Kitchen Flooring

Kitchen Flooring Samples

Find The Perfect Kitchen Flooring With Our Free Samples

Make the most of our free unlimited flooring samples. At Flooring365, you can request as many flooring samples as you need for a comprehensive comparison. With our extensive experience in the flooring sector, we are confident that this remains the most effective method for visualising your potential kitchen flooring. That’s why we encourage you to sample as many styles and finishes as you need to find the perfect kitchen flooring for your home.

How To Order Your Free Kitchen Flooring Samples

Proceeding with your sample order is hassle-free and completely cost-free, including delivery. To claim your free samples, simply find the floors you like best and click the ‘order free sample button’. You can find this on the category pages or the individual product pages. Once you are happy with your selection of samples, you can continue with your order by visiting your cart. 

Quick & Easy Delivery

All of our samples are sent by Royal Mail, and you can usually expect to receive them within 2-3 days. Don’t worry though, we always make sure our samples can fit through a letterbox, so you won’t need to be at home for the delivery. We also cover the cost of delivery fees, so no cost is passed on to you. However, if you’re in a rush to finish your kitchen renovation, you can specifically request your samples to arrive sooner for a small cost. In which case, we advise that you order as many as you need in one go to avoid further costs.

Kitchen Flooring FAQ's

What Is the Best Flooring for A Kitchen?

Ultimately, only you can make this decision. However, we often suggest that our customers look at our LVT flooring or engineered wood flooring options. LVT flooring is 100% waterproof which makes it ideal for all areas of the home, even kitchens and bathrooms. Whereas engineered wood flooring has a wear layer of solid wood, giving it the exact same appearance as real wood flooring. However, unlike hardwood floors, our engineered wood floors are less susceptible to moisture, making them better suited to kitchens.

Can Kitchens Have Wood Floors?

In theory, yes you can still install solid wood flooring in a kitchen. However, we highly suggest that you consider engineered wood flooring instead. Alternatively, you should at least consider a lacquered finish to help protect the wooden flooring from water damage. It’s still worth being extra careful to not cause any spillages, and any spillages made must be wiped up quickly before the wood absorbs it. Otherwise, you could end up with boards swelling, causing further issues such as cupping.

What Kitchen Flooring Is Best for Dogs?

Laminate wood flooring is often the best choice for busy family households or homes with pets. However, laminate is not always the best option for kitchens. Therefore, for a well-rounded flooring solution that covers both, we suggest taking a look at our LVT flooring range.

For more information regarding pet-friendly flooring, take a look at our pet-friendly flooring blog.

How Much Does It Cost to Floor a Kitchen?

The cost of new kitchen flooring will depend on multiple factors such as the flooring type, size of the room, installation type, and even the area you live in. Thankfully, we check our prices regularly to ensure we have the lowest prices online, so you can be sure you are getting a good deal at Flooring365. However, we also advise that you get multiple quotes for the installation of your kitchen flooring to try and keep costs low.

Does Kitchen Flooring Go Under Appliances?

Realistically, you could install your kitchen flooring before or after appliances. However, it is always best practice to install your flooring before anything else. This will ensure a seamless installation that can be done quickly and will prevent any water from getting to your subfloor easily. By installing your kitchen flooring first, you are also less likely to trap dirt or moisture under your appliances, which could lead to mould issues if left for too long. That said, some people still prefer to have their flooring installed afterward. This is often due to budget, or ease of access in case of future flooring repairs and/or replacement.

Does Kitchen Flooring Go Under Cabinets?

Like with appliances, you could install your kitchen flooring after your cabinets if you really wanted to. However, we would never advise it. We always suggest that you do any renovations in an orderly fashion, step-by-step to ensure that each step has gone smoothly, before moving on to the next. Doing it the other way around could lead to issues if you have any leaks that are able to get to your subfloor. Installing your flooring first will also make sure that your floor seamlessly blends in, without any noticeable gaps, or a costly and lengthy installation process.

Do You Need Waterproof Flooring in The Kitchen?

It is not strictly necessary to have waterproof flooring in the kitchen, but we do recommend that you at least consider the water resistance of the flooring you’re looking at. For example, engineered wood flooring is not waterproof, but it does have a much better resistance to moisture than solid wood. When you add a lacquered finish to engineered wood, this improves the water resistance further. Again, this is not a waterproof floor. However, with the right finish and the right maintenance, engineered wood flooring can last many years in a kitchen without any issues. If you are considering solid wood flooring for your kitchen, make sure you choose a floor with a lacquered finish. This will at least provide some protection from any spillages.   

Is Kitchen Flooring Suitable for Underfloor Heating?

The compatibility between your kitchen flooring and underfloor heating will depend on which floor you choose. At Flooring365, all of our floors, with the exception of solid wood, are suitable for use with water-based underfloor heating systems.

Is Laminate Flooring Good for Kitchens?

