The kitchen has transformed over the years from a space strictly for cooking to a space for socializing and guest entertaining. The kitchen is often at the core of a home, a role which was previously fulfilled by the living room alone. Given all that, the design of kitchens and even their layout has changed over time. Now we’re focusing a lot of making these spaces feel comfortable and inviting and that means we have to make certain choices when selecting the materials, colors, finishes and textures. The kitchen floor material is more important than ever, especially now when we have so many different options to choose from. Let’s have a look at some of the most popular ones and see what makes each one special.

Concrete flooring

Concrete flooring is definitely not what it used to be. Not so long ago, we used to hide our concrete floors under tiles, wood planks and carpets and only leave it exposed in outdoor areas or basements. We did that because they looked unfinished and dull and they still do up to a certain point. However, we’ve now started to make the most of these unique characteristics and all the others that define concrete flooring.

Polished concrete floors are popular not just in kitchen but also in living room, dining areas and even bedrooms. They’re a defining design characteristic of this house that used to be an old farmhouse. They’re complemented by exposed brick walls and reclaimed wood elements.

Another defining feature of concrete flooring is the fact that it stays cool even when it’s hot outside. That makes this a good option for warm climates but can become a problem in cooler areas. For this house in Auckland, New Zealand designed byBossley Architects, concrete kitchen flooring makes perfect sense.

When they designed this extension to a 1890’s house in Hobart, Tasmania,MGArchitectschose concrete floors for their simplicity and durability and complemented them with gray walls, warm wooden features and full-height windows that let in light and views.

Concrete floors are also a way of connecting a space to the outdoors and of establishing a seamless transition. The Dihedral home designed byArch11 is one of the many examples that can reflect this.

An important characteristic of concrete flooring is its durability which allows it to last indefinitely with the right amount of maintenance. This entire coffee shop designed by Pauline Lin in Vancouver has concrete flooring and it looks exquisite.

Completed in 2009 byBAK Architects, this beach house from Buenos Aires, Argentina has a very intriguing kitchen. It’s definitely a modern space but it’s decorated with lots of reclaimed and unfinished materials. The concrete floor is a key feature.

The kitchen of the Vaucluse House byMPR Design Groupdoesn’t only have concrete flooring but also a concrete island which looks amazing thanks to its minimalism. The house is located in New South Wales, in Australia.

The beauty of the Staab residence which was a project byChen + Suchart Studiois a special project. This is a house that has a deep connection to its surroundings, a connection at the material level. It was built using stainless steel, glass and concrete, materials that take in and complement the Arizona landscape.

When they remodeled this home in Winchester, England,AR Design Studio Architectsfocused mainly on making it feel more open and spacious so they chose a palette of materials that helps them achieve that, including concrete-style tiles for the kitchen floor and lots of glass that brings light and the outdoors in.

Polished concrete flooring was also chosen bySharon Neuman Architectswhen they designed this house in Israel. It looks really great in combination with the overall minimalist and contemporary style and the palette of pure and simple materials used throughout.

Travertine floors

Travertine is an interesting material. It’s a type of limestone and that immediately makes it timeless and refined as well as full of character. At the same time, it means that this is a durable material, a long-lasting option not just for kitchen floors but for other types of environments as well. Of course, it also means that it’s an expensive choice so all the beauty comes with a price and a few other requirements such as constant maintenance and periodic sealing.

Because travertine is basically stone, it doesn’t come in a lot of colors and those that are available and earth tones. This limits the options greatly compared to other materials. Nevertheless, you can’t really replicate the look with anything else.

You can take advantage of the natural beauty and the texture of the travertine floor tiles and complement them with a stone counter in the kitchen or with unfinished walls and pure and natural materials in general.

Keep in mind that travertine floors are cold to the touch and hard underfoot so you might want to add some wood just to warm up the decor and the ambiance and to provide some contrast to the space in terms of colors and textures.

Obviously, travertine kitchen flooring is not for everyone and the look suits some styles better than others. Consider this option if you prefer a more rustic or traditional decor and a cozy farmhouse feel.

