Sparkling ideas for your floor

From durability and cost to easy maintenance – industry insiders tell us the things to consider when installing a new kitchen floor.

1. Tiles

“Tiles are an excellent choice, as they are durable, design-led and able to stand up to the demanding conditions of kitchen spaces, with high traffic, potential spills and food mess,” says Sian O’neill, head of marketing at Topps Tiles (toppstiles.co.uk).

“Natural stone tiles provide a cosy and timeless look, especially for those living in an old country-style house.

“It’s worth keeping in mind that due to their porous surfaces, these types of tiles will need additional care before and after laying, to ensure they are sealed enough to last in humid areas, and to keep their finish in top condition.

“As long as you’re happy to maintain and look after them correctly, then the final result is luxurious and homely.”

Jordan Reuben, from Canadian reality series, The Property Brothers, adds: “Stone flooring is available in a wide range of colours, sizes and textures, but you must ensure the stone is sealed to keep it in top condition.

“Remember, limestone is porous, so it will naturally suffer wear and tear. If you’re looking for a hard-wearing and totally hassle-free option, porcelain tiles are great. It can be made to replicate the look of wood or concrete.”

If you lust after a gorgeous slate or marble floor but your budget doesn’t stretch to the real thing, try lookalike tiles.

“If natural stone isn’t the right fit for your home, there are plenty of additional options that offer the same aesthetic, but without the associated maintenance. Consider stone-effect tiles as these are waterproof, which means they’re easier to maintain and, thanks to modern technology, can now be made to look identical to the real thing,” says O’neill.

2. Laminate

Want the look of real wooden boards, but it’s beyond your budget? There’s a good reason why laminate flooring is a trend that’s stuck around.

“Laminate wood floor is as popular as ever,” says Reuben. “It’s very modern and looks fantastic.”

Josh Ashby, of UK Flooring Direct (ukflooringdirect.co.uk), adds: “Good quality laminates make a great floor for the kitchen, allowing for that authentic wood look without the drawbacks. “More and more are now water resistant, adding to their appeal, and are suitable with underfloor heating.”

Reuben notes that long laminate boards “can make any room feel bigger, whether it be dark or light flooring”, plus, “laminate is supplied in planks that are generally easy to fit.”

3. Luxury vinyl

“Modern vinyl is becoming popular as a cost-effective option to tiles and laminate. It comes in all different patterns, and good-quality vinyl can be very hard-wearing,” says Reuben.

Sophie Hautekeete, of Quick-step (quick-step.co.uk), agrees: “Luxury vinyl is undoubtedly the floor of the moment, offering that perfect blend of good looks, durability and ease of maintenance. Our vinyl planks have an embossed surface, which means the texture on the top surface matches the design, to create fantastic interpretations of the floor it imitates.”

A big part of the appeal is the scope of designs available. “Cushion, or sheet vinyl, has seen a significant rise in popularity over the past five years, as modern methods of construction mean wood and tile-effect designs look and feel like the real thing, with knots and grouts adding texture and interest,” says Stuart Reeves, Avenue Floors (avenuefloors.co.uk). “Design choice is almost unlimited, which means this type is often the go-to kitchen floor for those seeking performance, style and value.”