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20+ Best Kitchen Flooring & Tile Ideas, Tips, and Trends

By: Andrew Saladino | 10 min

Dark eat-in kitchen with natural hardwood floors and tile backsplash.

Kitchen flooring can contribute to -- and even change -- the ambiance of your entire kitchen. However, the atmosphere of your kitchen isn't the only reason you should take time to pick the right kitchen flooring material. Your kitchen floor will likely be a well-traveled area of the house and will have to put up with spills, accidents, and frequent cleaning, just to name a few.

Because your kitchen floor has to serve a wide array of needs, you should take your time to weigh out the pros and cons of each material available to you. We compiled a comprehensive guide to different kitchen flooring options that includes tips and tricks to help point you in the best direction.

And if you need help picking out other kitchen materials, check out our backsplash ideas or cabinet ideas for more inspiration. Let's start from the bottom with your kitchen floors!

1. Stone-Look Vinyl

Contemporary kitchen with stone-look vinyl flooring and wooden accented cabinets.

Vinyl kitchen flooring, unlike laminate flooring (which we'll get to in a little bit), is made entirely of non-biodegradable PVC plastic. The biggest appeal of vinyl flooring is that it's completely waterproof. Other pros for vinyl flooring are that it's inexpensive, comfortable to walk on, and sound dampening.

Stone-look vinyl flooring will create the look of authentic stone without a high expense, and investing in stone-look vinyl flooring could help you avoid some of the cons of stone. Real stone flooring can be harsh if you drop something breakable, like glass. This stone-look vinyl flooring provides a base for the accented bamboo cabinets, which are the highlight of the kitchen design.

2. Wood-Look Vinyl

Modern kitchen with wood-look vinyl flooring, gray cabinets, and stainless steel appliances.

Vinyl flooring comes in sheets or tile and is glued down to the flooring underneath. The gluing method makes for a relatively cheap installation but can make it difficult to remove.

This wood-look vinyl flooring is paired with gray cabinets and white walls to create a clean, modern look. Vinyl wood-look flooring is less expensive than true wood floors. Vinyl flooring also tends to be less easily scratched or damaged, so if you have children or pets (or are accident-prone), this might be a good option for you.

3. Oak Hardwood Flooring

Modern farmhouse kitchen with wood flooring, dark cabinets, white backsplash, gold accents, a sink window, and woven rug.

Hardwood is one of the most classic flooring options on the market. It is unrivaled in quality and aesthetic appeal, adding significant financial value to any home that has it. Hardwood flooring is generally more expensive than other options due to its manufacturing process: each strip needs to be cut and planed, stained, and sealed before being shipped to wholesalers.

Like laminate flooring, hardwood is also easy to install due to its tongue and groove design. A properly sealed hardwood floor is very easy to maintain on a daily basis. Hardwood floors do need refinishing every 7 to 10 years, but refinishing will quickly solve any minor blemish issues such as scratches and stains.

Oak is the most popular hardwood flooring option and the majority of American homeowners still turn to it as their hardwood flooring material of choice. It's popular for good reason -- the wood is resistant to wear and tear, which makes it ideal for a highly trafficked area like the kitchen. To help maintain the areas of the kitchen that receive the most traffic, try putting down a woven rug.

4. Brazilian Cherry

Luxury home kitchen with Brazilian cherry flooring and cabinets.

Cherry has a reddish-brown tint, which can be a beautiful accent to your kitchen. Cherry wood is more stable than red oak but keep in mind that if you plan to install it yourself, it's also more difficult to cut due to its high density. In some kitchen designs, cherry wood can extend to the cabinets to create a beautiful, dark, traditional aesthetic. If you go with this option, make sure you have a lot of natural light in your kitchen to balance out the darkness.

5. Bamboo

Updated bamboo kitchen with bamboo cabinets and kitchen.

Bamboo flooring is typically lighter and will make your kitchen design feel more open. If you extend the bamboo material to the cabinets and pair it with lighter materials, it will give your kitchen an airy feel. Bamboo flooring is sometimes defined as a hardwood flooring material, but bamboo is actually a type of grass.

