Kitchen Remodeling Tips and Options from Custom Kitchen Remodelers Dot Com

More than any other surface, kitchen flooring get wear and tera. It should be comfortable and durable enough to withstand spills and heavy foot traffic.

Resilient: Resilient flooring describes all synthetic, resin-based flooring and includes vinyl tiles, sheet flooring, linoleum, cork and rubber.

Vinyl, the most common type of resilient flooring, is inexpensive, flexible and available in many colors and designs. Some vinyl floors mimic stone and ceramic tiles. Vinyl resists water and stains and is relatively soft. You can purchase vinyl in sheets or tiles. Vinyl tiles are easier for DIY installation and are less expensive than sheet vinyl.

Linoleum actually becomes more durable the longer it is down. Linoleum costs about twice as much as quality vinyl sheet flooring, but is significantly less expensive than hardwood flooring. Other choices include cork and rubber, which are available in muted shades.

Laminate flooring comes in planks which mimic materials like stone and wood and tiles. It is strong and durable and resists stains, warping, and scratching. It is quite easy to clean.

Hardwood, a durable and fairly forgiving surface, is available in many finishes and grain patterns. Most of today's wood floor finishes are suitable for kitchens. The most durable hardwoods are oak, maple and cherry. Softwoods, such as pine, will dent. However, a distressed pine floor suits a country style. Wood floors require occasional refinishing to remove scratches and stains.

Ceramic tile is great-looking and easy to clean. This type of flooring has design versatility, and it is available in a myriad of shapes, sizes, textures and colors. Pattern possibilities are almost limitless.

Stone tiles such as marble, limestone, slate and granite, offer a beautiful natural look. Some stones stain easily, and some are not strong enough to be used for flooring, so choose carefully. The subfloor may need reinforcing to support the weight of the stone. Granite and limestone should be sealed periodically. A low sheen wax or acrylic sealer can be applied to slate.

Carpet: In dry, arid areas of the country, such as the Southwest and areas like Malibu, Santa Barbara and Tiburon, low-pile, stain-resistant carpet is often used in kitchens. Non-slip and easy on the feet, carpet is often a good choice for elderly cooks. 

Storage baskets displayed on oven shelving are both functional and attractive, adding shapes and color to the overall design. Paying attention to finishing touches such as hardware, back splashes, lighting fixtures, trim and molding on the bases of cabinets and window dressing unifies and completes a successful kitchen scheme.