Kitchen flooring ideas include bamboo, cork, hardwood, laminate flooring and linoleum. HGTV Remodels points out that making a decision depends on the homeowner's analysis of his lifestyle and the cost of the various options. Issues to consider include the wear and tear the floor is likely to take, the style of the kitchen, ease of cleaning and the costs both to install and to maintain the floor.
Bamboo is a smart choice for a homeowner who wants the look of a wood floor but doesn't want to pay for hardwood. Bamboo is durable, comfortable to stand on and easy to clean; however, it also scratches easily.
Cork floors are comfortable to stand on and act as a natural sound muffler. While inexpensive and easy to install, cork floors do show wear easily.
Hardwood floors look stunning in a kitchen and can help tie an open kitchen stylistically to the rest of a house. While they can last for a very long time, hardwood floors are not impervious to moisture and are typically quite exp
ensive to install and refinish after years of use.
Laminate flooring is a wise choice for a homeowner who wants the look of hardwood but doesn't want to pay the high costs associated with it. Laminate flooring is easy to install and inexpensive, but it doesn't last as long as hardwood.
Linoleum is a good choice as a tough kitchen floor that needs to stand up to a lot of traffic. Although it often must be professionally installed, it is inexpensive, easy to clean and extremely durable.