Bamboo flooring is made by first harvesting and cutting the bamboo poles into strips. These strips are then woven, pressed, and heated. Lastly, they are sealed and machined into planks. Bamboo flooring is about the same price as most hardwood floors, but it's typically harder and more durable. Keep in mind that bamboo does absorb water, making it susceptible to humidity damage.

6. Limestone

Like many stone floors, limestone is incredibly durable and easily maintained. There are many earth-toned colors to choose from. If you're planning to put your home up for sale, keep in mind that a limestone floor can add a lot of value to your home, so it may be worth the investment.

7. Travertine

Modern kitchen with travertine flooring, dark cabinets, and granite countertops.

Stone flooring is distinctly different from ceramic flooring. Stone is just as aesthetically appealing and just as durable as ceramic tile, but is not as slippery, making it a good option for families with children and pets. There are many different options to choose from but let's take a look at travertine first.

Travertine is typically sold and installed in a tile form. Travertine pairs well with dark cabinets and granite countertops, especially if you're trying to create a modern, striking look. Like many other stone floors, it adds real estate value, but the upkeep and installation can be costly. If you're looking for a DIY install, travertine may not be your best option—it's a heavy, porous material that requires regular sealing.

8. Concrete

Minimalist kitchen with black walls and wooden table.

Both low-maintenance and long-lasting, cement flooring works best in a modern or industrial kitchen. Concrete is a mid-range priced material (around $2 to $6 per square foot at face-value) but requires a professional to properly install. The material will require a regular sealing or waxing every three to nine months to maintain its protective layer.

Concrete flooring has become an increasingly popular option because it's incredibly durable and easy to clean, but the biggest appeal of concrete flooring is the array of design choices you have. Concrete is also great for lowering energy bills because it absorbs heat, which can help keep your AC bill down in the hotter months. One thing to consider is that even perfectly laid concrete may develop cracks, and it can be hard and cold underfoot.

9. Laminate

Laminate kitchen flooring with gray island and white cabinets.

Laminate flooring is usually dark, but it can come in a variety of colors. It often mimics hardwood in its appearance. Laminate installation is similar to vinyl. It's simple for a DIY job, as it doesn't involve grout or mortar. If the floor is flat, smooth, and clean, the material should snap together easily and the entire installation should be done in a day. However, the fiberboard core of laminate flooring is a wood product that will swell if exposed to water. After it dries, it does not return to its original form. Laminate flooring can tolerate pooled water if installed correctly, though only for a short period of time. For this reason, any laminate flooring needs to be tightly sealed.

10. Cork

Cork kitchen flooring with wood cabinets and white countertops.

Cork comes in many shades from light to dark so it's easily customizable. Pairing cork with white countertops and light wood cabinets can be ideal for creating a warm, cozy feeling in an area without a lot of natural light. It can be easily confused with wood, but it is actually made from the bark of a cork tree, differentiating it from traditional hardwood flooring. Cork is more forgiving than some of the other materials like hardwood or tile, which allows it to create a more cushioning effect underfoot. It is also a sustainable choice.

11. Linoleum

Linoleum flooring is typically more durable than vinyl and it's also very water resistant, making it perfect for a kitchen. Linoleum is an eco-friendly flooring option, as it's made from linseed oil and cork powder. Linoleum can be susceptible to light damage, turning the flooring to a yellowish color—this occurrence is called 'ambering.' If you install a linoleum flooring, try to install it in an area that is not susceptible to too much natural light.

Installing linoleum flooring is an extensive process as it needs to be cut perfectly and applied with a spread adhesive. Because of this, we recommend hiring a professional to handle the project.

Unique Kitchen Floor Tile Ideas

Tile comes in all shapes, sizes, and shades. It's a natural choice for kitchen flooring given its durability and resistance to water or stains. A statement patterned flooring can be a great way to let your personality shine through. Tile patterns range from diagonal to chevron to herringbone -- it's all dependent on your style. Whichever pattern you choose, your flooring should create a contrast with your counters and cabinets to make the design pop.

