Chic, colorful kitchen flooring seems to be in endless supply these days. Whatever your lifestyle may be, there is a kitchen floor to best suit your needs. The first thing to consider is what you value most: durability, style, or comfort? Based on your kitchen's design, there is a floor that will integrate beautifully into the room and work for your personal needs.
Perhaps the most popular choice in kitchen flooring is vinyl. Today vinyl flooring is available in every color, and in thousands of patterns. It is a springy material that is comfortable to stand on for long periods of time and is easy to maintain. While laminate is incredibly affordable, it could peel up if not properly installed. The eco-friendly designer would probably not invest in a vinyl floor, as it is constructed of synthetic materials.
If you prefer the look of more natural materials but still want a product that is easy to maintain in the kitchen, laminate flooring may be for you. It has the look of real wood, but is more resistance to spills and stains and holds up well in high traffic areas. Laminate flooring is fade-resistant for up to ten years and comes with a much lower price tag compared to original hardwood flooring.
A classic choice for kitchen floors is linoleum. Linoleum is more long-lasting than vinyl and incredibly hard to dent. Linoleum is also an increasingly popular choice in the 21st century because it is made from all eco-friendly materials, such as cork, canvas, and linseed oil. It is available in both plain and patterned finishes.
Tile flooring is a higher-end finish with many design features. You can select ceramic or porcelain tiles for your space and even have them coordinate with the backsplash on your walls. You can choose either a high-gloss or matte finish. Be sure to select an epoxy grout; it is recommended to help resist staining.
Concrete floors are no longer a cheap finish for the basement any more. Concrete is an affordable option and is popular in modern design. For a sharper look, consider a colored concrete or a painted finish to match the rest of your kitchen. Concrete is a durable product, but it does need to be sealed to prevent the inevitable stains that could occur in a kitchen space.
A natural product for the home that looks great is slate. Slate is naturally stain resistant and extremely durable. It is an impressive material that usually sets the room off and can create an unforgettable kitchen. Darker slabs of slate could be considered a bold design move if the rest of the kitchen space is not up to par with good design; if the rest of your space is updated with fine cabinetry and modern appliances, then slate floors will be the finishing touch to your kitchen.
While all of these materials can be utilized to create a chic space on any budget, consider the pros and cons of each material and decide which will be best for you to work with. If materials like tile and slate seem as though they would be uncomfortable to stand on for long periods of time, consider investing in a strategically placed kitchen mat which will pad the surface areas that you will be working at the most.
You will also want to consider which materials will best suit your lifestyle. Vinyl and linoleum may be better suited for homes with young children and pets; tile and concrete will not be as forgiving to slips and falls. Because of all of the options available on the market today, choosing kitchen flooring which best suits your lifestyle can result in a chic, colorful finish.