Porcelain tiles

This is an option that we’re all familiar with. Porcelain. ceramic tiles are incredible versatile and come in an infinite number of colors, shapes and sizes which can be used to create unique patterns and designs. They’re easy to clean and they’re quite affordable, not to mention that they can withstand a lot of wear and tear.

Just because the tiles come in a lot of crazy colors doesn’t mean you should feel tempted to use them in your decor. You can open up a kitchen and give it a refined and elegant look with floor tiles that mimic stone or that feature a neutral color and a simple pattern.{found on Woods Bagot}.

One of the greatest advantages of porcelain floor tiles is the fact that they’re relatively easy to install which makes them a great option for DIY lovers and anyone who wants to to save some money by doing as much as they can themselves. Combined with the low cost of the tiles, this is a wonderful budget-friendly plan.

Like we mentioned before, these tiles come in lots and lots of different shapes and colors, including this interesting combo. It’s amazing how much the floor tiles can change a kitchen and how much little things like their form can impact the big picture and the final design.{found on stylebyemilyhenderson}.

It can be pretty fun to plan a pattern and to combine different types of floor tiles, with different colors and even different forms. You can create a border for your kitchen floor to frame the furniture and appliances or you can be creative in other ways.

Marble flooring

There’s not much to say about marble except that it’s a refined and elegant choice for pretty much everything, including kitchen flooring, countertops and even furniture. You can’t really go wrong with marble flooring in your kitchen as long as you don’t go overboard with the idea. Matching the flooring to a lot of other features can ruin the beauty.

Marble has unique patterns and no two blocks or tiles look the same so you can be certain that your design is special. There’s no need for crazy colors or bold shapes when you’re working with marble because this is a beautiful material as it is.

It can be a bit tricky to maintain marble kitchen floors since it needs special care. Don’t use harsh chemicals, avoid spills and be sure to preserve its shine and texture with periodic treatments.

Brick kitchen floors

Although this may seem like an odd choice of material for the floor in a kitchen or any other space, it’s a valid option with a lot of interesting characteristics. It’s a look that has a lot of rustic and retro charm and that suits well industrial-style homes or farmhouse-style kitchens. At the same time, this is a look that’s reminiscent of outdoor walkways and patios and you can definitely find inspiration in that.

Bricks are textured and have a typical earthy color and you have to take all that into consideration when planning the entire look and style of your kitchen. Make sure that the brick floor is in sync with the rest of the space.

Bricks can be arranged in a variety of different patterns so be sure to check out a few of the options to find the one that best suits your vision of the space. A herringbone pattern can look cozy and familiar because of its visual similarity to parquet flooring.

A nice thing about brick kitchen flooring is the fact that it doesn’t feel that cold or hard underfoot and that makes it quite comfortable. Of course, the size and shape of the bricks matters.

Given how special and unusual such a floor is, it would be a shame to cover it up with rugs or carpets. Expose its beauty and let it impact the decor of the room in a way that makes it look balanced and harmonious.

A brick floor can look quite busy so a nice idea can be to keep the rest of the decor simple and neutral. Consider using natural materials and neutral colors or earth tones to establish a pleasant and welcoming setting.

Hardwood kitchen flooring

It’s easy to see why hardwood/ solid wood floors are so appreciated, given how elegant and versatile they are. This style is classic and suits any type of space, from kitchens to living rooms, bedrooms, offices and even bathrooms given the proper treatment. Hardwood floors are an especially great option for kitchens that are open and part of a social zone. They give out warmth and their beauty is timeless.

If you want to add even more charm and character to your kitchen, choose reclaimed wood for the flooring. One of the best things about wooden floors is that they can be refinished several times to regain their beauty.

Hardwood floors gain a beautiful patina over time and it’s great to witness this gradual change and to see how it impacts the space and its decor. You can plan for the changes in advance by creating a timeless design and by using specially-selected materials and finishes.

Of course, every material has both pros and cons. In the case of hardwood floors it’s important to treat it properly and to care for it constantly in order for it to last and to look good over time.

Opting for hardwood flooring in the kitchen is a bit tricky since it can be easily damaged by spills and it also dents and scratches easily. Nevertheless, if cared for properly, it can last for a really long time and it can look extraordinary during that time.

