Choosing the right kitchen flooring idea for your scheme is important. Not only does it need to be a practical choice, but it also needs to complement your kitchen design – something you may well have spent a lot of money on.
While different types of flooring can act as a simple, neutral base for your kitchen, it can also take on a more prominent role and act as a feature, helping to add drama, texture and design flair.
With that in mind, we've curated a list of our favourite kitchen flooring ideas below to inspire you, and have called on experts to hear their advice on choosing the right materials for your lifestyle.
1. Install wood-effect kitchen flooring for a timeless appeal
Despite wood being a firm favourite for most spaces in the house, solid wood might not be the most practical bet for kitchen flooring. Not only is it potentially prone to staining and damage from the hustle and bustle of this busy space, but some solid wood floors aren't the best match with underfloor heating either.
In addition to gravitating towards types of wood flooring like engineered or laminate, also look at wood-effect styles such as porcelain and luxury vinyl tiles (LVT), which are ideal for surviving a hectic kitchen.
The general rule of thumb when it comes to laying plank flooring is to follow the direction of the longest wall in the room. However, this isn't a steadfast rule, and you can choose the direction that you prefer.
2. Go for a patterned vinyl floor against oak cabinets
Put your personal stamp on your kitchen by contrasting simple, natural cabinets with bold, patterned flooring, as shown in the photo above. Vinyl is an excellent choice because it is low-cost, water-resistant, low-maintenance, and quite durable.
"This budget-friendly material gives the opportunity to introduce a burst of colour," says homes journalist Rebecca Foster. "Available in a plethora of hues and patterns, there’s a style to suit pretty much every scheme – including products that mimic the look of wood and stone. Waterproof and slip-resistant, this surface is more forgiving in case younger residents take a tumble. It repels dirt and is resistant to staining, too."
Bill Tuckey, managing director at The Colour Flooring Company, adds how easy this material is to clean. “All you need to do is give is a quick going over with a mop, or a damp cloth and soapy water.”
Rebecca began her journalism career writing for a luxury property magazine in Bangkok, before re-locating to London and becoming a features editor for a self build magazine. She is an experienced homes and interiors journalist and has written for many homes titles including Homebuilding & Renovating, Ideal Home and Period Living.
3. Finish a contemporary kitchen with polished concrete flooring
Polished concrete is a popular style for modern homes, thanks to its contemporary, industrial look. However, with prices starting at £120 per m2 for a newly poured and polished concrete floor, it can be a budget-busting choice for larger spaces.
Alternatives, such as poured resin floors, aren't hugely cheaper, but you can achieve a similar look with concrete-effect flooring, such as porcelain tiles, luxury vinyl tiles and linoleum.
“Polished concrete brings a calm, seamless quality to a contemporary kitchen, sitting beautifully alongside flat-panel cabinetry, integrated appliances and open-plan living," says Al Bruce, founder of Olive & Barr. "It’s also a practical choice for a busy, high-traffic space, coping effortlessly with everyday spills and wear. With the option to stain or tint the finish, concrete can feel warm and characterful too, subtly tying in with cabinetry tones.”
Founder Al Bruce began his illustrious career 25 years ago, studying to be a cabinet maker at college. From humble beginnings, his natural skill in the craft of cabinetry and keen business acumen saw him quickly rise through the ranks of the handmade kitchen industry, gaining invaluable experience and a wealth of knowledge along the way. With a natural flair for design and a deep passion for the industry, Al finally opened his own Shaker kitchen company, Olive & Barr, in 2018.
4. Balance coloured cabinets with a neutral floor
Where your kitchen cabinets take centre stage with a bold colour, use neutral flooring to provide a backdrop. Investing in good-quality product, like a natural stone flooring, will mean it could well outlast the cabinets themselves.
“A honed finish isn't as slippery as a polished surface, which is why it's recommended for a busy or potentially wet area like the kitchen,” says Jason Cherrington, director at Lapicida.
"A surface with a matt closed surface won’t collect dirt and will be easier to maintain," adds Rebecca Foster. "Solid flooring, like stone and other tiles, should be put in place before the units for the best finish."
5. Pair terracotta tiling with neutral cabinets
Terracotta flooring is always a good choice for the kitchen and looks beautiful alongside warm, neutral cabinets and natural wooden textures, as shown in the example above by Quorn Stone.
Classic square terracotta tiles with a polished finished are a good fit for traditional and rural homes, while the modern take on the trend sees terracotta in more muted colours used with a flat, matt finish.
However, be warned that since this natural material is highly porous, it will need to be properly sealed to avoid stains. Alternatively, you could choose terracotta-style porcelain tiles for less hassle.
Shop our terracotta tiling picks
These beautiful tiles capture the warm, earthy feel of terracotta clay but are made from durable porcelain for a long-lasting finish.
Inspired by terracotta, these porcelain tiles feature a matt, textured finish and are suitable for use with underfloor heating.
How beautiful are these large terracotta tiles, handcrafted in Sardinia, Italy? Since they can also be used outdoors, you can extend the look through to your patio.
6. Wow your guests with feature kitchen flooring
Fancy something a bit unusual for your kitchen flooring? Then create something completely custom. The benefits of tiles, LVT and timber flooring being laid in pieces is that you can mix and match different colourways across the same ranges, and create a kitchen flooring idea of your very own.
This ombré chevron design created by Wren Kitchens is such a clever idea, and is designed to complement the pink kitchen island. You could also play around with square tiles to create a pixelated design or gingham pattern.
“A statement floor should feel confident but never overpowering. With solid wood designs like parquet or herringbone, simplicity elsewhere is key. The natural grain and pattern already bring depth and character, so calm cabinetry and understated finishes help the space feel balanced," says Natalie Mudd, co-founder of Knot & Grain.
