When renovating your kitchen, you should always spend time selecting your countertop before focusing on other aspects of the renovation, such as the cabinets or flooring. Most people are naturally drawn to your counters before looking at other areas of the kitchen. As a result, you should focus on picking flooring that compliments your counters, rather than detracts from them. One way you can ensure you accomplish this is to pick your flooring with your countertop in mind.
Ideally, you should purchase your flooring from the same place you purchased your counter. This ensures that everything flows well together. However, if that is not possible, bring a sample of your counter with you and carefully compare it to the flooring you are thinking about buying. There are a few other tips you can keep in mind, too, that make finding complimentary flooring an easy task.
Consider Flooring Materials
The first thing you should consider when selecting flooring is the type of material you want. There are numerous options available for kitchen floors, including hardwood, linoleum, granite, and tiles. Determining the best option for you depends on multiple factors, including how often you use your kitchen, the type of traffic your kitchen sees, how often the floor requires cleaning, and your own personal preferences. For example, linoleum is quite easy to clean making it ideal for those who do a lot of cooking and baking. However, it is not very aesthetically pleasing nor is it very comfortable to stand on for extended periods. As a result, it is less popular than other flooring options.
Granite tiles are a perfect choice for most homeowners. You can choose a style you like, a material that is comfortable to stand on, and lay them down in any pattern you want. Tiling is also relatively easy to clean, requiring the occasional mopping with soapy water. Hardwood is a poor choice for most kitchens, and should be avoided wherever possible. It is hard to keep clean, requiring special cleaners and frequent mops. In addition, spills must be cleaned up immediately to prevent staining. While they are a beautiful addition to your kitchen, they are not worth it in the long run because of the maintenance involved. Instead, opt for tiles and save the hardwood for your living room or other areas of your home.
Thinking about Color
Granite counters can come in a few different shades, with brown, beige, grey, and black being the most popular ones. Make sure you choose flooring that compliments those tones without being too distracting. For example, do not pick a busy pattern in shades of blue if your granite countertop has green specks running throughout out. Instead, select a floor in a color and pattern that suit the style of the counter and the overall aesthetic of the kitchen.
In most cases, simple shades such as blacks, whites, and greys are perfect for kitchen flooring. If you have a lot of natural light in your kitchen, you may want to consider black or grey flooring to match the granite. This creates a uniform look in your kitchen, creating a calming and welcoming atmosphere. Black flooring has the added perk of hiding dirt and spills while you are cooking until you have the time to clean them up; a huge perk for those who experience unexpected guests before dinner.
Once you find the granite countertop of your dreams, your next task is to find flooring that compliments it perfectly. The tips above can help make this complicated task much easier. Remember that the most important thing is to pick flooring you love, ignoring trends. Your kitchen renovation is an investment you want to last, so make sure you spend the time selecting elements you know you can love for years to come.