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Kitchens

Optimal Floor Coverings for Modern Kitchens: Function, Design, and Maintenance

The kitchen is a vibrant hub of activity in many homes, playing host to cooking, dining, and often doubling as a socializing space. As such, selecting the perfect floor covering for this versatile area requires thoughtful consideration of factors such as durability, aesthetics, comfort, and ease of maintenance. Let's delve into these facets to aid your decision in choosing the best floor covering for your kitchen.

Durability and Functionality

One of the first considerations for kitchen flooring is durability and functionality. Kitchens are high-traffic areas, susceptible to spills, heat, and even dropped utensils or dishes, requiring a material that can withstand such conditions.

Tile: Ceramic and porcelain tiles are highly resilient and robust, making them excellent choices for kitchens. These materials resist heat, water, and even stains, maintaining their appearance for years.
Natural Stone: Granite, marble, and slate offer unparalleled durability and a distinct aesthetic. However, they may require sealing to prevent stains and can be slippery when wet.
Vinyl: A more budget-friendly option, vinyl flooring is known for its resistance to stains, water, and general wear and tear. Its vast variety of designs mimicking other materials like hardwood or tile makes it an attractive option.
Laminate: Similar to vinyl, laminate flooring is durable and easy to clean. While it convincingly replicates the appearance of other materials, it may not handle moisture as well as others, necessitating careful attention to spills.

Aesthetics and Comfort

While functionality is vital, aesthetics and comfort shouldn't be ignored. The kitchen floor should harmonize with the overall design theme and be comfortable underfoot, particularly in homes where the kitchen is a primary living space.

Hardwood: Hardwood floors bring warmth and a timeless appeal to any kitchen. They are comfortable for standing for long periods, making them ideal for those who spend a significant time cooking. Modern sealants have improved their resistance to spills and stains.
Cork: Cork is an eco-friendly option providing a soft, cushioned feel underfoot. It's available in a range of colors and finishes to suit various decor styles. However, it does require sealing to prevent water damage.
Bamboo: This is another eco-friendly option that shares many characteristics with hardwood flooring, including a similar aesthetic appeal. However, it’s important to select a high-quality bamboo product to ensure durability.
Concrete: For a sleek, modern industrial look, polished concrete is an increasingly popular choice. While hard and cold underfoot, it's incredibly durable and can be softened with area rugs.

Ease of Maintenance

Maintenance should also be a primary consideration when choosing your kitchen floor covering. Spills and stains are an inevitable part of kitchen life, so easy-to-clean options are often the most practical.

Tile, Stone, Vinyl, and Laminate: These materials are straightforward to clean, usually requiring just a sweep and mop. However, grout lines in tile and stone flooring can attract dirt and may need periodic deep cleaning.

Hardwood and Bamboo: Both require a little more care, typically needing vacuuming and damp mopping with a cleaner specifically designed for wood floors.

Cork and Concrete: These are relatively easy to clean but may require resealing over time to maintain their resistance to spills and stains.

Choosing the best floor covering for your kitchen involves balancing practical needs with design preferences. From the rustic charm of hardwood to the contemporary sleekness of concrete, there's a kitchen floor for every style and function. Always consider the unique needs of your household before making a final decision to ensure that your kitchen is both beautiful and functional.

