As spaces that have to be highly practical, choosing the best flooring for kitchens should be something that is top of your list of priorities.
Kitchens these days have to be more hardworking than ever – we expect them not only to provide all the features we need to carry out day-to-day tasks, such as cooking and clearing, but we also want them to be entertaining and dining spaces, where the family can gather together.
It's crucial for your kitchen flooring ideas to focus on products that are practical and durable, offer tonnes of aesthetic appeal and are comfortable to walk on. Below, we take a look at the different options available, and compare the pros and cons of each.
1. Wooden kitchen flooring
What is wood flooring?
The two main types of wood flooring are solid and engineered. Solid wooden floors, as the name suggests, are made of solid planks of timber, whereas engineered floors are made up of multiple layers of timber finished with a solid wood veneer.
So, which is best for kitchens? "Engineered wood is a good option when it comes to best flooring options for your kitchen, providing it’s well maintained," says Josh Barber at Direct Wood Flooring.
"Though this flooring can be used in a kitchen, spillages must be cleaned up immediately to prevent altering the appearance of the floor."
Pros of wood flooring in the kitchen:
- Beautiful warm appearance
- Huge range of shades and styles
- Tongue-and-groove planks can be fitted on a DIY basis
- Engineered wood is suitable for use over underfloor heating
- Warm underfoot
- Forgiving should glasses or crockery be dropped on it
- Can be sanded and repaired should damage occur
Cons of wooden flooring in the kitchen:
- Solid wood flooring may twist or warp due to moisture and heat fluctuations
- Spills must be cleaned up immediately to prevent damage
- Prone to staining
- Can scratch easily
2. Vinyl kitchen flooring
What is vinyl flooring?
For many people considering vinyl, the choice comes down to sheet vinyl and luxury vinyl tile flooring (LVT). LVT is thicker and more durable than sheet vinyl and tends to give a more realistic effect if you want to replicate the look of natural materials.
LVT tends to come supplied either as tiles or planks that click together and are fitted as a floating floor over underlay, or as glue down. Glue down planks or tiles are often best fitted by a professional.
"Both these types of LVT are durable, water-resistant and have the appearance of real wood or tile, as well as being compatible with underfloor heating," says Josh Barber.
Shop our vinyl flooring picks
These pretty vinyl tiles are super easy to install – simply peel, stick, and go.
Suitable for every room in the home, this LVT flooring mimics the look of natural wood.
This tile-effect vinyl flooring features a soft backing, low VOCs, and a gorgeous green pattern.
Pros of vinyl flooring in the kitchen:
- Affordable (from as little as £20/m2 for standard vinyl and from £30/m2 for LVT)
- Huge range of design options
- Comfortable underfoot
- Soft surface means items won't break easily if dropped
- Quick to install
- Low maintenance
- Water resistant
- Can be laid over wet underfloor heating systems (electric UFH is not recommended)
Cons of vinyl flooring in the kitchen:
- Some cheaper products can discolour over time
- Glued-down vinyl is hard to take up again
- Can be damaged, dented and punctured by sharp objects
3. Laminate kitchen flooring
What is laminate flooring?
Laminate flooring is made up of a a photographic image of wood or stone placed on top of a core board made of compressed fibres. It is easy to install, usually by means of a click system.
Laminate flooring (as well as some vinyl and wood flooring) comes with an 'AC rating' that relates to its strength and durability – the higher the number, the more durable the floor. 'AC' stands for Abrasion Coefficient.
Although laminate flooring won't mind a few drops of water hitting it now and again, any spills should be mopped up as soon as possible to avoid water damage. Look out for collections of both waterproof and water-resistant laminate flooring now available.
Pros of laminate flooring in the kitchen:
- Cost effective, starting from as little as £6/m² for a basic option, up to £25/m² for high quality
- Easy and quick to lay on a DIY basis
- Easy to clean
- Available in many designs
- Can be installed over underfloor heating
Cons of laminate flooring in the kitchen:
- Can't be sanded or refinished if damaged
- Lacks the aesthetic appeal of timber and stone
- Cheaper versions prone to water damage
4. Tiled kitchen flooring
There are many different types of floor tiles that can be used as kitchen flooring. While for many people, the choice comes down to porcelain vs ceramic tiles, don't forget to take a look at natural stone too.
Porcelain tiles:
Porcelain tiles are a brilliant choice for kitchens as they are very low maintenance and extremely hardwearing. They don't require sealing unlike natural stone, and they are easy to lay.
