When remodeling your kitchen, its important to install the best kitchen flooring you can afford.
The kitchen is the heart of a home. That’s where you cook, do the dishes, have a get-together, and keep the trash, to name a few.
Therefore, the space needs durable, waterproof flooring that will withstand foot traffic.
Here, we’ll show you some of the best flooring for the kitchen space of your home.
Budget For New Kitchen Flooring
Like any other project, replacing your kitchen flooring requires a sizable budget.
According to experts, the flooring of your kitchen should account for around eight percent of the remodeling budget.
So, let’s break down the average costs:
Average Cost Of Top-Quality Kitchen Flooring
A 300-square-foot-space kitchen floor will cost around $2,400 for materials and $2,100 for labor.
So, it’s safe to say that top-quality kitchen flooring costs about $4,500.
| Flooring Type | Material Cost per 300 Square Foot | Labor Cost per 300 Square Foot |
|---|---|---|
| Hardwood | $1,650-$3,600 | $4,200-$7,500 |
| Laminate | $900-$3,000 | $1,050-$4,500 |
| Tiles | $150-$4,500 | $1,350-$4200 |
| Ceramic or Porcelain | $150-$4,500 | $900-$4,500 |
| Natural Stone | $150-$4,500 | $1,800-$3,300 |
| Vinyl | $867-$1950 | $450-$2,100 |
| Stained Concrete | $900-$1,200 | $1,200-$4,500 |
Top-Quality Kitchen Flooring Cost Per Square Foot
On average, flooring materials cost around $8 per square foot.
For most floors, you’ll have to factor in the labor costs, and many professionals will charge you about $7 per square foot.
However, note that this number varies depending on the flooring type and the skills required to install it.
Best Flooring Types For Kitchen
1. Hardwood Kitchen Flooring
Hardwood floors have been around for centuries and remain a stylish kitchen flooring option for many homeowners and builders.
Hardwood flooring comes in different patterns and colors, giving you a wide array of options.
These hardwood kitchen floors can also be refinished whenever they wear down, making it easy to revamp the look of your kitchen.
Other floors, like laminate flooring, require you to remove and dispose of the old flooring entirely before installing a new one, making it less sustainable.
Hardwood floors are not waterproof, but a special finish can give your hardwood kitchen floor water resistance properties.
Even so, it is best to dry splatters and spills immediately to prevent the flooring from swelling and failing.
Leaving water on the floor is a recipe for accidents and rot.
Pro Tip: Check your wood flooring for any swelling or warping, and call a professional to have it checked before further damage is done.
Hardwood flooring should be on the top of the list if you’re looking for an eco-friendly and sustainable kitchen flooring option.
Cost Of Hardwood Flooring for Kitchen
The labor cost for hardwood flooring ranges from $4,200 to $7,500 for a 300-square-foot kitchen space.
For materials, expect to spend between $1,650 and $3,600 for the same room.
Hardwood Floor Cost per Square Foot
Hardwood materials cost between $5.50 and $12 per square foot.
Most professional installers charge between $14 and $25 per square foot installed.
Pros of Hardwood Flooring for Kitchen
- Available in different patterns and colors, giving you a wide array of options
- It can be refinished and revamped once it has been worn down
Cons Hardwood Flooring for Kitchen
- Slippery
- Not waterproof
2. Laminate Kitchen Flooring
Laminate flooring is a low-cost alternative for those looking for a hardwood-like option but don’t necessarily want to buy natural hardwood.
It’s a great DIY flooring option because the planks can be locked together, saving you a lot of money on labor costs.
Some planks can be installed by gluing them down or floating them, and others can just be locked together over your existing kitchen floor.
Generally, laminate floors are not waterproof, but some laminate flooring options are made with unique materials to make them waterproof.
Waterproof laminate flooring options are easier to maintain because it means moisture won’t be trapped in the gaps.
Cost of Laminate Flooring for Kitchen
The labor cost for installing laminate flooring ranges from $1,050 to $4,500 for a 300-square-foot kitchen space.
For materials, expect to spend between $900 and $3,000 for the same amount of space.
Laminate Flooring Cost per Square Foot
Laminate planks cost between $3 and $11 per square foot if you purchase them in a local home improvement store.
Most professionals will charge between $3.50 and $9 per square foot installed.
Pros of Laminate Flooring for Kitchen
- Best low-cost alternative to natural hardwood
- Great for DIY lovers and can save labor costs
Cons of Laminate Flooring for Kitchen
- Cannot be refinished to revamp the look
3. Tile Kitchen Flooring
Tile is another excellent choice for a kitchen.
There is a wide array of colors and designs, and it’s easy to find the perfect match for your home.
The water resistance properties make tile a great addition to this list.
