A Comprehensive Look at the Best Kitchen Flooring Options

We’ve got the definitive guide to the best kitchen flooring options to meet your kitchen and bath design style AND withstand every pot, pan, and party spill will throw at them. From easy-clean tile to warm wood looks, we’ll walk through all the top contenders when planning your kitchen remodel or floor replacement.

Let’s dive in and point those floor-coveting toes toward the perfect kitchen floors to suit your lifestyle!

When selecting the best flooring for your kitchen remodel, there are a few major factors to consider:

• Durability – How well will the material resist stains, scratches, dents, and moisture?
• Ease of Cleaning – Flooring that is easy to keep clean daily will better maintain its look.
• Cost – Budget-friendly options can keep expenses lower.
• Style – Match the aesthetic you want from traditional hardwood to sleek contemporary.
• Comfort – Softer Flooring underfoot can make standing while cooking more comfortable.

With those key considerations in mind, here is an overview of some of the best kitchen and bath flooring options to evaluate:

Durable Porcelain and Ceramic Tile

Ceramic and porcelain tile remain ever-popular kitchen flooring choices because they are:

• Extremely durable and water-resistant
• Easy to clean
• Affordable
• Wide range of styles and colors

Porcelain tile is harder and more stain/scratch resistant than ceramic tiles. Both handle heavy traffic and are less prone to damage from moisture. The grouted joints do require occasional sealing. Styles range from stone and wood looks to geometric patterns and solid colors.

Cost: $5-20 per square foot installed

Natural Stone Tile

For an upscale elegant look, natural stone tiles like marble, travertine, slate, and granite make a gorgeous flooring choice. Benefits of concrete flooring include:

• Timeless, luxurious appearance: Natural stone tile is the epitome of elegance and sophistication when it comes to kitchen flooring. Its classic beauty has stood the test of time, gracing the floors of ancient palaces and modern homes alike. The inherent grandeur of natural stone can instantly elevate the look of your kitchen, creating a sense of luxury that’s hard to replicate with other materials.
• Each stone has unique natural variations: One of the most captivating aspects of natural stone tile is that no two pieces are exactly alike. The inherent variations in color, pattern, and texture are a testament to the stone’s natural origin and the geological processes that formed it over millions of years. These unique characteristics add depth, character, and visual interest to your kitchen floor, creating a one-of-a-kind look that’s impossible to replicate with manufactured materials.
• Very durable and long-lasting: When it comes to durability, few flooring materials can rival natural stone tile. Formed by intense geological processes over millions of years, natural stone is inherently strong and resilient. It can withstand the heavy foot traffic, spills, and wear and tear that kitchen floors are subjected to daily. With proper care and maintenance, a natural stone tile floor can last for decades, making it a wise long-term investment for your home.

The downsides are the higher cost and more intensive sealing/cleaning maintenance required. Care is also needed to properly install stone tile to prevent cracking. Stones like marble scratch easier than granite or travertine.

Cost: $15-50 per square foot installed

Hardwood Flooring

Hardwood floors add classic beauty and elegance to kitchen spaces. The natural richness of wood grain patterns creates a welcoming aesthetic. For optimal performance, following proper installation and care guidelines is key. There are a few main options when choosing wood flooring:

Engineered Wood Flooring

This is the most popular type of hardwood for kitchens. Engineered wood consists of engineered vinyl flooring a top layer of solid oak, maple, cherry, or other wood veneer fused to a plywood base. This construction is more stable and resistant to moisture and humidity changes than solid wood. Popular brands like Shaw Floorte and Mohawk offer engineered wood in many classic or contemporary styles. The multilayer structure allows for sanding and refinishing to help engineered wood floors last decades with proper care. Cost: $4-8 per square foot installed

Solid Wood

Milled from a single piece of hardwood, solid wood floors offer a timeless, distinctive look. However, solid planks are more prone to gapping, buckling, and damage from moisture. Still, oils like tung oil can help protect against water penetration. Domestic oak, maple, hickory, and exotic species like Brazilian walnut make attractive and durable solid wood flooring. Expect to sand and refinish every 5-10 years. Reducing moisture exposure helps solid wood floors maintain their integrity. Cost: $8-15 per square foot installed.

