10 Floors That Will Transform Your Kitchen
Flooring can make or break a kitchen, so make sure your choice of material, colour and finish is as stylish as the rest of your design
Lara Sargent
10 January 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 worktops 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.
Get expert kitchen island planning tips
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.
Get expert kitchen island planning tips
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.
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.
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.
Take a tour of a stone-floored kitchen
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.
Take a tour of a stone-floored kitchen
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 worktops.
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 worktops.
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 ecofriendly colourings and, just like vinyl, it comes in a large range of patterns, prints and hues.
Uncover more kinds of lino kitchen flooring by browsing our photo section.
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 ecofriendly colourings and, just like vinyl, it comes in a large range of patterns, prints and hues.
Uncover more kinds of lino kitchen flooring by browsing our photo section.
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.
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.
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.
Find more kitchens with concrete flooring or read more expert advice on which flooring materials are likely to suit you and your kitchen
TELL US…
What would be your dream kitchen flooring? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
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.
Find more kitchens with concrete flooring or read more expert advice on which flooring materials are likely to suit you and your kitchen
TELL US…
What would be your dream kitchen flooring? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
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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).