Upstyle Your Kitchen With New Flooring
These 10 flooring options are not only hard-working, but will also stylishly enhance your kitchen's look
Lara Sargent
28 April 2016
Houzz UK contributor. Freelance interiors journalist with over 20 years' experience writing for national magazines, newspapers and websites.
Houzz UK contributor. Freelance interiors journalist with over 20 years' experience... More
We tend to give plenty of thought to elements such as cabinets and countertops when making over a kitchen, but flooring can have just as much impact, so it’s important to dedicate some time to finding the right design and material. Luckily, the selection is vast, both in terms of style and budget, so whether you’re after a velvety limestone, a rich timber or perhaps some lino or LVT (luxury vinyl tiles to you and me), there’s definitely a floor out there to suit your space. Here are some options to whet your appetite.
Rev up with rubber
Rubber is incredibly tough, practical and waterproof and has a cool, utilitarian edge. It comes in sheets or tiles in a fab line-up of shades, from rose pink to anthracite grey, as well as terrazzo and marble designs.
In addition to the popular smooth, flat finishes, there are textured patterns available for extra grip underfoot – but do be aware these are a tad more difficult to clean.
Rubber is incredibly tough, practical and waterproof and has a cool, utilitarian edge. It comes in sheets or tiles in a fab line-up of shades, from rose pink to anthracite grey, as well as terrazzo and marble designs.
In addition to the popular smooth, flat finishes, there are textured patterns available for extra grip underfoot – but do be aware these are a tad more difficult to clean.
Create a timber effect
Real timber might not always be the best or most realistic option in a hard-working, open-plan kitchen. But you can still get the timber effect with luxury vinyl tiles (LVT). These good-quality lookalikes are a far cry from the tatty, curling vinyl we think of from the 1970s and instead create a floor that’s practical, warm, waterproof and lightweight.
It looks just like the real thing, but with none of the maintenance issues.
Real timber might not always be the best or most realistic option in a hard-working, open-plan kitchen. But you can still get the timber effect with luxury vinyl tiles (LVT). These good-quality lookalikes are a far cry from the tatty, curling vinyl we think of from the 1970s and instead create a floor that’s practical, warm, waterproof and lightweight.
It looks just like the real thing, but with none of the maintenance issues.
Plump for pattern
If you find yourself with little wall space for adding in some pattern, give your floor a go. Lay a patchwork of mix-and-match patterns for a generous dose of bohemian flair, or try the same tiles en masse for something a little more subtle. The result is a bespoke ‘carpet’ effect, which certainly transforms the floor into the star of the show.
How to work patterned tiles into your kitchen
If you find yourself with little wall space for adding in some pattern, give your floor a go. Lay a patchwork of mix-and-match patterns for a generous dose of bohemian flair, or try the same tiles en masse for something a little more subtle. The result is a bespoke ‘carpet’ effect, which certainly transforms the floor into the star of the show.
How to work patterned tiles into your kitchen
Seek out seamless stone
If you have a kitchen that leads onto an outdoor space, using the same flooring inside and out is a great way to blur the boundary and make the kitchen feel much larger.
Stone is great for this, as it can be hard-wearing and weather-resistant outdoors and, fitted with underfloor heating, can create a warm, snug ambience inside. There are also many options in terms of type, colour and finish, so you can choose a stone that works perfectly in your space.
If you have a kitchen that leads onto an outdoor space, using the same flooring inside and out is a great way to blur the boundary and make the kitchen feel much larger.
Stone is great for this, as it can be hard-wearing and weather-resistant outdoors and, fitted with underfloor heating, can create a warm, snug ambience inside. There are also many options in terms of type, colour and finish, so you can choose a stone that works perfectly in your space.
Match your walls
The saying “everything in moderation” doesn’t always hold up in the design world. While it takes guts, if you find a striking pattern you love, try extending it from the walls onto your floor for a sensational result. If you do decide to go all out on a pattern, anchor the look with simple units and countertops.
The saying “everything in moderation” doesn’t always hold up in the design world. While it takes guts, if you find a striking pattern you love, try extending it from the walls onto your floor for a sensational result. If you do decide to go all out on a pattern, anchor the look with simple units and countertops.
Love your lino
It’s easy to confuse lino with a vinyl floor, but linoleum, to use its proper name, is made from natural raw materials rather than synthetics. It’s a great option for the kitchen, being warm, durable, a cinch to keep clean and generally friendly on the purse strings.
Lino is made mostly from renewable materials, such as linseed oil, wood flour, limestone and eco-friendly colourings and, just like vinyl, it comes in a large range of patterns, prints and hues.
It’s easy to confuse lino with a vinyl floor, but linoleum, to use its proper name, is made from natural raw materials rather than synthetics. It’s a great option for the kitchen, being warm, durable, a cinch to keep clean and generally friendly on the purse strings.
Lino is made mostly from renewable materials, such as linseed oil, wood flour, limestone and eco-friendly colourings and, just like vinyl, it comes in a large range of patterns, prints and hues.
Seek out stone lookalikes
A natural stone floor makes a luxurious addition to a kitchen for sure, but not everyone’s budget can stretch that far. A stone-effect LVT lookalike is warm, simple to lay and incredibly easy to keep clean. The tiles even come with a slightly textured surface to give the appearance of a real stone finish.
Don’t forget, laying large format floor tiles is a good trick to make a narrow space seem wider.
