Do you spend a lot of time in the kitchen? Or do you use your kitchen as an entertainment spot for your family and friends? Well, then this is the perfect opportunity to put your best foot forward and ensure that it is as appealing as it is functional. Studies show that people are paying more attention to their kitchens now, more than they ever did before. If you are looking to remodel or update your kitchen floors, it is important to ensure that you choose the right type of flooring.
Factors to Consider Before choosing Flooring for your Kitchen
Lifestyle
A major factor that will determine the kind of flooring suitable for your kitchen is its use. If you are the type of person that makes maximum use of their kitchen then you may need to install strong and durable flooring. These will be able to endure the heavy foot traffic without losing their appeal or their functionality.
On the other hand, if you hardly make an appearance in your kitchen then it is fine if you installed flooring made of light weight material. They will still give you prolonged service since the foot traffic is less. This applies to people who travel a lot, bachelors or those that prefer to eat out.
Theme of the Kitchen
The overall style of your kitchen will determine the kind of flooring to choose; modern, rustic, contemporary or a blend of two. In this case, you will need to consider the space available, existing colors, patterns, and textures. This is also where you’ll need to determine whether you want the flooring for the kitchen to serve as a focal point or a simple backdrop.
Budget
While a chosen few are able to work with whichever budget that’s presented to them, others need to evaluate their finances when choosing kitchen floors. In this case, it is advisable to have a one-on-one with your designer in order to make the right choice for you. However, it is important to consider the durability and functionality of the floors regardless.
Types of Flooring to Choose
With the variety of textures, materials, and colors in the market today, you have a wide playing field when it comes to choosing the most suitable flooring for your kitchen.
Stone
This is the material to go for in kitchens with heavy foot traffic. They can endure the constant wear without caving in or ruining their appeal. Their maintenance is also easy and inexpensive to observe which is an added bonus.
Ceramic stone tiles are the most commonly used flooring types. The fact that they come in a wide variety of shapes, designs, and sizes allow you versatility. Some people use wall tiles on the floor and it works in some cases. You can be assured of their durability and you can choose one that matches the theme of the kitchen.
Limestone
This is a natural stone with an old world look effect. The fact that it is a porous material means that it should be sealed during installation to protect it as well as create a smooth surface.
Cork
Besides being durable, cork is a suitable choice for decorative kitchen floors. This is because it comes in a variety of colors which most people find liberating. Besides this, it is also a functional flooring option because it is water resistant so spills from the sink or your child’s sippy cup or messy guests are not a cause for alarm.
Cork floors are also designed to reduce impact noise which maintains the peace and serenity of your home.
Wood
This is one of the most common flooring types in both modern and rustic themed kitchens. Besides being friendly to your feet, it creates a warm look all around. Pre-finished wood floors are a modern type which is able to withstand heavy traffic and also resistant to water which is unlike the traditional type.
For a well-designed kitchen look, you will need to know the direction to lay laminate flooring before installing laminate wood planks.
Vinyl
Vinyl is a preferred choice for bathrooms and kitchens due to its water and stain resistance. It allows you to replicate the stone tile or wood tile but at a lower cost. You can either choose between sheet flooring vinyl which is normally laid down in sheets of 6-12 ft wide or tile flooring vinyl measuring 9″ X 9″ or 12″X 12″.
It offers a variety of colors and styles to choose from for your sheets or tiles. It is a perfect choice for homes that experience a lot of moisture.
Conclusion
Just because those floors look amazing at your neighbor’s house doesn’t mean that they are the perfect choice for you as well. The type of flooring to choose entirely depends on your preference, style of the home and its functionality. The safety of the residents is a key factor to consider as well. If there are kids in the home, choose floors that aren’t slippery.
Author Bio:
Abigail is the founder of Thehandynest, where she and her trusted blog that’s full of tutorials, ideas, advice, and information will inspire you and help you with your home improvement and other needs. She is also a mother of two where she enjoys her passion and her dream of making the best place for her children.
