Cooking Up a Kitchen Remodel?

Calacatta Halo Res Tile by Daltile

The best flooring for your kitchen is the one that’s durable, easy to clean, water-resistant, and, of course, stylish. Your kitchen is a place for you to experiment and pretend you’re on Master Chef, not worry about damaging your floors. So, when you inevitably drop that sauce-covered spoon, you’ll be thankful you chose a stain-proof floor. Below are a few kitchen flooring options that will do the trick.

Tile

There’s a reason tile has been the go-to kitchen flooring solution for years: It’s unmatched in durability, comes in a wide variety of colors and patterns, and is waterproof and stain-proof. Keep in mind that while the tiles themselves will stay stain-resistant, the grout between them is much more prone to stains, so anything spilled on it should be cleaned up right away. Ceramic tile and porcelain tile are both solid options. But porcelain is slightly more brittle, so if you have a tendency to drop heavy kitchen appliances, opt for the stronger ceramic tile. If you love the look of tile, but you have cold feet—literally—consider adding a heating system beneath your tile floor.

Natural stone tile is another option if you have room for it in your budget. Granite, marble, slate, and travertine are durable options but require some upkeep. Because natural stone is porous, it needs an annual application of stone sealer to keep it waterproof and stain-proof.

Depending on the interior design style you’re going for, you may choose a neutral color of flooring, like gray or white, or more fun, colorful, or uniquely shaped tile. Consider how different tile colors, patterns, shapes, and layout patterns will fit into the style of your kitchen. If you’re going for a more traditional look, square is probably your best bet. But if you’re looking to make your floor more visually interesting, diagonal, herringbone, and chevron patterns are all good options.

Cork

Cork flooring is a budget-friendly option that’s stain-proof but not waterproof, so spills need to be cleaned up before they have time to be absorbed. The advantage to cork is that it’s warm to the touch plus pretty much non-slip, so it’s comfortable underfoot, and its cushioning ability can save many dropped plates from shattering into oblivion. While this cushiony flooring has many advantages, it can also be easily indented by heavy appliances. So, if you tend to rearrange your kitchen often, you may want to choose a different flooring option.

Hardwood

Hardwood floors are popular in most areas of the home, and despite not being waterproof, they are still a popular choice for kitchens. Any spills should be cleaned up right away to avoid damaging the floors. That being said, if your kitchen serves as a place for culinary experimentation, you may want to opt for engineered hardwood flooring. Our line of Aquadura H2O products gives you the best of both worlds with the distinctive beauty of natural hardwood and the durability of waterproof flooring, thanks to advanced floor technology.

Vinyl

If you love the look of hardwood flooring for your kitchen but are worried about durability and comfort underfoot, vinyl is a great option. Vinyl’s popularity has been on the rise in recent years, and the technology continues to improve, making it mimic real wood and stone flooring even more closely, for a fraction of the price. You can even install vinyl floors in your living room or dining room to seamlessly transition the floor from those rooms to the kitchen, with the added benefit of them being waterproof and stain-proof. Vinyl can give you cohesive, stylish flooring that’s basically mess-proof. So, if you’re a scatterbrained cook who often runs back to the kitchen to see a pot boiling over on the stove, vinyl is a great choice.

Laminate

Laminate floors are also a good option, providing a similar look as vinyl floors, but they are not always waterproof. We recommend choosing a waterproof version of laminate flooring if you’re using it in your kitchen. 

The other key benefit of both vinyl and laminate flooring is that they don’t get cold in the winter like tile can, so you won’t need to layer up your fuzzy socks to stay warm. 

Whether you’re remodeling your kitchen or building one from scratch, your local Flooring America experts are here to answer your questions. Begin your project today by visiting your local Flooring America.

Visualize Your Flooring Dreams

Want a preview of how new floors will look in your home? Try our room visualizer, My Floor Style. Upload a photo of your room, select your style preferences, and get a virtual look at each different flooring style. With My Floor Style, there are no surprises. Only beautiful new floors.