22 Kitchen Flooring Options, Types and Ideas (Pros & Cons)

A great kitchen floor will add a beautiful look to this important part of your home, whether doing a kitchen remodel or new build. There is a wide variety of kitchen floors, such as natural stone, floor tiles, laminate kitchen flooring, and sheet vinyl that you can use when aiming to get the most out of your floor so it can stand out and look strong.

Types by Material

We kick off with a variety of hardwood flooring options for your kitchen. You can also check out our massive photo gallery featuring kitchens with hardwood floors.

1. Medium Hardwood

Source: pinimg.com

Medium hardwood is made with a good body that features a detailed brown look. It is not too light or dark in its tone.

Pros

• Such a flooring surface is easy to display in most rooms. It will not directly impact how the room looks in terms of its size.
• The neutral tone of a medium hardwood floor adds a nice look that mixes in well with many spots.
• It is easy to seal and wash such a flooring surface.
• The various stress lines on a hardwood floor panel create an all-around natural look.

Cons

• The medium tone doesn’t always offer too much of an elaborate look.
• You will have to watch for how the hardwood is handled. It can scratch or scuff easily if you are too rough on it.

Cost

You can get medium hardwood flooring for $3 to $5 per square foot.

2. Light Hardwood

This offers a lighter tone with a slightly yellowish or off-white accent all around the floor. It produces a relatively bright appearance all the way around.

Pros

• A light hardwood floor will not show scratches or wear as easily. Therefore, it is ideal if you have pets in your home.
• This helps to make any room look a little larger in size.

Cons

• This doesn’t work very well in smaller rooms.
• Regular cleaning is needed as it is much easier to spot stains on this particular surface.

Cost

This also goes for $3 to $5 per square foot. You may also like: Pros and Cons of Kitchen Hardwood Floor

3. Dark Hardwood

Source: staridahohomeforsale.com

Dark hardwood uses a cherry or mahogany tone. It is often stained with a dense finish to give it a deeper look.

Pros

• This fits in perfectly with a variety of larger rooms.
• The deep tone of dark hardwood offers an elegant appearance.
• This can reflect light relatively well and will not lighten or warp when sunlight comes into a spot.

Cons

• Scratches are very easy to spot on a darker surface.
• This can make any kind of room look a little smaller, thus making it a bad choice for smaller rooms.

Cost

You could spend $3 to $7 per square foot on this flooring option. The added cost comes due to the extra need to get a stain applied to create the darker tone.

Check out our huge gallery featuring kitchens with hardwood flooring.

4. Porcelain Tile

Porcelain tile is made with a solid ceramic material. This is known for how it is durable and nonporous and adds a strong look to any part of your home.

Pros

• This will not break or crack apart easily.
• It can resist a number of stains.
• Individual tiles can be replaced if any problems develop.

Cons

• The grout around the tiles can attract stains if not treated carefully.
• This is a hard surface that is not ideal for living areas.
• Anything that is fragile will quickly break when it is dropped on this surface.

Cost

Porcelain tiles range from $2 to $20 per square foot depending on the quality of the model. You may also like: Kitchen Light and Honeywood Floor

5. Ceramic Tile

Ceramic tiles are often made with other compounds and aren’t as solid as porcelain. You can always look for great surfaces that are easy to apply in a good number of tones all around.

Pros

• The smooth surface of a ceramic tile makes it very easy for you to get it cleaned off.
• This comes in many different styles.
• The smooth surface of a ceramic tile makes it easy to walk around while also being simple to clean with no jagged spots.

Cons

• This can scratch quickly if you are not careful.
• It also has a cold feeling on its body, thus making it tough to walk on at times.

Cost

It will cost $2 to $20 per square foot to get your ceramic tiles ready.

See our tile kitchen floor gallery here.

6. Travertine

Travertine is a limestone material that is deposited by mineral springs. It comes with a lighter tone.

Pros

• This is one of the more durable types of stones you can use.
• It is easy to replace any tiles that need fixing.
• These tiles are also not very easy to scratch.