Linoleum floors

Linoleum is often mistaken for vinyl, although the two materials are very different from each other. Linoleum tends to be a bit more old-fashioned and better suited for retro and mid-century decors while vinyl is more versatile and sophisticated and better suited for modern spaces, especially since it comes in so many different colors and finishes. Both options are affordable and durable.

Linoleum flooring is durable and easy to maintain although installation is not that simple and may very well require professional help. You should also be preparing to wax and polish the floor constantly to maintain its shine and beauty.

You can be very creative with linoleum flooring when choosing the pattern and design. Also, a wonderful advantage is the fact that it’s comfortable and softer and warmer to the touch compared to other materials, including stone, concrete and porcelain tiles.

Linoleum flooring is comparable to carpets. It covers the whole floor and it provides a smooth surface. Cleaning and maintenance are easy and all you need to worry about is the fact that linoleum can wear and fade over time which can be a problem given how the kitchen is a high-traffic area.

Cork floors

Unlike some of the other materials presented so far, cork is not that common or popular (yet). Also, it’s a sustainable option that offers some very special advantages. For example, cork absorbs sound and is naturally protected against mold, mildew, rot and pests. In addition, it’s soft and that makes it very comfortable underfoot and a pretty great option for kitchens. There are obviously some disadvantages as well and we’ll get to them in a second.

Cork is sustainable and all-natural and that makes it an appealing option for a lot of eco-friendly interior designs. It’s also resilient and flexible which are characteristics that increase its general appeal and versatility.{found on cupofjo}.

If you choose cork tiles for your kitchen floor, you can combine two or more color tones and create eye-catching patterns, more or less in the same way you would do with porcelain or ceramic tiles.

One of the best things about cork flooring is its warmth. Add to that the comfort it offers and you get one of the best types of materials for the kitchen, a space where you usually stand a lot and where you welcome guests and family.

Like linoleum and vinyl, cork can fade over time and if exposed to direct sunlight for a long time. That means you need to reseal it regularly to preserve it in top condition.

Another disadvantage is the fact that cork flooring is easily stained and grit can damage it and you need to be extra careful when cooking but also when cleaning the floor. You’ll most likely have to vacuum the floor a lot.

Laminate flooring

Easy to install with no need for glue or nails, laminate flooring is extremely versatile and also affordable which makes it one of the most common options for basically any type of space, including the kitchen. Laminate flooring mimics solid wood in color and texture but also comes in several other interesting options. It’s easy to clean, maintenance is simple and damaged planks can be easily replaced if needed.

Consider laminate flooring if the kitchen is part of an open floor plan and linked to the living area. You can take advantage of this continuous and open layout to visually connect the spaces and functions and to establish a seamless transition between them.

Laminate flooring can link the kitchen and living room and thus make both these spaces look and feel warm and elegant. Given how easy it is to clean and care for this type of flooring but also how affordable it is, this is an option that’s incredibly versatile.

Another cool trick is to match your laminate kitchen floor to some of the furniture such as the island, the table if any and even the cabinetry. The result will be a cohesive and cozy decor.

Even though it’s synthetic, laminate flooring has a natural and organic look because of how similar it is to solid wood. However, unlike hardwood flooring, laminate flooring is easier to install which makes it a good option for DIY-ers.

What we like the most about this particular kitchen is the contrast between the laminate wood floor and the white walls and stainless steel appliances.

Bamboo flooring

Because it grows incredibly fast compared to other grasses, bamboo is considered a sustainable resource. Lately it has become increasingly popular, being used in a lot of modern and contemporary homes. Bamboo flooring is durable and low-maintenance but also affordable. It’s an option worth taking into consideration, even though the color options are limited.

Bamboo kitchen flooring is very versatile, much like laminate flooring. However, there aren’t so many color choices and that means more limitations when planning the room’s design and decor.

There’s a certain lightness to bamboo flooring that makes it a great option for modern and contemporary kitchen and for open and airy spaces in general.

Bamboo flooring feels warm and comfortable underfoot and is comparable to hardwood flooring in a lot of ways. Its sustainable nature, however, makes it special and inspires a lot of people to choose it over other options.

As always, you can be creative when designing the kitchen without necessarily being bold. By simply choosing bamboo flooring for the room you make the design special.