Some options, such as porcelain, are waterproof, making them easy to clean.
Colored liquids should, however, be wiped off immediately because if left too long, they can permanently stain the grout.
Since the surface is stone-hard, dishes that fall on them are likely to break.
Also, some tiles are designed with slip-resistant properties, but most remain slippery and can cause accidents, especially when they are wet.
We recommend calling a professional for the installation because tile requires a proper underlayment to ensure a secure fit.
Cost of Tile Flooring for Kitchen
The labor cost for installing a tile floor ranges from $1,350 to $4,200 for 300-square-foot kitchen space.
For materials, the cost ranges between $150 and $4,500 for the same space.
Tile Flooring Cost per Square Foot
For material, expect to spend $0.50 per square foot on low-end options like ceramic tiles and $15 per square foot for high-end pieces like granite and slate tiles.
For labor, expect to spend between $4.50 and $14 per square foot installed.
Pros of Tile Flooring for Kitchen
- Relatively easy to maintain
- A variety of designs
- Aesthetically pleasing if you go for a nice color and design
Cons of Tile Flooring for Kitchen
- Requires professional installation
- Slippery
4. Cork Kitchen Flooring
Cork is another excellent addition to the list.
Cork flooring is relatively affordable and is a great option for DIY-ers.
As you can tell, the product is made from a mixture of cork and resins and comes in shades of brown and gray.
Some planks are peel-and-stick, others can be glued down and some can be locked together.
While cork isn’t exactly waterproof, it has some stain-resistant properties.
However, if colored liquids are not cleaned immediately, cork flooring is bound to stain.
Fortunately, cork can be refinished to revamp its look in case of stains and wearing down.
In addition, cork has a soft and springy surface that makes it comfortable to step on.
Unlike other kitchen flooring options on the market, cork is not cold to step on so you won’t need a lot of mats and rags around the house.
Plus, cork flooring’s temperature-insulating properties will save you big on cooling and heating bills.
On the downside, cork flooring fades when exposed to sunlight. Therefore, we recommend closing the curtains before the sun rays hit the flooring.
Cost of Cork Flooring for Kitchen
For material, expect to spend between $900 and $3,600 for a 300-square-foot kitchen space.
For labor, you’ll pay around $600 for the same space.
Cork Flooring Cost per Square Foot
Cork planks will cost you between $3 and $12 per square foot.
You’ll pay an additional $2 per square foot for labor.
Pros of Cork Flooring for Kitchen
- Comfortable to step on
- Affordable
- Good project for DIY-ers
Cons
- Fades when exposed to sunlight
- Not waterproof
5. Natural Stone Kitchen Flooring
As the name suggests, this kitchen flooring is made from natural stones like marble and granite.
Natural stone flooring comes in different patterns and colors, so you have many options.
Natural stone is pretty expensive. It is mined as large rocks and later divided into small slabs using diamond saws, a process that is quite pricey.
As a consumer, you will pay more for natural stone than readily available materials like ceramic and wood.
Also, natural stone flooring requires maintenance because its surface must be regularly resealed to increase its longevity.
Cost of Natural Stone Flooring for Kitchen
The total labor cost for installing natural stone flooring ranges from $1,800 to $3,300 for a 300-square-foot kitchen.
For materials, you’ll pay between $150 and $4,500 for the same space.
Natural Stone Flooring Cost per Square Foot
On average, expect to pay between $5 and $15 for 300 square feet of natural stone flooring.
The price greatly depends on the type and quality of the stone you’re going for.
We recommend hiring a professional to install natural stone flooring because it’s labor and skill intensive.
That said, expect to spend an additional $6 to $11 for every square foot installed.
Pros of Natural Stone Flooring for Kitchen
- A stylish, natural look
- Durable
Cons of Natural Stone Flooring for Kitchen
- Requires more maintenance
- Must have professional help to install
- More expensive than tile
6. Vinyl Kitchen Flooring
Vinyl flooring has sparked more attention from homeowners because of the constant upgrades being made to the product.
Vinyl flooring is a waterproof, low-cost alternative to hardwood flooring.
Vinyl is also an excellent choice for DIY-ers, so you can save big on labor costs if you decide to install it yourself.
On the maintenance side, vinyl flooring is relatively easy to maintain because it requires less attention from your side.
For instance, you needn’t to worry about little spills as you would with hardwood flooring.
Of course, you should clean spills shortly after they occur.
Vinyl flooring is soft and springy, so you’ll love stepping on it.
Unfortunately, vinyl planks are soft compared to options like hardwood, so dragging heavy kitchen appliances over it will damage it.
Cost of Vinyl Flooring for Kitchen
If you decide to hire a professional, you’ll spend between $867 and $1,950 on labor for a 300-square-space.
