The 6 Best Kitchen Flooring Materials for Busy Homes

Many households have a high-traffic home kitchen. Kitchens serve as multipurpose spaces that aren’t just for food prep. They can be gathering places where family members spend quality time, as well as a busy central point in the home where people come and go frequently.

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As such, the floors in a kitchen see much more wear and tear than those in quieter spaces like bedrooms. Kitchen floors need to be durable, functional, and easy to clean. However, that doesn’t mean you need to sacrifice style!

Many flooring materials work well in kitchens. We’ve assembled a list of the top options, including those we feel best balance attractive design with practicality for kitchen use. Dive into the pros and cons of each below.

1. Ceramic Tile

In One Sentence: Tile is popular in Florida for its durability and waterproof nature.

Ceramic tile flooring, made from clay, is a common kitchen flooring material and one of the most common surfaces for living spaces here in Southeast Florida. It’s well-liked in climates like ours for its waterproof nature. It’s also highly durable and won’t stain easily, standing up to all kinds of common cooking messes.

Tile surfaces last many years without fading. One downside is that they tend to get slippery when wet.

Porcelain tile is a type of ceramic tile that’s also suitable for kitchens. It will expand your range of style options, but it may be a bit more prone to breakage when heavy items are dropped on it.

2. Natural Stone Tile

In One Sentence: Stone is a beautiful, durable, nonslip surface that can be on the high end price-wise.

Natural stone tile flooring offers a unique aesthetic compared to ceramic tile. It’s a bit more luxurious (and a bit more expensive) and can be used to create a more down-to-earth look that’s tied to nature.

Unlike ceramic tile, stone is porous and needs to be sealed to prevent moisture damage. However, this porousness gives it the advantage of being non-slip, which can make your kitchen safer.

3. Vinyl

In One Sentence: Vinyl comes in many popular styles, is easy to clean, and is highly affordable to install.

“Dream Kitchen with Marble and Granite Counters, Tile Floors”

Vinyl flooring, including luxury vinyl tile and plank, is among the easiest flooring types to maintain. It’s resistant to stains and moisture and can be simply swept, mopped, or vacuumed.

DIY enthusiasts count vinyl flooring among the easiest to install without specialized tools and training. That said, it’s still a lot of work, so don’t hesitate to let the pros here at Dolphin Carpet & Tile handle the manual labor of professional vinyl installation.

Vinyl can mimic a wide variety of more costly materials, such as hardwood and natural tile. For a stylish, easy-maintenance floor on a budget, choose vinyl for your kitchen floor.

4. Hardwood

In One Sentence: Hardwood can be high maintenance in kitchens, but highly durable and great for ROI.

Hardwood flooring is a traditional flooring option that you may see in kitchens when a home has the same floors throughout an entire level. Hardwood is not waterproof, so it can be a high-maintenance option in the kitchen.

However, modern sealants and finishes have given hardwood a fighting chance against moisture. Plus, natural wood tends to last for ages with proper care and can be refinished during future remodels to change its look.

Hardwood is a beautiful natural material that’s often great for resale value, so it makes for a great long-term investment.

5. Bamboo

In One Sentence: Bamboo offers natural wood looks and added durability and waterproof qualities.

Bamboo flooring is a relative newcomer to the flooring scene, but it’s quickly gaining popularity – especially in kitchens. It looks like traditional hardwood, but it’s moisture-resistant and harder for better durability.

You’ll find bamboo in solid, engineered, and strand woven varieties, each with different benefits:

• Solid bamboo is hard and durable, but it’s not as moisture-resistant.
• Engineered bamboo is only bamboo at the surface level and features a waterproof coating.
• Strand woven bamboo is extremely dense and durable but also comes at a higher cost.

6. Waterproof Laminate

In One Sentence: Waterproof laminate is a budget-friendly option that can mimic wood or tile, minus the long lifespan.

Not all laminate is waterproof, but recent innovations in the industry have led to waterproof laminate options that work great in kitchens. Like vinyl floors, waterproof laminate flooring is simple to install and can mimic the looks of wood or tile styles. Laminate is a budget-friendly option, but it tends to have a shorter lifespan than most other flooring types.

Choosing the Best Flooring Option For Your Kitchen

Now that you know your options, how do you narrow down the right floors for your kitchen? Ultimately, the best option depends on your specific home and lifestyle. Consider your budget, the amount of foot traffic your kitchen typically sees, and factors like kids or pets.

You’ll also want to consider how the floors you want will pair with other design elements, like your cabinets and appliances. If you’re unsure or just want a professional opinion, we’re here for you! Contact us today or visit any of our 10 showroom locations throughout Southeast Florida and the Greater Miami area. We’ll help you compare your options and find the perfect match for your kitchen.