The best kitchen floors at  National Floors Direct

How to Choose the Best Kitchen Flooring

Americans tend to spend over 400 hours in the kitchen. Whether you're cooking, entertaining, or walking back and forth from the living room to the refrigerator for snacks a few times per day, it's clear that you're likely spending a lot of time walking on your kitchen floor. 

Why not upgrade it? If your kitchen flooring is due for an upgrade, now is a great time to do it. 

We're here to talk about some of the best kitchen flooring options as well as how to make your final decision. Read on to learn more. 

Popular Types of Floors for Kitchens

First, let's go through a quick rundown of the best kitchen floors you have to choose from. You can really use any type of floor in a kitchen, but some options make more sense than others. For example, it isn't ideal to have carpet in a kitchen because it can easily trap cooking smells. 

Here are the main types of floors you'll be looking at while you're considering your kitchen renovation. 

Vinyl

Luxury vinyl floors have been increasingly popular over the past few years, and for good reason. They're durable, they come in a variety of styles that seamlessly mimic other types of floors, they're easy to clean, and they're relatively affordable.

Many people use vinyl flooring to mimic hardwood flooring if they don't want to deal with the hassle of hardwood. 

Hardwood 

Hardwood is classic. While it briefly went out of style due to its cost and maintenance needs, it's back and better than ever. 

Modern hardwood floors are far more durable than hardwood floors of the past. While you should still take good care of them, they're less likely to warp and they're more resistant to water and spills.

Hardwood floors are perfect for homes with any aesthetic, though people who prefer a minimalist look may not want the warmth of hardwood. 

Tile 

There are many different types of tile floors. You can get small tiles, large tiles, porcelain tiles, ceramic tiles, and so much more. Tile floors are classic and durable, but they do tend to be more expensive than some other alternatives. 

Tile floors also often need rugs because they're quite hard and cold. You don't want to stand on a cold tile floor during the winter!

Tile often comes in fun and intricate designs, making it great for kitchen backsplashes even if you choose to use a different type of material for your floor. 

Laminate

Like vinyl, laminate is a fantastic alternative to wood. It's warmer, more affordable, more durable, and easier to install. It also comes in a wide range of styles, so if you like the appearance of wood or tile, you can still get it in laminate. 

It's easy to clean and, appearance-wise, it's a close match for hardwood (although it feels different). Due to the prevalence of spills and water in the average kitchen, it's a safer alternative. 

Things to Consider

So now that you know some of your options, how do you narrow them so you can choose the right one? They're all good options, but you'll have this kitchen floor for a long time! 

Here are a few things you should consider before making your final decision. 

Lifestyle

Your lifestyle should be one of your main considerations. 

How often are you in the kitchen? If you're someone who orders in more often than not, you don't have to consider things like comfort and durability. You're able to choose floors that appeal to you aesthetically above all else. 

If you have children or pets, you'll want floors that are comfortable and easy to clean. Remember, children and pets spend much more time on the floor than you do, and they're also great at making messes. 

If you do a lot of entertaining, you'll have to balance aesthetics with comfort.

Cleaning

As we mentioned before, some floors are easier to clean than others. A nice vinyl floor will be far easier to clean than hardwood or certain types of tile. If you're messy, pick a floor that matches you. 

Certain floors are also more resistant to stains.

Comfort

Do you love spending time in the kitchen? If you're the baker in your friend group and the person who loves following along with YouTube cooking videos to make incredible meals, comfort matters!

You can always get a rug to make any floor more comfortable, but if you don't like the look of kitchen rugs, choose a more comfortable floor. Vinyl and laminate tend to be the most comfortable options. 

Aesthetics 

What's your personal interior design style? Pick a floor that matches it!

If you love the look of a minimalist and monochrome kitchen, you may want to opt for large tiles or vinyl over wood or laminate. If you're fond of a vintage or farmhouse look, wood or laminate floors are probably for you. 

Most floors come in a wide variety of colors and styles, so take your time choosing one that matches the vision in your head.

Cost

Of course, the cost is always going to be a factor when you're making home renovations. Pick a floor type that suits your budget. 

Vinyl and laminate tend to be the most affordable options, but there are still affordable tile and wood flooring options. If you're feeling overwhelmed, you can talk to an expert about your budget and they can offer you suggestions. 

What Kitchen Flooring Option is Right for Your Home? 

Choosing kitchen flooring is tough! Refer to this quick guide if you're trying to narrow your options so you can pick the perfect kitchen floor for your home. 

Between vinyl, laminate, wood, and tile, which one is right for you? 

If you're ready to invest in professional floor installations, we're ready to help! Contact us for a free estimate today.