I've hated the tiles in our kitchen as long as I can remember. They were there when we bought the house. They are dark, small tiles and always look dirty because of the grout and cold underfoot. It's where we spend most of our time as a family.
Downstairs isn't really open plan but the living room and hallway connect into the kitchen. Downstairs living room and hallway has engineered wood flooring (very old) which we've been advised it's better to sand down - will look as good as new they reckon - rather than replace with new wood flooring. The original idea was to replace them and follow through into the kitchen with the same wood.
So the dilemma is now this. If we sand down the existing wood (cheaper too), would it look odd to have different wood flooring in the kitchen even if we try to match it as close as possible?
The person who came to quote also said it was a bad idea to have wood in the kitchen. It leads into the garden and whilst we have mats by the door, he reckons it would be hard to maintain. It's the hub of the house. I get his point but I do prefer the look and feel of wood underfoot.
Current kitchen is off-white cabinets (though more cream in the light) with oak worktops. Dining table also wood. Is this too much wood?!
Lastly, DH wants to get a dog. Would tile be more practice from that perspective because of scratches?
We don't live in a show room or have a very fancy kitchen! Most friends who come describe it as cosy. So I'm not expecting wood flooring to remain immaculate and scratch free over time!
We are going back and forth so much to the point I fear living with the current kitchen tiles (which I can't stand) for another decade!!!!
Thanks so much in advance. DH is clueless when it comes to design or aesthetics and I thought I knew what we wanted until the fitter advised otherwise!