Here are our favorite unique kitchen floor tile designs:

12. Ceramic

Ceramic floors with bamboo cabinets, white appliances, and turquoise backsplash.

Ceramic tile flooring is a top flooring option in American homes because of its timeless aesthetic appeal and its ability to instantly add financial value.

Light ceramic pairs beautifully with wooden and clean white cabinets. If you choose a bold backsplash, a neutral ceramic can allow it to shine while still adding to the kitchen's aesthetic.

Ceramic tile flooring is low maintenance, providing a surface that's durable and easy to clean. It's also perfect for allergy sufferers because tile doesn't trap dust and pollen like some other, more porous flooring types.

Keep in mind that ceramic tile can be cold and hard underfoot, making it less comfortable to walk on. However, many homeowners choose to install radiant heating floor systems, which involves installing heated water tubes or electric pipes underneath the tile flooring.

13. Tile-Look Vinyl

Though tiles can be beautiful and easy to install yourself, a tile-look vinyl floor is much more cost effective than a true tile floor. There are a variety of tile options available when it comes to tile-look vinyl, from a classic black-and-white style to more colorful mosaics. Whether you're looking for blue options for a Mediterranean-style kitchen or love the look of simple white subway tiles, there are many tile-look vinyl options to consider.

14. Porcelain

Porcelain flooring with blue cabinets, stainless steel appliances, and a moveable island.

Similar to ceramic tile, porcelain is a durable and affordable tile option that works well in high-traffic areas. Porcelain is denser and more impervious to moisture than ceramic tile, which means it will last longer and needs minimal care. Porcelain is a harder material than porcelain, so it will be more difficult to install but less damage-prone. Keep in mind: porcelain tile is a bit more expensive than ceramic and its brittle nature may require a professional to cut and set.

15. Granite

Granite tile kitchen flooring in traditional kitchen with dark wooden island.

Although granite is most popular for kitchen countertops, don't count it out as a floor choice. It's characterized by its small flecks of colors that create depth. Granite tile is very durable, as well as scratch- and heat-resistant, so you can depend on it to last. Granite flooring and installation is more expensive than other options and it needs to be professionally spaced and sealed to minimize grout staining.

16. Slate

Slate tile flooring in modern kitchen with dark island and bright cabinets.

Known for its charcoal, green, or gray colors and grooved texture, slate tile is a natural and unique floor choice since no two tiles will look exactly the same. It's slip-resistant, making it perfect for areas that withstand busy foot traffic. Slate is softer than other kitchen floor tile options, so it may scratch more easily. For upkeep, it should be stripped and resealed every three to five years. It should also be regularly mopped.

17. Terracotta

Large contemporary kitchen with terracotta tile flooring and baby blue cabinets.

Characterized by its deep reddish-brown color, terracotta works well in a rustic or southwest style kitchen. Terracotta is made of a low fire clay, so it's a durable flooring choice that won't break the bank. However, it is very porous, so you'll need to have it sealed periodically to avoid tile discoloration, staining, or cracking.

18. Marble

Marble floors with white cabinets, granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, and gold accents.

Marble has a unique look compared to any other flooring option with its whirling patterns and shade variations. Because of its beauty and uniqueness, it's an expensive tile choice that requires professional installation as the tiles can be hard to match. Marble tile is not only expensive but it's also high maintenance and porous, requiring regular sealing and cleaning. If you're willing to take care of it, marble can be quite beautiful for a clean, traditional look, especially when paired with white countertops and stainless steel appliances.

19. Onyx

Onyx tile kitchen floors in bright modern kitchen with white countertops.

Very similar to marble, onyx is a fragile and translucent stone that's best used in low-traffic areas. Its unique color varies from tile to tile, making it a luxury flooring material that's similar in price to granite or marble. Consider alternating the tiles to create a variation in color throughout the kitchen. Onyx will require maintenance and upkeep to extend its lifespan.

20. Quartzite

Quartzite tile floors in sleek, modern kitchen with brown slab cabinets.

