18 March 2021 | Updated: June 10, 2022
Choosing the best flooring for a kitchen isn’t just about aesthetics, but practicality too. In this guide, we’ll go through the top flooring options for the kitchen, what makes them great for this room and practical concerns you need to consider.
When it comes to interior design, flooring should never be an after-thought; it is an integral part of the design. As important, if not more so, than the wall finishes, furniture and lighting, it is important to get the best flooring for your needs. This is especially true for kitchens, as the flooring in this room should be practical and easily maintained, as well as be appealing and match the décor.
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Although perhaps not the first choice we make when planning our dream kitchen or refurbishing an existing one, choosing the kitchen floor is nonetheless a critical part of your design. Somewhat like the base canvas upon which a work of art is constructed, kitchen flooring helps define, configure and lend character to space.
The functionality of a kitchen can be affected by the quality, the finish and the resistance of the chosen material. Thanks to advances in material technology, the best and most appropriate flooring might not be immediately obvious. So it’s worthwhile dedicating some time to research the myriad options that are out there.
Here are the main considerations you should take into account when looking for a new kitchen flooring.
Kitchens tend to be high-traffic rooms in homes. For this reason, you need a floor that can stand the test of time and cope with heavy footfall. Kitchen floors tend to be cleaned more regularly than other rooms, which can speed up the wear and tear on sensitive flooring materials. The best kitchen floors are naturally hardwearing and easy to maintain.
Busy kitchens can create a lot of moisture, humidity and spills. All these can cause damage to certain flooring. So when looking for kitchen flooring, the best options are those that have some moisture resistance.
In terms of layout and design, decide if you want your flooring to mark out different zones in your kitchen. Combining different finishes and floorings can help to mark out different zones in the same room. This is especially important in large, open plan kitchen and dining areas.
Although the practicality of a kitchen floor is a vital consideration, the look is also important. Continuous flooring, boards and tiles all give a different aesthetic. Whatever flooring you choose, it’s also worthwhile integrating a skirting board from the outset. This addition protects your walls and is an attractive decorative feature in its own right.
Taking practicality, longevity, maintenance and looks into account we have put together the top four options when it comes to kitchen flooring. No two kitchens are the same, and all have different needs, but our choices will meet many needs and budgets. In no particular order, here are the best kitchen flooring options:
There’s a reason why porcelain flooring in the kitchen remains the most popular choice for UK kitchens.
With its low porosity, easy maintenance and a myriad of design possibilities, porcelain kitchen flooring is a tried and tested option.
With advances in digital printing, new formats that recreate natural finishes such as marble and slate are indistinguishable from the real thing. The only difference you will find is that porcelain tiles are much easier to keep clean, will not stain and are resistant to breaking if installed properly.
Any prejudices you may have about vinyl flooring in kitchens should be immediately banished from your mind. A new generation of vinyl flooring options not only look stylish but are also long-lasting and easily maintained.
Vinyl is also provided with an under-layer for extra comfort underfoot. What’s more, with vinyl you have a range of textures and finishes to choose from, which includes sheet, tile and plank options. Hyper-realistic timber effect vinyl flooring will provide the look of wood without the hassle.
Another great kitchen flooring choice is laminate. Laminate floors are a hybrid combination of several materials; particle board, with a timber base, covered with a layer that represents timber (or other material) and protected with a transparent laminate layer.
Normally laid in planks that click together, the laminated floor is extremely resistant to moisture, wear and tear, stains and heavy traffic making it ideal for kitchen areas.
There’s a lot to think about when choosing the best flooring for your kitchen. There’s the practical side, as well as how the flooring will look. Here are some common questions about kitchen flooring and our answers:
If your kitchen requires durable flooring, opt for porcelain or ceramic. Both these options can resist wear and tear and are resistant to spills. These tiles are made by baking at high heat, this gives them the strength to withstand footfall.
If you have decided on tiles for a kitchen floor, the size of the tiles must also be taken into consideration. As a general rule, the larger the kitchen the larger the tile can be. For smaller kitchens, using smaller tiles can give the illusion of space.
Vinyl is the easiest kitchen floor to maintain, so if maintenance is high on your list of practicalities, vinyl is a great choice. This material is often available for kitchens with a lower budget and is easy to clean.
It is best to avoid natural timber flooring in the wet areas of the kitchen because timber is prone to moisture absorption. However, for a larger kitchen-dining space, natural timber might be an option for defining a dining area, creating an island within another more appropriate material.
Add charm and naturalness to your kitchen space with different types of floor tiles.
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