Your kitchen is one of the most important rooms in your home. Not only does it serve as a place where you cook and eat meals, but it’s also often the center of family gatherings and social events. Because of this, it’s important to choose the right material for your kitchen flooring. The most common types of kitchen flooring are vinyl, ceramic and luxury vinyl tiles (LVT).
Kitchen Floor Tiles
The most important thing to consider when choosing your tile is to account for how much space you have to work with. Tiles can be very expensive so it’s best if you choose them only after you have decided on the design for your kitchen and how many square feet of flooring you’ll need.
And, you can order several tile samples (simply browse tile websites in your city online and proceed to “order sample”) to see what you’d like to go forward with.
Here are 10 beautiful ideas to get you started:
1. Granite
Granite tiles can make your kitchen floor look stylish and elegant and it is also a popular choice for countertops because of its quality and elegant aesthetic.
When shopping around for quality granite tiles, make sure to ask for quality samples (granite will cost more but is also more attractive). Quality granite tile flooring will last you a lifetime and will stay in top shape for years.
When it comes time to fill in the cracks between each tile, select an appropriate filler based on the type of stone that your granite tiles are made of. For granite, a quality sand filler will work.
2. Slate
Slate tiles are beautiful in both their grayscale coloration and natural patterning, which is why they’re usually costlier than other kitchen flooring options.
Slate has a naturally dark color, which makes it perfect for creating a uniform look. For example, if you have gray countertops but are looking for something that will tie the kitchen together, then try going with a light gray kitchen floor that doesn’t vary from slab to slab.
This kind of uniformity will give your kitchen a sleek, modern feel–but it can also be cost effective, since you won’t have to order as many individual tiles!
Slate is a natural stone, which means that each individual slab of tile is unique. For example, if you’re trying to decide between two different designs but cost isn’t an object, then go with the one with more patterns.
These kinds of patterns will give your kitchen unique styles, and they create a very interesting visual effect when you step on them.
3. Marble
Marble is another luxury material that makes a stunning kitchen flooring choice. Like granite and slate, marble can be purchased in tiles to create a uniform look or it can be purchased in slabs that are then cut into smaller pieces for an edgier look.
If you are interested in having a classic design with white marble for your floor, it can make things easier because there are many different patterns and designs available in this color.
For example, you can choose a light white marble that is combined with gray and black tiles. This means you will get to enjoy the classic look of marble, but it will also provide some contrast for the color which is great if you do not want everything to be solid white.
Another idea is having a herringbone pattern on your floor made out of marble. This means you can add a pattern that is interesting and one of a kind for your kitchen floor. If you want, you can combine this with small tiles or round edges to make it look like more of an elegant design.
4. Porcelain
Porcelain tiles have an appearance similar to granite or marble but are very refined. You can take inspiration from porcelain’s rich aesthetic and design your kitchen floor with it – porcelain is one the classic trends in all home decor inspirations.
Porcelain tiles also come in a number of shades, making it easy to find just the right color for your room.
You might opt for large tiles that create an interesting layout on your flooring or you might choose smaller tiles to make things more symmetrical. Either way, porcelain is one of the most beautiful materials you can use for kitchen flooring.
5. Bamboo
If you’re looking for a more environmentally-friendly material, bamboo is a great choice. There are different types of this flooring from solid bamboo to laminate options that look like the real thing but have less durability.
Because it is made from wood, there can be some warping over time on the seams. Bamboo is easier to clean than stone and slate options but can still get stained if certain foods are spilled on it.
6. Cork
Cork flooring has become more popular in recent years because it’s very easy to access and install and its also considered to be eco-friendly. It comes in tiles and also in rolls. It is made from the bark of cork trees and it’s known to be very durable with a soft texture.
You can contact professional installation services or even install cork tiles on your own; they’re not as difficult to install as other traditional options (granite, porcelain, or marble).
7. Vinyl Tile
If you’re looking for something affordable and easy to clean, vinyl is a great choice. This is what you’ll find in many public restrooms because it’s easy to clean and doesn’t absorb water or stains very easily.
It comes in tiles that are very similar to ceramic tile but they are less prone to breaking because they are vinyl instead of ceramic. The drawback with this type of flooring is that it can be a bit too shiny at times.
8. Linoleum
Linoleum is another one of those eco-friendly options that you might consider for your kitchen flooring. This material is usually made from cork, linseed oil and jute which are all renewable resources.
Linoleum comes in various colors and patterns so what you choose will largely depend on your current kitchen settings. Unlike more limited varieties (like in porcelain or granite) linoleum is chosen based on your own preferences rather than you making your kitchen project around it.
Ordering tile samples from a tile website will give a good idea of what design and color to go forward with.
9. Vinyl Composition Tile (VCT)
Many people choose VCT for their homes because it is very durable and easy to clean. It’s basically made from vinyl along with other materials and usually comes in tiles that are 12″X12″.
For kitchens, VCT tiles usually look good in the striped pattern or the checkered pattern.
The stripe pattern has a white base with a two-colored stripe intersectional design. Designing with it is simple; you choose one stripe shade and paint your cabinets that same color and then (with the other shade) you paint some pieces of your kitchen furniture.
Do remember to keep some kitchen furniture or drawers a complementary or neutral shade so you don’t overdo the striped shades in your kitchen. Make sure to leave the walls a different color than either of the stripe shades.
For the checkered pattern, there is no need to pick out a shade (from the pattern) and apply it to other areas of the kitchen. Even if you leave the rest of your kitchen untouched; it will still look great.
10. Terrazzo
Terrazzo is made of concrete and ceramic chips that are colored and cemented together. It’s more durable than marble and granite because the tile has rounded edges which makes them more resistant to cracks.
Designing your kitchen with Terrazzo tiles is simple; it’s either a matter of matching or contrasting. If you have a light coloured Terrazzo kitchen floor, contrast with dark countertops. If you have a darker shade of Terrazzo on your kitchen floor, you paint your cabinets a similar shade, but remember, your job is not to give just one color to the entire kitchen.
Rather you are picking the shade of Terrazzo (from your floor) and applying it to one piece of furniture in your kitchen. The rest of the kitchen will contrast the floor.
If you’re unsure before going ahead, simply browse reference images online and get to ordering samples from a tile shop near you.
Kitchen Tile Ideas
So there you have it, some ideas for using tile on your kitchen floor. No matter what style of kitchen you have or what look you are going for, tile can be a great option. If you’re still not sure if a tile floor is the right choice for your kitchen, contact a professional who can help you make the best decision for your needs.
