It’s fair to say that the humble kitchen floor doesn’t get the kudos it deserves. It’s one of the primary surfaces and, from a design consideration if nothing else, can make or break a kitchen.
There is a lot to consider. The floor has to point to the correct period for the house, match the cabinets and worktops, and offer the right physical requirements for the owner (think sharp dog claws on wood surfaces).
You’ll also need to consider how bespoke furniture and units will fit into the floor choice. Depending on your location, you may want to pick up on local materials. Think Bath stone for example.
Floors play a big part in our role as a kitchen design company. Given this, you won’t be surprised to find out that our kitchen designers consider the floor design long and hard.
Material
There are many choices in floor material. Hard or soft, warm or cold, every option comes with pros and cons (and varying style options). You’ll want to match in elements in bespoke furniture choices too. Let’s take a look at some of the popular choices.
Tiles
Their versatility, low maintenance, and hardwearing nature make these popular. There is a near-infinite set of looks that can be created, making then suitable to most designs. Naturally cold, they can be used with underfloor heating to overcome this and make the surface more comfortable in the winter months. The grout lines need consideration as they can become stained. Tiles can be hard on your furry friend, but pet-friendly non-slip options are available.
Stone
A timeless look, many of our kitchens make use of stone floors. Marble, travertine, and slate are all popular. They carry largely the same pros and cons as tiles but do bear in mind some stone types can hold a stain. From a design viewpoint, there are so many wonderful grains and colour variations that stone can be a companion to most designs.
Cork
This can lend a homely or rustic feel to a kitchen. It’s warm and comfortable underfoot so it’s a pleasure all year round. It does need to be cared for with regular coats of protective varnish. There are many patterns available so there are lots of ways to use this eco-friendly material. It’s easy to replace damaged tiles, which you may need to do because of stains and chips.
Concrete
Depending on the chosen finish, this flooring type can lend itself well to an industrial look, or a sleek ultramodern vibe. It’s super hardwearing, of course, and can be found in stained, polished, stencilled, and waxed variations. It will need a little maintenance, resealing is required to avoid staining.
Wood
Both hardwood and engineered wood floors can have a big design impact. The natural feeling of wood floors and the massive range of options means nearly any kitchen design can incorporate this flooring type. Different hardnesses mean that some types are more hardwearing than others, but some damage will accrue along the way, no matter the wood used.
There are plenty of other options for floors; vinyl, rubber and bamboo are all possibilities. Our designers leave no stone unturned when considering the best floor design. We can often complement a flooring choice with custom bespoke furniture. One of the great joys of designing for a kitchen design company is bringing the separate design choices into a whole. The delight on the owners face when they walk into their finished kitchen is what keeps us so focused. If you’re looking for a kitchen design company that transcends your expectations, your search is over. We are Papilio are we do exactly that.
You can get in touch here for a design consultation.
