What are the best types of kitchen floors?

Kitchens no longer serve the same purpose as in the past. They are not just places where we prepare food. They are also large spaces where we can while away the hours with friends and family. Kitchens must therefore be designed so that they are both practical and well arranged. This includes kitchen floors.

However, we should not overlook the appearance of our kitchens. Finding a balance between design and comfort is essential.

The design of our kitchens should also be in keeping with that of the rest of our homes, so the materials we use should be chosen carefully. This is when our preferred types of flooring come into play. In this post, we will suggest a couple of the most popular, modern and practical options that could go well in your kitchen.

1. Wood floors

Wood always adds a warming and welcoming touch to any space. It goes perfectly with both modern and avant-garde style kitchens.

Wood has never typically been used in kitchens in the past as it is sensitive to moisture. However, the material of today is better, and it is more long-lasting and durable. This means it is suitable for kitchens.

Wood goes very well with open, American-style kitchens that adjoin living areas. Your home’s style can flow fluidly throughout both rooms with this style. Wood therefore goes perfectly with both modern and avant-garde style kitchens.

2. Porcelain floors

Nowadays, there is a growing trend towards using porcelain kitchen floors. This is not only because of the material’s high durability, but also its low porosity.

Porcelain floors are available in slate, wood and steel-look finishes. They are also available in neutral colors, which can combine perfectly with the other components of your kitchen. Neutral shades are also very clean and do not get as dirty. Porcelain floors also come as tiles, which, other than needing little maintenance, are also very durable, so they rarely break or crack. You can clean these tiles with any type of cleaning product. They are also suitable for use with underfloor heating.

It’s true that porcelain floors don’t give the same high quality look to your space as wood, and they are also more expensive to install. However, their finish is very stylish and they go well with any type of kitchen.

3. Multi-layer parquet

This type of parquet flooring consists of two blocks of laminated wood veneer between a block of laminated birch. 

This type of flooring is quite smooth and it neither expands, nor contracts. It is also a good option if you would like to install underfloor heating, which again works very well with this material. 

If you notice that, over time, your flooring needs refreshing, you can sand down the blocks so they look as good as new.

4. Ceramic floors

This is one of the most common materials for kitchen floors.

Ceramic floors are available in a wide variety of colors and patterns. They give you countless options when decorating your kitchen. Their ability to absorb water is also a major advantage, making these floors a practical and hygienic option, as well as affordable. 

There is one downside to ceramic floors, which is that ceramic is quite a fragile material, meaning it can break very easily.

Ceramic floors go very well with the fittings of more modern kitchens. 

5. Laminated wood floors

This option is perfect when replacing kitchen floors. It can give your space a more modern feel, without you needing to do a lot of work taking up the old flooring.

Laminated wood is made up of several glued and compressed laminated layers. It is a material that can withstand a great deal of impact, scratches, burns, wear and tear and cleaning products.

Laminated kitchen floors can closely resemble many different types of wood, without needing to be sanded or varnished. In addition, they are highly resistant to wear and tear and to impact.

They are quite affordable, quick and simple to install, and they are available in a variety of styles and different finishes.

6. Hydraulic tiles

This type of tile was first used in France in the mid-19th century. It is now growing in popularity in modern interior decoration. 

Hydraulic tiles come in a wide variety of colors and designs that go perfectly with kitchen decor. The tiles are available in different sizes and shapes, ranging from the traditional square tile, to rectangular and hexagonal tiles. So you can create any number of combinations.

These tiles are very strong and durable.

7. Stone floors

These floors are are one of the main features of rustic-style homes. They have a natural beauty that gives any space a feeling of depth.

Stone is a timeless and elegant material that always has a classic and smart look. If you’re not a big fan of stone floors, remember that stone is a very long-lasting material that is easy and simple to care for. As with other types of flooring, stone works with underfloor heating as it is a good conductor of heat.

However, stone itself can be a cold and hard material if you don’t use heating. Surfaces can also often be uneven and difficult to clean.

8. Lino and vinyl floors

The man difference between these types of floors is that lino, or linoleum, is an entirely natural material, whereas vinyl is synthetic. Both materials are water-resistant and can withstand scrapes and wear and tear.

Lino is the most eco-friendly option of all the types of  kitchen floors in this article. It is the type that is most respectful to the environment as it is made of natural materials, including linseed oil, flour from recycled wood, cork powder, limestone, natural pigments and jute.

Lino and vinyl floors are also available in a wide range of colors and designs. One of the most common patterns is the marble-look floor.

These kitchen floors are also very warm and are perfect for anyone who suffers from an allergy. This is because they don’t contain any dust mites. However, you will need to ask a professional to lay these floors as they can be quite difficult to install.

Both lino and vinyl floors are unlike other types of floors, and they can look very stylish in kitchens. The benefit of vinyl floors is that they are affordable.

9. Polished concrete

Polished concrete can give your spaces a very modern and avant-garde look. If your home has a more industrial style, or even if you just want your kitchen to stand out from your other rooms, then this could be the option for you.

Concrete is a very durable and long-lasting material when used in the right conditions. It is a highly thermal material as it absorbs heat during the day to release at night. It is also available in a number of colors and is easy to maintain.

If you decide to use concrete in your kitchen, bear in mind that it is quite a flexible material and that it can be slippery at times.

10. Rubber kitchen floors

This is a very soft and smooth material, making it a welcome addition to any kitchen.

Rubber is also strong, warming and long-lasting. It is available in several colors and designs. It is very easy to clean and it isn’t porous, making it one of the more versatile and hygienic materials.