Kitchen floors get put through quite a lot with all of the dropped utensils, spills and drips. Being one of the most used rooms in a home, your floors need to handle kitchen hazards and look good doing it. Just because a particular type of flooring looks good doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the best suited for the kind of use and traffic your kitchen will see. Below, I’m listing my favorite kitchen floors that are lower maintenance and keep a balance between style and functionality.

CERAMIC TILES

Ceramic tiles can be a great fit for the kitchen because they are resilient, hard, and impervious to stains and water. It also helps that they are resilient to heat and breakage, under normal conditions. They come in a variety of colors and even faux finishes (even wood plank) to add a beautiful, yet smart, addition to your kitchen.

DURABLE CONCRETE

Concrete is a great option for ground level kitchens and are a long lasting option for homeowners. Sometimes, concrete slabs may have already been placed beneath your existing flooring. The surface of it can then be polished or stained to provide a stylish look for your kitchen.

NATURAL STONE

Natural stone is a hard rock that allows it to remain strong and long lasting. The only drawback to stone is that it is porous, which makes it susceptible to water and liquid stains. This can be avoided with an annual application of a chemical stone sealer which simply provides an invisible coat of protection from common kitchen spills.

HARDWOOD

Hardwood can be tough to work with in a kitchen because the material is porous and relatively soft. However, if you like the look of hardwood in a kitchen, you can have it treated with a quality polyurethane-based finish. Keep in mind, it will take on an aged look over time. If you find character and personality in imperfections, then hardwood will work great for you.

BAMBOO

Bamboo has a similar look and feel to hardwood and can be a great alternative. It is a harder and more durable material that helps it become more resistant towards moisture and water damage. The only drawback? It’s tough to refinish them because there is no direction to the natural grain.

LINOLEUM

Made popular about 50 years ago, linoleum seems to be making a comeback. Linoleum is made from all natural linseed oil, which makes it pretty environmentally friendly. They’re also pretty easy to clean and maintain. If it is properly cared for, it can generally have a lifespan for upwards of 40 or so years. However, if it is immersed in water, it is highly susceptible to damage. Be sure to avoid basement quality linoleum in your kitchen or they will begin to curl when faced with humidity.

VINYL

Vinyl is a fantastic affordable kitchen flooring option. The lifespan of vinyl flooring generally tends to run around 7 to 10 years before it starts showing significant signs of wear and fade. Vinyl is man-made and is nearly impervious to water issues, stains, and other damage. It is also very easy to clean.

Don’t want to replace your flooring? You can always contact me and we’ll find you a house with the type of kitchen flooring that you love!