Exotics

For a truly unique, eye-catching look, exotic hardwood species add bold grain patterns and rich colors. Tigerwood, Cumaru, and Brazilian cherry are very dense, making them extremely scratch-resistant and ideal for busy kitchens. Brands like Nydree Flooring offer durable exotic real hardwood species to complement both modern and rustic designs. Ensure exotic wood is sustainably harvested if choosing this option. Cost: $10-18 per square foot installed.

The smooth, refined look of hardwood never goes out of style. Consult a flooring specialist to determine the best wood species and construction to suit your kitchen traffic levels. Follow proper cleaning and maintenance routines to protect your investment in beautiful wood floors.

Luxury Vinyl Flooring

According to a comprehensive guide on kitchen flooring by The Spruce, Luxury vinyl flooring (LVF) is a popular choice for kitchens because it is durable, waterproof, and available in a wide range of styles that closely mimic natural materials like wood, stone, and ceramic tile.

For wood or stone looks with easier maintenance, luxury vinyl is a top kitchen flooring choice. Benefits:

• Mimics natural materials very closely
• 100% waterproof
• Extremely durable and scratch-resistant
• Easy no-wax maintenance
• Comfortable underfoot
• Cost-effective

Luxury vinyl plank (LVP) provides the look of real wood with added durability. Vinyl tile offers realistic stone visuals. Great for active families.

Cost: $3-8 per square foot installed

Sheet Vinyl

While not as realistic-looking as luxury vinyl, sheet vinyl remains a practical, environmentally friendly, and affordable option. It offers:

• Very low cost
• Wide range of colors/patterns
• Seamless installation.
• High durability
• Easy maintenance
• Softer underfoot than tile

The vinyl wear layer resists moisture, stains, and scratches. However, the backing can dent easily over time. Keeps costs down for kitchen upgrades.

Cost: $2-4 per square foot installed

Alternative Options

Beyond the most popular kitchen flooring choices, some other new floor and materials to consider:

Cork

Cork is a renewable, eco-friendly material harvested from the bark of cork oak trees without harming the tree. It provides a naturally soft, warm feel and soft underfoot too. Cork resists moisture, mold, and mildew well making it a good resilient option. Brands like Expanko offer cork tiles or planks in a variety of natural tones. The antimicrobial properties keep cork sanitary while the sound-dampening abilities reduce noise. Cost: $7-12 per square foot installed.

Laminate

Laminate flooring has a photographic layer mimicking wood on top of a composite base. This provides an affordable wood-look option starting around $2 per square foot. However, laminate flooring swells easily with excess moisture. Top brands like Pergo offer laminate designed just for kitchens with dent, scratch, and fade resistance. Keeping any spills wiped up quickly helps maintain laminate floors. Cost: $3-7 per square foot installed.

Concrete

For an industrial chic vibe, concrete makes a durable and stylish kitchen flooring statement. Stains, stamping, etching, and polishing create unique looks. The hard surface stands up well to heavy use but can be cold and hard underfoot. This can be mitigated with radiant or flooring installation and heating. Concrete is also prone to cracking and requires re-sealing. Cost: $4-10 per square foot installed.

Rubber

Extremely durable rubber flooring comes in a variety of colors and patterns. Made from natural or recycled rubber, it provides sound dampening and comfort benefits. Brands like Nora offer rubber flooring products safe for commercial kitchens. Rubber resists moisture, spills, and stains while providing proper traction. Cost: $7-15 per square foot installed.

Bamboo

Bamboo offers an eco-friendly appeal, resembling oak or maple patterns. Types like “carbonized” black bamboo suit modern designs. Moso bamboo is very hard and durable while pulped bamboo or strand woven bamboo better resists moisture. Keeping bamboo out of direct sunlight helps prevent fading. Cost: $6-12 per square foot installed.

End Notes

After this kitchen flooring tour, your head is probably spinning with exciting possibilities! Hardwood, tile, luxury vinyl, cork – how’s a homeowner to choose? Think through your must-haves – occupant comfort, kids’/pets’ durability needs, ease of maintenance, and, of course, style preference.

Just be sure to partner with qualified flooring installers experienced in kitchen remodeling. They can ensure proper prep and installation for whichever flooring you select to keep your kitchen floors looking fabulous for years to come.

Ready to get started on your kitchen remodel and transformed floors? Let us know – we’ll cheer you on as you create your forever-home kitchen oasis!