Cons

• Travertine is a heavier surface than most other tile options.
• This can be heavily damaged by acidic substances.

Cost

Typical travertine costs anywhere from $2 to $8 per square foot.

7. Concrete

Concrete floors are made out of broken stones and gravel, cement and other items. These are melted down and mixed with water and then poured into a mold where it can harden. You can get a concrete surface added with one solid body all the way through. Concrete offers a smooth grayish look although it can be colored if desired.

Pros

• This can resist moisture quite well.
• It offers a more contemporary look to your space.
• This is very durable and will not crack easily.

Cons

• This surface can stain if it is not treated regularly.
• You will have to re-seal your concrete floor regularly to keep it comfortable.
• It can be rather cold to stand on. You can always add a radiant floor heating system to go underneath it if you prefer but that would have to be added before the installation process starts.

Cost

The cost will vary based on how much preparation is needed to get the concrete ready. It can cost $2 to $20 per square foot depending on what you order.

8. Vinyl

Source: hgtvhome.com

Vinyl is a synthetic material that mixes chlorine and ethylene. Vinyl flooring offers a great look that is naturally water-resistant and smooth. It can be textured to give off a wood-like look all the way around.

Pros

• This resists water amazingly well. You can quickly pick up any water that is spilled on its surface.
• This lasts for years to come and does not scuff too easily.
• It can be prepared in a variety of tones without any joints or gaps in the way.

Cons

• The subfloor that you plan on installing your vinyl flooring on must be perfect. It has to be sanded down and leveled carefully.
• Some gasses may be produced by the vinyl surface. It can cause harmful chemicals to develop in your kitchen depending on how intense those gasses are.

Cost

Vinyl flooring materials are available from $2 to $5 per square foot. You may also like: Kitchen Dark Wood Floor

9. Limestone

Source: berkshire.tiledoctor.biz

Limestone consists of a series of skeletal fragments gathered from marine life. It features calcite and carbon mixed together to create a beautiful off-white tone.

Pros

• This is a hard and tough surface that does not wear out quickly.
• It is easy to clean off limestone.

Cons

• This can be damaged by acidic materials.
• You have to add proper sealants to keep the limestone protected. This is a porous surface.

Cost

You could spend $2 to $10 to get a limestone surface ready.

10. Slate

Slate is a stone compound that is typically dark in its body. It is often made with a sanded-down body as some slate stones may come with natural grooves.

Pros

• The color of a slate tile will not wear out or fade easily.
• This can be found in many dark tones.

Cons

• Avoid adding excess pressure onto slate as it can crack if not handled properly enough.
• The subfloor must be fully smooth before you can get slate tiles added.

Cost

Slate is available for about $5 to $10 per square foot in most spaces.

11. Marble

A carbon-based compound, this is a great surface to have in your kitchen. It is often found with a few different light and dark tones all around. It is a very classy material to install.

Pros

• You can get marble added to a wall with just a few millimeters of compound over a subfloor. This is strong enough to last even when slim amounts of marble materials are used.
• Tiles are all distinctive for having their own individual lines and qualities.
• You can get tiles in a variety of sizes added into a spot.

Cons

• Marble surfaces can chip if you add lots of weight onto them.
• Marble surfaces are porous and can take in lots of water. Therefore, you must get any marble surface sealed off as soon as possible.

Cost

Marble can cost from $10 to $20 per square feet to use.

12. Terra-cotta Tile

Source: pinimg.com

Made with a clay body, terra-cotta has a brighter red or orange tone to it. It is prepared in a kiln to be fired up so it will not have any pores.

Pros

• You can add a sealant to the tile to create a stronger body.
• The non-porous nature of terra-cotta makes it easy to use in spots where stains might be common in. It’s not hard to clean it off either.

Cons

• You might have to get the tiles replaced if their colors fade.
• This can be rough in its texture unless it is sanded and sealed.

Cost

Such tiles are good for $3 to $8 per square foot on the market.

13. Linoleum

Linoleum is a canvas material that features a mix of cork and linseed oil as a strong coating. It is made with a hard surface.

