Picking out the best flooring for kitchens is such an important decision when it comes to designing your space. 

After all, kitchen flooring is probably the most hardworking surface in the home and needs to withstand regular staining (and therefore lots of cleaning), water spills, and temperature fluctuations.

Of course, this doesn’t mean that kitchen flooring ideas can’t be pretty too. With beautiful patterns and finishes available regardless of the material you choose, there’s no excuse for your kitchen floor not to be a major feature of the space.

Timeless Kitchen Design

Here are some of our top flooring choices that contribute to a timeless kitchen design and won’t have to be replaced for decades.

Natural Stone

From smooth, sleek granite tiles to rougher but harder-to-clean slate, natural stone tiles come in 12×12 and 18×18 squares and an infinite number of looks. We mean that literally since no two stone tiles are alike. They’re cool on the feet – especially in winter – although area rugs can fix that. Assuming you replace cracked tiles, and re-adhere/re-grout any tiles that lift – natural stone tile flooring will last pretty much forever.

Although beautiful, rough-surfaced stone is harder to clean since “stuff” gets trapped in pores and crevices, so keep that in mind if you like a surface that stays squeaky clean. Natural stone is expensive so it’s only an option for those with higher budgets or a smaller kitchen.

Ceramic Tile

If you’re wary of the natural stone budget, check out today’s ceramic tiles. You can go with classic colors or take advantage of the wonders of digital printing, which allow ceramic tile manufacturers to produce tiles that look just like stone. Unlike rougher stone options, ceramic tiles are super easy to keep clean and spills are as easy as a wipe up with a cloth or damp sponge.

Hard and cool is the overall effect and – like stone – if you drop glass, it’s going to break. Typically, ceramic tiles cost one-third the price of natural stone.

Hardwood

Wood is gorgeous. It’s warmer and softer on the feet (and dropped dishware) than any tile option. With a high-quality finish, hardwood floors can withstand the moisture levels and heavy wear-and-tear kitchens are known for. Between various wood species and stain options, you can easily find wood flooring options that suit your taste. Price-wise, hardwood flooring falls between natural stone and ceramic tile.

While it’s true wood floors can handle a little moisture, long-term liquid exposure causes permanent damage so spills must be cleaned immediately. Also, depending on the quality of the finish (pre-finished woods have the longest-lasting finishes) and the wear-and-tear it experiences, hardwood floors have to be re-finished every 10 to 15 years on average.

Vinyl

When is the last time you looked at vinyl flooring samples? Like laminate countertops, vinyl flooring was sort of cast off from the “kitchen design realm” for all but standard subdivision flooring and cheap rentals. We say, however, give vinyl a chance. Like tile, the printing technology has come a long way. We have seen clients actually get down on their hands and knees, feeling with their fingers to verify that a high-end vinyl sample isn’t really hardwood or natural stone – they’re that convincing. It’s one of the cheapest flooring options on the market.