Vinyl floor ideas
17 practical but luxury floors |
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: James Merrell)
Vinyl kitchen flooring ideas don’t always have the best reputation in terms of aesthetics, but the material has a myriad of benefits, many of which make it a great choice for kitchens, particularly in second homes, where you may not want to spend as much as you would in your main home, or in coastal properties, where practicality and comfort battle for priority.
Vinyl is constantly improving in quality with new technologies, and also offers a wide range of design opportunities that will suit a variety of kitchen styles.
Vinyl is a versatile and practical choice for your kitchen flooring ideas. From spectacular patterns that mimic the most elaborate of kitchen floor tile ideas, to wood-effect panels that channel the natural world into your home, vinyl kitchen flooring ideas can help to transform your space with minimal fuss.
Vinyl kitchen flooring ideas
Aside from a plethora of patterns and colors, you really have one key choice to make when selecting vinyl kitchen flooring – standard vinyl or luxury vinyl? The former is predictably cheaper, and tends to be available either as tiles or as one large sheet.
Luxury vinyl is made up of multiple layers of vinyl, and is thus thicker, more durable and more expensive. Its rigidity means that it is largely available as tiles (LVT) or planks (LVP) and has a more convincing appearance when emulating natural materials. It can also be clicked together at the sides, rather than stuck down with glue.
‘Vinyl is a great and inexpensive way to add color, pattern and personality to kitchen flooring ideas without compromising on safety or quality’, says David Snazel, Hard Flooring Buyer at Carpetright . ‘Being highly durable, slip-resistant and moisture proof, it is ideal for busy households with young children.’
Explore below our top 17 vinyl kitchen flooring ideas, along with some expert advice and tips, for some great inspiration for your kitchen space.
Amtico Flooring - Octagon Key Grace
(Image credit: Amtico Flooring)
New for 2022, Amtico Flooring and the National Trust have joined forces to create a range of vinyl flooring designs, with the LVT Octagon Key design shown here, inspired by the Georgian era.
Creating an atmosphere of traditional elegance, the geometric pattern adds interest and intrigue to the kitchen floor, beautifully complemented by the dark gray cupboards and white walls.
Uniting the beauty of tradition with the practical needs of a modern kitchen, this elegant vinyl tile design can integrate into both classic and contemporary styled kitchen spaces.
2. Create a dark wood effect
(Image credit: Amtico Flooring)
If you want the wood kitchen flooring effect without the price tag, there are an array of wood vinyl designs available out there to choose from.
Dark wood is great for creating an inviting, warming atmosphere in a kitchen, as well as adding depth to the space.
The dark wood LVT used in this kitchen creates a luxurious effect, contrasting beautifully with the blue painted kitchen island and dark gray marble countertops.
3. Be bold with color & shape
(Image credit: Chris Snook)
A simple way to be bold with color and shape, picking a colorful vinyl pattern can make a statement and completely transform your kitchen space.
This bold yellow and white tiled effect enhances this dark wood and white scheme. The yellow, acting as a beautiful accent color, uplifts the space, and adds a geometric, modern edge to the kitchen space. For more inspiration and guidance on the perfect color combinations for your vinyl flooring, view our exploration of the color wheel.
4. Pick a warm gray
(Image credit: Amtico Flooring)
Timeless and sophisticated, a warm gray vinyl flooring for your kitchen is both versatile and long-lasting.
There are a huge range of accent colors for gray, which make it a very popular color choice for flooring throughout the home.
A warm gray shade for your kitchen flooring will stand the test of time, especially if you want to change other features in the kitchen, as it will be able to seamlessly coordinate with changing décor styles.
In this kitchen, the LVT warm gray, stone tile effect creates a relaxed atmosphere, perfectly complementing the neutral palette and natural materials used in this kitchen space.
5. Mix colors and patterns
(Image credit: Amtico Flooring)
Vinyl provides a huge number of options for your kitchen flooring, you do not have to pick one set pattern or color to use throughout, there are many designs that unite a number of beautiful flooring effects.
