The first thing people think about when they choose a new kitchen is the decorative aspects. They forget the floor.
It’s easy to get caught up in the process of choosing new fixtures and countertops for your kitchen. It’s exciting to see it all come together and pleasing to the eye. However, eight out of ten times, the floor gets ignored. This is a real shame, since it is the flooring that ties all the elements in the kitchen together. If you have a red and white lino floor and your countertops are granite, the kitchen is going to look odd. If you’re going to spend the money to upgrade the kitchen, then do the floor first.
Don’t know where to start? It’s not a huge problem, as there are a multitude of choices. Just keep in mind your lifestyle and what you find appealing. If you want to mix and match styles from the ‘50s and the futuristic look of all chrome or steel, then go for it. However, if you would prefer things to all pull together, then spend some time choosing what feels right for the way you live.
For instance, if you have a family and pets, you want a floor that takes a beating, cleans up well and is easy to maintain. In the kitchen, you will want something that takes a lot of traffic, spills and paw prints. This doesn’t mean you need to sacrifice beauty for utility, as there are flooring choices that would suit your requirements. First, what color is the kitchen? Will you change the color? Do you have prints or checks in your kitchen? Do you prefer ultra-modern or an older antique kind of look? Does your backdoor lead out to a muddy garden? Do the kids track in all manner of leaves, sand, dirt and grass?
Your first choice may be either vinyl or laminate flooring. Either is super easy to clean and is highly resilient, but still stylish while being functional. The nice thing about vinyl and laminate is that they have the innate ability to complement just about every type of kitchen. However, if you prefer a rustic feel to the kitchen, you would likely gravitate to wood flooring. It offers your kitchen a cozy ambience; homey and relaxing. Yes, wood takes a bit more time to maintain, but you may find the effort well worth it.
In the final analysis, if you are overwhelmed with the choices facing you for flooring for your new kitchen, check out kitchen design software. You get an instant visual by choosing various styles and colors, not to mention have a lot of fun.
Dean Dupre is with Champion Tile, a Clearwater Flooring, Tampa Flooring, and tile installation company. To learn more, visit Champtile.com.
