How to Choose the Perfect Kitchen Flooring for Your Home
Your kitchen flooring is one of the hardest-working surfaces in your home. It needs to cope with spills, foot traffic, heat and day-to-day activity, all while complementing the overall style of your kitchen. At Claremont Kitchens, we help homeowners across Sussex, Surrey and Hampshire choose flooring that performs well over time, while also looking fantastic. Whether you prefer the comfort of luxury vinyl, the elegance of real stone or the natural warmth of timber, the best kitchen flooring for you will depend on several factors. Explore the different options below…
What should you consider when choosing kitchen flooring
Before comparing different materials, it’s worth thinking about the practical needs of your space. The size and shape of your kitchen will influence how much flooring you need and irregular layouts can affect how easy certain materials are to fit. For example, if you have a kitchen island, flexible options like luxury vinyl (LVT) or laminate work well as they can be cut neatly around obstacles without disrupting the pattern. Larger tiles and natural stone, on the other hand, require more careful planning to avoid uneven cuts or noticeable grout lines.
How your kitchen is used day to day will also play a big part in choosing the right material. Busy family kitchens, open-plan areas and homes with pets benefit from durable, low-maintenance solutions. In quieter kitchens with less foot traffic, or where you’re aiming for a more traditional feel, real wood or natural stone may be more appealing.
Design and maintenance are equally important. Flooring forms the visual foundation of your kitchen, influencing warmth, light and overall style, so it’s worth choosing a tone and texture that complement your cabinetry and worktops. But bear in mind how much upkeep will be needed and what you’re happy to commit to. Natural materials look great but require routine care, so if convenience is high on your list, a modern alternative may be more practical.
Popular kitchen flooring options
Floor Tiles
Typically made from ceramic or porcelain, tile flooring is one of the most popular choices for kitchens. Hardwearing and water-resistant, tiles stand up well to spills, heat and everyday wear. They are available in a huge range of colours, patterns and finishes, including stone and concrete effects, making it easy to achieve anything from a sleek modern aesthetic to a more traditional look. They’re also hygienic and simple to clean with a quick sweep or mop.
There are, however, a few things to consider. Floor tiles can feel cold and hard underfoot unless paired with underfloor heating, and glossy finishes may become slippery when wet, so you’ll need to opt for a matte or anti-slip option. The grout lines will also need regular cleaning and an occasional refresh to stay looking their best, and professional installation is recommended to ensure a long-lasting finish without the risk of cracking or uneven surfaces.
Best for: Kitchens where durability, easy cleaning and a variety of design options are top priorities.
Vinyl and Luxury Vinyl Tiles (LVT)
Vinyl flooring is a versatile synthetic material available as planks, tiles or sheets. More specifically, Luxury Vinyl Tile (LVT) is a premium version designed to replicate the look and texture of natural materials such as oak, marble and other stones. LVT has become one of the most popular choices for modern kitchens in family homes, because it offers impressive realism alongside a softer, warmer feel underfoot.
At Claremont Kitchens, we can supply Amtico luxury vinyl flooring. This is fully waterproof and stain resistant, meaning it copes effortlessly with spills, splashes and everyday mess in busy kitchens. Amtico’s strong wear layer makes it scratch resistant and far less prone to dents than cheaper laminates, and it also boasts anti-microbial protection for added hygiene. LVT is quiet, slip resistant and compatible with underfloor heating, and modern designs are highly UV stable, meaning they won’t fade even in bright, sunny rooms. Day-to-day care is simple too, usually requiring nothing more than a sweep and an occasional mop.
While LVT has very few practical downsides, it’s worth noting that it doesn’t offer the same natural variation or tactile feel as real wood or stone. However, the trade-off is worthwhile for many – you get the visual appeal of natural materials with less upkeep and greater comfort underfoot. Professional installation is recommended to ensure a smooth, long-lasting finish.
Best for: Busy households and open-plan kitchens where comfort and practicality are key.
Real wood flooring
With its grain patterns, knots and natural variations, real wood flooring – solid planks or engineered boards – will add warmth and character to any kitchen. Perfect if you’re hoping to achieve a more rustic finish. Engineered wood is often the preferred choice nowadays, as it offers greater stability and is less prone to movement in fluctuating temperatures.
One of the biggest advantages of real wood is its longevity. Unlike many other flooring types, wood can be sanded and refinished to refresh its appearance and help it age well. However, it does require more care than vinyl or tile. Wood is sensitive to moisture, so spills need to be wiped quickly to prevent staining or warping, and periodic sealing or oiling is needed to keep the surface protected. These maintenance requirements and the upfront cost of quality hardwood, particularly in large kitchens, mean that real wood flooring can prove expensive.