A natural stone floor makes a luxurious addition to a kitchen for sure, but not everyone’s budget can stretch that far. A stone-effect LVT lookalike is warm, simple to lay and incredibly easy to keep clean. The tiles even come with a slightly textured surface to give the appearance of a real stone finish.
Don’t forget, laying large format floor tiles is a good trick to make a narrow space seem wider.
Soften with weathered wood
If you manage to get your hands on some vintage oak planks with a gorgeous aged patina, they will add bags of character and timeless appeal to your kitchen. Choose long floorboards to lengthen the proportions of the kitchen, and make sure they run towards an adjoining room to elongate the space even further.
If you can’t get hold of the real thing, good-quality engineered wood will look almost identical. It’s made up of three layers: a top and bottom layer of wood with an inner core of softwood, which runs at a right angle to the other layers to help prevent the natural movement of the timber.
If you manage to get your hands on some vintage oak planks with a gorgeous aged patina, they will add bags of character and timeless appeal to your kitchen. Choose long floorboards to lengthen the proportions of the kitchen, and make sure they run towards an adjoining room to elongate the space even further.
If you can’t get hold of the real thing, good-quality engineered wood will look almost identical. It’s made up of three layers: a top and bottom layer of wood with an inner core of softwood, which runs at a right angle to the other layers to help prevent the natural movement of the timber.
Play with parquet
If you’re lucky enough to inherit original parquet flooring in your home, don’t let it be covered by carpet or tiles. Expose it, treat it and make it the wow-factor feature of your kitchen.
If you haven’t inherited parquet but are able to lay it, the pieces can be arranged in one of a number of different patterns, such as herringbone, basketweave or chevron.
Reasons to love parquet flooring
If you’re lucky enough to inherit original parquet flooring in your home, don’t let it be covered by carpet or tiles. Expose it, treat it and make it the wow-factor feature of your kitchen.
If you haven’t inherited parquet but are able to lay it, the pieces can be arranged in one of a number of different patterns, such as herringbone, basketweave or chevron.
Reasons to love parquet flooring
Add in some concrete
If you’re looking for something sturdy with bags of industrial character, a simple concrete floor could be perfect for you. Its pared-back aesthetic will transform any kitchen into a cool space, bringing the look straight into the 21st century.
TELL US
What would be your dream kitchen flooring? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
MORE
7 Kitchen Flooring Materials That’ll Treat Your Feet
Which Kitchens Go With What Flooring?
Turn Your Kitchen Into a Classic With Checkered Floors
If you’re looking for something sturdy with bags of industrial character, a simple concrete floor could be perfect for you. Its pared-back aesthetic will transform any kitchen into a cool space, bringing the look straight into the 21st century.
TELL US
What would be your dream kitchen flooring? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
MORE
7 Kitchen Flooring Materials That’ll Treat Your Feet
Which Kitchens Go With What Flooring?
Turn Your Kitchen Into a Classic With Checkered Floors
Related Stories
Kitchens
12 Tricks That Will Make Your Kitchen Look and Feel Bigger
By tidgboutique
Try these clever design moves to tuck in more storage and create a roomier feel in your kitchen
Full Story
Kitchens
12 Things You Can Do With Your HDB Kitchen
Who says you have to put up with a boring, utilitarian cookspace when you live in a flat? These creative kitchen designs show otherwise
Full Story
Kitchens
40 Fabulous Kitchen Islands
By Niki Bruce
The kitchen island has become a staple in modern homes and indispensable when it comes to entertaining
Full Story
Kitchens
11 Sneaky Storage Ideas for Small Appliances
By Anne Ellard
If your kitchen's short on space, these novel ideas keep small appliances out of the way but still close at hand
Full Story
Kitchens
5 Chef-Approved Tools Every Asian Kitchen Needs
By Amanda Jayne
While local food takes centrestage at the Singapore Food Festival, celebrity chefs there share their essentials for the Asian kitchen
Full Story
Kitchens
Smart Storage Ideas for Organising Food Containers
Dividers, rollouts and corner systems can help corral containers and lids and maximise kitchen cabinet space
Full Story
Kitchens
7 Ideas to Steal from Well-Planned Small Kitchens
Struggling to plan your petite cooking zone? Take a look at these schemes to help you use the space more effectively
Full Story
Kitchens
Best of the Week: 32 Brilliant Built-in Pantries
By Niki Bruce
Create a custom corner in your kitchen for the perfect pantry to store all your cooking needs
Full Story
Kitchens
12 Items Worth a Spot on Your Kitchen Counter
Keep these useful tools and accessories out in the open to maintain high function without spoiling the view
Full Story
Kitchens
8 Ways to Fit a Seating Area into a Galley Kitchen
Wondering whether you can put a perch in your compact cookspace? Take a look at these rooms for inspiration
Full Story
Thank you, Houzz, for pointing out the advantages of LINO floors in the kitchen! I've had mine for over 15 years. It's been really good, and I love its sustainability eco credentials, too. Is very easy to clean but mine does have some staining and nicks now - I'm a lazy cleaner and I chose a pale colour - so am now considering replacing it with a new lot of slightly darker, perhaps patterned, lino. I wouldn't use anything else. And my two cats love lying on it when the underfloor heating is on..
metalpetal, I don't have a steam mop but I can't imagine lino (ie not vinyl) having any problem at all with that - it's pretty tough and v waterproof. Goes brill with underfloor heating too (see my previous comment a minute ago).