Shop these statement-making floor tiles
Handcrafted from durable porcelain, these gorgeous tiles feature a green fan design and can be used on both walls and floors.
These glazed porcelain tiles come in the most showstopping shade of burgundy and are inspired by Moroccan design.
Thanks to the self-adhesive design, these pretty patterned tiles are quick and easy to install.
With a love for interior design, renovation and family, Natalie is an experienced, passionate creative director and co-founder, who loves nothing more than guiding customers on their journey to choosing the perfect wood floor.
7. Experiment with interesting materials for a unique kitchen
Materials such as rubber and cork are beginning to become more recognised as fantastic flooring choices for modern, high-traffic areas of the home. Both are soft underfoot, easy to clean and cost-effective, making them ideal for busy family kitchens.
Rubber, in particular, is available in an incredible variety of colours and textures to suit requirements, and it will also absorb sound better than hard flooring.
Kirsty Barton, Marketing Manager at Alternative Flooring, adds, "A rug can also be an unexpected yet practical choice for a kitchen floor, bringing a softer, more lived-in feel to a space often dominated by hard surfaces. It helps blur the line between kitchen and living areas, adding warmth and texture underfoot while still working hard in everyday use."
Kirsty Barton embarked on her journey at Alternative Flooring over 20 years ago, working across numerous areas including office management, purchasing, customer service and marketing.
8. Consider kitchen flooring colours carefully
With kitchen trends for mix-and-matching cabinet colours and worktop surfaces remaining popular, it can be tricky to decide which shade your flooring should be. Plan your scheme carefully by creating a moodboard to help you visualise how everything will work together.
"It’s worth noting that at the two ends of the colour spectrum, black and white floors will show dirt more quickly that other shades," says Bill Tuckey.
If your kitchen doors are part of a light scheme, a darker-toned floor will typically work best and vice versa. However, where wall units are painted lighter than the island, try to find a tone between the two.
9. Create a border around the kitchen with flooring
Creating a border around the kitchen adds interest to your flooring, creating a more decorative look for your space. You don't have to stick to one type of tiling either and can mix and match different colours, textures, and shapes.
It can also be used to define areas subtly, as in this design by Life Kitchens, which uses the border as a soft divide between the main kitchen and utility room.
However, you'll need to plan the design carefully before getting started, as any mistakes will be easy to notice – and it may restrict you from moving furniture around your kitchen in the future.
10. Zone your open-plan kitchen with flooring
One of the best ways to zone an open-plan living area is to use different types of flooring. For instance, you could choose a hard-wearing, water-resistant material like porcelain tiles for the kitchen, and soft carpet for the lounge area.
However, you'll need to pay special attention to the transition between materials to prevent it from looking clunky.
In the design above by Ledbury Studio, a mix of timber flooring and carpet is used throughout the space, effectively dividing the social/living area from the functional kitchen prep space.
11. Reflect your home's history in the kitchen flooring
When considering how to renovate a kitchen in a period home, you may want to choose a flooring idea that's sympathetic to the house. One option is Victorian-style flooring, which is often used in hallways, but is just as effective in a kitchen space.
You can even continue the flooring form your entry way, creating a throughline from the front of your house to the kitchen.
“Flooring can reflect a home’s historical or architectural style by working with the age and proportions of the space," says Natalie Mudd. "Wide planks tend to suit older properties, while parquet or herringbone aligns well with more classical styles. Wood colour and finish also play a role, with natural or lighter tones feeling more contemporary and deeper finishes better suited to period homes.”
12. Bring balance using natural materials
They say nature has a calming effect on the mind, so why not invite the outdoors in by including natural materials and colours into your kitchen design?
“Wide, warm-toned planks are one of the most effective ways to create a cosy and earthy feeling in a kitchen," says Natalie Mudd.
"Natural oak shades and a gentle, understated grain bring instant warmth underfoot and help to soften the harder, more functional surfaces in the room. Flooring has the power to transform a space and, when chosen correctly, can create a kitchen that feels comforting, a space where people want to linger in."
FAQs
What is the easiest flooring to maintain?
LVT, vinyl, porcelain tiles and engineered wood are all excellent choices of a low-maintenance kitchen flooring. Most need simply soapy water to bring back their shine (except from engineered wood).
Should a kitchen floor be lighter or darker than cabinets?
This decision will ultimately come down to your colour scheme, but as a general rule of thumb, a dark floor with light cabinets presents a more contemporary style, while the reverse is perceived as more traditional.
Your kitchen designer should be able to help create a colour palette to work from or, if you're designing DIY, by closely mimicking style you see in magazines or in product shots (which are usually styled by professionals) you'll be able to achieve a balanced look.
What is the cheapest floor for a kitchen?
"From a price per m2 perspective, laminate wins as the most wallet-friendly option, with vinyl not too far behind," says Rebecca Foster.
“But they can soon get worn or marked in high-traffic areas of a busy household, so they’ll need to be replaced more often,” says Matt Phillips from Rotpunkt.
If you take the long service life into account, porcelain scores high in terms of value for money. “Porcelain tiles are a more affordable alternative to natural stone and are better value in the medium to long term than the laminate option,” says Julia Steadman from Brandt Design.
What is the most durable floor for a kitchen?
“Natural materials like stone, are usually the longest lasting flooring options," says Matt Phillips. "A weathered or reclaimed stone provides an exciting contrast with today’s high-textured and metallic effects. Providing that you follow expert advice about cleaning natural stone and avoid harsh chemicals, it can last for many years.”
Since the kitchen is such a high-traffic area, it’s important not to rush when choosing your flooring and to find an option that’s durable, comfortable, and complements your design scheme.
For more advice, read our guide on the best flooring for kitchens and our comparison of vinyl vs laminate flooring.