They are perfect for using over underfloor heating, easy to clean, durable and available in a massive range of designs, shapes, sizes and colours. Porcelain tiles start at £20/m2.
Ceramic tiles:
Cheaper than porcelain (starting from around £10/m2), ceramic tiles are also a good option in kitchens, However, they are a little less durable than porcelain and can be prone to chips and cracks.
A payoff for their lower price tag is that they tend not to be through-coloured meaning any chips will show up easily.
Natural stone:
Stone floor tiles are ideal in kitchens as they are extremely tough. They are perfect for use over underfloor heating and, providing they are properly sealed, offer good water and stain resistance.
Choose a rustic, riven finish for classic styles or a honed, smooth surface for contemporary kitchens. Although some slate flooring starts from £20/m2, prices closer to £30/m2 can be expected for natural stone.
Shop our favourite kitchen tiles
Blending modern style with traditional character, these terrazzo tiles complement a wide range of colour schemes.
Made from durable porcelain, these onyx–style tiles come in a breathtakingly beautiful shade of blue.
Suitable for both walls and floors, these colourful kitchen tiles add a touch of fun to your entertaining space.
Pros of floor tiles in the kitchen:
- Perfect for using over underfloor heating
- Low maintenance (natural stone will require re-sealing from time to time)
- Good moisture resistance – no movement to worry about
- Durable and long-lasting
- Available to suit all budgets
- Huge range of design options
- Ceramic, porcelain and honed stone are all easy to keep clean
Cons of floor tiles in the kitchen:
- Riven finishes can be hard to clean should dirt become lodged in the uneven surface
- Some stones are cold underfoot
- Unforgiving when glasses etc. are dropped
- High gloss and pale finishes can show up dirt
- Some natural stone is expensive
5. Cork kitchen flooring
Cork flooring is a great option in kitchens, thanks to its antimicrobial and hypoallergenic properties, meaning it can repel allergens, including bacteria, insects such as dust mites, mould and even rodents. It can also be used over underfloor heating and is soft underfoot.
Pros of cork flooring in the kitchen:
- A sustainable option – depending on the source, it can be 100% natural and renewable
- Water-resistant when sealed or treated
- Suitable for use over underfloor heating
- Antimicrobial
- Can be repaired if damaged
- Good range of stylish designs
- Can be fitted on a DIY basis
- Soft to walk on and forgiving in terms of breakages
Cons of cork flooring in the kitchen:
- A bit pricier than some of the other types of kitchen flooring, starting from £30/m2
- Requires sealing and subsequent re-sealing
6. Polished concrete kitchen flooring
Polished concrete flooring is a really practical and, subsequently, very popular option for kitchen floors. It works well over underfloor heating and has really good thermal properties.
Poured resin is actually often now being specified as an alternative to concrete due to the fact that is can be re-sanded and sealed should damage occur. It comes in a range of colours and finishes.
Pros of polished concrete flooring in the kitchen:
- Easy to clean
- Low maintenance
- Available in many colours and finishes (matt is better at hiding scratches and marks)
- Perfect over underfloor heating
Cons of polished concrete flooring in the kitchen:
- Needs professional installation
- Hard to repair should damage occur
- Expensive – from £90/m2
How to choose the best flooring for kitchens
As with all aspects of kitchen design, it really is important to sit down and think what you want from your kitchen flooring. This means asking yourself some questions to reveal what the best choice for you is likely to be. These include:
- Will you be including a dining area in your kitchen design and if so will you want a different flooring type in this space?
- What type of heating are you using? Do you plan to introduce underfloor heating, for instance?
- What style of kitchen are you aiming for?
- How much can you spend on your kitchen flooring?
- Do you want to fit your flooring yourself?
- Do you have pets?
- How big is the space you are working with?
- How much natural light does your kitchen get? Lighter-coloured flooring will help to brighten a dark space.
The answers to these questions should help you form a better idea of the types of flooring that will best suit your needs.
For example, if you are having underfloor heating, you will need to opt for a flooring that is suitable for this, or if you are going to have muddy-pawed pets traipsing in and out, you may well want to avoid a bright white gloss tiles.
There’s a lot to consider before investing in new kitchen flooring, and what’s “best” will ultimately depend on your lifestyle and budget.
Feeling undecided? Take inspiration from these gorgeous kitchen tile floor ideas or these general kitchen floor ideas.