For materials, you’ll pay between $450 and $2,100 for the same space.
Vinyl Flooring Cost per Square Foot
Vinyl flooring planks cost between $1.50 and $7 per square foot.
If you decide to hire a professional, you’ll pay between $2.80 and $6.50 for every square foot installed.
Pros of Vinyl Flooring for Kitchen
- Looks like real hardwood
- Easy to maintain
- Can be refinished to revamp its look if it wears down
- Can be installed by the homeowner
- Waterproof
Cons of vinyl Flooring for Kitchen
- Prone to dents and scratches
7. Stained Concrete Kitchen Flooring
Although underestimated by many, stained concrete is another excellent and durable option for kitchen flooring.
If properly installed, concrete can last a lifetime and even more.
Concrete flooring can also be stained and painted to adhere to your imagination.
In fact, some concrete flooring designs closely mimic stones, wood, and even tiles.
Furthermore, stained concrete can be sealed to make it water-resistant.
Pro Tip: Make mats your best friend if you go for stained concrete. Sometimes, concrete can get really cold because it absorbs moisture. But good kitchen mats can help ease that.
Cost of Stained Concrete Flooring for Kitchen
The total labor cost for installing stained concrete in a 300-square-foot kitchen ranges from $1,200 to $4,500.
For materials, expect to spend between $900 and $1,200 for the same space.
Stained Concrete Flooring Cost per Square Foot
Materials for installing stained concrete cost between $4 and $15 per square foot.
Most professionals charge between $3 and $4 per square foot installed.
Pros of Stained Concrete Flooring for Kitchen
- Long lifespan
- Little to no maintenance
- Can be waterproof if sealed
Cons
- Must be professionally installed
DIY vs Professional Kitchen Flooring Installation
Some types of kitchen flooring, such as laminate and vinyl come in click-lock design, making them great for DIY installation.
This means, if you install them yourself, you can save a few dollars that you would otherwise spend on labor.
However, some kitchen flooring products require a skilled professional because their installation is quite complex.
So, if you lack prior experience, it’s best to sit back and let the experts take the lead.
For example, tiles need a special underlayment, and if it is not set up properly, the tiles may start popping out.
Pro Tip: If you choose the DIY route, go through the instruction manual so you don’t mess up the product. Every product comes with its own unique manual, and a generic approach is a recipe for disaster.
Which Type Of Flooring Is Most Suitable For A Kitchen?
The most suitable flooring for your kitchen is one that’s durable, water-resistant, and matches the overall aesthetics of your entire house.
If your house has wood floors, then vinyl flooring might be your best choice for your kitchen.
If you have natural stone flooring or concrete, then go for tile or natural stone flooring for your kitchen as well.
What Is The Easiest Kitchen Floor To Maintain?
Tile is relatively easy to maintain.
For one, tile is sturdy, so it won’t get scratches and dents if you drag heavy kitchen appliances over them.
Secondly, it’s waterproof, so don’t fret about water spills.
However, clear up messes and splatters immediately to avoid stains on the grout.
What Is The Hardest Wearing Flooring For A Kitchen?
Tile flooring wears out slower.
You can drag heavy-duty Kitchen appliances over the tile flooring, and it will remain spotless as if nothing happened.
Hardwood kitchen flooring is also slow to wear out and, if well maintained, can last up to a century.
What Is The Best Flooring For A Modern Kitchen?
If you rock a modern kitchen, many excellent flooring options exist, and choosing one is unnecessarily limiting.
In other words, there is no one size that fits all.
For example, hardwood is a great flooring option if you’re going for a classy but natural kitchen look.
On the downside, hardwood flooring is not waterproof, is slippery, and needs regular refinishing to maintain its beauty.
On the other hand, natural stone is stunning but has to be sealed regularly to keep its shine.
Long story short, the seven kitchen flooring options we’ve listed are all amazing.
You just have to look at your personal needs and choose one whose pros outweigh the cons.
Best Waterproof Flooring For A Kitchen
Tile and vinyl flooring are some of the best waterproof flooring options for your kitchen.
Sealed concrete flooring also stands up well against water.
Best Kitchen Vinyl Flooring
Generally, all vinyl flooring types are good for your kitchen floor, but Luxury Vinyl Planks stand out from the crowd.
LVP comes in planks or tiles and is both scratch-resistant and waterproof.
While its installation is quite involved, it’s worth it because you’ll enjoy long-lasting results.
Your Kitchen Will Thank You
Undeniably there are many kitchen flooring options out there.
Other important considerations like water resistance, durability, installation type, aesthetics, and underfoot comfort, significantly contribute to the bigger picture.
Choosing the best kitchen flooring comes down to your style and budget.
