Design Notes

Flooring Options to Consider for your New Kitchen

It’s a New Year, a new you… But does your resolution list include some remodeling? If it does, it’s probably best to start with your kitchen – from the floors and work your way up. Kitchen floors are often victims of damage throughout the year, and now is the perfect time to give them a fresh new look. Let them shine like you’re going to the following year! There are numerous flooring options to consider for your new kitchen. So, if you don’t know where to start, we’re here to help!

There’s nothing like good old ceramics

Ceramic tiles provide the most design flexibility of any flooring material thanks to their malleability and adaptability. You can find traditional ceramics in neutral colors. While they, if you opt for a more toned-down look. But you can also find ceramic flooring in bold colors that can make your kitchen design pop. Ceramic tiles are a popular choice for kitchens due to their longevity; they are just as rough underfoot as stone tiles. However, beware of the issue of grime accumulation in grout lines.

How is it done?

Natural clay is molded, glazed, and fired at high temperatures to create a ceramic tile. This process results in a kitchen floor that is strong, long-lasting, and resistant to water and stains. Ceramic tile can withstand high temperatures without cracking and may also be broken without causing severe damage. Under normal circumstances, they may endure forever without significantly degrading in look or performance.

You can’t go wrong with vinyl tiles

Because it is a durable material, vinyl flooring can withstand considerable wear yet still feel comfortable when walking barefoot. You don’t have to worry about dropping dishes on the floor; this type of floor can handle it. Since vinyl is sold in planks and big sheets, the installation process requires careful measuring and cutting. However, there are engineered vinyl plank solutions that are not only dent- and scratch-resistant but also simple to install.

Vinyl flooring, once put in, does not absorb water and cannot be stained. Many alternatives exist, including ones that give the impression of being made of wood. However, after some time, vinyl flooring may develop dents from the weight of large equipment, which is one of its few drawbacks.

Laminate is great if you’re on a budget

Laminate flooring has long been a popular and cost-effective substitute for natural wood. It’s similar to vinyl in that it can mimic the appearance of hardwood for less money, but it’s not necessarily waterproof, unlike vinyl. However, more and more waterproof versions are now available. Like vinyl, laminate flooring is a good choice for do-it-yourselfers due to the flexibility of the planks, which may be nailed down or “floated” to accommodate an unlevel subfloor. This kind of flooring is often appreciated because it refreshes the whole space and has a highly desirable rejuvenating effect.

Make a lasting relationship with hardwood

Hardwood flooring remains a perennial favorite for kitchens due to its durability and broad color palette. It’s more comfortable to walk on than tile, and it can be refinished if scratched or damaged. Hardwood flooring is a natural choice for high-traffic areas because of its resilience. However, hardwood flooring wasn’t deemed suitable for wet environments like bathrooms and kitchens for a long time. Since current sealers and polyurethane finishes make hardwood floors more resilient and long-lasting in damp environments, the material’s reputation has undergone significant evolution. The one drawback is that it may be pricey, depending on the type of wood used.

It can be an excellent investment

Hardwood is an excellent option if you’re considering remodeling to improve your ROI when selling. It can look amazing, and many buyers are interested in it. However, it can be quite a gentle little thing when faced with excessive damage, such as the kind that can occur on a moving day. That’s why professional movers suggest using plywood sheets to protect it from scratches and all the damage that can happen by accident.

Fall in love with cork flooring

Cork is added to the list of do-it-yourself kitchen flooring options, a material that has only recently been widely available. To create the appearance of tiles or planks, you can purchase cork flooring in peel-and-stick, glue-down, or snap-together forms. Compared to other flooring materials, cork is warmer to the touch and has a softer, springier feel, making it effective in dampening noise.

Cork floors are great flooring options to consider for your new kitchen

Cork flooring is available in a wide range of gray and brown tones and is made from ground-up cork blended with resins. If you do it correctly, you can home by adding cork flooring. It’s not entirely waterproof, but it prevents stains if you mop up accidents quickly. Cork floors are naturally resistant to stains, but if they do occur, they may be sanded down and restored with stain and sealant.

Bamboo can be a great choice

Sustainable bamboo flooring is another option, similar to cork, because it is a renewable resource. Bamboo is technically a type of grass, yet it can be used as a substitute for hardwood in construction. The best part is that you can refinish it if it gets scratched up. Bamboo flooring comes in three distinct styles:

  • engineered bamboo
  • strand woven
  • solid bamboo

Each of these is perfect for people who like the vibe of Scandinavian interior design, especially in the kitchen.

When in doubt, ask the pros

Each of these flooring options for your new kitchen has flaws and strengths. If you’re unsure what would work best for your home, it’s always better to ask experts for advice. Experienced interior designers will know how to bring all your dreams to life. Of course, we’re always here for any questions, so don’t hesitate to ask and make your home perfect in 2023.

The world of interior design has run the full gamut of trends, from minimal to over-the-top and back again. Your home is meant to be your happy place, and a good design can affect the atmosphere. There are multiple styles to choose from, including modern, traditional, farmhouse, and transitional. Each possesses characteristics that make them unique in their own way, but sometimes what is offered is not enough, which is where the term mixology comes in, and no, we are not referring to the mixing of cocktails. There is a beauty when mixing and matching design styles, cabinets, and furnishings to create a space that perfectly reflects you. For a long time, designers were taught that things needed to remain within a certain realm of style in order for them to look good, but over the past few years, those boundaries have been broken down to make way for homeowners to express themselves in their own way. Out of this, there have been some new terms used to describe the shift in styles, such as grand millennial. If you like a few elements from multiple styles, then mixology may be your new best friend.

Is Biophilia Design For You? We love the looks nature inspires, which is why we have multiple products available for you to browse inside our showroom. From unique artwork to furniture pieces, we invite you to visit us and spend time browsing our 5,000 square foot showroom located in charming Uptown Shelby and find the inspiration you’ve been looking for to create the perfect environment in your home.

The world of design draws on multiple elements to create the perfect space for homeowners, a place that represents them and their particular style. Color plays a vital role in the design process, and its effects go beyond just adding a splash to the room. Color can affect our mood, communicate a message, lessen eye strain, and even play a part in remembering certain events. It also has the ability to influence the size of a room with certain colors, causing the area to feel larger, while other shades create a more intimate feel. Color selection can be a fun and rewarding process, plus it provides you with a great way to tell your story. More homeowners are discovering the beauty of contrasting colors, and this choice is gaining popularity in the design world. From two-toned kitchens to opposites in cabinets and tile, contrasting colors can spice up your design and make a stunning statement. Let’s explore more about what contrasting colors are and how they can help you tell your story.

While cabinet hardware is essential for functionality, it’s also a key element in the overall look and feel of your space. When selecting hardware, there’s more to consider than just appearance. How do you want your cabinets to open? Do you prefer knobs, pulls, or a combination of both? Should you go with cup pulls for a traditional touch or sleek bar pulls for a modern edge?

These decisions may seem small, but they can have a significant impact on both the usability and aesthetic of your cabinetry. Hardware serves as the finishing touch—bringing together the design while also making everyday tasks more comfortable and intuitive.

You are ready to begin your renovation, but you are unsure whether you want to go with custom or semi-custom cabinets. While custom cabinets will provide you with the exact fit you need for your space, they are at the higher end of the price range. Semi-custom cabinets tend to be a more budget-friendly alternative while still giving you the style and function needed for your space. Many homeowners are discovering the benefits of choosing semi-custom cabinets and are learning that they can still get the look they want while staying within their budget. Let’s talk more about what semi-custom cabinets are, the benefits they bring to your project, and some of the options we offer here at Greenbrook Design.