8 Great Kitchen Flooring Options

Your kitchen floor comes up against all kinds of dirt, grime and wear and tear from heavy feet, falling pots and pans as well as spills from burning liquids. Thus, your kitchen floor must be tough enough to withstand all the various things that get thrown its way, while still looking stylish and blending in with the overall decor of your home.

Luckily, the market is filled with various kitchen flooring options for every style and taste, and the majority are made to endure the ravages of time and the harsh conditions of the kitchen. We’ve picked out a list of the 8 best materials on the market, so read on ahead for some advice if you’re considering a kitchen floor renovation project.

Here are 8 good kitchen flooring options for your home!

1) Hardwood floor: a good reliable bet in a kitchen

Hardwood is an obvious and popular choice for the kitchen floors of any home. It is an incredibly durable material and works best in kitchens that have an open floor plan. This material does not date, and a style of wood can be found to match any taste. Not only does hardwood look good and remain durable, but it is low maintenance in terms of upkeep and cleaning.

The main downside to hardwood is the price: this kitchen flooring material is not cheap and would not be recommended for the homeowner who is faint of heart. However, engineered wood is an excellent option for kitchens, as it is backed by layers of inexpensive plywood and won’t cost as much as the real thing.

Hardwood has an unmatched warmth and visual appeal, so if you’ve got the money to spend and you’re looking for a timeless classic, this is the way to go!

2) Vinyl: low maintenance and versatile

Source: Canva

Though vinyl used to get a bad rep, with the help of expanding technologies, it’s reputation has greatly improved over the years, and for good reason! Vinyl continues to update its image, as it can now be made to mimic the look of more expensive flooring materials, such as hardwood or stone.

If you are the type of person to cook a lot or stand around in your kitchen, this material is a great option. It is part of the resilient family of flooring, meaning it is one of the softest flooring materials available, making it easy on the muscles.

This is not the only appeal of vinyl, as it is also very inexpensive, as well as extremely low maintenance, with little upkeep and breakage involved.

However, the downsides of working with vinyl include the potential of trapping dirt and moisture underneath the surface, which, if undetected, can lead to a real headache as well as a complete renovation project. Furthermore, vinyl wears easily, although a wear layer can be added that helps resist scratches and surface marks from forming.

3) Ceramic Tiles: a classic choice

Source: MaxPixel

Ceramic tiles are the toughest type of flooring on the market. They are a popular choice for homeowners, as they mimic the look of stone at a fraction of the cost. When made, ceramic tiles are fired at extremely high temperatures to produce a durable and stain-resistant surface that is impervious to moisture.

Also, they are versatile, with a wide range of colours and textures available. Like vinyl, recent designs are made to mimic wood and other natural materials, and more modern designs come in larger rectangular shapes.

Some of the cons of having a tile kitchen floor include grout lines, as the tiny spaces between tiles are often difficult to clean. Also, tiles have the potential to shatter easily if heavy dishware is accidentally dropped. If you’re a klutz in the kitchen, this option may be best suited for your bathroom! 

Here is an interesting article on the subject of ceramic floors (though it is about bathroom floors, it is relevant for kitchens as well): 

• How to Renovate a Bathroom Ceramic Floor

4) Bamboo Floors: for an eco-friendly kitchen

Source: This Old House

If you’re a homeowner concerned with being environmentally friendly, then look no further for your next kitchen flooring material! Bamboo is an eco-friendly and attractive alternative to wood flooring, as it is similar in look as well as in strength and durability. Furthermore, this natural resource has a built-in resistance to moisture and insects, adding to its overall appeal.

One of the main cons of bamboo flooring is that it can dent easily, so the installation process needs to be done with the utmost care. Aside from this minor downfall, bamboo is a beautiful option for your kitchen floors. However, make sure to choose a brand of bamboo with an extensive warranty, as that will be reflected in the quality of the product!

5) Cork: solid and sustainable

Source: Colour flooring company

Cork flooring is another eco-friendly kitchen flooring option that has a soft feel underfoot. Cork is made from tree bark that is harvested every 8 to 10 years and is thus a sustainable material. It is softer than wood or tile as well as being slip-resistant. 

It is also a natural insulator against noise, as well as temperature change, if you’re concerned about that sort of thing. Furthermore, cork is anti-microbial because of a waxy substance in the material itself.

Also, if you’re on a budget, cork tiles are not expensive, while also being easy to install. Quality corks can be sanded and refinished, though they need to be resealed every 3 to 4 years to help guard against scratches and prevent moisture from seeping in. Like bamboo, cork's downfall is that it can scratch easily, creating imperfections on its surface that might get under the skin of some homeowners

6) Laminate: for a good price/quality ratio

Laminate is a popular choice in the realm of kitchen flooring. It is good for homeowners on a budget who would like to use hardwood but can’t afford to do so. This material is both cheap to buy as well as being cheap to install.

Furthermore, it is easy to replace and rip out if you intend on selling your home and the new buyers want new kitchen floors! The quality and appearance of laminate have greatly improved over the years, with budding new technologies.

Unfortunately, the durability of laminate comes down to how it is made, as unlike stone and wood, which are natural products, laminate is man-made. Another issue to consider when choosing laminate is water damage. Laminate is not waterproof, and if significant water damage occurs, the floor will need to be replaced. However, this is still a great option for the homeowner on a budget!

7) Natural Stone: classic and timeless

Source: Unsplash

There are many types of stone flooring available on the market, including marble and slate stone. Stone floors add a unique appeal, and as also earth-friendly. This material is durable and easy to clean, so it can be ranked as relatively low-maintenance in the grand scheme of things. Stone floors are naturally cool, which is great if you’re living in a hotter climate.

However, if you’re thinking about installing stone floors for a home in a climate that is slightly colder, consider adding a sub-floor radiant heat system to warm these floors in the winter. Bear in mind that stone is expensive, and this material requires routine sealing.

Also, more fragile stones such as slate tend to chip easily, and others may stain. Regardless, stone is a timeless kitchen flooring option that will have your friends wondering why they hadn’t considered this renovation project. 

8) Concrete flooring: for the modern kitchen

Source: Unsplash

Concrete is a beautiful and rustic option for the kitchen floors of almost any home. It is contemporary and has a soft tone that is hardly matched by other materials. It is one of the most durable flooring materials and can withstand the activity in busy or messy kitchens without issue. All concrete can be stained, polished, stencilled and waxed. Various finishes are available for your concrete flooring, allowing you to customize its look.

Like natural stone, concrete flooring is cold and may, therefore, require radiant floor heating beneath. Unfortunately, concrete is not the softest flooring material and can be hard on the muscles if you are standing upright for long periods. Concrete can also stain easily, and needs to be resealed every few years to improve its longevity. The average cost of this material varies greatly, so make sure to do your research before choosing this material.