Laminate flooring is perhaps one of the most popular types of flooring for the kitchen. The reason? It’s so versatile. This synthetic flooring can be manufactured to replicate the look of hardwood flooring for traditional kitchens, or ceramic tile for modern kitchens, without the cost, or the maintenance. In fact, laminate flooring is really easy to clean with just soap and water. But it does have one disadvantage – because it’s quite a soft material, it can easily become damaged by small pieces of dirt and grit on your shoes. It’s recommended that you place door mats to the entrances of your kitchen, and sweep your laminate flooring on a regular basis.

Phil Spencer from ‘Location, Location, Location’ is all about solid wood flooring. He claims that not only could this sort of flooring add value to your home, but that it suits just about everyone. From couples looking for top end luxury, to families looking for a floor that won’t stain when a drink gets spilled, solid wood flooring is remaining a popular choice. Solid wood works best with more traditionally-styled kitchens, especially farmhouse-type kitchens and those with wooden features and accents. However, keep in mind that wood flooring can be pricey, and it’s easily damaged if it becomes wet, which means cleaning the floor can be a little more time consuming.

One of the best properties of stone is that it’s incredibly durable and very hardwearing, which makes it an ideal choice for the kitchen – one of the most busy areas of the home in terms of foot traffic. As a nation, we’re spending more time than ever before socialising in the kitchen, which means we need a floor that’s going to withstand regular use. Before ordering your stone floor, however, be sure to remember that stone does have a very cold feel, and could make large, open kitchens feel a bit cool and unwelcoming. This sort of flooring works best in ‘busy’ kitchens with plenty of furnishings, and it also works great in smaller kitchens and spaces too.

Rubber flooring is rather underappreciated when it comes to the kitchen. It’s quite a rare sight in the home today, yet it offers many advantages. Firstly, like laminate flooring, it’s very versatile. It can mimic the look of ceramic tile, for example, but it’s also great for those who want to really show off their personalities and have a bit of fun with their kitchen. It also works well in industrial-style kitchens. Secondly, rubber flooring is largely water and fire resistant, which makes it the ideal choice for the kitchen, reducing the risk of damage. However rubber flooring in bright, bold colours can be costly, and it can easily be stained by cleaning chemicals.

Depending on the colour and design, ceramic tiles have as much of a place in traditional kitchens as they do in modern, contemporary kitchens. Tiles that replicate the look of stone, for example, give a very traditional, sophisticated feel without the coldness of real stone, while black and white monochrome tiles work great with high gloss white cabinets. The good news is that there’s very few downsides to ceramic tiles in the long term. However, they can prove to be quite the challenge to install. Unlike laminate, which can easily be cut to shape and laid, ceramic times require tile cutters, grout, and adhesive, which takes time and adds to the overall cost.

Pairing equally well with luxurious wooden cabinets and smart chandeliers as with high gloss cabinets and chrome accents, marble flooring works in practically any kitchen. It provides a rich, quality look and feel which you simply can’t get from synthetic flooring like laminate or synthetic rubber. Believe it or not, marble isn’t as costly as you may think. In fact, you can get pretty decent design patterns with even low quality marble. However, as with ceramic tiles, installation can be complex and time consuming, and it’s best left to a professional. Marble flooring also needs to be maintained regularly to avoid damage, even though it’s quite hard wearing.

If you are looking for more inspiration when it comes to designing a new kitchen, then check out the Lark blog. Alternatively, get in touch with one of the friendly team at Lark & Larks.