Pros

• It is a non-toxic material that will not produce any fumes or other common problems.
• The coloring that linoleum features can be varied. You can order linoleum in bright and dark tones alike.

Cons

• It is stiff and can be difficult to get installed in some cases.

Cost

This is available for $5 to $10 per square foot.

14. Bamboo

Source: hgtvhome.com

Bamboo is an environmentally-friendly wood material that is strong and grows quickly. It has a denser body than most other woods.

Pros

• This comes with a beautiful grain that is very smooth.
• This is capable of handling spills quite well as it contains very few pores.

Cons

• You could scratch this surface rather quickly.
• Dents and chips may develop if you are too rough on the surface.

Cost

Bamboo flooring is available for $5 to $8 per square foot.

15. Cork

Cork wood is a soft and comfortable surface that is easy to apply in many kitchen areas. It offers a beautiful texture and has a waxy substance on the inside to keep moisture from being a problem.

Pros

• This is a naturally anti-microbial surface thanks to the wax used to get the cork ready for use. This prevents moisture from sticking around too much and can also repel insects.
• It offers a softer and more padded feeling when compared with other wooden surfaces.

Cons

• This needs to be sanded regularly so it will continue to have a comfortable feeling all the way around.
• It can scratch and dent quickly if you are too rough on the surface.

Cost

Cork wood flooring is available for $5 to $15 per square foot.

16. Laminate

Laminate flooring offers a wood-like appearance all the way around. It uses several thick paper sheets that are applied together with a glue or epoxy. The laminate is painted to give off a wood-like style.

Pros

• It is very easy to get a laminate floor installed. It can be arranged and cut quickly.
• You can get this ordered in a vast variety of colors and styles.
• A foam sheet can be added as a layer to go under the flooring to make it feel a little softer.

Cons

• You cannot get a laminate floor finished in any way.
• It can be noisy and slippery in some instances.

Cost

This is an affordable option that is available for $2 to $5 per square foot.

17. Painted Wood

A painted wood surface will come with a good texture that features a standard hardwood design with a mix of painted materials to create a more elaborate and beautiful look all around.

Pros

• You can get this applied in any color you want.
• A sealant can be added to the paint to keep the paint tone intact.

Cons

• You could easily scratch this surface if you are not careful.

Cost

You would have to spend $5 to $10 per square foot for painted wood. It typically costs more than regular wood due to the added effort needed to paint it.

18. Brick

A brick surface will be carefully sanded down to create a beautiful space. The bricks are cut into slender bodies to be placed over your subfloor to make it easier to use.

Pros

• It offers a natural look all around.
• The surface can be fully sanded down to create a strong feeling.

Cons

• This could be at risk of being scratched or wearing out quickly if you are not cautious with it.

Cost

It costs about $10 to $20 per square foot to get a brick surface applied in your home.

19. Cement Tile

Cement tile is made with a real cement surface. You will mix cement with water to create a solid surface that is easy to apply.

Pros

• This can be organized in any size or color that you want.
• This is not very porous in that cement is a very thick compound.

Cons

• Your cement surface could be at risk of scratching.
• Acids and other harsh cleaners can damage a cement surface.

Cost

It costs about $10 to $15 to get cement tiles for your floor.

20. Plywood

Plywood is a compound that uses several layers of wood pulp that are glued together. This creates a slightly stronger surface when compared with other wood options.

Pros

• This can be stained in a number of forms.
• It can create a thicker body that does not crack easily.

Cons

• You will need a soft underfloor to get this applied without feeling uncomfortable.
• This can scratch like with any other type of floor surface.

Cost

You would have to spend to per square foot for plywood in your home.

Related: 18 Different Types of Lumber

21. Terrazzo

Terrazzo consists of marble or granite that is set in concrete and is then polished to create a smooth look all around.

Pros

• This can come with a variety of artistic flourishes all around.
• The color tones to choose from are rather varied.
• It can be used indoors and outdoors alike.

Cons

• This does have a cold touch to it.