The statement LVT flooring used in this kitchen is a collaboration between Amtico Flooring and the National Trust. The flooring shows a traditional Victorian Star tile design and a stone effect design working as one. The warming terracotta color adds a contemporary twist to a classic, intricate style, with the matte pebble gray acting as the perfect complementary shade.
The pattern placement on the vinyl flooring in this kitchen also beautifully zones the space; the kitchen island is both grounded and celebrated simultaneously. Using a mix of pattern and color to enhance pieces of furniture and zones in your kitchen space can create a truly unique and eye-catching design.
6. Vinyl doesn’t have to look like vinyl
(Image credit: Future/Colin Poole)
‘In recent years, there have been many developments in design and styles that mean the effects vinyl kitchen flooring ideas can create, such as tile or wood, are incredibly realistic’, says Snazel.
If you’re looking to emulate natural stone or wood kitchen flooring without the associated price tag and maintenance, luxury vinyl tiles are an excellent — and almost indistinguishable — alternative, says Sarah Escott, Design Manager at Amtico.
‘Stone and wood LVT are designed with authentic colors and textures inspired by natural materials, and are available in a multitude of colors, so they are the best kitchen flooring option if you want to recreate the appeal of natural wood and stone without thinking about the maintenance required.
‘LVT boasts a huge number of benefits that simply cannot be replicated with its natural counterparts. On top of being water and scratch-resistant, LVT is also easy to clean and look after.’
(Image credit: Future/Alun Callendar)
While LVT has its benefits, so does single sheet vinyl. In this kitchen, large format sheets have been used to create a seamless look, one that replicates that of a polished, poured concrete floor at a fraction of the cost and fuss.
No joins means no visual distraction, just pure uninterrupted color — in this case, a glistening gray that runs throughout the large open plan kitchen.
‘Open plan kitchen layouts are growing in popularity, and selecting a contemporary style floor that can flow through all areas connects the zones and creates the illusion of a larger space’, says Snazel.
8. Renew classic chessboard patterns with gray
(Image credit: Amtico)
While black and white checkered floors have hundreds of years of history, they are heavily associated these days with mid-century vinyl kitchen flooring ideas.
To shake off thoughts of a bygone era, update your chessboard floor by switching black for gray. In this chic gray kitchen, a checkerboard floor is created from medium-sized format LVT, with both the white and dark gray panels mottled with a natural stone effect. The result is a gentle softening of the most classic of contrasts.
9. Get the pale, warm wood trend, but make it vinyl
(Image credit: Amtico)
Both natural textures and pale colors are trending right now, so get the best of both worlds with a vinyl that mimics dreamily pale woods.
‘If you are looking for small kitchen ideas, lighter floors will help open the space and create the perfect base to build upon with trending accessories,’ says Snazel.
This pale oak-effect LVT laid in a parquet style is combined with pale neutrals across the rest of the room to create a calming space.
10. Emulate complex tiling patterns affordably
(Image credit: Carpetright)
Tiling is having a big moment in kitchen and bathroom design.
Complicated patterns, using multiple colored and unusually shaped tiles, are a standout among the genre’s latest trends — but laying them is a messy process that takes time, skill and, of course, adds to your kitchen flooring costs.
Speed things up by opting for sheet vinyl or larger vinyl tiles that emulate this look. In this kitchen, a 3D-style patterned floor looks like it is made of many small diamond porcelain tiles, when it is in fact made of fewer, larger vinyl tiles.
11. Add a lot of color with little fuss
(Image credit: Future/Colin Poole)
If you want not just a pop of color but a bang, vinyl flooring is an easy way to add bold kitchen colors into a room in one swift act.
It needn’t be a garish addition — this kitchen contrasts traditional-style, green-gray cabinets with a warming red ochre vinyl floor, that is softened with a subtle texture, that hints at gentle leather-like ageing.
12. A natural stone effect that doesn’t cost the earth
(Image credit: Future)
Wood and ceramics aren’t the only materials vinyl can imitate – natural stones like slate can be deftly recreated for a considerably smaller cost.