Laminate flooring is one of the most budget-friendly floors that money can buy, making it an excellent choice for kitchens in many homes. However, they are not waterproof and not as durable as some of our other flooring options. If you are looking for budget-friendly flooring that can withstand liquid, pets, and heavy foot traffic, we suggest taking a look at LVT flooring. This is a great alternative to laminate that is not only waterproof but also has built-in underlay, an easy fitting system, and many different finishes from wood-effect to stone embossed. 

Kitchen Flooring Thickness

Board Thickness

Generally speaking, board thickness is a case of personal preference. However, thicker boards do tend to be more hard-wearing and provide a slightly improved sound reduction performance. As well as this, thicker boards are usually more suited to higher traffic areas, where they can withstand greater use.

What Board Thickness Is Best for Kitchens?

Choosing the right thickness for your kitchen flooring is crucial because kitchens are a high-traffic area of the home that is prone to heavy use and spillages. However, the ideal thickness for your kitchen flooring heavily depends on the type of flooring material you choose. Your specific needs, budget, and design preferences will also have a role to play in finding the best floorboard thickness for your kitchen. To determine the best thickness for your kitchen you will need to consider the following:

• Foot traffic
• Underfloor heating
• Subfloor Suitability
• Budget

Thicker boards will always be better if you have a lot of foot traffic. However, if you plan on having underfloor heating, or you already have underfloor heating installed then you’ll want to choose a slightly thinner board so that the heat can transfer. In this case, we suggest choosing an engineered wood floor with a board thickness of around 14mm with 4/4.5mm underfloor heating suitable underlay. It’s also worth noting that while thicker boards are more durable, the wear layer will make the most difference to durability with our engineered wood flooring. Thinner boards, on the other hand, are more cost-effective since fewer materials are involved, making them an ideal kitchen flooring choice for those on a budget. However, it’s important that you know your subfloor is suitable before choosing one of our thin boards. Otherwise, installation could be tricky.

Please note: Solid wood floors are never suitable for underfloor heating. All other floors are only suitable for water-based underfloor heating, not electric.

Wear Layer (Engineered Wood Floors Only)

The wear layer refers to the top, aesthetic surface layer of real wood, which gives the engineered flooring its look. Thicker wear layers, whilst usually more expensive, offer greater durability and the option to sand more frequently, meaning flooring can be refreshed more times before being replaced. 

Most engineered wood floors, regardless of the thickness of the wear layer, will provide years of use, maintaining their impressive appearance.

Sanding Guide

In most cases, sanding the top layer of engineered wood flooring will remove up to 1MM of surface, with a minimum of 1MM needed leftover for protection. As a rough guide, here’s the number of times a floor can be sanded, based on the initial wear layer thickness:

3mm: 1-2 times

4mm: 2-3 times

5mm: 3-4 times

6mm: 4-5 times

(Please note: Sanding times is a guide only, the number of times a floor can be sanded will vary on an individual basis.)

Kitchen Flooring Styles

Kitchen Flooring Options

When it comes to choosing suitable kitchen flooring, there are a few factors you’ll want to consider. As leading flooring experts, we find that durability, water resistance, stain resistance, and ease of maintenance are most important. This often leads to our most popular options, LVT flooring, and engineered wood flooring. However, there are other kitchen flooring options available such as laminate wood flooring, or hardwood. See below for the biggest benefits and drawbacks of each.

LVT Flooring

• Extremely waterproof.
• Not as budget-friendly as laminate.

Engineered Wood Flooring

• Less expensive & more durable than hardwood.
• Not waterproof.

Laminate Wood flooring

• Water-resistant & easy to clean.
• Not as durable as LVT or hardwood.

Solid Wood Flooring:

• Beautiful & durable.
• Needs regular maintenance.

Kitchen Flooring Trends 2023

While some trends come and go, some are here to stay. So, if you’re curious about which trends you like and dislike this year, why not take a look at some of the options below? Remember, you don’t have to chase the trends, your home is your home and should feel like it. However, it never harms to find some inspiration!

The Parquet Flooring Trend

Herringbone and chevron patterns have been the biggest flooring trends this year and this isn’t restricted to kitchens either. All over the UK, more homes have been opting for these unusual and eye-catching designs, all around the home. From hallways and kitchens to bathrooms and bedrooms, this classic and timeless flooring option is taking over.

Both herringbone and chevron flooring can be constructed from a wide variety of different materials. Therefore, you won’t be limited in terms of floor type if you’re considering parquet. At Flooring365 we have a wide range of parquet flooring across our solid wood, engineered wood, laminate & LVT floors. This allows homeowners to choose a floor they like purely based on design and aesthetics, without worrying about the practicalities. Instead, you can look for the right floor type once you have chosen a design. So, if you are looking for kitchen flooring that oozes sophistication, then parquet flooring is a great choice.

The Neutral Colours Trend

Grey kitchen flooring has been a big trend this year, and it doesn’t look like the trend is stopping anytime soon. However, we are seeing a slight detraction from grey, as homeowners and designers are exploring some of the other neutral colours on offer. Overall, colours such as grey, beige, greige, and white remain popular, offering a well-needed complementary shade that can be easily paired with different colours and styles. At Flooring365 we have a wide range of different shades of grey, with some more beige or silver than others, while some are closer to black with a more charcoal appearance. So, whatever your interior style, we can find a match for your kitchen flooring.

