How to Decide on What Type of Kitchen Flooring

Think about how you will use your kitchen to determine whether it will be highly trafficked or not. Decide if it will be a space dedicated only to meal preparation or if it will be a family gathering spot, an extension of your living room or the heart of your great room.

Opt for durable flooring such as tile, cement, hardwood or stone for highly trafficked kitchens and materials such as vinyl or linoleum for less-busy spaces.

Consider your budget. Decide if higher-end flooring such as hardwood or natural stone tile falls within it or if less-expensive flooring materials such as vinyl or linoleum are more within your price range.

Decide on your décor style to determine what type of flooring will complement it. Consider choosing rustic terra cotta tiles for a southwestern style kitchen. Opt for soft wood flooring like pine to enhance your primitive décor. Choose sleek granite or marble tiles for a contemporary look.

Estimate the average amount of time you will spend on your feet in the kitchen. Take into account that the harder the floor, the less forgiving it is, and the longer you stand on it, the more tired your feet and legs will become.

Look at your home's floor plan. Open floor plans mean that your kitchen floor will be installed next to flooring from other living spaces. Choose flooring that is the same as or blends well with the other flooring. Consider running hardwood floors through your kitchen if the rest of the great room is hardwood.

Avoid slippery materials such as tile, highly polished woods and granite or marble if elderly persons or young children will be in the kitchen a lot. Opt for vinyl, textured cement or a less highly finished wood.