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Allied Kitchen & Bath is proud to welcome Michael O'Byrn, award winning South Florida Designer to their team ...uality products and customized service. Having started his career in Chicago, IL, Michael O'Byrn comes to the Allied design team bringing over 30 years of experience custom designing kitchens for some of the most well-known companies in the industry; SieMatic, Poggenpohl, and most recently Downsview. Michael has perfected his techniques in creating well-designed, comfortable...
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A Handy Guide to Starting a Home Remodel ...athroom, make alternate arrangements such as creating a makeshift kitchen with the bare necessities in another part of the house. Countertops 101 Kitchens and bathrooms are among the most common renovation projects, and countertops are often a focal point of these redesigns. However, choosing the right countertop can be overwhelming. To hel...
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Material Matters ...te of enthusiastic cooks and designers alike. While stainless steel's neutral color and sleek looks work with a wide range of kitchen styles, it's most often found in contemporary, professional-style kitchens. This classic, durable material lives up to its name. Hot pans won't hurt it, and it's less likely than harder materials to damage delicate dishware that may slip from your grip.
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Superior design, superior functionality ...ogy, allowing water activation with just a simple tap anywhere on the faucet base, handle or arm for maximum flexibility and functionality. Sophisticated storage As kitchens become the de facto entertaining environment in the modern home, it is increasingly important to incorporate elements to keep clutter at bay. Thoughtful storage solutions are critical to both...
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6 holiday-friendly home design features ...Whether you’re shopping for a new traditional, manufactured or modular home or just attempting a renovation project, it’s important to consider the functionality of key spaces like kitchens and living rooms. These most-frequented rooms will host meals, family gatherings, movie nights, homework sessions and holiday celebrations, so they need to include features that facilitate all thes...
137 Designer Kitchens for Every Style ...137 Designer Kitchens for Every Style - Allow these culinary hot spots to stir up major inspiration for your own home...
Upgrade Your Kitchen This New Year ...ery dish, while rotating spray jets let you skip soaking and still target baked-on, caked-on messes. In addition to purchasing new appliances, homeowners can easily create a new mood in their kitchens by replacing cabinets. Often, you can schedule a free in-home con...
5 DIY Kitchen Renovation Inspirations ... ideas from the trend experts at Lowe's and Frigidaire Professional that will fit any kitchen style and bring your Pinterest-worthy dream kitchen to life. Everything and the kitchen sink Farmhouse kitchens are growing in popularity, but whether you are going for a farmhouse look or something more transitional, a farmhouse sink can add character to any kitchen. Go for a classic white or find a f...
Keep Clutter at Bay/Useful items to keep your home elegantly organized ...d.com and HomeDepot.com. Organize with Aesthetics in Mind Maximize space, storage and organization with a pocket door system. The Demi Tall Pantry Cabinet from Wellborn Cabinet, Inc. is ideal for kitchens of all sizes. Pull out units, sliding shelves and motion sensor lighting make organizing and locating items easy, while adding a pleasing aesthetic to the room. For more storage solutions, go...
A Kitchen Designer Tells All - Five tried-and-true tips for rocking your kitchen remodel ...ere to start. Certified Kitchen Designer MaryJo Camp has been there, in more ways than one. As a designer certified by the National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA), Camp has designed thousands of kitchens in her 35-year career - including her own. With a newfound personal understanding of remodeling challenges, Camp has pulled together her top tips for a successful kitchen revamp. Require r...
Design Your Dream Outdoor Kitchen ... of residential landscape architects by the American Society of Landscape Architects, one of the most popular features to fill that space is the outdoor kitchen. The first two decisions "Outdoor kitchens expand a homeowner's opportunities to gather together with family and friends," said Maria Stapperfenne, certified kitchen designer, certified bath designer and 2015 president of the National...
Get Inspired by Outdoor Living Ideas ...k to extend the style, comfort and function of their interior spaces to their outdoor living areas. More and more indoor activities are migrating outside with the addition of features such as outdoor kitchens, dining nooks and fireplaces. Demand also is up for features like integrated benches with cushions and accent pillows, storage components and lighting, along with accessories such as ornament...
Tips for Tackling Holiday Messes ...look each day but should be straightened before the guests arrive. Prep your kitchen surfaces. Often serving as the base camp for holiday entertaining, the kitchen deserves some extra attention. For kitchens with granite and other natural-stone surfaces, use an effective cleaner, such as the Granite Gold three-part system of cleaning, sealing and polishing before the party to ensure that it looks...
Give Your Kitchen a Facelift - Easy Updates to Increase Your Home's Value & Save You Time ...(Family Features) Ever hear the saying "Kitchens sell a home?" Well it's true; the kitchen is the most important room in the home. Whether you're considering putting your house on the market or investing in your home for personal long-term enjoyment, an upgraded and attractive kitchen can make your home irresistible. While a well-designed kitchen incorporates elements of luxury and style, it's ...