Quartzite is a durable and non-slip tile that provides a shiny and sleek look, popular for a modern kitchen style. Its non-porous and durable characteristics allow it to withstand impact, scratches, or spills. Quartzite can also be sealed with a darker shade to achieve a marble-like finish. It's much more cost-effective than other natural stone tiles, yet still offers a high-end luxurious look.

Kitchen Design Tips to Help Choose Flooring

Your kitchen design process depends on your vision, needs, and how you want to create a cohesive look. Balancing the colors in your kitchen can be a great way to personalize your design and your floor plays an important part in that. Whether you want a lighter or darker design, or something in between, keep the atmosphere you want to create in mind and use the design styles below as references. Before choosing a material or color for your kitchen floors, consider the following:

  • A light kitchen floor color will make your kitchen feel more open. Lighter floor colors are typically better for hiding wear and tear. However, if everything is light in your kitchen, you may run the risk of creating a cold atmosphere. For example, the sleek look of modern kitchens -- combined with the light colors -- can give off a somewhat clinical vibe.
  • A darker floor color can feel cozy, but it can also soak up the light and make the room feel darker. Keep in mind the space you're working with. If you don't have a lot of natural light to begin with, you might be better off with a lighter floor color. However, if you have an expansive space with lots of natural light, the incorporation of a darker color in the flooring could make the space feel more comfortable and snug.

Let's take a look at how different flooring and cabinet pairings can create the kitchen of your dreams.

Modern Style Kitchen

Modern style kitchen with minimalist white cabinets and white tile backsplash.

Modern kitchens use simple design principles, which gives off the impression of sleek efficiency. Modern kitchens tend to favor geometric designs over ornate accents. Many modern designs feature white kitchens. A modern kitchen might include cabinets with little adornment, simple concrete floors, and gleaming stainless steel appliances to encourage user-friendly efficiency.

Contemporary Style Kitchen

White wood flooring with contemporary checkerboard cabinets, stainless steel appliances, and white tile backsplash.

Contemporary kitchens are similar to modern kitchens in their sleek design. Modern kitchens are actually the basis of contemporary kitchens. The modern style was developed in the 1950s and helps make kitchens look sleeker, but contemporary style takes inspiration from modernism and incorporates current trends. Contemporary kitchens are a little warmer than modern kitchens because they often include a pop of color or interesting design accents.

This kitchen is sleek with a white color scheme, including the white wood flooring. The cabinet design and countertops make the kitchen look more contemporary than modern, but you can see how the streamlined, efficient modern look was the basis for the design.

Traditional Style Kitchen

Traditional style kitchen with hardwood floors, white cabinets, and granite countertops.

Like contemporary kitchens, traditional kitchens tend to have a modern and timeless aesthetic. However, traditional kitchens don't focus on geometric design elements. They tend to be more basic in design, but they can look clean and comforting with simple accents. Many traditional kitchens incorporate white tiles, stainless steel appliances, and marble countertops. Glass cut doors and cabinet accents are also common, with a neutral or darker floor color.

Farmhouse Style Kitchen

Farmhouse style kitchen with exposed wooden beams, wooden table, and dark cabinets.

Farmhouse kitchens often incorporate a lot of decorative elements and details to communicate the cozy country feeling. Exposed wooden beams and the use of natural woods in cabinets and flooring are key indicators of farmhouse kitchens. Farmhouse kitchens have an abundance of personality, and one might go so far as to say they give off a sense of organized clutter. Using vintage accents on cabinets or door knobs and hand painted dishes will contribute to the farmhouse style.

Cottage Style Kitchen

Cottage style kitchen with stone floors, wood table, and blue backsplash.

Cottage style kitchens are extremely cozy. Like farmhouse kitchens, they emphasize personal detail. Cottage kitchens are less rough around the edges, and give off a sweeter sense of coziness. To make your kitchen resemble a cottage, pick a stone floor like travertine or limestone and incorporate open shelving in your cabinet design. Freestanding furniture, woven rugs, and butcher block countertops will create the cozy flair you're looking for in a cottage style kitchen. Vintage decor like a wooden ladder or thrifted kitchen gadgets can also add a personal touch.

