While the floor may not be the most glamorous part of the kitchen design, it does cover a great deal of area and should be treated with the same care given to the rest of the kitchen. Make the most of it by understanding the various options and components involved and know that the kitchen will be as functional, as it is beautiful.
Porcelain Tiles, Wood Floors and Natural Stone
There are countless options in flooring available today, so making sure that the right material is used for the job is crucial.
Porcelain tiles are a great option if looking into a tile floor. They are extremely durable, stain resistant and never need sealing. While there may be a granite or other natural stone counter in the room, it’s a lot easier to see and wipe up a spill at waist height, than it is on the floor. Porcelain tiles will clean up easily each and every time, with no worries that a stain missed on Saturday night will be impossible to remove on Sunday morning. Porcelain tiles are available in many different colors and styles, from contemporary to rustic, and can accommodate nearly any budget.
Hardwood floors are a popular option, particularly if there is hardwood elsewhere in the house. Take care that the hardwood used on the floor compliments the cabinets chosen, and that the refinishing required is taken into consideration. Kitchens are typically high traffic rooms, and hardwood that is not cared for properly can begin to show wear over time.
Natural stone can be a popular choice for rustic style homes. They can be high maintenance and difficult to care for in a kitchen setting, however. They do need to be sealed on a regular basis, and spills should be wiped up immediately to help impede staining. Stay away, in particular from light colored limestone or travertine floors. These floors are very soft, and a spilled pot of tomato sauce may do lasting damage.
Consider Chinese, Brazilian, or Indian slate tiles, if a natural look is desired. These stones are extremely varied in both color and texture and can do a good job of masking wear and stains. They do require the same care as other natural stones, and will spall, or shed small pieces of themselves, for the first three months after they are installed as they settle into their new home, but they tend to stand up better over time.
Terra Cotta, quarry pavers, vinyl tiles and vinyl “wood” appearing floors are also options that can be used in the kitchen. Terra Cotta and quarry pavers have their own special care needs, and vinyl can scuff easily, so be sure to speak to the sales people about care and cleaning for whatever the product chosen.
Color and Style
The kitchen floor should ideally be selected after the counter and cabinets. The kitchen counter will drive most of the decisions of the rest of the kitchen design, so choosing this first will help with the floor selection. The counter, with the cabinet will together set the stage for the color and style of the rest of the room. If using granite counters, take a look at the stone, and pull flecks or veins of color from it. For instance, Uba Tuba granite has a great deal of gold flecked throughout it. Therefore, a gold colored tile floor, or honey colored wood floor would work well with it. Honed Absolute Black granite, with a cherry cabinet might work well with Chinese Multi-color slate, which has a dark background with lots of deep red and rust tones throughout it.
A very modern kitchen, with a concrete or quartz countertop will work well with some of the large format porcelain tiles, with a fabric inspired finish.
Accent and Design
If the kitchen is in sections, with separate prep and eating areas, consider using a border to set them apart. Use a decorative pattern, or use a smaller version of the same tile. Lay hardwood in a herringbone pattern inside of some straight set planks. For smaller kitchens, consider turning tiles on the diagonal to visually widen the space. For large open spaces, patterns made of multiple sizes give interest to the space.
Whatever the floor chosen, be sure that both its maintenance and its style are given equal consideration. This will help to ensure that the design continues to stand the test of time.
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