How to Choose the Best Flooring for Your Kitchen

Everybody loves hardwood kitchen floors because they’re a beautiful, durable classic that bring a touch of nature to a room. There was a time when conventional wisdom was to avoid hardwood flooring in kitchens because it couldn’t stand up to moisture and the inevitable food spills. That’s no longer the case. A new generation of water-resistant sealers and polyurethane finishes keeps wooden floors in the kitchen from staining and warping. There are two types of hardwood kitchen flooring: Engineered hardwood flooring, which is made of a plywood core with a layer of hardwood on top. The other type is solid hardwood flooring which is just what it sounds like, planks of solid wood. Engineered wood kitchen floors are more affordable than solid wood kitchen floors.

Ceramic tile or porcelain tile is a good choice for kitchen flooring because it’s waterproof and resistant to stains. Kitchen floor tiles come in a slew of patterns and colors, so you can find tile to fit any design style. You can even get ceramic or porcelain tile that mimics hardwood, terrazzo, or stone, so you get tile's waterproof superpowers with the luxe look of higher end materials. Look for tiles that can be used on floors, because some tiles are made for use on backsplashes only.

Stone tile kitchen flooring is a luxurious and durable kitchen flooring choice. Natural stone like granite, marble, slate or travertine are made by natural geological forces instead of human hands so each stone is unique. Stone kitchen floors come in a variety of luminous, earthy tones and it's a high-end material that's super-tough.

Stone kitchen flooring does have some challenges though, like being porous and susceptible to stains. Apply a stone sealer periodically to protect your kitchen floors. Some types of stone are harder, more durable than others. Marble is beloved for its durability and resistance to water and stains. It can be polished to a high sheen but the shinier the finish, the more slippery the surface. Marble kitchen floor tiles have beautiful natural veining and are available in blue, gray, white, red and orange tones.

Travertine is a sedimentary rock that has a naturally weathered look and comes in colors ranging from ivory to gold. Travertine is prone to etching and staining, so make sure to keep it sealed. When cared for, travertine can last forever. Fun fact: the Colosseum in Rome is made of travertine.

Luxury vinyl plank (LVP) flooring is one of the most durable types of kitchen flooring. It's made of a type of plastic but convincingly mimics wood kitchen flooring. LVP resists stains and scratches and can withstand heavy foot traffic without showing wear, so it's tougher than hardwood kitchen floors and much more water-resistant. LVP flooring looks like wood but doesn’t require sealing or refinishing and can last up to 20 years. LVP gives you the luxe look of hardwood with the durability of vinyl.

Bamboo kitchen flooring looks and feels just like hardwood, but it’s harder and more durable than wood. Bamboo also resists water and spills, so it’s a popular choice for homeowners who want waterproof kitchen flooring. There are three types of bamboo kitchen flooring: engineered bamboo, solid bamboo, and strand woven bamboo. Strand woven bamboo, made of pulped bamboo pressed into planks, is the best pick for kitchen flooring because it’s the most durable and water-resistant. Solid bamboo kitchen flooring, made by pressing slices of bamboo together, is the least resistant to water so may not be the best choice for a kitchen. Bamboo kitchen flooring can be refinished but since it doesn’t have natural grain, you’ll need to hire a pro to do the job.

Luxury vinyl tile (LVT) kitchen flooring is a durable choice for a busy kitchen. It's made of plastic but convincingly mimics the look of ceramic or porcelain kitchen floor tile. Luxury vinyl tile can also mimic hardwoods and natural stone, too, giving you the look of those high-end materials in your kitchen at a more affordable price. LVT kitchen flooring resists stains and scratches and can withstand heavy foot traffic without showing wear. LVT doesn't crack or chip like real tile kitchen floors, nor does it require sealing or regrouting so it's easier to care for than real kitchen floor tile. If you’re looking for an easy DIY project, check out the peel and stick tiles for kitchen floors available at Lowe’s.

Durable laminate kitchen flooring looks like real hardwood (without the cost) and is available in many different colors and styles, including oak and hickory. Laminate is also a great do-it-yourself floor project as it doesn’t have to be glued down, doesn’t require grout and needs minimal tools. Waterproof laminate flooring is perfect for the kitchen. Take care of spills easily with a damp mop.

While looking through ideas for kitchen flooring keep the ease of cleaning, cost and décor style in mind. Also don’t forget to account for additional costs like removal and disposal of the previous floor, delivery, installation and underlayment. If you need help measuring your kitchen floor to get the most accurate cost estimate, use Lowe’s handy flooring calculator. It makes budgeting for your kitchen floor remodel so much easier.