The floors we choose are an essential component in any design scheme and no longer confined to an afterthought. The floor material, colour and finish can unite all the disparate elements of the kitchen to create a unique look and enhance the quality of design.
More than ever, the choice of flooring is huge. As well as the ever-popular solid wood, stone and terracotta there are more choices from new options like luxury vinyl, pop-art bright rubber floors and a vast amount of laminates in every finish and colour.
So how do we make a decision among all this choice?
In fact, choosing a floor for the kitchen is slightly easier because of the fact that you need to be led first and foremost by practicality. Kitchen floors need to be resilient to water, spillages and perhaps higher footfall than any other floor in your home so certain options will be less favourable. Most importantly, the floor you choose has to be appropriate, durable and in keeping with your design scheme.
We have selected flooring options that will work in kitchens and will give you a beautiful finish.
Hard flooring
Stone
Stone floors are a perennial choice for the kitchen and offer immense durability combined with stunning good looks. The natural beauty of stone will bring a totally unique finish to your kitchen due to the individual variations in colour and finish.
Need to know
Stone is obviously very heavy and must be laid on a strong surface. As it is porous, it needs to be sealed and this usually takes place on-site. Stone varies hugely in quality, colour and patterning so ensure that you buy it from a reputable supplier and buy the best you can afford.
Natural stone lasts a lifetime if well sourced, professional installed and treated. As a design feature, it will add a natural quality to your design and works well with all types of kitchens.
Ceramic and Porcelain
Often grouped together by manufacturers because porcelain is a type of ceramic, these are popular choices for kitchens. Porcelain is ideal for busy kitchens as they are easy to look after and highly resilient.
Need to know
The range of colours, finishes and composites is huge and offers great potential for designing a kitchen because you can usually find something that will exactly meet what you’re looking for. There is also a great range of prices for both types of floor and with manufacturing techniques getting better all the time, you can find great quality to suit all budgets.
You can have to look of natural stone at a lower cost and without having to worry about sealing.
Wood
We all love wood and it brings a warmth and charm to any design that is hard to achieve with any other surface. A wooden floor is an essential part everyone’s ideal country kitchen but wood can look equally stunning in sleek, contemporary kitchens.
There are lots of solid timbers to choose from and in Britain, oak tends to be the most popular due to its natural stability and its versatility in most kitchens. It is also our national timber so it is an obvious choice. Many more woods are becoming popular, especially if you are looking to make a bold statement with a deep colour.
Need to know
Solid wood floors are durable and good for high traffic areas like kitchens. Some people do have concerns about the practicality of wood where water is concerned and it is always important to keep the surface as dry as possible. It is important that it is properly sealed and professionally fitted.
Bamboo, although not strictly wood but a grass, is an increasingly popular choice and very on-trend. It is reasonably priced, highly durable and is very easy on the environment because it is renewable.
Laminate
A hugely popular choice because of its immense practicality and the versatility of effects achieved. Laminate is made cf a photographic image of wood printed on paper and bounded under heat to base boards which are coated with a tough melamine layer. It is hugely resilient to the daily knocks of a family kitchen and easy to install.
Need to know
If it going to be a DIY job, make sure that you are familiar with the click system used to install the flooring as they do vary as some systems are easier than others. A good underlay is important for laminates so make sure your sub floor is flat. As we’ve said before, opt for the best quality you can afford and by choosing options such as a bevelled finish will give you more of a high-end look. Unlike wood, laminate doesn’t need to be treated but do make sure it is kept as dry as possible and wipe away spillages as and when they occur with a cloth or wipe.
Vinyl and rubber
Vinyl has always been a popular choice in kitchens but rubber flooring is growing in popularity due to the amazing range of bright colours which add a real pop of colour and can add to an eye-catching design.
Need to know
Extremely easy to maintain and highly robust, a vinyl floor will last a lifetime. It comes in more traditional finishes of stone and wood but there are more contemporary finishes on the market in contemporary finishes and colours. The best quality vinyl is made up from three layers of PVC so be aware of this when making your selection.
Rubber
An interesting option which will certainly help you to achieve a design-led look and finish. It is hugely practical for a busy family kitchen and is available as both tiles and sheets in a wide range of great colours and finishes.
Need to know
Rubber is highly durable and water resistant making it an excellent choice for busy kitchens. It is very easy to clean and maintain and for a family kitchen, it is useful to know that rubber has good acoustic properties, absorbs noise and is quiet underfoot.
The range of options for flooring in the kitchen is massive and offers the opportunity to play with colour and texture, making it a key element in any kitchen design. Your kitchen designer will be able to offer you further insight into the pros and cons of all the options available to make sure you choose the right floor for your kitchen.