Caring for Your Stone Surfaces ... stone manufacturer and installer to be further cut to a homeowner's needs. It's this factory finish that enhances their inherent characteristics - veins, swirls, crystals - prior to installations in kitchens and baths. There are two common routes to pursue to maintain natural stone's durability and to ensure that brilliant shine persists. One option is contracting with a stone restoration spec...
Bring Your Personal Design Style to Life ...can actually save you time, money and provide peace of mind in the long run. Avoid costly mistakes and ensure that the professionals you hire are fully certified and qualified for the task. Great kitchens and baths start with great design. At the end of the day, you'll be thankful for the time spent during the dreaming and designing phases of your remodel. These steps will help bring your drea...
Five fast home decor updates with fantastic results ... patterns and textures - a combination of styles can create a look that is completely unique to your style. Next, arouse your sense of smell with aromatic candles and floral arrangements. Finally, in kitchens and baths, swap your basic hand towels for a new vibrant color or design. You'll find making small updates can be simple, yet produce dramatic results easily. Faucet focus From prep to ...
Kitchen remodeling: How to go from a far-off dream to 'DIY' ... buyer will be attracted to a kitchen that's updated and move-in ready. Even if you're planning on staying in your home for a while, few things can reinvigorate your home like a brand new kitchen. Kitchens are the hardest-working rooms in most homes, and the wear and tear that comes with years of use can leave them looking drab. A remodeling project that makes over your kitchen from floor to ce...
Ten lucky home decor trends for 2013 ...ike home Even as the economy shows signs of improving, homeowners still find comfort in "cocooning" in the warmth and safety of their homes, says Graeme Smith, conceptual designer at Second Nature kitchens.- Adding an on-trend color such as cranberry or velvety chocolate to a soothing palette of muted tones and delicate detailing creates timeless interiors, and incorporating vintage pieces fost...
Color tips from the pros: How to bring bold hues into the kitchen and bath ...(BPT) - Why is it that some people can do daring things with color in their living rooms or bedrooms, but stick with the strongholds of beige and white in their kitchens and baths? As bright hues are surfacing in kitchen and bath design trends, existing oft-neutral palettes make it easy to introduce bold splashes. Whether it's with a new faucet finish, a vibrant wall color, a playful backsplash...
Nick-of-time tips to make your home holiday ready ...at combines two popular seasonal standbys. Roomier entryways can benefit from a decorative urn filled with a variety of greens. Heap allen + roth ornaments on top to create a 'holiday topiary.' 2. Kitchens The kitchen is the hub of the home, especially during the holidays. Giving this room a refresh can be quick and easy, regardless of budget. Painting is one of the simplest, most cost-ef...
Upgrading your kitchen from 'blah' to 'bling' for less ... and friends. To design a kitchen that meets the multiple needs of today's modern family, including standing up to its daily wear and tear without breaking the bank, homeowners can transform their kitchens with a few tips and tricks from interior design experts and companies that have created more durable and affordable yet equally beautiful products. Small steps can create better spaces ...
Does Your Kitchen Work Like a Dream? Make the Most of Kitchen Storage ...Forget about the living room; the kitchen is the social hub of a home. Today's homeowners want their kitchens to reflect their personal tastes and accommodate their daily lives; however, a kitchen that can do all this is in need of one thing - smart storage. According to renowned chef Curtis Stone, "A dream kitchen is one that's designed for the way you live. The best advice I'd give anyone loo...
Top 10 Bathroom Trends ... stone, laminate and engineered-wood floors. Seeing Green: The National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA) reported that 24 percent of their designers used a green color palette in their clients' kitchens last year. KraftMaid, a leader in the semi-custom cabinetry industry, offers cabinetry with color finishes-such as Sage-that can add a burst of color to bathroom walls. Added Storage Space...
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Top 10 home decor trends for 2011 ...n't seen in 20 years or more." You've gotta have heart The kitchen remains the "heart of the home," according to Andrea Vollf of Andrea Vollf Interiors. Consumers interested in remodeling their kitchens should consider a well-designed, open, airy layout that integrates the kitchen into the rest of their homes. Dross also suggests new countertop materials in lieu of granite, such as quartz st...
Stop Stinky Kitchen Smells with Easy Tips from the "Queen of Clean" ...he competition with those surveyed reporting that spoiled food left in their refrigerator, meal-time dinner scraps and leftovers as the top three odors they'd like to have scent protection from. "Kitchens are a breeding ground for olfactory offenses," says cleaning expert Linda Cobb, also known as the "Queen of Clean." "But as easy as it is to create these foul odors, it's just as easy to all...
Put the Fun in Function - Making the Most of Kitchen Storage ...and relaxing." Get in the Zone According to Paul Radoy, manager of design services for Merillat, the best way to approach kitchen organization and storage is to look at the room in sections. "All kitchens have a cooking zone and a cleanup zone," he says. "And some kitchens may have an island or pantry. Each of these areas lends themselves to various storage opportunities." The Cooking Zone ...
Green Your Clean ...rance-free variations for those who are sensitive to strong perfumes and scents. -Soften fabric by adding one-quarter cup baking soda or one-quarter cup white vinegar to the wash cycle. Cleaning Kitchens and Bathrooms. -For an all-natural way to clean the oven, try using a nonabrasive scrubbing pad and baking soda. Make a thick paste of baking soda and water and apply to the stove. Leave ...