Flooring Phase

How to Choose the Right Kitchen Flooring Material

Your kitchen floor takes more abuse than any other surface in your home. It needs to stand up to spills, dropped dishes, heavy traffic, and constant cleaning. This guide helps you select the flooring material that balances durability, maintenance, budget, and the aesthetic you want for your renovated kitchen.

Quick Summary

Time needed

1-2 hours research

Cost

Free (samples)

Difficulty

Easy

Kitchen Flooring Options Compared

Here are the most popular kitchen flooring materials, ranked by how well they perform in high-traffic, high-moisture environments.

Porcelain & Ceramic Tile

Best Overall

The gold standard for kitchen floors. Completely waterproof, extremely durable, and available in endless styles including realistic wood and stone looks.

Pros

  • ✓100% waterproof and stain-resistant
  • ✓Lasts 20+ years with proper care
  • ✓Easy to clean and maintain
  • ✓Doesn't scratch or dent
  • ✓Huge variety of styles and prices

Cons

  • ✗Hard and cold underfoot
  • ✗Dishes break easily if dropped
  • ✗Installation requires skill
  • ✗Grout requires periodic sealing
  • ✗Can be slippery when wet

Cost: $5-20/sq ft installed (porcelain runs higher than ceramic)
Best for: Busy families, resale value, modern or traditional styles

Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP)

Great Value

Modern vinyl flooring that looks remarkably like real wood or stone but with superior water resistance and easier installation.

Pros

  • ✓100% waterproof (quality products)
  • ✓Warmer and softer than tile
  • ✓Realistic wood/stone appearance
  • ✓Easy DIY installation (click-lock)
  • ✓Resists scratches and dents well

Cons

  • ✗Not as prestigious as real wood
  • ✗Can dent from very heavy items
  • ✗Quality varies widely by brand
  • ✗May not add as much home value
  • ✗Can fade in direct sunlight

Cost: $4-12/sq ft installed
Best for: DIYers, pet owners, budget-conscious renovators, realistic wood look without wood maintenance

Engineered Hardwood

Real wood veneer over a plywood core. More stable than solid hardwood in humid environments but still requires careful maintenance in kitchens.

Pros

  • ✓Authentic wood appearance
  • ✓Adds significant home value
  • ✓More stable than solid hardwood
  • ✓Can be refinished (depending on veneer thickness)
  • ✓Warmer feel than tile or LVP

Cons

  • ✗Vulnerable to water damage
  • ✗Scratches and dents more easily
  • ✗Requires immediate spill cleanup
  • ✗Higher cost than LVP or tile
  • ✗Needs periodic refinishing

Cost: $8-18/sq ft installed
Best for: Open-concept homes where you want flooring to flow from living areas into kitchen, high-end renovations

Laminate Flooring

Printed image of wood or stone over composite wood core. Budget- friendly but not ideal for high-moisture kitchens.

Pros

  • ✓Very budget-friendly
  • ✓Easy DIY installation
  • ✓Scratch-resistant surface
  • ✓Many style options

Cons

  • ✗NOT waterproof (swells when wet)
  • ✗Can't be refinished
  • ✗Sounds hollow underfoot
  • ✗Shorter lifespan (10-15 years)

Kitchen Warning: Standard laminate is not recommended for kitchens due to water damage risk. If you must use laminate, choose water-resistant varieties and use rugs near the sink.

How to Make Your Decision

1. Assess Your Lifestyle Needs

The right flooring depends on how you actually use your kitchen.

Choose tile or LVP if you have:

  • •Young children who spill frequently
  • •Pets (especially large dogs)
  • •High cooking frequency
  • •Limited time for floor maintenance

2. Set Your Budget Range

Don't just budget for materials. Include all costs and add 10% for waste and unexpected issues.

Budget Checklist:

  • • Flooring material ($__ per sq ft × square footage)
  • • Underlayment ($0.50-2/sq ft)
  • • Transition strips and thresholds ($20-60 each)
  • • Delivery fees ($50-200)
  • • Installation labor (if not DIY)
  • • Waste factor (add 10% to materials)

3. Get Samples and Test Them

Never choose flooring based on small online photos or store lighting. Always test samples in your actual kitchen.

Pro Tip: Order samples of your top 3-5 choices. Place them in your kitchen and look at them at different times of day—morning light, afternoon sun, and evening artificial light. Live with them for 24-48 hours before deciding.

4. Consider Your Kitchen Style

Your flooring should complement your cabinets, countertops, and overall design aesthetic.

Modern/Contemporary

  • • Large-format porcelain tile
  • • Concrete-look tile
  • • Wide-plank LVP in cool grays
  • • Polished stone

Traditional/Farmhouse

  • • Wood-look tile or LVP
  • • Engineered hardwood
  • • Classic ceramic tile
  • • Natural stone

Special Considerations

Open-Concept Layout

If your kitchen flows into living/dining areas, consider using the same flooring throughout or at least the same color family. Abrupt flooring changes can make spaces feel choppy and smaller.

Radiant Floor Heating

Planning radiant heat? Tile and stone are the best conductors. LVP and engineered hardwood can work but check manufacturer specifications. Solid hardwood is not recommended with radiant heat.

Resale Value

Tile and hardwood (even engineered) typically add more resale value than LVP or laminate. However, quality LVP is becoming more accepted, especially in mid-range homes. Avoid trendy colors or patterns if you plan to sell within 5 years.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most durable flooring for a kitchen?

Porcelain or ceramic tile is the most durable kitchen flooring option, lasting 20+ years with proper installation. It's impervious to water, scratches, and stains. Luxury vinyl plank (LVP) is a close second, offering excellent durability with better comfort underfoot. Natural stone is also highly durable but requires more maintenance.

Is luxury vinyl plank (LVP) good for kitchens?

Yes, LVP is excellent for kitchens. It's 100% waterproof, highly durable, comfortable underfoot, and available in realistic wood and stone looks. Quality LVP with a wear layer of 12-20 mil will last 10-20 years. It's also easier to install than tile and more forgiving than hardwood in high-moisture environments.

Can you put hardwood flooring in a kitchen?

Yes, but with caveats. Engineered hardwood is better than solid hardwood for kitchens because it's more stable in humid conditions. However, wood is vulnerable to water damage, so you must clean up spills immediately and use mats near the sink. Many homeowners successfully use hardwood in kitchens, but tile or LVP are more forgiving options.

How much does kitchen flooring cost per square foot?

Kitchen flooring costs vary widely by material. Laminate: $2-8/ sq ft installed. LVP: $4-12/sq ft installed. Ceramic tile: $5- 15/sq ft installed. Porcelain tile: $6-20/sq ft installed. Engineered hardwood: $8-18/sq ft installed. Natural stone: $10- 30/sq ft installed. Don't forget to add 10% for waste and factor in underlayment costs.

Should kitchen flooring match the rest of the house?

It depends on your layout. In open-concept homes, matching or coordinating flooring creates visual flow and makes spaces feel larger. In homes with distinct rooms, you can use different flooring in the kitchen for practical reasons (like choosing tile for water resistance). If you use different flooring, ensure colors and styles complement each other.

Ready for the Next Step?

Once you've chosen your flooring material, it's time to prepare the subfloor to ensure a perfect installation.

Previous: Grout & Seal BacksplashNext: Prepare Subfloor