LVT flooring
LVT is available in realistic wood-effect plank, tile and herringbone styles and is frequently considered for kitchens and open-plan areas.
Kitchen flooring guide
What's the best flooring for a kitchen?
LVT, vinyl and laminate can all create very different kitchen floors. The right choice depends on the room, the finish you want, how the kitchen is used and the specification of the flooring itself.
Kitchen flooring
Choose around the room, not just the colour.
The short answer
Which flooring is best for a kitchen?
There isn't one kitchen flooring type that is automatically best for every home. LVT and vinyl are commonly considered for kitchens, while some laminate products may also be suitable depending on their specification.
A good kitchen floor needs to suit the way the room is used as well as the look you want to create. In a busy family kitchen, practical considerations may be just as important as colour and pattern.
In an open-plan kitchen and living area, the way the floor continues through the wider space can also have a major impact on the finished appearance.
Always check that the specific flooring product is suitable for the environment in which it will be installed.
In this guide
Kitchen flooring options
Three flooring types worth considering.
LVT, vinyl and laminate can each create a different result in a kitchen, both visually and practically.
Vinyl flooring
Vinyl provides a practical flooring option with a broad range of finishes and can work particularly well in kitchens and other busy everyday spaces.
Laminate flooring
Some laminate products may be suitable for kitchens, but the specification and care requirements of the exact flooring should always be checked first.
Appearance
Think beyond colour. Plank width, direction, pattern and how the floor works with kitchen units can all influence the final result.
Everyday use
Consider foot traffic, dining furniture, pets, entrances and how often the kitchen is used when comparing flooring options.
The room underneath
The condition of the existing floor and any preparation required can affect which flooring systems are appropriate for the project.
Option 01 / LVT
LVT for kitchens.
LVT is one of the flooring options frequently considered for modern kitchens because of the range of styles and layouts available.
Straight wood-effect planks can create a cleaner, understated finish, while herringbone can make the floor itself a much stronger part of the kitchen design.
In open-plan spaces, LVT can also be used to create visual continuity from the kitchen into dining and living areas.
Explore LVT flooring ↗
Kitchen LVT
Herringbone and wood-effect kitchen floors.
Real examples show how much the layout and tone of the flooring can change the finished kitchen.
Option 02 / Vinyl
Vinyl for kitchens.
Vinyl is another practical option commonly considered for kitchens and utility areas.
It is available in a range of colours and finishes, allowing customers to choose anything from understated neutral flooring to stronger decorative designs.
The exact vinyl product should be selected around the demands of the room and the installation requirements underneath.
Explore vinyl flooring ↗
Option 03 / Laminate
Can you use laminate flooring in a kitchen?
Some laminate flooring products may be suitable for kitchens, but you should check the specification of the exact product rather than assume all laminate performs the same way.
Laminate remains attractive where a traditional wood-plank appearance is wanted and can work particularly well where adjoining living or dining areas already use the same floor.
Kitchens introduce different practical considerations compared with bedrooms or lounges, including spills, cleaning and the way the room is used.
If you are deciding between laminate and LVT for a kitchen, compare the exact products and consider the room as a whole before making the decision.
Explore laminate flooring
Before choosing
What should kitchen flooring cope with?
Kitchens are practical working spaces, so choosing flooring involves more than matching the units.
Regular foot traffic
Kitchens can be some of the most frequently used rooms in a home, particularly where they form part of an open-plan living area.
Cleaning
Think about how straightforward the floor will be to maintain and follow the cleaning instructions provided for the specific product.
Spills & moisture
Kitchens naturally introduce a greater chance of spills, so flooring should be selected with the conditions of the room in mind.
Kitchen layout
Islands, runs of units, doorways and open-plan areas all influence how the flooring pattern will appear once installed.
Adjoining rooms
If the kitchen connects directly to a dining room, hallway or lounge, consider whether one flooring finish should continue through.
Appearance over time
Colour, pattern and surface texture should suit not only the kitchen today but the wider interior around it.
