kadams1010

Advice on kitchen flooring and walls

kadams1010
8 years ago
This is my current kitchen and I have included projected plans of my new kitchen planned for July. I am having a shaker style kitchen with cup handles in a cream or off white (the projections show it in a green for some reason). I will have solid oak worktops. My indecisiveness comes in choosing a flooring and whether to have tiles or splash backs? would oak flooring clash and take away from my worktops? Although I can't think of any alternatives. Any advice will be well received.

Comments (37)

  • PRO
    Sort Our Stuff
    8 years ago
    Have you considered ceramic tiles? Perhaps with underfloor heating? These come in wood effect in a range of shades.

    As far as splashback goes - glass is widely considered easier to keep clean but is more expensive to install initially.
  • tholmesuk
    8 years ago
    I have a shaker style kitchen and I went with neutral floor tiles with underfloor heating. The kitchen is now my favourite room.
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  • minnie101
    8 years ago

    I think it depends if you want a traditonal look or something more contemporary. I think a pale natural stone with coordinating wall tiles works with the worktop and style of the kitchen

  • des1gnjan
    8 years ago
    I would go for a stone, ceramic or travertine type floor, if you are going for wood work tops there's nothing worse than having a slightly different toned floor. There's loads of inspiring kitchens on this website.
  • njpk
    8 years ago

    I am just planning a similar kitchen. I am going to put down Karndean flooring, it comes in many different patterns, it's warmer than ceramic tiles ( that I presently have ) it is easy to clean and it looks beautiful. I have it already in a bathroom and love it! Hope you find something you like.

  • suzanneb84
    8 years ago

    I would go for a fairly neutral grey floor (you can get a warmer tone of grey if you're worried about it being stark) something simple without a distinctive pattern in a large format tile. Then for the walls a metro tile (brick style bond) white will look quite crisp. Then if you want some colour I'd look at accessories, window dressings, tea towels etc.

  • PRO
    Stella Michael
    8 years ago

    Ceramic or similar hard floors are bad for your feet/back over time and cold. I had them in my kitchen in Sydney and we ended up putting rugs in front of the sink and stove so it was softer underfoot, not nice in a kitchen, needed to be washed and replaced regularly. Am not enticed by underfloor heating.

    Oak (or any wooden) floors are lovely to walk on both summer and winter although I would make them noticeably darker than the worktops. I know it's not great to mix woods but it is usually the grains that clash (as in your plan photos), if you pick one of the darker tones in the oak tops and choose something with little or no grain for the floor it will also ground and lift the room at the same time. Personally, in my London flat I would use something natural like Marmoleom in the kitchen (the rest of the flat has original floorboards stained a chocolate/treacle colour) . Here's their blurb ... Natural linoleum is bio-based, highly durable, non-toxic, anti-microbial and easy to maintain. Over 100 colors and patterns.

    This is a useful website, it's a US one but once you browse here most products are available in the UK. Maybe someone else can suggest a UK one.

    http://www.greenbuildingsupply.com/All-Products/Flooring-Marmoleum

  • neilswife05
    8 years ago
    Slate or limestone flooring???
  • kadams1010
    Original Author
    8 years ago
    Thank you everyone for your very good advice. I think what is coming out is don't do wood flooring which would look terrible if it was not an exact match which was my worry. The example pictures of the limestone (l like that it comes in many colours) looks quite stunning but I can't ignore the issue of it being cold underfoot even in the summer. I didn't want to put underfloor heating in as knowing me and my love of the warmth I'd have it on all the time. my extension downstairs toilet has a freezing tiled floor and I have using it. so what looks like limestone but not cold? or tacky lino?
  • kadams1010
    Original Author
    8 years ago
    Should have said hate using it. predictive text! :)
  • PRO
    Aflux Designs
    8 years ago
    I think a nice oak floor to go with your wooden worktop would be nice. Also wooden is a little Warmer on the feet. Assume the kitchen is in a closed part and not open plan but would you have the same floor throughout the living areas? Splash back wise - given you have several things going on already, perhaps best is to have a glass splash back that is painted same as the walls. - allows to reflect light , add some contemporary feeling to the kitchen while still keeping it to your style
  • neilswife05
    8 years ago
    We have Lino on our floor that does not look at all like Lino....we have had oak flooring and skate effect tiles in past kitchens and many people ask what type of wood we have on our floor now!!! I'll try and get a photo!
  • neilswife05
    8 years ago
    Lino!
  • mrsmcee74
    8 years ago
    Something like karndean or Amitico are warm underfoot and come in all sorts of effects, they are not tacky and look convincing. Pic is Amitico floor in Caspian limestone.
  • suzanneb84
    8 years ago

