If you’re in the market for a kitchen remodel in Chicago, chances are you’re looking to use materials that can hold out against heat, spills, moisture, and drips. The kitchen floor sees more foot traffic than any other place in your home. Therefore, the ideal flooring material improves your kitchen’s functionality, comfort, and ambiance.
Below are some factors to consider the next time you think of flooring your Chicago kitchen.
Material
There are plenty of options for choosing the best flooring material for your kitchen remodel. From hardwood to natural stone tile, ceramic tile, and bamboo, your only limitation is your preference and budget.
Both natural wood and bamboo have a more authentic look and are warmer options. With a coat of sealant or polyurethane finish, your wooden floor can last you decades. Bamboo is hardier even without chemical treatments and withstands heat and moisture better. However, the two options are expensive.
The alternative is to use ceramic tiles or natural stone such as limestone, marble, or travertine. However, with the chilling Chicago winters, you’ll need a rug or shoes for comfort, as stone floors get uncomfortably cold during winter.
Shape and Size
Do you go for mosaics, large tiles, slender planks of wood, or gleaming, unpolished stone? A crucial factor to consider when choosing the size and form of kitchen flooring is being simple to clean. Grout lines can be unsightly and unclean, so use large tiles instead (fewer grout lines), or install a flawless natural stone floor.
Texture and Color
Your Chicago kitchen floor will often look its finest if the color scheme of the nearby rooms is consistent. Choose light wood, white marble, or laminate (which is the more affordable alternative) floors if your interiors are bright and modern.
Choosing a darker natural stone or even dark-colored tiles will give your space a warmer aesthetic. There are many different colors and textures to pick from, so it’s a good idea to work with a kitchen designer who can guide you in making decisions that fit your preferences and design requirements.
Design Patterns
Patterns and designs can also give your floor a fresh, new look and infuse character. For wood, a herringbone pattern will give the flooring a classic look. If you prefer a more contemporary design, go for a contrasting pattern, like black-and-white tiles arranged in a geometric pattern.
Similar to colors, the design you choose for your floor should complement the rest of your interior shades and patterns.
The Finish
You can choose between a tumbled (somewhat dusty-looking) or a honed (smooth with gloss) finish if your floor is made of stone. Your options for finishing wood floors vary from a clear, smooth polyurethane finish and a hard-wax finish if you fancy a more natural appearance. Whichever you desire, working with a trained designer and builder will yield the best results as they’ll help you visualize how something would look in your space.
Our kitchen designers understand the importance of symmetry and synergy, so they’ll ensure your flooring complements your cabinets, countertops, backsplash, and general interior design of your kitchen and home. The materials you’ve selected will then be expertly installed and given the right finishing touches.
Hopefully, the tips above will help you better plan your next kitchen remodel.