Kitchen floor preparation
The finished floor depends on what is underneath.
Preparation should be considered before deciding how straightforward the new flooring installation will be.
Existing flooring
Old vinyl, laminate, carpet or another existing surface may affect what needs to happen before the new kitchen floor is fitted.
Floor condition
Significant dips, high points or damaged areas can affect how the new flooring sits and may require attention first.
Finished height
Doors, plinths, thresholds and adjoining floors should all be considered when looking at the final floor level.
Layout planning
Herringbone and plank floors should be planned around the room so the finished pattern works with units, entrances and sight lines.
Open-plan kitchens
One floor can connect the whole space.
Open-plan kitchens change the flooring decision because the floor may need to work across cooking, dining and living areas rather than one isolated room.
Using one finish throughout can make the space feel more connected and can help avoid unnecessary visual breaks between different zones.
Patterned flooring such as herringbone can become especially noticeable across larger rooms, so layout planning becomes even more important.
See open-plan flooring projects ↗
Kitchen floor care
Which kitchen flooring is easiest to clean?
LVT, vinyl and laminate all provide hard-floor surfaces that can be straightforward to clean when looked after correctly.
Loose dirt can generally be removed through regular vacuuming or sweeping. Further cleaning should follow the manufacturer's guidance for whichever flooring product has been installed.
Spills should be dealt with promptly and the floor should not be treated in a way that conflicts with its care instructions.
The easiest floor to live with is ultimately one that suits both the kitchen and the household using it.
Quick comparison
LVT, vinyl or laminate?
Start with what matters most for your particular kitchen rather than looking for one universal answer.
Strong design flexibility.
A good option to explore if you like wood-effect plank or herringbone designs and want flooring that can visually connect larger spaces.
Read the LVT guide ↗Practical kitchen flooring.
Worth considering where a practical hard-floor finish is the priority, with a variety of colours and styles available.
Explore vinyl flooring ↗Traditional wood-plank appearance.
Some laminate products may suit kitchens where the look of a timber-style floating floor is preferred. Check the exact product specification.
Read the laminate guide ↗Start with the room.
Send photographs, approximate dimensions and information about how the kitchen connects to surrounding rooms.
Ask about your kitchen ↗
Kitchen flooring near you
Kitchen flooring across South Yorkshire.
SP Flooring Services provides LVT, vinyl and laminate flooring across Rotherham, Sheffield, Barnsley, Doncaster and surrounding areas.
Kitchen flooring FAQs
Choosing your kitchen floor.
If you're unsure which option suits your property, send photographs and details of the room before making the final decision.
Ask about your kitchenWhat is the best flooring for a kitchen? +
There is no single flooring type that is best for every kitchen. LVT and vinyl are commonly considered, while some laminate products may also be suitable. The right choice depends on the room, appearance required and product specification.
Is LVT good for kitchens? +
LVT is commonly considered for kitchens and open-plan areas because of the range of practical wood-effect, plank and herringbone products available. Check the suitability of the specific product.
Is vinyl flooring suitable for kitchens? +
Vinyl is commonly used in kitchens and other practical spaces. The exact product should be chosen around the conditions and requirements of the room.
Can laminate flooring be used in a kitchen? +
Some laminate products may be suitable for kitchen environments. Always check the manufacturer's specification and care guidance for the particular flooring being considered.
Is herringbone flooring good in a kitchen? +
Herringbone can create a strong visual feature in kitchens and open-plan spaces. The room dimensions, layout and flooring product should all be considered when planning the pattern.
Should the same flooring run through an open-plan kitchen? +
Using the same flooring through kitchen, dining and living areas can create a more continuous appearance, but the flooring must be suitable for all of the spaces involved.
Where does SP Flooring Services fit kitchen flooring? +
SP Flooring Services covers Rotherham, Sheffield, Barnsley, Doncaster and surrounding South Yorkshire areas.
Planning a new kitchen floor?
Request a quote
Tell us about the space.
Send your location, approximate measurements, photographs and the flooring styles you're considering.