Designing your brand new kitchen can be one of the most exciting and most stressful experiences in the renovation and building process. Getting the layout just right, ensuring you have enough storage space, and choosing the right appliances for you can be an overwhelming process, so it’s understandable why many people leave the kitchen flooring as an afterthought.

This is a huge mistake. Defaulting to the traditional kitchen tile can close you off from so many alternative choices that will not only suit your space better but have the potential to be more functional and easier to clean. Here is our run through of all the kitchen flooring options available and why they could be right for you and your new kitchen.

Timber

For uniform flooring throughout the entire home that never goes out of style, timber flooring is and always has been the go-to option. Many people love the look of hardwood floors but fear using them in their kitchen due to concerns of water damage. When going with timber floors for your kitchen, ensure that the timber used is engineered to stand up to the heavy traffic and broad temperature ranges that are typical in the average kitchen. As long as the floors stay maintained and as dry as possible you can have luxurious timber flooring throughout the entire home, kitchen included.

Vinyl & Laminate

Cheaper options that have a similar look to timber flooring are vinyl and laminate flooring. While we admit, they once looked painfully tacky and outdated, the advances in technology and design of both vinyl and laminate flooring has created a product that can easily pass for real timber or stone at a fraction of the price. An added benefit for using them in your kitchen is that they are extremely durable and easy to clean.

Hybrid

The best thing about hybrid flooring is that it can be used absolutely anywhere in the home, including bathrooms and kitchens. Hybrid floors are specifically designed to last in fluctuating temperatures and are completely waterproof. They are easy to clean, stand up to heavy traffic, and can be designed to match any look, making them a great option for your kitchen floors.

Bamboo

For those who are environmentally conscious and want their new home to be as green as possible, bamboo flooring is a popular choice. It’s naturally durable, has the traditional look of timber floors, and grows at a rapid rate, decreasing the negative impact on the environment.

When building your dream kitchen, it’s important to get every detail, right down to the floorboards, perfect for you and your family. There are plenty of great options for kitchen floors to explore. If you aren’t sure what floor will match your home’s aesthetic, check out our guide on Flooring for Different Design Styles.