‘For the authentic country kitchen feel, muted wood or stone flooring offer a chic yet rustic look,’ says Snazel. ‘If your budget won’t stretch to authentic stone or reclaimed timbers, consider using a hard flooring or vinyl solution. They look convincing but cost a fraction of the expense of sourcing and fitting stone floors, and take far less time to install.’
13. Channel Mediterranean-style encaustic tiles
(Image credit: Carpetright)
The encaustic tile trend has taken the motifs of the Mediterranean around the world – but it’s more than possible to get a similar look in easier-maintained vinyl.
Encaustic tiles are made from different colored cements that are pressed together – this means their elaborate patterns are long-lasting, but their porous nature can make them tricky to clean.
In this kitchen, vinyl tiles are decorated with similar multicolored motifs and can be wiped clean with ease.
14. Mix natural textures with modern geometric layouts
(Image credit: Amtico)
As this kitchen demonstrates, you don’t need to choose between a jazzy geometric pattern and a natural wood look.
Do both by embracing different tones of wood and stone – an easier thing to do with purpose-manufactured vinyl than with its organic counterparts.
This LVT floor from Amtico arrives as tiles in different wood tones, with instructions on how to lay them to create this undulating herringbone pattern.
15. Catch onto contemporary tile styles (without the commitment)
(Image credit: Carpetright)
Tile trends come and go – but porcelain and stone tiling is designed to last you a long time. If you’re enamored by a certain flooring trend right now, but not sure how you’ll feel about it in a few years time, try it out in vinyl.
This hexagonal-patterned vinyl floor is an on-trend winner, and as well as being easier to lay, it’s much easier to change around in the future if another style takes your fancy.
16. Dare to stand out with patterns on patterns
(Image credit: Future/Simon Brown)
If you’ve gone all out with bold walls, why not take the party to the floor too? In this kitchen, a vintage-style red and white wallpaper is contrasted with a blue and white vinyl sheet floor, mixing a curved, nature-inspired print with an intensely geometric look.
Snazel warns, however, that you should be sure you have the right space to make it work. ‘In awkward spaces with curved walls or tight corners, try to avoid patterned floors as the pattern may be interrupted’, he says. ‘It’s best to employ an experienced fitter who will be able to ensure that the floor is properly laid and aligned in these spaces.’
17. Go both big and small with your tile choices
(Image credit: Amtico)
If you’re not quite in the market for all-out pattern but are looking to add a touch of visual interest to a pared-back floor texture, consider playing with scale in your vinyl kitchen flooring ideas.
In this kitchen, a combination of smaller and larger square tiles in the same concrete-inspired finish are tessellated together to add a contemporary quirk to what could be a very straightforward flooring choice.
Can vinyl flooring be used in the kitchen?
Of course – both standard vinyl and luxury vinyl work well in a kitchen environment.
‘LVT can absolutely be used in the kitchen’, adds Escott. ‘LVT is hard wearing and durable thanks to its multiple layers, meaning it is able to withstand the demands of a busy kitchen. LVT is also water and scratch-resistant, so drink and food spills and dropped cutlery will not leave any marks or affect your floor.
‘It is also easy to clean and look after. The kitchen is one of the most high-traffic areas in the home and so picking a floor that requires low maintenance is key.’
What is the best vinyl flooring for kitchens?
When making a choice between standard and luxury vinyl, you’ll most likely find that the decision hinges on cost. Luxury vinyl trumps standard in almost every way, but is more expensive.
‘Vinyl is a great choice for busy families with children as it is highly water-resistant and durable whilst being softer and warmer underfoot than laminate,’ says Snazel.
‘Alternatively, luxury vinyl is an elegant choice as it effectively emulate more expensive design styles, whilst being incredibly practical.
Just as easy to maintain as vinyl flooring, luxury vinyl is also water resistant, ideal for kitchens and bathrooms, and is compatible with underfloor heating; which will resolve any concerns that feet will be cold.’
Be aware that the key advantage sheet vinyl has over luxury vinyl is a little extra waterproofing – no joins means no cracks for water to seep through.
