Kitchen Flooring 101: 3 Things to Know

If a kitchen renovation or new kitchen fitting is in the books for this year, you’ll be giddy to start the whole project. The idea of a new kitchen is always a dream for many homeowners. But, before all that starts, you must go through the dirty and hard work first. There are so many decisions to be made, beginning with the kitchen floors.

It may just be one part of your kitchen, but it’s one of the most important. As a homeowner, you want your kitchen floors to flow seamlessly with the rest of your home so it doesn’t stand out for negative reasons. It has to look great while also being of good quality. Then, as you shop for potential floor options, you’ll surely be bewildered at all the choices you’ll come face to face with.

Whether you’re building from scratch or renovating your kitchen, there are so many things homeowners have to familiarize themselves with in kitchen flooring. This article gives you a good start with some informative insights. So, read on to learn more.

One of the common questions asked during a renovation or a build is what gets to go first: is it the floor or the cabinets? To set this straight, a good contractor will install the kitchen floors first.

The reason is that when kitchen floors are installed first, it’s easier to have precise and accurate measurements of the cabinets’ height. This way, you don’t have to worry about doors not opening smoothly as the tiles or floor are slightly elevated.

Most importantly, there’s less chance of damage to the cabinets if the floors are already done. The floors usually require more work to install than cabinets. So, it’s best to prioritize the more complex task first than any other one.

When you’re shopping for kitchen flooring, the main factor that can drive your decision-making process is your preference. It’s your kitchen, after all. So, ensure you’re happy with your decision and choice of every element.

However, before letting your heart decide fully, there are other vital factors to keep in mind to help you ascertain that what you’re choosing is the best one for your kitchen. Those considerations include:

Lifestyle

Some households cook more than others. If you belong to the former, you’ll need a floor that can withstand that wear and tear.

For households with an auxiliary kitchen (or the daily kitchen), you can opt for fancier materials for this kitchen. Those households with both usually do the heavy cooking in the main kitchen, while the grander kitchen is usually for hosting, light cooking, and serving.

Comfort

You wouldn’t want to spend hours on your feet while doing kitchen work on an uncomfortable floor. Yes, your house slippers and kitchen rugs will help add some warmth to your feet, but the floor materials matter too.

Wood, for instance, is a reliable choice for reducing leg fatigue. Tiles, on the other hand, can be too hard and uncomfortable.

Cost

If you’re like most homeowners who are working on a tight budget, then you have to be as practical as possible with the cost. Your chosen kitchen flooring should fit within your budget without sacrificing quality.

Style-wise, you’ll want your kitchen to look great, too. It is the heart of the home, after all. Especially if your family loves to host gatherings, it’s a major plus to have a stylish and trendy kitchen to accommodate visitors. Just remember, however, to make sure you choose a style or theme that also matches the rest of your home interior.

Here’s a checklist to help you out:

• For flooring types, the functionality of wood is still well-favored. They’re high in demand, but you can expect other floors like engineered hardwood, natural stone, and tiles to shine.
• For style, coastal and contemporary looks remain popular. Some households are also considering the farmhouse style as their chosen trend.
• For colors, many homeowners prefer white, gray, and brown.

A kitchen can be the most heavily trafficked part of a home, so it’s just but fitting to choose the flooring wisely. It’s not enough to think about aesthetics and then skimp on quality. Your kitchen is where you do heavy cooking and cleaning, so at its best, your kitchen floor should also be able to withstand all the mess. Ultimately, the choice of kitchen flooring is something you also have to discuss with your contractor and architect, but as the homeowner, it pays to know quite a bit about it.

Published in: Kitchen | Author: Lynn