Cost

You can get terrazzo for about $10 to $20 per square foot.

22. Carpet

Carpet can be arranged with a thicker built and dense surface to make it appropriate for a kitchen. Industrial-grade carpet can be added in a series of tiles to create a soft body that is also easy to clean.

Pros

• The soft body of a carpet especially adds a bit of comfort to any spot.
• You can order this in a variety of colors.
• It can be arranged with one of many patterns.

Cons

• Any spills or stains that get onto the surface must be cleaned off as soon as possible.
• You will have to regularly get it vacuumed so it will stay looking good and strong.

Cost

Carpet is available from $2 to $8 depending on the surface you choose.

Types By Pattern

1. Grid

This uses a series of tiles that are laid out symmetrically in a large grid. This is made to where the tiles are all the same size and are stacked against each other in a perfect pattern. It is the most basic type of flooring pattern that you can use but it may also stand out as an option that creates a wide open look in your kitchen if it is used properly and with enough control.

Pros

• It is very easy to install.
• You can choose to add several colors of tiles all around this pattern.
• You will understand what you need to add to your space before you start working on it.

Cons

• It can be pretty repetitive after a while.

2. Brickwork

Source: inglenooktile.com

This uses rectangular tiles that are short in height and designed to look like a series of bricks organized all around your floor.

Pros

• It creates a good attention-drawing surface without being too overpowering.
• It is easy to get brick tiles organized around your space.

Cons

• You’d have to measure everything carefully to ensure that the brickwork pattern is organized right.
• The bricks should be aligned carefully if possible.

3. Herringbone

Source: blogspot.com

You can get the tiles for your kitchen floor arranged at random with a herringbone pattern. This works in that the tiles will be organized with four tiles alternating between horizontal and vertical points.

Pros

• There are no limits to how you can get such a pattern organized.
• This can make a smaller room a little larger in its appearance.

Cons

• You’d have to ensure that you get your floor organized with enough tiles to keep from having awkward open spaces or slivers of tiles all around.
• The cleaning process can be a challenge.

You may also like: Is Hardwood Floor a Good Choice for Kitchen Flooring?

4. Diamond

This is similar to a standard grid arrangement but the tiles will be laid out from corner to corner. It can include a series of small borders or even a few other diamonds placed at the intersections of a few different tiles. The arrangement is made to establish a classy look when you choose it carefully.

Pros

• This creates a detailed look in your room.
• It can work with various colors with individual colors scattered around based on the pattern you want to establish.
• This can make any room look a little longer or wider.

Cons

• You must measure the tiles carefully around the ends of each room. You might have to make significant cuts to some tiles around these spots to make them all fit.

Color

When choosing a proper color for your kitchen floor, you must look at how well it will stand out in your kitchen as well as how it blends in with other items in the area. This is a look at some of the different kitchen floor choices that you can stick with when aiming to get a good look up and running in this part of your home.

You may also like: Does a Kitchen Island that Matches the Floor Look Bad?

1. Beige

2. Black

3. Blue

4. Brown

5. Gray

6. Green

7. Multi

8. Orange

9. Pink

10. Purple

11. Red

12. Turquoise

13. White

14. Yellow

Frequently Asked Questions

Below are answers to common questions about kitchen flooring options.

What are the most common kitchen flooring options?

With kitchen floors, a surface that can withstand a little moisture and a lot of foot-traffic is really what you’re looking for. And it needs to look great. Luckily, you have a lot of options.

The natural look of hardwood is becoming a very trendy choice in many kitchens. You can use real hardwood with your choice of stain. Or there are several different options for engineered hardwood and laminate flooring that will closely mimic the look of real hardwoods and even some of the other flooring options.

Laminates are also referred to as floating floors, meaning the pieces are attached together, but not to the floor. Ceramic tile and natural stone are two other options that can add a touch of timeless elegance to any kitchen. Vinyl and linoleum are commonly used in kitchens, both for their cost-effectiveness and their crisp, clean look.

You can even choose from more exotic materials like cork or bamboo for something a little different.