Ailis started out at British GQ, where a month of work experience turned into 18 months of working on all sorts of projects, writing about everything from motorsport to interiors, and helping to put together the GQ Food & Drink Awards. She then spent three years at the London Evening Standard, covering restaurants and bars. After a period of freelancing, writing about food, drink and homes for publications including Conde Nast Traveller, Luxury London and Departures, she started at Homes & Gardens as a Digital Writer, allowing her to fully indulge her love of good interior design. She is now a fully fledged food PR but still writes for Homes & Gardens as a contributing editor.
With contributions from
- Zara StaceyContent Editor
29 Vinyl Flooring Ideas With Pros And Cons
Vinyl flooring has been a popular flooring choice for many years due to being inexpensive. Vinyl or synthetic tiles or sheets are a cost-effective solution for homeowners on a tight budget. Available in a wide range of colors, designs and styles, vinyl tiles are easy to cut and install by the average do-it-yourselfer, especially when the tiles feature self-adhesive backing.
Vinyl Floors For Kitchens
Vinyl flooring provides a slightly softer surface than options like tile or wood, because the product is backed with a thin layer of either felt or foam—depending on the manufacturer. The soft layer results in the floor having a little more flexibility and give, which makes it easier to stand on for long periods of time, and it’s essential if you spend a lot of time in the kitchen cooking, cleaning and washing.
It is extremely durable, it can last over 20 years and is very resistant to dirt and water.
As far as cleaning and maintenance goes, vinyl is hard to beat. Requiring practically no maintenance after installation, vinyl needs to just be swept and mopped occasionally to keep the floor clean. These properties make it perfect for any functional area of your home including kitchen. But be aware that the spongy quality of vinyl flooring may prevent a glass from breaking if it’s dropped on the floor, but a sharp object can gouge the surface if dropped.
resilient natural stone vinyl floor upscale rectangular large-scale travertine
durable and comfortable sheet vinyl for a kitchen
granite grege vinyl flooring that imitates stone
vinyl tiles are extremely durable and water and dirt resistant, so they are perfect choice for kitchen flooring
vinyl floors can last over 20 years, they are very durable
vinyl can match any interior as it has a variety of looks and finishes, here it's wood-imitating
resilient vinyl floor with a vintage ornament
Vinyl Floors For Bathrooms
As I said before, vinyl flooring is totally waterproof, it works particularly well in bathrooms and kitchens, where water often ends up on the floor.
Water simply beads on the surface, making it easy to mop up. Plus, regular sweeping and an occasional damp mopping are all that’s required to keep a vinyl floor clean and bright. Don’t hesitate to use it in bathrooms, you’ll get a durable and resistant surface to walk on and you won’t be afraid to spoil it. But keep in mind that over time some vinyl floors develop bumps or curls at the edges or along the seams.
waterproof vinyl flooring with a whitewashed shabby chic look
vinyl flooring planks look just like weathered wood
dark herringbone floors using vinyl tiles that imitate porcelain ones
grey vinyl sheet flooring looking like slate
dark grey and black vinyl plank flooring, which is water resistant
vinyl comes in a wide range of colors and patterns, so it'll be easy to find yours
vinyl flooring tiles that look like natural wood
white limed oak luxury vinyl flooring
grey wood patterned vinyl floors to match a modern bathroom
being water resistant, vinyl tiles perfectly imitate stone like here
Vinyl Floors For Entryways
Most vinyl flooring has a “wear layer” on top of the vinyl itself, so it’s resistant to normal traffic wear.
Resilient tile is sometimes the only solution for a floor with excessive movement or cracks, any other tile would break. That’s what makes vinyl a great solution for any mudroom or entryway.