    A good quality lino/vinyl can work well - the issue with lino is if you have a large area to cover and need joins - that's where it starts to look cheap. As your space is relatively small you will be able to cover it in a single piece which will make a big difference. If you're worried about cold floors then timber isn't necessarily a bad idea. Avoid any laminates as they're terrible in kitchens. A matching oak or something deliberately very different like a darker wood.

    I would definitely consider a stained wood - you could stain a wood grey. The grey would go very well with the cream and the oak and you'd maintain the grain in the floor.

    My advice would be to ask your kitchen supplier to give you a sample of your cabinet doors and of your worktop - then get some flooring samples and tile samples and play around. Put them all together so you can really see what they're like next to each other.


  • PRO
    Pat Oliver Interior Design
    8 years ago

    Your choice of flooring is very much dependent on how much cooking you do and what overall look you're trying to achieve.

    Stone and porcelain tile ( don't use ceramic) are unforgiving if you do a lot of standing and cooking. Also, if you drop a glass or plate on them, the item will certainly break.

    Wood and vinyl are more forgiving on your legs and breakable items. If you use sheet vinyl, which come in 2m, 3m and 4m widths, you can get some very realistic designs, emulating stone or wood. However, sheet vinyl has a cushion layer (good for tired legs) which can be punctured by falling objects like knives or pot edges. Vinyl flooring by Karndean and Amtico offer a number of grades from which to choose and the tiles or "boards" are very realistic.

    Think about using a light stone effect in vinyl tile format with "grout" strips in a slightly darker colour. This will keep the overall look more open in your kitchen. If you do opt for wood floor effect, run the boards across the kitchen to help it look wider. Choose a colour that is either noticeably darker than your worktops or much lighter, perhaps a whitewashed or grey-washed shade.

    Regarding your splashback area, if you want a sleek, modern look you can use glass or have an up-stand in the same oak as the worktop and a durable paint like Dulux Diamond matt above it. The cooking area can have a splash back to match the cooker or extractor hood. If you choose stainless steel, make sure it's a brushed finish.

    For a more traditional or transitional look, tiles are a good option and come in such a huge range. Encaustic tiles with old patterns work well as do stone effect tiles. Keep things simple.

    Have fun choosing.

  • buggypie
    8 years ago
    Hi

    I have recently started a similar project in my kitchen as i originally wanted to replace the old lino over concrete floor in the kitchen.

    Some months later i then had enough money to replace the worktops with 40mm oak.

    I did consider tiles with UFH but tiles ate hard, dropping somethings means instant death!

    I am happy with the oak engineered flooring and oak worktops.

    Wood is natural so the beauty is in the subtle colour variations.

    I did put wood effect tiles with IFH in the adjoining bathroom and so far am happy with the project! I still have things to do such as change cuboard doors (as i want to install 2 new cupboards and cannot locate suitable matches), install a cooker hood and replace tiles etc but no rush!

