Which flooring do you have in your kitchen/diner?

[Magnificentbeast]

As the title says but also what are the pros and cons of your flooring?

We inherited a carpeted kitchen/diner from the previous owners. I had hoped to change it asap once we moved in (3 years ago!). However, I'm finding it difficult to decide on an good alternative.

DH is on the fence but basically wants me to look into the options if I am determined to change it. We have young children and DH often says it's not worth doing too much to the house for now because they will 'just destroy it'. I'm really not keen on the carpeting situation at all though!

I have laminate wood flooring in my dining room and a high shine tiled kitchen. I have young dc also and they don’t ruin it at all in fact it’s easier to clean as it’s hard floor and you can just hoover up any crumbs and wipe any spills. I would rather that than have stained carpet. Good luck 😀

We recently moved and they had real wood flooring in the kitchen and dining room that leads onto to it, but it was in such a bad state so we ripped it up and were planning on putting laminate down all the way through but changed our mind last minute and now have slate kitchen tiles and a dark carpet of a similar colour in the dining room.

They blend in nicely together and are very practical. The tiles are so easy to keep clean and the dark carpet in the dining area is very forgiving!

We have LVT, it's Hardy and can withstand flooding etc, it's been down 18 months and is like new, not a mark or scratch on it despite being a busy house

We're about to buy out first house and I'm equally confused as to my options OP! I'm with you on carpet in the kitchen being an emphatic no, though!

Woeisme99 I'm curious about LVT - is it hard enough to not be damaged by stilettos etc? And does it feel warm or cold underfoot?

I have engineered wood. It came with house. I wouldn't have chosen it but it seems fine

Is engineeried hardwood suitable for weekly (at least) washing? It is lovely, but I would think that if it's one room, then tiles are best. If there are two parts to it, tile plus wood in the dining end.

Currently have LVT and love it. Feels warm with bare feet, easy to clean and isn't slippy.

In previous houses I've had:

Laminate, chipped easily, leading to panels blowing.
Tiles, very cold and cracked one dropping in a mug within about a week of them going down.
Lino, warm and soft underfoot but sliced like butter when I dropped a knife.

If you're looking for something hard wearing and low maintenance then LVT is an excellent option. If it is one you go for, make sure you find an excellent fitter as this will make all the difference to your finish.

WeeDangerousSpike my LVT is bomb proof seemingly.
We have had broken plates, dropped knives, stilettos, toddlers riding scooters, the lot.
I had polyfloor stick down, after much research. I personally wouldn't have the click stuff, nor the cheapo stuff from Careptright etc.

Engineered wood for us. Can't stand tiles(too cold) and carpets (getsdirty fast) . Luxury laminate looks cheap I find.

Please - what is LVT. Looking to change our ceramic tiles in the kitchen. Thanks

Karndean here. It's lovely for cleaning and crazy hardwearing - you wouldn't know it's five years old, looks like new. It's not very kind on dropped ceramics though, and not warm on bare feet.

I have karndean tiles and despite everyone seeming to rave about them, I've been really disappointed. The floor lost it's sheen after a couple of years despite only using soapy water to clean it. They sent me a kit to strip off the remaining lacquer and repolish it but that only worked short term now it's horrible and dull again. Think I'll get a matt finish vinyl next time!

Wood effect tiles. Easy care and look very nice if laid well. Visitors regularly think they are wood.

We've recently had this installed www.directwoodflooring.co.uk/evocore-flooring very impressed so far. Nice to walk on barefoot and easy to clean. Really competitive price too. Haven't had any dropped crockery yet so can't comment on that!
With the test strip I jumped on it in stilettos and not a mark. Preschooler rides her scooter round and generally tests to destruction and it's stood up to it all

Thanks everyone. I have more research to do. I didn't know there were so many options.

Last house had engineered wood. Was ok, but did suffer water damage, I wouldn't have it again.

Replaced with limestone flooring. Amazing, beautiful, and would have again in a heartbeat.

Moved house and inherited large terracotta tiles with corner inserts, a bit Spanish looking I guess. Although wouldn't have been my choice, they're very hard wearing, great at disguising dirt, and pleasant to have.

Karndean flooring here, almost 2 years old. Like new and easy to clean. This colour also disguises dust and dirt well. A lot warmer underfoot than the previous 2 floors which were terracotta tiles and then laminate.

Wood veneer.

Upside - soft (things don't necessarily break when you drop them like they do with tiles), warm, looks lovely. Easy to sweep.

Downside - marks and not good with any wet spills (no kids here so not an issue, but worse for families I think).

We have Marmoleum. It's been down for 10+ years and still looks great. We're replacing the kitchen this year and will be getting Marmoleum again.

Slate tiles. Love them but they are cold in the morning