The kitchen is one of the most important rooms of the house. It puts up with a lot of activity and needs to be durable. Family members move in and out of the kitchen frequently so the kitchen floor has to deal with plenty of foot traffic.
Kitchen counter tops are also used extensively throughout the day. They must be strong enough to bear with knife cuts and heavy utensils without a scratch. Due to the heavy usage that they are subjected to, it is important to have long lasting and durable countertops and floors.
The kitchen is an area that is open to your guests. Therefore, it is preferred to use flooring materials that are inviting and pleasant to look at. While choosing kitchen floors and countertops, try to find a flooring material that will stay scratch free for years and will add a dash of style to the house. An easy way to achieve this is by choosing the same material for both the countertops and the floors.
Unify the Look of Your Kitchen You must have come across kitchens where the floor is attractive, but the countertops look old and scratched. Or you may have seen kitchens where the floor and countertop do not blend well together. To avoid such issues, it may be a good idea to choose the same material for both the kitchen countertops and the floors. This will give the entire kitchen a holistic and complete look. The unified appearance will make the kitchen stand out. Also, the floor and the countertops will age together and along similar lines.
Kitchen Floor and Countertop Options You can choose from vinyl, linoleum, marble, granite, stone etc. Before making the final choice factor in the kind of activity that occurs in your kitchen and its layout. If your kids run around or your dog scampers in the kitchen, make sure you find a more a durable option. Countertops and flooring materials in contrasting shades of linoleum can transform your drab kitchen and give it a striking makeover. Kitchen floors and countertops in stone, granite or marble look elegant. If your kitchen has a cooking island you can go for contrasting colors. To achieve this use the same material for the entire kitchen. Design the other counters and the floor in one color and the cooking island in a contrasting shade. This will advocate its prominence. You could, for example, use white marble on kitchen counters and on the floor, but on the cooking island use black granite. Desirable features Durability is of course a key element for both the floors and the countertops. Stains are a major problem in the kitchen. There can be food or beverage spills which can spoil the look of the floor. While choosing the countertop’s material, try to find products that are easy to clean. Kitchen floors and countertops should be easy to clean with a wet sponge without the need of using harsh chemicals and scrubbers.
Since the floor and the counter top share so many features, it is no surprise that the same material is often used for both. Linoleum for a contemporary look, granite and marble for timeless appeal, ceramic tiles for ease of cleaning, and machined floors and countertops for the flawless look – with so many options, you are sure to find the right product for your kitchen floors and countertops.
Do not forget to consider hardwood floors and countertops for your kitchen. Modern sealants make it possible to have hardwood in the kitchen. Cork is suited for the floor, but you may not want it on the countertops. If your heart is set on cork flooring for your kitchen, you could look for cork flooring that has been made to look like hardwood. You can now have cork on the floor and wood on the countertops.