    Natalie
  • kadams1010
    Original Author
    8 years ago
    Thanks for sharing your photos and the difference is amazing!
  • kadams1010
    Original Author
    8 years ago
    Can I ask opinions. Although I was planning a cream /off white colour, when I visited magnet kitchen planner yesterday the range I was going for in reality looked and felt cheap (tatton cream). In the showroom they had the Leighton grey which looked beautiful and it was set up with the oak worktops g would be having. This was quoted for me and came out about £800 more which I can stretch too. It looks so much more expensive than the tatton cream! The only thing stopping me ordering it is that it is a light sage green colour. I am worried that it will date and I would get feed up with it. The range although solid construction is not the type of door fronts
    paintable in the future (not sure if it is veneered definitely not wood though). I'm sure at one point those with avocado bathroom suites thought they wouldn't date! lol

    attached is the Leighton grey (sage green in colour)
  • PRO
    Ian Philliskirk
    8 years ago
    The woods would clash if similar and depending on the wood it is not that serviceable in a kitchen environment. Karndine is a practical solution with loads of finish options in a kitchen. Thanks ian
  • crowningfashion
    8 years ago

    Just an aside really - my mother had her fridge freezer located where yours is proposed. The doors don't open wide enough to remove the shelving easily as the wall limits how open the fridge doors can be. It's a hassle, and is extremely difficult to do. You could easily avoid it by swapping the position with the adjacent pull out larder ;-)


    Tiles vs splash back - splash back every time as they won't wreck your wall if you update the kitchen in the future.

    An oak floor with an oak work top will be very clean looking and bright. Limestone or travertine will need regular sealing so maybe a slate would be easier to up keep. Either way, oak, limestone, travertine or slate would all work extremely well. If you are bare foot out your kitchen or have pets who you don't want to go arthritic in their old age ceramic tiles can give the same effect as porcelin but are warmer under foot. Modern huge square slabs would also work for your kitchen. In truth your chosen style is timeless so it is up to you how modern you want it to look. Just remember the more modern it is the more quickly it will date. I have a builder friend who renovates with traditional kitchens as they stand the test of time. I turn a property once or twice a year and I choose super modern - so just be faithful to your taste.

    PS. It looks as if it will be a gorgeous kitchen!

  • buggypie
    8 years ago
    Hi

    I understand what you mean about ageing with a sage scheme.

    Most schemes will age over time unless you stick with traditional but, in 10 years time you could simply replace the doors, or handles.

    Enjoy today, worry about next year nearer the time

    Natalie
  • mrsmcee74
    8 years ago
    Hi I've got a grey/green kitchen which I had put in three years ago. Just like you I was initially going to have cream and got cold feet. I'm still happy with it three years later and bought it on the basis of if it does date, I'll simple paint the units a different colour. If you really like it, go for it.
  • Nuri Iko
    8 years ago
    why dun you make the upper cabinet all the way up to the ceiling? N I wonder if grey tone flooring will be nice.
  • minnie101
    8 years ago

    Hi. It's a traditonal style kitchen and I don't think sage or duck egg ever age for a traditonal style. I would say different if it was a contemporary style of kitchen in this colour though. Out of interest have you looked at other kitchen suppliers? I'm wondering if you could have similar but with cabinets that could be painted when you fancy a change

  • kadams1010
    Original Author
    8 years ago
    I'm going to try benchmarx and howdens it's just annoying when they won't give you the price at the shop and I have to wait for my fitter to send me the quotation. my budget for supply only and including appliances is £6000. I haven't tried independent suppliers as think will cost too much.
  • minnie101
    8 years ago

    Yes I can imagine! I imagine the fitter will be applying a mark up on the units hence why? I had a howdens kitchen in my old house although I bought wooden worktops, butlers sink and range and hood separately but all materials were definitely under 6k. There are a number of people on here whom have tried independents and been very surprised at the price so it may be worth contacting some of the small ones as a comparison?

