Good flooring can make or break a kitchen as well as setting the tone for the whole room. It will also eat up a large portion of your budget so choose wisely and consider the following options.
By Hayley Gilbert
The surface you choose underfoot will have a huge impact on the finished kitchen design. It not only needs to look good, but it will also have to cope with knocks, spills, scratches and stains. Key to the success of any scheme is what lies beneath so make sure you get the professionals in as you’ll need to have a level and sound base to lay the new flooring on top. Your supplier will advise you on whether to go for a concrete, timber, vinyl or linoleum base to complement one of the following flooring options.
Rustic Grey riven slate tiles, from around £23.50 per sq m, Indigenous
Stone is ideal for high traffic areas like the kitchen as it’s tough and practical while offering a relaxed, natural look for the home. It can also create continuity when used outside on the patio. As it comes in a mostly untreated state, be prepared for variations in texture and tone. If you’re looking for a sleek, uniform finish, you may be better off with porcelain or ceramic instead.
Suitable for both modern and traditional schemes, current favourites include slate, limestone and huge sheets of natural brown sandstone with distressed, textured or patinated finishes. Charlie Smallbone, Chairman of Paris Ceramics, says that colours are still neutral but moving towards creamier and greyer stones with far more natural interest with colour variations and fossil remains. 'Another important style point is the trend for the narrowing of the joints,' he confirms. 'So that the stones are butted up closer to one another with far less grouting. This creates what we call a pavement as opposed to a tiled floor.'
Antique Bourgogne limestone, from around £395 per sq m, Paris Ceramics
You will need to treat stone flooring with an impregnator or sealant such as Lithofin Stain Stop every three to five years while daily cleaning can be done with a mild cleaning product such as Lithofin Easy Care. Avoid acidic products as these can damage the sealant. Stone flooring is a major investment with prices from around £44 per sq m for honed travertine tiles, but it should last a lifetime.
Paradox porcelain tiles, from around £38 per sq m, RAK Ceramics
If natural stone isn’t an option, porcelain is easier to care for with a low water absorption and can create a similar look for less. You’ll be able to achieve a more uniform finish with the added advantage that porcelain is less prone to chips and cracks and it doesn’t require sealing after grouting. The latest styles include a striking metallic finish and a range of colours such as beige, grey, green and blue. Expect to pay around £35 per sq m.
Popular in architecturally designed homes, concrete flooring is available in a range of standard colours such as natural greys and whites through to more daring shades like reds, greens and yellows. Tiles are usually around 35mm to 40mm thick and can be teamed with matching steps, sinks or worktops for a co-ordinated look. The result is a perfectly smooth surface, which is individually sealed and polished for a hardwearing finish. Prices start from £88 per sq m.
Click on the links to browse our fabulous style galleries:
Contemporary Kitchen Designs
White And Cream Kitchen Designs
Wooden Kitchen Designs
Black Kitchen Designs
Colourful Kitchen Designs
Useful Links
Paragon Glass Designs For bespoke glass flooring
British Wood Flooring Association Directory of wood flooring suppliers and installers
Kitchen Bathroom Bedroom Specialists Association Helpful guide for planning your kitchen
Altro Wide range of resin flooring
All prices are approximate - check with your retailer
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