Your kitchen is quite possibly the hub and busiest room of your home. It takes a beating daily from the kids’ soccer cleats, puppy paws, work boots, and high-heeled dress shoes.
When your home was built, the standard builder-grade flooring once looked clean and bright, but now needs a refresh after years of abuse, and you’re ready for a new look.
But where do you start and what is the best type of flooring for your kitchen that will serve the needs of your family?
You want an updated look but also need to stick within a budget and want the new flooring to be stylish but functional.
Read below for some of the best flooring options and considerations for your kitchen renovation.
Table of Contents
- What Type of Flooring Is Best for a Kitchen?
- 9 Popular Types of Kitchen Flooring
- Commonly Asked Questions About the Best Type of Flooring for Kitchens
- Interior Motives Flooring: Auburn’s Flooring Installation Specialists Since 1989
What Type of Flooring Is Best for a Kitchen?
Options for modern kitchen flooring now go far beyond the standard, old-school linoleum that was the common choice decades ago.
However, with all the available choices, it can easily become overwhelming to make the choice that is best for your home.
Start to find your perfect floor by getting inspired! Navigate flooring ideas and design, overall functionality, and budget compliance with the following suggestions.
- Vinyl
- Cork
- Concrete
- Stone Tile
- Linoleum
- Bamboo
- Ceramic Tile
- Brick
- Hardwood
9 Popular Types of Kitchen Flooring
#1: Vinyl
Vinyl is a versatile and very practical flooring option for your kitchen. Vinyl is produced in tile form known as luxury vinyl tiles (LVT) or luxury vinyl planks (LVP).
Modern engineered vinyl may have the appearance of hardwood floors, but it’s much easier to maintain and clean.
Vinyl flooring is made from multiple layers, including an underlayment, a rigid core, a printed layer, and a wear layer.
- Pros of vinyl flooring:
- Waterproof
- Easy to clean
- Cons of vinyl flooring:
- May dent or scratch
- Lower-quality flooring may appear cheap
- Not as environmentally-friendly
- If damages occur, the floor must be replaced.
#2: Cork
Cork flooring is comfortable to walk on, as it is soft flooring. Newer types of cork flooring can resemble stone or hardwood planks.
- Pros of cork flooring:
- Budget-friendly, inexpensive
- Environmentally sustainable
- Comfortable for standing or walking
- Absorbs moisture
- Cons of cork flooring:
- Not waterproof
- Fades with direct sunlight
- May be damaged if items fall on the floor, particularly items with sharp edges
- Lacks extensive durability
#3: Concrete
Concrete is more common in industrial or commercial settings, but can still be an excellent option for residential kitchens.
Custom designs using stains can make concrete appear as wood, tile, or stone, and it is durable against falling objects and heat.
Concrete does need extra support, so it is not ideal if the kitchen is located above a basement or crawl space under your home.
- Pros of concrete flooring:
- Impact and heat-resistant
- Inexpensive, budget-friendly
- Numerous colors and custom design possibilities
- Cons of concrete flooring:
- Requires sealing for protection against water and staining
- Can be cold
- Hard and unforgiving for standing or walking
- Not an option for all homes due to the type of construction
#4: Stone Tile
There is a plethora of stone tiles from which to choose, including granite, marble, limestone, and slate.
If maintained properly, stone tiles may last decades, while adding a sophisticated look to your kitchen.
- Pros of stone tile:
- Appears high-end and luxurious
- Durable
- May increase your home’s value
- Cons of stone tile:
- Expensive to install
- Some types require regular maintenance and sealing
- Increased potential for water damage or staining
#5: Linoleum
Linoleum is an alternative to vinyl and is regaining popularity due to design techniques.
Linoleum flooring may be applied directly to a subfloor with adhesive as a large, continuous piece or as interlocking and floating tiles.
- Pros of linoleum:
- Affordable
- Easy installation
- Huge variety of designs and colors
- Easy to clean and maintain
- Eco-friendly
- Cons of linoleum:
- May be damaged by furniture or dropped objects
- May discolor over time
- Susceptible to water damage
- Less durable than natural products such as wood, tile, or stone
#6: Bamboo
Bamboo flooring appears very similar to hardwood floors but is more water-resistant and durable.
Bamboo flooring offers a wide variety of appearance with wood colors, grains, and patterns. Strand-woven bamboo is the most expensive option, but it is also the most durable of choices.
