I tested white porcelain with bright pink hair dye when I bought them for my kitchen and the dye just wiped off. In 7 years the white tiles have never stained. I've dropped a Le Crueset cast iron pan lid and the lid got damaged but not a mark on the tile. I've had some small chips at the edges when furniture has been moved over them but it is minimal damage and the furniture should have been lifted rather than scrapped across the floor. You can buy full bodied porcelain which where the colour of the tile is right throughout the whole tile and if you get chips, you should not see a variation in colour. I love porcelain and would not use ceramic after having it. The best place to go for it, is your local independent tile retailer, rather than the big stores like Topps and Tile Giant. Not all tilers are keen on fixing them it because they are harder to cut and drill than ceramics and they need diamond blades and bits which cost more. They are well worth the investment though.

Hi Laura, I think you've made a great choice going for a natural oak shade and it'll work well with your slightly darker furniture for a warm, welcoming feel. It might also look nice to go for a lighter oak shade of oak. This will create a more neutral base and a modern feel. See the difference in shades below... Ecru Oak - free samples available Natural Oak - free samples available I hope that helps! Best wishes, Hannah | Woodpecker Flooring

Hello, We love a natural wood flooring in the kitchen, the main issue with it is staining. Fat spiting out from the frying pan, or if you spill a drink over (red wine especially) you will just have to except this, unlike a porcelain tile that is easy to wipe clean. Have you looked at the wood effect porcelain tiles? Some of them that have the grain texture are very convincing. I would suggest taking a look at karndean flooring, its a luxury vinyl tile (LVT). This offers a natural look, easy to clean and also offers a little more protection if you dropped glasses, they have more of a chance of surviving. Good look with you project. Thanks Paul Alexander Kitchens

You can’t beat Oak. Timber prices have more or less doubled over the past few months. Oak has beautiful grain but if it’s down to budget then either of the others you suggest would do the job.