitchen laminate

    On the other hand, laminate flooring can serve as a good substitute for natural wood parquet.

    Learn more