- Pros of bamboo flooring:
- Environmentally friendly
- More durable than hardwood flooring
- Water-resistant
- Cons of bamboo flooring:
- Limited to wood-grain colors
- Quality varies and correlates with pricing
- Prone to scratches or damage
- Spills must be cleaned promptly to avoid moisture gathering between planks.
#7: Ceramic Tile
Ceramic tiles have historically been one of the most durable flooring options for a high-traffic area such as a kitchen. Properly installed ceramic tile floors will outperform and outlast nearly any other floor covering.
Ceramic tile flooring is available in countless colors and rustic or glazed appearances and finishes.
Cleaning tiles only requires a damp mop or a common household cleaner. The floor may occasionally need to be resealed depending on the tile and porous surface to maintain optimal durability.
- Pros of ceramic tile flooring:
- Durable
- Water-resistant or waterproof, depending on the tile
- Easy cleaning and maintenance
- Cons of ceramic tile flooring:
- Tiles may crack in high-traffic areas or from heavy items
- May need periodic resealing depending on the tile
- Grout will need regular sealing to prevent cracking or erosion
- May become slippery if wet or spills occur
#8: Brick
Brick is a durable option for a kitchen and for those who prefer a rustic appearance in their home.
You can expect brick to have long-lasting performance if properly sealed and maintained to prevent water damage and staining.
The price can widely vary for the installation of a brick floor related to the quality of the brick and the intricacy or complexity of the design in the floor.
- Pros of brick flooring:
- Natural insulation
- Durable
- Unique aesthetic
- Cons of brick flooring:
- Limited color options
- Requires sealing and resealing regularly
- Porous
- Susceptible to water damage
#9: Hardwood
Hardwood flooring has become a popular choice for kitchens, but it may not be the ideal choice for busy households or frequently-traveled pathways from main entrances.
Homeowners may prefer hardwood floors throughout the house for a seamless, flowing appearance, but the kitchen area may require increased maintenance.
- Pros of hardwood flooring:
- Multiple color options and woodgrains are available
- True hardwood floors may be refinished if damaged or worn to reveal a new appearance
- Cons of hardwood flooring:
- May easily scratch or dent
- Not waterproof
- Prone to warping or discoloration from water or moisture damage
- Higher price point for material and installation
- Requires a stain-resistant finish
Commonly Asked Questions About the Best Type of Flooring for Kitchens
What Is the Most Durable Material for a Kitchen Floor?
The most durable options for your kitchen floor depend on the aesthetic of your home, budget, and overall style of living.
For those homes with busy children and pets, you will want to choose a durable material that will tolerate heavy traffic and activity, such as ceramic or stone tile or bamboo.
The climate in which you reside may also be a large factor in your choice of flooring. For example, if you live in a warm or humid area, choosing tile or vinyl may be a better option, as they are resistant to water and moisture.
Alternately, if you live in a cooler climate, concrete or stone tile may not be a great choice due to the cooler temperature of the material.
Overall, be sure to choose the best type of flooring for your kitchen that fits both your lifestyle and the style of your home plus fits within your budget. You should also choose a quality installer and flooring company like Interior Motives Flooring.
Is Laminate or Vinyl Flooring Better for Kitchens?
Laminate and vinyl flooring tend to have many similarities in colors and design options, but they also have significant differences.
Vinyl flooring tends to perform better in rooms with higher humidity levels such as kitchens and bathrooms. On the other hand, laminate will perform better than vinyl in areas with more traffic.
Be sure to consider the flow of your home and what flooring will best suit your needs along with style choices.
What Is the Easiest Kitchen Floor To Maintain?
As your kitchen is a busy room in your home, you will want to be sure the floors are easily cleaned and maintained.
For quick and efficient cleaning, any floor surface that can be swept and mopped without much effort will be the easiest to maintain.
Floors with smooth and continuous surfaces will be the easiest to quickly mop and clean, while floors with texture, grout, or planks may take more effort to remove dirt between surfaces.
Interior Motives Flooring: Auburn’s Flooring Installation Specialists Since 1989
Interior Motives Flooring is an award-winning, family-owned flooring company in Auburn, Washington that specializes in flooring sales and installation for almost 35 years.
In addition to consultations in your private home, we have a physical showroom where clients may book an appointment to browse design choices.
Call us today to experience our customer service and sales that have earned 5-star reviews from our clients. We strive to provide every customer with the right products and professional installations that will make their vision a reality.
It is our goal to provide the level of care and attention you would expect from a small-town company while offering the wide selection and pricing you would receive from a big box store.
