Kitchen flooring: a base and an eye-catcher in one

Real-wood floor boards and parquet flooring are some of this year’s most popular kitchen flooring trends. This design concept looks particularly good in open-plan spaces. With wood flooring laid throughout and the masterful placement of elements such as wall decorations and light sources, you can make the transition between the kitchen and living room almost seamless. 

It is best to go for a local hardwood so that transportation is kept to a minimum. Hardwood is also highly durable, which is perfect for the kitchen, as it is a frequently used room. The parquet or floor boards should be solid, if possible, so that any scratches or bumps in the wood can be polished out. Regular treatment with floor oil will enable you to enjoy this kitchen flooring for even longer.

Cork is another sustainable trend for kitchen flooring: To obtain the cork bark, the cork oak tree is stripped, not chopped down. And the natural material grows back. Cork has an insulating effect, a high level of elasticity, is impermeable to water and can adapt to body temperatures – great for keeping feet warm! Fine-grain cork looks very smooth and gives the space enough room to shine. As natural cork with a grain, it becomes a beautiful detail in cosy open-plan kitchens and provides an interesting contrast to worktops made of ceramics or natural stone. Cork has also been available as a click system for a while now, making it easier to install and offering additional design freedom.

Bamboo also grows quickly, making the exotic wood a sustainable investment. This flooring material looks ultra-elegant in a teak effect, a golden yellow colour or in dark brown and becomes an eye-catcher in high-end interiors. Bamboo requires high humidity levels to help it retain its smooth surface and prevent it from cracking. It is therefore perfect as kitchen flooring, as this room has the perfect conditions for keeping the wood strong, robust and durable.

And let’s not forget stone. Light natural stone tiles in industrial-style kitchens create an interesting contrast to steel kitchen products. Another plus: High-quality tiles are long-lasting, highly robust and can be combined with underfloor heating.

Urban kitchens: less is more

In industrial-style lofts and residential properties, kitchen flooring made of decorative or exposed concrete is an ultra-exclusive detail. It is natural and therefore very elegant. The flooring is coated or sealed to give it its finishing touch and damp-proof it. This process can also be used to give it a unique hue.

Tiles are a classic alternative to concrete flooring. But if you’re thinking plain, white and square, think again. You can create masterful highlights using tiles in elaborate designs and exciting textures and patterns. Naturally, this also goes for laminate, a material available in a wide range of effects, including textures that look like tiles or concrete. If you opt for laminate, the slabs should be as thick as possible with a robust core so that they can withstand high stress. 

If you want your flooring to be an eye-catcher, click vinyl may be the right choice for you. This PVC kitchen flooring is impressively versatile: Vinyl’s unique grain can be made to look like a Mediterranean tile in one instance and like wooden floor boards in the next. You could go for anything from a vibrant chessboard pattern right through to lush yellow. When installed correctly, vinyl is water- and shock-resistant with a rough surface finish for sure footing in the kitchen. 

The choice is yours: Which kitchen flooring is your favourite?

Wood, in the form of parquet and floor boards, remains a popular trend in kitchen flooring. Cork and bamboo come highly recommended for those who want to live a sustainable lifestyle, as both materials are renewable. Kitchen flooring made of decorative or exposed concrete brings a touch of exclusivity to residential properties. Laminate and click vinyl are popular alternatives as they are so versatile. Which material should you go for? The choice is yours.