Creating your dream kitchen isn’t just about luxury marble worktops and high-tech appliances. As the foundation of your kitchen, flooring is one of the most exciting yet crucial elements to pick out with so much more to consider than just colours and finishes.

The flooring material you choose needs to suit your household, lifestyle and kitchen routine right down to the finest detail. Otherwise, you’ll be left with a beautiful floor covered in scuffs, stains, dirt and damages that you’ll have to replace just a few years later.

So, how do you decide which flooring material is right for your kitchen? With such a wide variety available, narrowing down the search can seem like an almost impossible task. Thankfully, we’ve done half the work for you and created an ultra-helpful buying guide covering all the key elements you need to consider to make the best choice.

• What to Consider When Picking Kitchen Flooring
• Kitchen Flooring Materials
• Flooring Styles
• Installation Advice
• Match Your Floor to Your Kitchen Design
• Pick the Perfect Floor for Your Kitchen
• What's Next?

Footfall & Traffic

Most kitchens experience pretty heavy traffic, especially in large families or shared households. Wear and tear are bound to happen, whether that be from your little one’s favourite toy, the scratchy claws of a furry friend or the dancing high heels of excited dinner guests.

To keep your kitchen floor as scuff free as possible, pick a material that offers reliable durability and scratch-resistance as fundamental properties.

Stains, Spillages & Splashes

No matter how careful a cook you are, the occasional accident is unavoidable. Mud, food, coffee, wine, juice, grease – your kitchen floor has probably seen its fair share of at least a few of these super stainers in the past.

Thankfully, most modern kitchen floors are very easy to clean and offer their own degree of base-level stain resistance to prevent minor mishaps from turning into disasters. Keep in mind though, the more porous the material, the more likely your floor is to soak up stains quickly which can be tricky to reverse if left to sit for too long.

Moisture

Moisture presents itself in numerous ways within a kitchen environment. Every time you cook, wash up, boil water in a pan, air laundry, or even just switch on the kettle you are exposing your kitchen to moisture and humidity which can be damaging to certain flooring materials.

Vinyl and porcelain are fantastic examples of moisture-resistant options that are well-suited to humid kitchens as they don’t expand and contract as temperature levels fluctuate.

Underfloor Heating

Unlike the living room or bedroom, kitchens can often feel a little cold and uncosy, especially if you have hard tiles or plank flooring. Perfect for adding warmth and comfort back into your space, underfloor heating systems are compatible with many of the kitchen flooring materials within our range, a lot of which are brilliant heat conductors for even toastier luxury beneath your toes.

Budget

Kitchen flooring varies considerably in price depending on the style, size and material you go for. Laminate is an economical option that is perfect for anyone who wants an attractive style and reliable quality at a lower cost. Vinyl is pretty versatile in its affordability, with plank vinyl pricing much cheaper than LVT (Luxury Vinyl Tile).

For those working with a more open budget, natural materials such as stone and engineered wood offer a luxurious look and feel plus may even add value to your home in the long term.

Whatever floor you decide on, make sure to invest in quality rather than simply searching for the lowest possible price. Set yourself a rough budget and avoid materials that are priced extremely modestly and just seem too good to be true – in most cases, they are very cheaply manufactured, and you’ll be left dealing with expensive damages down the line.

Maintenance & Aftercare

Whilst most kitchen flooring is designed to last with minimal effort, certain materials require additional aftercare to minimise damage and prolong the finish. Each material entails its own set of maintenance instructions, whether that be simply sweeping and cleaning with soapy water or sanding, sealing and oiling at regular intervals after installation too.

A well-looked-after floor can last for years, but a poorly maintained one can leave you with scratches, scuffs and moisture damage that is hard to fix.

Kitchen flooring comes in the form of many different materials – each offering its own distinctive benefits and setbacks.

Laminate - £

A smart and cost-effective option for the busy family kitchen, laminate flooring offers practical durability and stylish natural aesthetics without the expensive price tag. Designed to closely imitate the organic aesthetics of natural wood & stone, this innovative man-made alternative combines high-density fibreboard with a high-definition surface print, laminated to ensure moisture-resistant protection.   

Vinyl - ££

Available in a selection of styles including tiles, planks and sheets, vinyl flooring has securely cemented itself as a practical and popular choice for the hectic modern-day kitchen. In addition to its durable resilience and straightforward cleaning, vinyl is warm, soft and comfy underfoot, perfect for families with young children.

Solid Wood - ££

A timeless choice for classic and contemporary interiors, solid wood flooring brings an inviting sense of character, charm and warmth to a kitchen that is truly one-of-a-kind. From bright light oaks to deep dark walnuts, there is a stunning selection of styles available that only improve aesthetically as the years pass by.

Whilst solid wood can be sanded and re-oiled to maintain a mark-free finish, keep in mind that wood does expand and contract when met with dramatic temperature changes. A potentially damaging side effect of a steamy humid kitchen.

Engineered Wood - £££

Engineered wood flooring is comprised of multiple plywood layers, sandwiched between a sturdy base and authentic hardwood finish. Unlike solid wood, this engineered alternative offers far superior stability with reduced susceptibility to movement and expansion. Whilst not invulnerable to scratches in very busy kitchens, the stunning natural finish can be easily maintained with regular cleaning and sanding up to 2-3 times over its lifespan.

Natural Stone - ££

A classic option that never goes out of style, the natural stone floor integrates perfectly into any traditional kitchen interior with many gorgeous varieties to choose from. It’s straightforward to clean, and hard-wearing in nature plus is a great conductor for underfloor heating should you desire a little more comfort and luxury underfoot. Although generally easy to care for, natural stone does require sealing to enhance durability and protect against any potential marks or stains that are common in the average kitchen.