  • neilswife05
    8 years ago
    Have had two howdens kitchens and they are fabulous...I notice they also come with a 25year guarantee...good luck!!!
  • PRO
    On The Tiles (hillingdon) ltd
    8 years ago

    Real limestone can look fantastic but comes with ongoing maintenance baggage and it is easily damaged as most types are much softer than many people realise and also being calcium based it is sensitive to acid which will etch the surface. This includes lemon juice and red wine. There are now many fantastically convincing porcelain copies of all sorts of exotic stone and as they are made of porcelain they are extremely durable and almost impossible to stain. It is a good idea to install underfloor heating even if you don't use it that often as you cant retro fit it. Bear in mind that if the sub-floor is heated and you are not using it for your sole source of heat and it is just to take the chill off the tiles then with sensible programming of the thermostat timer there is no reason why it should cost the earth to run.

    Whatever flooring you go for I would suggest you choose something that is not too plain as you can end up as a bit of a slave to your floor with a plain surface which can show up every little breadcrumb.

    Keep your Oak worktop regularly oiled and they will stay looking great, the nice thing about the oil is you can simply apply another coat with a cloth on your way to bed and use it again the next morning, you dont have to strip and resand the whole thing each time as you would with varnsh (at least that how I used to maintain mine before we moved :-)

    Good luck

    Terry The Tiler

  • kadams1010
    Original Author
    8 years ago
    Thanks 'on the tiles' for your comments. I will definitely be taking your advice and get something with a bit of pattern. I've now booked in my kitchen work for end Aug so now have to get my skates on decision wise!
  • PRO
    Clover Kitchens
    8 years ago
    Hi Kadams

    Please try an independent kitchen specialist or 2. I'm sure you will be surprised. Be honest with them from the beginning about what you want and the budget you have. Also there is a couple of things I quickly noticed about door alignment in the CAD pictures that isn't quite right, so I'm sure any half decent independent will pick up on this and put it right.

    The problem us independents have is that we are presumed to be expensive, of course some do only operate at the very top of the market, but most that are sensible offer 2 or 3 different ranges of furniture and at the lower end have a range that can compete with the likes of Magnet and Wickes but is actually better quality and has much more flexibility and choice.

    Do a bit of research and I'm sure it will be worthwhile.

    CK
  • hillary59
    8 years ago

    I agree , as a former kitchen planner i would say dont be put off trying the independents,especially local ones, they will usually do their best to use your budget to good effect.They will come and survey and take a personal interest.

    I think the pale sage greeny grey is a lovely calm colour and as someone else said you cant continually worry about many years down the line..if it appeals to you now you will probably still feel comfortable for some time.

    Everyone thought cream doors would last forever but I got sick of mine eventually (10 yrs !) and craved light blue or putty grey.You cant be sure of trends but enjoy what you have chosen by making sure the layout works well for you.Spend time on that with your designer (.I use giant drawers a lot on the base as the stuff comes to you, no bending.Even my crockery is in them. )

    Its true that wood can be painted and if you have a synthetic "wrap" finish it cant be updated except to change the doors. (But who knows you might sell up one distant day and not need to worry. I did !!).

    As for the floor , Ive chosen real wood this time and the warmth underfoot in this cold climate is fantastic.I dont think wood with wood is off limits but its personal taste at the end of the day,

    but it can look good if you introduce some leafy green plants into your scheme.It seems to instinctively go with other natural materials .

    Good advice also to keep oiling your timber work surface ,, it doesnt take long but keeps it from staining.

    All the best with your new project !









  • hillary59
    8 years ago

    P.S. Im guessing by the dates here you may well be having it fitted by now.! Hope all goes well.

  • kadams1010
    Original Author
    8 years ago

    A few more weeks yet to wait but I'm still to choose the flooring and splash backs and paint. I'm always grateful for any suggestions and advice so thank you hillary59. I'll update the post with my new kitchen pictures end of August. Thanks

  • kadams1010
    Original Author
    8 years ago
    AFTER PHOTOS. Thank you to all those who kindly gave me advise. I'm yet to put up the blind.
  • buggypie
    8 years ago
    Thats a lovely change!

    Well done, i hope you are pleased with it.
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