The Wide Flooring Trend

Longer and wider floorboards have always been desirable, offering a luxurious appearance that exhibits wealth. Unfortunately, wider boards have remained more expensive, but that hasn’t stopped the growing demand for them. Now, this trend applies to tiles or tile-effect floors too, with many homes opting for the widest board, or biggest tile that they can find. While not everyone can afford to follow this trend, it is worth noting that it works particularly well in smaller rooms, helping to exaggerate space. If wider boards are something that interests you, we suggest taking a look at our extra wide engineered wood flooring range since these have become a firm favourite with some of our customers already. However, if you’d prefer tiles or stone kitchen flooring, our stone effect LVTs provide an extremely realistic finish, at a much lower cost.

Popular Kitchen Flooring

Our most popular kitchen flooring is currently luxury vinyl tiles (LVT). LVT flooring has numerous benefits to it, including but not limited to being 100% waterproof. Therefore, it’s no wonder why most customers choose LVT for their kitchen flooring. Some of the other benefits to LVT flooring include:

• Appearance. LVT flooring can easily replicate stone, marble, or wood.
• Easy Maintenance. LVT floors are extremely easy to clean and maintain.
• Easy Installation: The Click Lok method makes LVT floors easy to fit, even in DIY installations.
• Fading Resistance. The protective coating makes it much more difficult for colours to fade.
• Scratch Resistance. LVT is highly scratch-resistant, making it perfect for pets.
• Provides Insulation. The built-in underlay creates additional insulation.
• Comfortable Underfoot Feel. LVT is soft to walk on, unlike marble, stone, or solid wood.  
• Reduces Noise Transmission. Effectively absorbs sound which is ideal in kitchen apartments.
• Fully Waterproof. LVT flooring is the only floor we sell that is 100% waterproof. 

Kitchen Flooring Inspiration

Kitchen Flooring and Cabinet Colour Combinations

Choosing the right combination of kitchen flooring and cabinet colours is essential in creating a harmonious and appealing kitchen design. However, finding the right combination can be a struggle when there are so many different elements to consider during a kitchen renovation. As flooring professionals, we always advise that you make use of our free unlimited floor samples to get a real feel for your kitchen design. It can also be a great idea to create a mood board, or colour palette that can help you visualise your finished design, before proceeding.

Need inspiration? Here are some ideas to help you create a cohesive and inviting colour palette for your kitchen:

Neutral Elegance

Classic White Cabinets with Light Wood Flooring

Cabinets: White cabinets create a clean and timeless look.

Flooring: Pair with light engineered wood flooring to add warmth and a natural touch. 

Bold and Modern

Grey Cabinets with White Marble or Grey Tile Flooring

Cabinets: Grey cabinets are trendy and versatile.

Flooring: White marble effect or grey LVT flooring will complement the cool tones of the cabinets.

Coastal Retreat

Navy Blue Cabinets with White or Light Grey Tile Flooring

Cabinets: Navy blue adds a bold and elegant touch.

Flooring: Light grey or white luxury vinyl tiles will create a crisp contrast.

Earthy and Warm

Dark Brown Cabinets with Warm Wood Flooring

Cabinets: Dark cabinets provide a rich and sophisticated feel.

Flooring: Golden engineered wood flooring balances the darkness and adds warmth. 

Sophisticated Monochrome

Light Grey Cabinets with Black Wood Flooring

Cabinets: Light grey cabinets are neutral and modern.

Flooring: Pair with black engineered wood flooring for a striking contrast.

Vintage Charm

Two-Tone Cabinets with Contrasting Flooring

Cabinets: Use two cabinet colours, such as white upper cabinets and dark lower cabinets.

Flooring: Coffee wood flooring makes a great choice in vintage designs, providing it doesn’t look too dark alongside your cabinet choice. 

High-Contrast Drama

Black Cabinets with Light Grey Flooring

Cabinets: Black cabinets create a dramatic and modern look.

Flooring: Pair with light grey luxury vinyl tiles or grey engineered wood flooring for added contrast. 

Rustic Farmhouse

Natural Wood Cabinets with Stone Effect or Rustic Wood Flooring

Cabinets: Natural wood cabinets create a warm and inviting atmosphere.

Flooring: Stone effect flooring or rustic engineered wood flooring such as our smoked or distressed floors will complement the natural tones best.

Artistic and Eclectic

White Shaker Cabinets with Patterned Tile or Colourful Backsplash

Cabinets: White cabinets serve as a versatile backdrop for a patterned tile or vibrant backsplash.

Flooring: Pair with a dark engineered wood floor to not take away from the rest of your kitchen design. 

Minimalist Zen

Green or Sage Green Cabinets with Neutral Wood Flooring

Cabinets: Green cabinets add a pop of colour and a sense of the outdoors.

Flooring: Oak flooring will balance out the design while adding to the natural elements.