Porcelain - ££

If you love a natural look but would prefer lesser maintenance, porcelain is a sleek and resilient option that can emulate the aesthetics of not only stone but concrete and even wood too. It’s perfect for the modern kitchen with easy cleaning, reliable water and stain resistance as well as a versatile array of colours and patterns to suit every interior style. Whilst porcelain can feel a little cold and rigid underfoot, most types are suitable for installation with underfloor heating to bring luxe warmth to your kitchen.

In a fast-paced kitchen where accidents are bound to happen, you’ll want to be sure your floor can take the pressure. So, when it comes to durability and toughness, which flooring material comes out on top?

Planks

Reliable, sturdy and subtly sleek in appearance, plank flooring is a popular choice for many kitchen interiors. Produced in an array of materials such as vinyl, engineered wood, solid wood and laminate, plank boards can be elegantly displayed to match the cosy rustic feel of a traditional cottage kitchen or the minimal aesthetic of a luxe contemporary design.

Perfect for crafty homeowners looking to take on a DIY kitchen project, floor planks are also easy to fit, cut and remove and replace should you wish to save extra funds by doing it yourself.

Sheet Flooring

Vinyl sheeting is a fantastic option for many kitchens, offering comfy cushioning, straightforward maintenance and a smooth protective finish. Typically produced using waterproof materials such as PVC, sheet flooring can easily survive the humid conditions and accidental spillages of a busy kitchen plus can be easily wiped clean with no grouting to accumulate dirt. There are many different colours, designs and patterns to pick from, replicating luxury styles from tile, wood and slate range at a fraction of the price.

Whilst installing kitchen flooring yourself can seem like a daunting prospect for first-time DIYers, many of our materials are actually very simple to fit with the right tools and methods. If you are planning to go down the do-it-yourself route, make sure to read up on expert tips and advice to achieve a professional-looking result to be proud of.

Temperature Changes - Certain flooring types such as solid wood and laminate must be acclimatised to the kitchen environment before installation can begin. Acclimatisation allows the flooring material to adjust to the temperature within the room. This is especially vital when installing within a kitchen as the rapid temperatures can cause expansion and damage.

Sub-Floor – The best finish is achieved when the sub-floor below is correctly prepped, repaired and cleaned before fitting your new flooring. This entails removing all existing floor material, cleaning and clearing the sub-floor of all debris, as well as smoothing over gaps, cracks and imperfections to ensure the base is completely level.

Underlayment – Underlay acts as the foundation for your flooring. In high-traffic spots such as the kitchen, underlay can help to majorly increase the lifespan of your floor whilst adding extra support, cushioning, insulation, protection and even soundproofing.

For all the best tips, advice and guidance for installing your new kitchen floor, make sure to check out our handy ‘how-to guide’ here!

A new floor can instantly transform the entire look and feel of a space. So, whether you’re renovating your entire kitchen or simply switching out your chipped floor tiles, it’s important to maintain stylish coordination with the rest of your kitchen design to avoid clashing colours and mismatched prints.

Should Countertops & Flooring Match?

One of the common questions that people tend to ask when remodelling their kitchen is – “should my worktop and flooring match?” Most kitchen experts will tell you no, but they should complement each other. If your countertops and floor look exactly the same, then you can tend to lose a bit of dimension and end up with a design that looks a bit flat and samey. It’s best to aim for subtle contrast, the degree of which will depend on the sort of style you are aiming for.

Clean contrasting colours such as dark grey and white work beautifully in a modern kitchen whilst beiges, browns and creams blend elegantly with warm woody tones to emulate an inviting and cosy aesthetic in a traditional interior.

Another great way to break up monotonous décor is with eye-catching cabinets, splashbacks and fixings. If you’ve opted for an understated cream floor tile or simple black vinyl, use other elements within your kitchen to add a pop of colour and personality.

When matching your floor to your colour scheme, try to remember two basic rules.

1. Pick out two central colours that differ yet complement each other – this could be a cool contrast between a dark worktop and light flooring or rustic oak cupboards and classic cream tiles.
2. Then add a third accent colour into the mix. This will add some character back into the interior to prevent the space from looking too cold and clinical. This can be approached in various ways, going as subtle as cabinet handles, light fixtures and tap fixings or something a little more eye-catching such as a splashback or even a coloured fridge. Metallics are a very on-trend option for this and can be integrated with various finishes to suit your taste.

Picking out anything new for your kitchen needs some thought behind it, particularly if it’s a substantial investment such as flooring. Whilst the process may seem overwhelming, the logic of choosing your perfect kitchen floor is all about finding the balance.

The balance between practicality and aesthetics, between cost and quality, between durability and comfort. It’s about fully understanding the functional needs of your kitchen without losing the character and personality that makes the space unique to your home.

Coordinating closely with some of the best experts and designers in the industry, we’ve hand-selected a beautiful mix of flooring styles, materials, colours and designs to accommodate any and every kind of customer. With amazing prices and a promise of professional-standard quality, you can discover your perfect kitchen floor right here onsite and order with absolute ease for convenient delivery straight to you.

Looking for more inspiration? Take a look at our wide range of product and project guides - covering an array of subjects from garden renovations to painting and decorating, installing stunning lighting set-ups to building out a kitchen or bathroom from scratch and much, much more. Take the leap today and start your DIY journey right here. For direct help and advice, you can also contact our award-winning customer service team.