As for the cons of vinyl floors in the hallways, while the wear layer is designed to protect the flooring, after a few years of traffic the surface will start to show scuffing and signs of wear. Unlike wood, the vinyl floor can’t have a new finish applied. A vinyl tile or plank can be removed and a new one installed, but a sheet vinyl floor needs to be replaced.
vinyl tiles imitating stone for an etnryway
21 most vinyl sheets have a 'top coat' that allows them to be more durable
in case of damage to the vinyl sheets, they will have to be removed, so careful with heels
vinyl tiles or planks can be removed one by one and changed if needed
resilient tiles are the best one for the area of excessive movement, any other will break
Vinyl Floors For Other Spaces
You can also use vinyl in living rooms and bedrooms even as it’s affordable and has a wide range of colors to choose from but here are some disadvantages of such a decision.
One of the biggest problems facing vinyl is the product is manufactured using polyvinyl chloride and will emit volatile organic compounds, especially when it is new. While vinyl tiles are very easy to install on one’s own, getting the subfloor ready for installation can prove to be a difficult job. Furniture pads needs to be installed on the feet of all furniture—or moving the couch could result in scratching or gouging the tile or popping the tile off the floor entirely.
Vinyl can’t stand up to ultra violet rays so under prolonged exposure to sunlight the patterns and colors in a vinyl floor will start to fade. So we recommend leave vinyl floors for kitchens, dining area and bathrooms but of course it’s up to you to decide!
ocean-inspired vinyl planks for a seaside home
oak-looking vinyl plank floors for a dining room
27 ash vinyl sheet floors for a bedroom
vinyl with a white-painted oak effect for a living room
vinyl plank flooring imitating vintage wooden floors
vinyl is very easy to install and needn't any preparations
Source: pinterest
Vinyl floor - 80 photo ideas how to decorate in the interiorDecor and interior design
Decor and interior design > Site map > Floor design > Vinyl floor - an overview of the types, advantages and disadvantages (80 photos)
Contents of the article:
An alternative to expensive parquet is vinyl flooring.
An unusual coating combines linoleum and wood. The versatility of the material has become an excellent decoration that designers began to use in their projects.
The main advantage of vinyl flooring is its affordable price due to its ease of production. The technology is based on thermal pressing of the following components: polyvinyl chloride, quartz crumbs, fillers, etc. The created material is safe, although the incoming components are not all natural.
Vinyl floor covering contains several layers:
The base layer is made of durable PVC.
2nd layer is fiberglass, it is a reinforcing element that protects the coating from various deformations. PVC padding (mixture of quartz and sand) for durability.
Decorative film imitating different textures of natural materials: leather, wood or stone.
The last layer is a transparent polyurethane film. It protects the product from moisture, as well as various mechanical damage and ultraviolet rays.
This layer can be embossed, which means it will not slip.
Properties of vinyl flooring
Let's analyze in detail the pros and cons of vinyl flooring.
Pros:
- Huge selection of patterns in different colors.
- Long service life. Resistant to various scratches and impacts.
- Imitation of wood, stone goes well with furniture.
- Moisture-resistant qualities of the material for use in bathrooms, corridors and kitchens where there is high humidity.
- Easy care does not require special products.
- Seams are almost invisible between vinyl elements.
- Installation can be carried out by anyone with no experience in repair work. Self-adhesive tiles are quick and easy to install.
- Nice look and feel. Even in cold weather, vinyl floors will always be warm.
- Conveniences in fast gluing of a covering, subsequently it will not be necessary to dismantle.
- Affordable price of PVC coating distinguishes it among other materials.
For specific institutions (hospitals, etc.) it is necessary to know the disadvantages of vinyl coating:
- Necessity of preparatory work before laying: surface cleanliness and leveling. Uneven boards with defects will accelerate the wear of the vinyl flooring.
- Harmless to health, but releases harmful toxins when burned due to chemical composition.
- Vinyl does not biodegrade and is difficult to dispose of.
- Vinyl coating tarnishes on contact with rubber and may discolor over time. Therefore, rubber mats should not be placed on top of vinyl flooring, such as in a bathroom or bathroom.
Parameters of PVC coverings
Vinyl coverings are offered in 3 variants: laminated modules, rectangular tiles or rolls.
Laminated modules 920 x 180 mm or 920 x 100 mm. These are about 1 meter long slabs imitating wood. Vinyl laminate has a thickness of 1 mm or more. Modular tiles are complemented by a felt backing, as well as fiberglass to cushion the coating.