Are kitchen cabinets installed before flooring?

As a general rule of thumb, you would want to install the kitchen floor before you put in any cabinets. The cabinets are usually about the same height as some of the appliances, which will matter after everything is installed. And if you ever wanted to replace the cabinets in the future, you wouldn’t have to worry about the floors not being finished.

The only exception is for floating floors. They need to expand and move a bit. Trapping them underneath cabinets and appliances can cause problems with the integrity of the floor.

Can you paint kitchen flooring?

There are many newer, very appealing painting techniques where an old floor can be entirely painted and sealed. All of the paint could be one uniform color. There are all sort of stencil designs that you could also use.

You could even add a little personality with some freehand painting and personalized color combinations. Or for a truly minimalistic look, the plywood floor-support itself can be exposed and painted or stained for a more open, rustic feel.

Does kitchen flooring go under cabinets?

If the flooring is installed correctly, almost all types of kitchen floor coverings should go all the way to the walls, underneath all of the cabinets. Unfortunately, many times, usually for budgetary considerations, kitchen floors will not be installed correctly.

If the flooring isn’t under the cabinets, it’s likely that the cabinets are installed on top of plywood to even everything out, which will only cause problems at some point.

Does kitchen flooring go under appliances?

The flooring really should be under all of the appliances. For one thing, when your stove, refrigerator, or freezer needs to be moved for cleaning, repairs, or replacement, there’s a good chance that the floor covering in front of them will be damaged if the floors aren’t level.

If the stove-top isn’t on top of the flooring, it won’t be level with the countertops on either side if it, and could actually become a safety hazard when cooking. Or if it’s being leveled out with a plywood layer underneath, any dropped food or moisture can begin to cause mold and mildew problems on your kitchen floors, where you can’t reach them to clean.

And if the dishwasher isn’t on the flooring, it’s most likely wedged in place with too much of the top underneath the countertop. Then, when if it needs to be removed, there could be damage to both the floor covering and the countertop above it.

Can laminate be used for kitchen flooring?

It’s actually a question that you will get a different answer for depending on who you ask. The aspect about laminate that will confuse some people is its ability to withstand the moisture that is common in most kitchens.

The highly durable outer surface will repel any moisture it comes into contact with. Unfortunately, the core of the laminate will not fare well if it gets wet, which is why some people seem to shy away from the thought of laminate flooring in the kitchen. But there are ways to protect the core from moisture.

Proper installation is the key to successfully using laminate flooring in your kitchen. The surface of the laminate is already treated to keep it safe from water. It’s the cut edges that pose the potential problem.

A qualified and detail-oriented, professional installer will make sure that any rough edges are properly sealed for protection.

Can you paint kitchen tile flooring?

You can paint any type of kitchen flooring, including tile, as long as you apply a solid coating of sealer at the end. The interesting aspect about tile is the grout tracks. You can paint the entire floor one color, or you can paint the tracks a different shade for a bold look.

You can also find stencils to match the size of your tiles for an interesting, intricate feel.

Is wood suitable for kitchen flooring?

Wood is ideal for kitchen floors. Of course, it needs to be installed correctly. And the finish may need a touch-up every now and then. But hardwood is extremely resilient and stain-resistant, making it ideal for kitchens.

Another great thing about wood is that if you decide to change the look of your kitchen later or when it’s time to refinish your hardwoods, you can choose an entirely different shade of stain. It’s like having a brand-new floor.

You can also create a very interesting look in your kitchen by painting hardwood floors. They’re versatile enough for pretty much anything.

Which type of kitchen flooring is not cold?

Adequate insulation underneath your floor’s subsurface is the most effective way to keep your kitchen floor’s warmer. But, some surfaces are warmer than others.

Cork and bamboo are very porous floor coverings, trapping warm air and not allowing cold air to get inside of them, making them warmer than some other kitchen floor surfaces. Hardwoods, both real and manufactured are also known for being warmer surfaces for kitchen floors. Tile, stone, linoleum, and vinyl would hold the least heat of the floor covering options.