Best Kitchen Flooring for a Dazzling Upgrade

Let’s face it: The kitchen is perhaps the most popular room in the home. Between whipping up home cooked meals to sharing drinks and good times with loved ones, the kitchen is a hub of warmth and connection.

As the kitchen is the home’s heart of harmony, there are small details that can make a transformative impact. Besides decor elements and hardware tweaks, there’s one other detail that can radically elevate the connectivity and atmosphere in any kitchen. And, that simple detail is flooring.

Flooring creates a statement, brings a room together, and even adds to the overall mood. If you’re dreaming up an editorial-worthy kitchen overhaul, or just a sweet and simple kitchen upgrade, consider moving new flooring to the top of the list.

With that in mind, the type of flooring you choose can add to the style or feel of your kitchen. Retro tiles can heighten the look of vintage charm without looking dated. And, classic hardwood gives a kitchen a sleek finish, while painted hardwood adds modern and eclectic charm. Or, perhaps stone tile adds a very special layer of Mediterranean laid-back beachy energy.

Whatever flooring options you select, it’s essential to keep in mind the texture, color, and depth this decor element will add. Even though flooring options contribute vastly to the look and feel of your kitchen, it also provides durability, structure, and warmth underfoot as well. This is why it’s important to keep in mind that flooring is just as much a function element in your space as it is an aesthetic and stylistic quality too.

So, which type of flooring is the best for your kitchen? Dramatic or subtle makeover, we rounded up the best and brightest flooring options that will give your cooking space a sparkle-worthy transformation.

Browse our top picks below and consider the flooring options that will shine in your home.

Different Flooring Options to Consider

Now that we’ve run through the three main factors to keep in mind as you make your decision, it’s time to talk about the actual materials!

Ceramic Tile

Ceramic tile is positively rock hard and will outlast years of wear and tear. It’s nearly stain and spill proof, making this an often used tile in kitchen spaces. Take note: it’s quite hard to install and you’ll most definitely want to hire professionals.

Concrete

Hear us out on this one: a shiny, polished concrete is the height of modern glamour. Concrete is a cost-friendly, long-lasting material and its industrial feel adds a stark contrast to wood details. Polished concrete floors are highly adaptable too, as they provide a great foundation for large kitchens that open up to outdoor spaces.

Wood

Wood might be the most common flooring material found in homes. With so many options on the market, like oak, walnut, and pine, it’s incredibly durable and yet soft on the feet. Besides being able to bear years of foot traffic, it is available in a variety of finishes and stains and is one of the most multifaceted floor products.

Painted Hardwood

Painted hardwood might seem a bit controversial to some, but it’s a punchy, playful way to spice up a kitchen and add color in unexpected and interesting places. Painted wood floors also don’t have to be vivid and bright, as some homeowners might mix in slate or glossy black for buttoned up, cool kitchens.

Porcelain Tile

Looking for a durable, yet retro throwback material? Porcelain tile is one of the easiest flooring options to clean and is highly durable. Porcelain is an excellent choice for homeowners and their nearest and dearest who spend loads of time in the kitchen.

Polygonal Tile

Polygonal porcelain tiles create a clever contrast against bold kitchen colors like dark navy, mint, and yellow. These tiles are also an equal contrast with subway tile backsplashes or even an all-white kitchen, creating depth with lines and silhouette differentiation.

Stone Tile

For those looking to stand out in a crowd, go for stone tile. Unique homeowners delight in the individuality of stone. With no stone tile being exactly the same or uniform, your kitchen will shine with its own special flavor.

Stone tile is highly customizable as well, as it can be cut into various shapes, styles, and come in a myriad of colors. It’s on the pricier end of flooring options but makes up for it in the years to come with its timeless style. Below are a few stone tile options to consider.

Granite

Granite is often most commonly thought of the crown jewel of countertops, but it’s also a solid candidate for floor tiles. This material is high on the shine factor, making it the easiest to slip and skid on.

Limestone

Do you want your home to feel as if it’s overlooking the sea? Or, that you’re relaxing somewhere in wine country? Limestone calls forth a sense of European charm from another time with its Mediterranean flair.

Marble

Marble is the premier of opulence. This veined stone is like a work of art in itself. However, while it’s strikingly beautiful and full of polish and shine, this tile is extremely slippery when wet. If marble is a must-have in your kitchen, add in a few non-slip pads and rugs to your kitchen space.

Slate

One of the most popular stone tile selections from homeowners across the board. This dark hued tile is a versatile and durable choice, as the texture is virtually non-slip too.

Terrazzo

Terrazzo is another all-around adaptable flooring choice. This particular tile is constructed by combining other stones and materials many homeowners know and love: Marble, granite, quartz, and even glass. Once processed, the tile gives off an astonishingly sparkling quality. The tile can be mixed to suit any color palette too! Besides its beauty, once terrazzo is sealed, it’s practically damage proof and waterproof as well.

Travertine

This tile is a type of limestone, a hardwearing and tough stone that is spill resistant, but is easily susceptible to water stains. The beautiful stones are durable, but are not indestructible. Travertine is highly vulnerable to acidic foods, so they’re not ideal flooring near countertops and sinks.

Vinyl

Budget minded shoppers might opt for vinyl sheet tiles. This low cost effective material has a quick installation process, and is a viable option for wet bars, secondary homes, and smaller kitchen areas. Vinyl is also a sound choice for families of different sizes as the material is waterproof and can withstand kids and pets alike.

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