Rectangular tiles 300 x 600 mm in two types:
Pressed tiles made from vinyl and synthetic resins with various additives. It is plastic, so it is easy to cut it.
Quartz PVC tiles, up to 80% quartz, waterproof, non-conductive, and can withstand heavy loads. This is the perfect cover where there are a lot of people.
Roll coverings up to 25 m long (2 m wide). Need special glue for better fit. Easy installation is ideal in large rooms.
Wear resistance
The main characteristic of vinyl flooring is the wear resistance class:
Grades 23-31 have a 2 mm protective layer, suitable for residential use, up to 7 years.
Classes 32-42 have a 2.5 mm layer of protection, used in public places, will last up to 15 years.
Class 43 already with a 3 mm layer is used where solid floor loads and a large number of people (warehouses, gyms, production). Great elasticity, such vinyl does not slip, has antistatic properties. Service life up to 20 years.
The higher the coating class, the higher the cost of the material.
Installation of PVC coverings can be adhesive, self-adhesive and self-adhesive.
Vinyl floor design in the kitchen is perfect with self-adhesive waterproof tiles, and in the living room with modules and lockable tiles. For the bathroom, it is better to choose vinyl tiles with anti-fungal adhesive with waterproof qualities.
Vinyl flooring manufacturers: TARKETT (Russia) and ALLURE (USA).
Vinyl floor photo
Help the project, share with your friends ;)
What to look for when choosing a vinyl floor
The right floor for the right room
Floor, walls, ceiling. Three elements that create the right mood in a room. Creating the right combination of these three elements can make a difference in how we perceive a room with different colors, patterns, and lights. The basis is the floor, which gives meaning and character to the whole room. But your floor should also match with furniture and other interior items, so you need to take into account all aspects when choosing.
We offer a wide variety of vinyl tile decors so you can easily find the one that suits your home.
Start with a solid foundation
Vinyl flooring is more than just a floor you walk on. Think of it as the foundation of your home, which should match with all the other details you add to it. Since the material of the floor changes much less often than the color of the walls and ceiling, you should choose the flooring based on the fact that it will set the tone for other interior details. Kährs Luxury Tiles includes vinyl flooring in a variety of wood or stone texture styles; light, dark, lively and calm texture options, as well as their intermediate shades. You are sure to find something suitable for your home.
Which color of vinyl tiles should I choose?
The color of a vinyl tile can have a significant impact on the mood a room creates. For example, a dark floor absorbs a lot of light while bringing warm notes to your interior. A light floor, on the other hand, reflects light, which visually enlarges the room.
In which direction should I lay my vinyl floor?
Pay attention to the lighting - the direction of the sunlight, the size of the window and the artificial lighting - all these factors affect the impression that the floor gives. One piece of advice - it is best to lay the tiles in the direction of the window so that the light falls on the floor in a longitudinal direction. You can also choose to lay the vinyl tiles in a different direction to emphasize other qualities of the room.
Which vinyl floor is right for my room?
Different rooms are used in different ways. Consider how much time you spend in the kitchen or how your children play in their rooms. All of our vinyl flooring features a durable composite backing for structural stability and sound absorption combined with a high level of wear resistance and an easy to clean ceramic surface. This makes them the best choice for any room except for the bathroom or shower, which require special waterproofing.
Which vinyl floor is the right size for my room?
The width and length of the vinyl floor planks affect how the room feels. Kährs Luxury Tiles range from classic straight patterns to modern designs with stone or wood textures. The general rule is to use compact sized patterns in small rooms and large patterns in larger spaces. But there are exceptions to every rule, so always choose what works best for your room.
Which vinyl floor design should I choose?
One of the great things about vinyl flooring is the impressive variety of styles and consistently high product quality. This way, you don't have to worry about not being able to find a floor that fits well with the interior of the room. The only thing that will occupy your attention is the creation of the desired harmony. We offer vinyl floors, both with a calm texture, and floors that reflect all the natural features of wood and stone. See what they look like in our virtual showroom.