Best for: Well-ventilated, open kitchens where beauty is prioritised over moisture resistance.
Laminate flooring
Laminate flooring is an affordable and stylish option which features a photographic surface layer over a stable core board to recreate the look of natural materials. Modern laminates can appear surprisingly realistic, with designs ranging from oak-style planks to slate-effect tiles, making it easy to achieve a specific aesthetic on a tighter budget. It’s also generally quick to install, thanks to simple click-lock systems, and straightforward to keep clean.
However, laminate comes with some limitations. Unlike luxury vinyl or tile, it is not fully waterproof and prolonged exposure to moisture can cause it to swell or warp. Laminate cannot be refinished either – once a board is damaged, it will usually need replacing. It also feels less substantial underfoot compared to engineered wood or high-quality LVT and has a shorter lifespan than premium alternatives.
Best for: Homeowners on a budget seeking a stylish, practical solution in light-traffic kitchens.
Stone flooring
Stone flooring includes natural materials such as slate, limestone and marble, each offering its own colour variations, textures and unique character. This individuality gives stone a luxurious, high-end look, with options to suit both contemporary and traditional kitchens. It also works well with stone and solid surface kitchen worktops. One of stone’s biggest benefits is its durability. When properly sealed, it can last for decades, ageing beautifully and adding long-term value to your home. Stone also works well with underfloor heating which counteracts its naturally cool feel and creates a more inviting surface.
However, as a porous material, stone does require periodic sealing to protect it from stains and moisture. Its weight can also be an issue in older properties, and they may need subfloor reinforcement before installation. Stone flooring is also one of the more expensive options, both in terms of material and installation, as you’ll need to hire specialist tilers for best results.
Best for: Luxury kitchens where timeless elegance and longevity overrule cost and upkeep.
Find Your Style: Tips For Choosing Kitchen Flooring
1. Go sleek for modern minimalism
If you’re creating a contemporary kitchen, smooth surfaces and understated tones work best. Concrete-style tiles, pale-coloured vinyl or soft matte finishes help achieve a seamless, modern look – especially when paired with handleless cabinetry and clean-lined worktops.
2. Add warmth with traditional or country styles
For classic kitchens, natural textures and warmer tones make all the difference. Wood-effect luxury vinyl tiles in oak or traditional plank styles complement shaker cabinetry, painted finishes and natural stone worktops well, and will give your space a cosier, timeless feel.
3. Choose practical elegance for family-friendly spaces
In busy homes, flooring needs to look good while handling everyday life. Luxury vinyl offers soft, quiet comfort underfoot and comes in a huge range of wood and stone designs, making it an ideal way to achieve a stylish look without compromising on practicality.
Why choose Claremont Kitchens for your new flooring?
With so many materials available, from timeless stone and classic wood to modern luxury vinyl, the best flooring will be the one that works with your lifestyle and enhances the overall look of your kitchen. At Claremont Kitchens, we can guide you through these options with honest, expert advice to help you make the right choice.
We’re proud to design, supply and install beautiful kitchens for homeowners throughout Midhurst, Chichester, Petersfield, Haslemere, and surrounding areas. Additionally, we work closely with top brands, including Amtico, whose luxury vinyl flooring is one of the options we frequently recommend. It offers excellent build quality, realistic wood and stone-effect designs and impressive durability when faced with muddy feet, spills and direct sunlight. With a host of colours and patterns, there’s something for every décor scheme!
Alongside supplying high-quality flooring, we can also put you in touch with trusted local installers who regularly work with our products and understand the level of finish our customers expect. Want to explore Amtico or other flooring materials? Visit our Midhurst showroom to browse samples and find the perfect kitchen flooring to complete your space.
FAQs: Common Kitchen Flooring Questions
1. What’s the most durable kitchen flooring option?
Luxury vinyl (LVT) and porcelain tiles are among the most durable and hardwearing choices for kitchens.
2. Is Amtico flooring suitable for kitchens?
Absolutely! Amtico is waterproof, hardwearing and designed to handle high-traffic areas like kitchens.
3. Can I use underfloor heating with vinyl flooring?
Yes. Amtico LVT works perfectly with underfloor heating systems which enhances its warmth and comfort.
4. How do I clean my kitchen flooring?
Regular sweeping and mopping with a mild cleaner are all that’s needed for most modern flooring types.
5. Which flooring looks best with Shaker-style kitchens?
Wood-effect or stone-effect vinyl complements classic Shaker designs beautifully.
6. How long does kitchen flooring last?
With proper care, quality flooring like Amtico can last 20 years or more.
