FLOORING

Your flooring takes up a lot of visual space & is, therefore, a key component of your kitchen renovation project.

Best results are achieved in open kitchen/living/dining areas if there is continuity of flooring. If you are partial to a bit of carpet underfoot when you sit down to watch TV, try adding a large rug to define the zone & add a bit of warmth. The end result is less jarring (and more easily updated) than an oddly shaped tiled area to accommodate the kitchen.

Kitchen island with green cabinetry and two black bar stools on a brick floor, white cabinetry and a coffee machine on the counter, windows and brick walls in the background.

Some things to consider in kitchen flooring selection are:

  • How hard wearing the floor needs to be – are you going to be barefoot, in slippers, or wearing hard shoes or heels?

  • Is the floor going to be getting a lot of foot traffic?

  • Do you have pets that could scratch the floor?

  • What sorts of things might you accidentally spill on it?

  • The frequency of accidental spills.

Please note: Smith & Smith do not sell or install flooring - but it is a necessary consideration in the kitchen design process.

Your Smith & Smith designer can assist you choosing design elements for the rest of your kitchen that work in conjunction with your flooring - and vice versa.

EXPLORE FLOORING OPTIONS

TIMBER FLOORS

Timber that has been sealed with a two-pack polyurethane provides a beautiful, hardwearing & easily cleanable finish for your kitchen floor. Timber is a natural product & will sit well with any colour scheme. It will never date & can be stained or given a different level of gloss coating if you need a fresh look.

Modern kitchen with a marble backsplash, white cabinetry, and a large stainless steel stove with gold accents, next to a corner with a potted plant and windows.

FLOATING FLOORS

Floating floors are easy to install, durable & come in a range of colours. Bamboo, timber veneer & vinyl will all work well in a kitchen. Beware of cheap veneer flooring as it will split & peel.

Floating floors do not have to be run of the mill, in fact; the opposite is true – they can create an effect that is just as unique as you.

Modern kitchen with white cabinets, black refrigerator, built-in microwave and oven, wood flooring, open shelving with plants and decor, and a window with a rolling shade.

LINOLEUM & VYNIL

While linoleum was a popular flooring option in the past, it has largely been replaced by sheet vinyl flooring due to its superior resilience, durability, and modern design options. They offer low-maintenance solutions with a softer feel underfoot than tile or stone. Linoleum, made from natural materials, brings warmth and quiet eco-credentials, while modern vinyl delivers a wide range of finishes—from stone-look to timber-effect—without the upkeep.

While damage can happen easily if you frequently wear heavy solid shoes or drop heavy items, if care is taken, & a high-quality product is chosen, it will last as long as your kitchen.

Modern kitchen with black cabinets, white countertops, and light wood flooring. Items include apples, wine glasses, a toaster, and a knife set.

GRANITE, MARBLE & SLATE FLOORING

As with bench tops, granite flooring can be quite porous & needs to be sealed, however, it gives a unique look. For a kitchen floor, it is good to bear in mind that natural stone is hard. Consequently, items dropped on stone floors rarely survive.

Modern kitchen with white and wooden cabinets, a black stove, a stainless steel refrigerator, a wooden kitchen island with three black-cushioned stools, a window above the sink, and a fruit bowl on the island.

CONCRETE FLOORS

Concrete floors have a unique look, especially if polished & then coated. You can also “wash” the floor for all sorts of different finishes. Furthermore, concrete floors are generally very hard wearing & easy to clean if they have been sealed properly.

Modern kitchen with black cabinets, white marble countertops, flowers in a vase, black wire bar stools, and large windows with sheer curtains.

TILES

Tiles are a common flooring solution applicable to various kitchen designs. They come in a range of styles, finishes, effects & materials. Tiles are easy to clean, durable & easily matched to virtually any colour scheme.

A modern kitchen with white cabinets, a wooden countertop, a gas stove, and a vent hood with wood accents. There is a kettle, a small plant, and black canisters on the countertop. The floor is tiled with multi-colored stone tiles.