Choosing kitchen flooring can be a challenging task as you look for something that offers the best of functionality and style.

Whilst it is important to take into account the design and how your flooring will work with the rest of your kitchen space, you will also want something that is durable and long lasting in this high traffic area.

The good news is, we’ve got 10 top tips to choosing the right kitchen flooring that will ensure you don’t slip up at the final hurdle of your kitchen re-design.

Key summary

-        Consider material before style as you will want a durable flooring that can endure the high traffic of a kitchen.

-        Vinyl is the most hard-wearing style of kitchen floor and is stain resistant.

-        Don’t cut corners with cheaper finishing products as this can be more costly in the long run!

How do I choose a floor for my kitchen?

1.    Think practical

When it comes to choosing your kitchen flooring, you will firstly want to think about its usage. Kitchen flooring needs to be highly durable, as well as being able to withstand any spillages and regular traffic. If you want underfloor heating, you will need to be sure of its compatibility with your flooring and you will also want to check what maintenance will be required over time, as this can mean more time commitments and further money being spent.

2. Consider the type

There are several types of material you can consider for your kitchen floor that vary in cost and durability. The kind of floors that work best in a kitchen include:

-        Natural stone

-        Porcelain

-        Wood

-        Vinyl

-        Laminate

Some of these flooring types are more practical than others, and although some materials look visually pleasing, such as natural stone tiles, they can be more prone to staining which makes them a less appealing option.

Slate and stone options are popular these days and opting for a dark slate is more practical as it won’t show up stains and dirt as easily. These styles can get cold in winter months so you may want to consider underfloor heating with them.

Wood flooring is a durable choice that offers timeless style. Natural wood shades are often the best colour for kitchen flooring as they offer a neutral base. Herringbone and chevron styles are a current trend for kitchen floors but also offer classic elegance that will stand the test of time. You must be quick on your toes in the event of a spillage with wooden flooring as prolonged contact with moisture can cause it to swell and lift. Stained woods are also more prone to wear and tear around areas such as the sink.

Vinyl is a popular type of kitchen flooring as it comes in a wide variety of styles but is also extremely hard-wearing. It is moisture-resistant and easy-to-clean, so kitchen spills are quick to mop up! Similarly, laminate is great for kitchen floors as it is durable, with stain and scratch resistant qualities.

3. Colours and style

Once you have selected a preference for flooring material, you will want to think about the style and colour.

As flooring is often neutral, it can work to enhance the colours of cabinets and hardware features. Navy kitchen cabinets often work well with natural wood tones or marble tiles, for example, as they help the kitchen units pop.

4. Match it up

Matching up interiors is a challenge as it can look too try-hard and sometimes can be difficult to pull off, but in the case of kitchen flooring, matching it to another design element in the kitchen can work well.

You could consider matching your flooring to your cabinet finish, for example, choose them both in a matte or gloss, or alternatively match the colours. You could also consider matching your flooring to your worktops, which works especially well with wood finishes.

5. Maintenance

Different flooring types will require varying degrees of maintenance over time. Wood flooring, for example, will need re-sealing regularly. If time is not on your side, then you may want to look for an easy to clean, “mop and go” option.

Vinyl is the best kitchen flooring material to look after, as it is quick and simple to maintain thanks to the scuff and stain resistant nature of it.

6. Size it up

Size matters when it comes to kitchen flooring, especially if you have a smaller room, as you will want something that opens it up and creates the illusion of space. Larger floor tiles, in lighter shades, are the best type of kitchen flooring for small spaces. Consider tiles of around 900 x 600 mm as this is a versatile size that will adapt to smaller and larger areas in the kitchen.

7. Budget

Flooring can get expensive, especially if you have a large surface area. It isn’t just the flooring itself you will need to consider, but you will also need to factor in costs for underlay, grouts, and fixatives as well as labour.

Although it can be tempting to use budget alternatives, don’t ruin great flooring by cutting corners on these elements as it can cost you more in the long run, having to rectify them.

8. Take your time

Don’t rush into your flooring decision as this is something you will have to live with for a long time! Speak to your kitchen flooring installation team as they will be able to offer expert advice, as well as provide samples which can be useful to match up to your kitchen.

Place your samples in different parts of the kitchen to ensure it works well in all lighting and against all elements of the room.

9. Grouting

If you opt for floor tiles, you will need to think about grouting. Although it might be tempting to leave this to the floor installation team and be considered a minor detail, this finishing touch is important to the final result and shouldn’t be overlooked.

You’ll want to match the grout to the main or background colour of your tiles to ensure a cohesive style across the floor. The wrong-coloured grout can create an odd, disjointed feel that ruins the look.

10. Installation

Look into the installation methods for your chosen flooring as all types differ. Some flooring needs to acclimatise to the kitchen humidity, for example, and some will need to be installed prior to the kitchen fitting.

Your installation team or the manufacturer will be able to advise on this but be sure to research thoroughly to avoid any expensive mistakes!

Summary

The kitchen flooring option you choose forms an important part of your overall aesthetic, and as such you’ll want to ensure you get it right. Consider material, size, colour, maintenance, and budget within your final decision but be sure not to cut corners as the costs to rectify it might just floor you!