How do you pick flooring for kitchens?

As the room where we cook, eat and clean, many kitchens see considerable use. Over time, this makes it necessary for this area of our home to need refreshing. While sometimes, new tile work or painting is all that is needed to improve them, other kitchen refurbishments require drastic measures.

Kitchen floors must cope with heavy traffic in family homes, and even smaller households will need to manage water and food spills, along with dirt trodden in. When these floors start to show signs of wear, and repair is impossible, getting a replacement may be the only option.

In the following sections, we’ll look at some crucial considerations for when you’re picking out a new floor.

Budget

Everyone has a dream kitchen in mind, but affordability is often an issue. While you might love the look of tumbled Dijon limestone, picking an option that matches your budget is important. Fortunately, flooring is available in a wide range of materials to suit different price ranges.

Vinyl provides the most economical solution for kitchen floors, while laminate and luxury vinyl tile (LVT) are more upmarket yet affordable options. These last two solutions can be a suitable second choice when you have your heart set on wood or natural stone. Both LVT and laminate can perfectly mimic the look of these organic options – for a cost that’s considerably less.

Usage

How often your kitchen is used is also a factor. Busy homes packed with kids and pets will need a robust floor that can handle plenty of footfall. High-quality vinyl-based flooring is particularly hardwearing and can stand up to serious traffic while keeping its appearance.

If you rarely use your kitchen but want a stylish finish, you could opt for wood. However, kitchens must often cope with moisture, so consider engineered boards over hardwood. The multi-layer construction of engineered planks allows it to adapt much better when exposed to liquids, buts it’s still a wise move to mop any spills immediately to avoid damage.

Keeping it clean

Food is prepared and sometimes eaten in kitchens, requiring them to have high levels of hygiene. From everyday dirt dragged in on the feet and paws of family members to cooking stains and spills, kitchen flooring needs regular maintenance. With this in mind, it’s worth selecting a floor choice that’s easy to care for.

Vinyl is among the simplest to clean surfaces, as it requires no special cleaning fluids or equipment to maintain. Water-based cleaning completed with a mop is all that is required, as this option is entirely waterproof.

Style and colour

Laminate and vinyl are flexible options that offer an extensive selection of different looks. You’ll find intricate patterns, a rainbow of colours and even different textures and tones available. Having so much choice can be especially beneficial when you’re looking to match your new floor to existing units or appliances in a fitted kitchen.

With a wide array of possibilities offered, you’re sure to find just the right flooring required to suit your needs.