Coastal Style Kitchen

Coastal style kitchen with tile floors, white cabinets, and blue tile backsplash.

Like its namesake, this kitchen style evokes feelings of a beachy and relaxed vacation lifestyle. Often, the design leans toward lighter floor colors, whitewashed paint treatments, and blue walls. They tend to pair well with locations that get lots of natural light. If you're truly inspired by the coast, seashells and ocean-related decor can quickly take the kitchen to the next level of “beachy.”

Mediterranean Style Kitchen

Mediterranean style kitchen with wooden countertops, white cabinets, stone backsplash, and tile floors.

Mediterranean kitchens stray from a vacation mindset, but are still reminiscent of coastal island life. Mediterranean kitchens use natural materials, and often feature light hardwood floors with hand-painted tile backsplashes. Textured walls and stone are also common decorative traits in this style of kitchen.

Rustic Style Kitchen

Rustic style kitchen with hardwood floors, exposed beams, and wood cabinets.

Rustic kitchens are the opposite of contemporary or modern. They give a sense of old-world comfort. Like the farmhouse aesthetic, rustic kitchens give a nod to nature with their emphasis on wood and stone materials. Some lean into a dark, gothic aesthetic more than others. Common design elements include distressed or unfinished surfaces and handwoven tapestries.

Eclectic Style Kitchen

Eclectic style kitchen with blue patterned floor and backsplash.

Eclectic kitchens can encompass a wide range of kitchen styles. Add your own twist! This kitchen features white shaker cabinets and butcher block wood countertops. The simple hardware and blue coloring on the kitchen island allows the pattern on the floor and backsplash to shine. Break it up with open shelving and add lots of greenery or indoor herbs to spice things up.

Create a kitchen mood board to find out which materials, colors, and textures speak to you. This will help you design a kitchen you'll love for years to come.

Kitchen Flooring FAQs

If you're looking for kitchen flooring options, you've likely had at least one of the following questions. Fortunately for you, we have the answers! Read on for some important information you might want to consider before making a final decision on kitchen flooring.

What is the easiest kitchen flooring to maintain?

Ceramic, porcelain, and vinyl are typically the easiest upkeep. Ceramic and porcelain tile are very durable and require little maintenance compared to other options like natural stone flooring. Vinyl flooring is less expensive than alternatives, like solid hardwood flooring. It's also water-resistant and easy to clean.

What kitchen floors are trending?

The most popular flooring option of 2021 was tile. Homeowners appreciate durability, so hardwood floors are still ranked as the second most popular. However, more and more homeowners are beginning to gravitate towards vinyl.

What is the least durable kitchen flooring?

Marble and laminate flooring come in last place for durability. Marble is a beautiful material, but it can scratch and stain easily, so it might not be best for homeowners with pets or small children. Laminate is a popular flooring choice as well—however, laminate flooring is not as water-resistant as vinyl or tile. Laminate flooring also cannot be refinished, which makes it more difficult to maintain.

What are some cost-saving kitchen flooring tips?

Here are a couple options to make your kitchen flooring cost-effective:

  • DIY your flooring: Vinyl and linoleum are the easiest floors for a DIY-er to put down.
  • Consider material cost: Vinyl and linoleum are less expensive materials, in part because they're easier to install. Ceramic tile and cork also tend to be less expensive options, but check your local store for the cost of each.
  • Save your favorite: If you're attached to a certain type of flooring but it won't work in your kitchen, you can always split it up. Maybe you love hardwood floors, but you don't want to deal with the upkeep or wear-and-tear they'd experience in the kitchen. Put your favorite wood material in another part of the house and put vinyl in the kitchen.

If you've had enough of flooring planning -- or if you've started to rethink your kitchen design -- keep in mind that another important material to consider in kitchen design is cabinets. Cabinets are so versatile! Depending on the type of kitchen flooring you pair them with, you can achieve a completely different design.

Our white shaker cabinets, for example, will create a beautiful modern farmhouse look combined with an oak hardwood floor, but adding a dark green hexagon tile and open wood shelving turns your kitchen into an eclectic dream.

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