May 17, 2023
The three most important elements of a kitchen design are the cabinets, worktops and floor. In coordination, they define the overall decoration of the kitchen, which is why they have be considered as a whole. In the case of white kitchens, the details demand careful attention to make sure this room is pleasant and cosy.
The floor is a key element to complement the white kitchen cabinets. It can make a huge difference in the style and general atmosphere of the space. The type of floor chosen will largely determine the style of kitchen's interior design, whether modern, rustic, elegant or minimalist.
In addition, the type of flooring can influence the perceived size of the kitchen. This makes it important to carefully consider the options when choosing the floor to complement the white kitchen cabinets. The final result should be a space that is not only functional, but also visually appealing and consistent in its style.
In terms of total square metres, the kitchen floor is the most relevant part, since it is the largest surface that has to be covered. Choosing the best floor for a kitchen will depend on many factors, which we will analyse in this post. However, some preliminary considerations are essential, such as selecting a resistant kitchen floor. In addition, to ensure optimum performance, a kitchen floor must satisfy many health and safety requirements.
The key practical considerations for kitchen flooring include:
Purists will typically say that an all-white kitchen must be accompanied by white tiles. It's a delicate design trick that yields a holistic result. Since that there is a wide variety of shades of white, it is advisable to combine complementary, but clearly distinguishable, tones. This way, you can create interesting and appealing contrasts that complement the general whiteness of the space.
Another simple trick to make white flooring work is to choose a dark grout material. The colour contrast strengthens the modular nature of the tiles, yielding a very elegant aesthetic.
The classic black and white chequerboard tile design can now be recreated in a much more contemporary style. Just rotate the tiles 45° to create a sense of motion in the room. The result will be an elegant contrast with the white cabinets.
To give it an even more modern and fresh touch, you can play around with the size of the tiles. Combining larger tiles with small ones breaks the classic scheme, giving the kitchen a fresher look.
Changing the squares to octagonal tiles, as well as adding grey as a variant colour, are other options. These tiles can create an updated chequerboard effect for the tiles in modern white kitchens.
One of the most versatile colour combinations for kitchens is the blend of white furniture with natural wood or ceramic wood-look flooring. For this option, wood shades offer multiple possibilities, from light pine to dark tones.
This elegant combination lends itself to Scandinavian, minimalist, rustic and contemporary kitchens. Regardless of the design chosen, the wood grain is the ideal way to complement elegant white cabinets, whether with a glossy or matte finish.
Wood-look ceramic flooring, laminated floors and vinyl tiles are preferred to natural wood in the work area. As well as being resistant to wear, non-slip and waterproof, they feature a magnificent design that mirrors the real material. Thanks to their aesthetics and durability, these alternatives to natural wood are good options for white kitchens.
When it comes to kitchen floors, black and dark grey, such as anthracite, are very forgiving in terms of care and maintenance. And let's not forget the classic combination of black and white. In this duo, which is always in style, the two colours go hand in hand. In kitchens with dark ceramic tiles on the floor, the cabinets become the centre of attention in the room.
One of the infallible tile colour choices for white kitchens is grey, due to their chromatic relationship. There are many shades and intensities of this colour to satisfy all décor tastes. The choice of tone will be determined by the amount of natural light available and personal taste.
When it comes to white kitchens, the tile texture used can add personality to the design. Grained tiles can be the key to adding style to a white kitchen while also maintaining a clean and elegant look. In this regard, knowing how to choose the right colours and textures for kitchen tiles will be useful in finding the perfect combination.
For a kitchen with a more industrial style, ceramic with a cement look offers a genuine aesthetic and texture. Large tiles with minimal joints will help create a sense of visual continuity. This design is perfect for tiles in modern white kitchens.
A classic of decoration is the combination of grey marble and white. The marble grain is the ideal way to complement white cabinets, adding texture and visual interest. If you opt for white tiles for the kitchen, the marble-look effect in this shade will make the environment elegant and brighter.
In contrast with the white cabinets, a stamped hydraulic floor tile can be turned into another decorative element in the kitchen. The best option is to go with a geometric print inside a neutral colour palette. The result will be a kitchen with personality.
The texture and appearance of stone on white highlight the specific qualities of this natural material. The final look will depend a lot on the treatment applied to the stone finish. These include pumiced, polished, flamed or hammered effects.
When talking about white kitchens, playing with contrast is a key factor with natural stone as well. A slate floor with light grey joints, for example, will bring out the white cabinets. By contrast, a lighter stone such as limestone or travertine will draw the attention to the stone texture.
Another option is stone-look tiles, which require less maintenance and achieve the same result.
White tiles in a kitchen require more regular cleaning. The important thing is to pay attention to the joints between the tiles.
To clean the tiles: use warm water, but without too much soap. The best product is a mild detergent. To continue with the cleaning process, fill a bucket with hot water and add half a cup of vinegar to the mixture. To conclude, run the rag over the floor, rub the head of the mop over the stains and repeat the process with clean water.
To clean the joints: add sugar to hot water and, with rubber gloves, apply the mixture to the joints. Using a soft bristle brush, rub it in, working in small sections. When the joints are many years old, a special grout paint can be applied to conceal persistent dirt between the tiles.
Wood and white together are undeniably versatile and beautiful. These days, the maintenance problem associated with wood is solved by using alternative surfaces such as porcelain, laminate or vinyl. The variety of shades of natural wood makes it a very versatile option.
Darker colours are undoubtedly more practical, as they can be used to conceal some imperfections. Black, dark grey, brown and beige help camouflage dirt.
However, darker colours highlight scratches and marks on the floor. Which is why the medium range greys and the warm colours of wood tend to work better. These colours help disguise wear and tear and the effects of the passage of time on the surface.
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