When it comes to kitchen flooring, times have fortunately changed. Enjoying the kitchen floor you have always dreamt of no longer means that you will have to rob the bank. Below we list various options for inexpensive kitchen flooring that are not only beautiful but cost up to 90 percent less than some other options out there.
In drawing up this list we had three requirements: the flooring had to be budget-friendly, durable, and DIY friendly.
Sheet vinyl kitchen flooring
For amazingly cheap kitchen flooring it’s hard to beat vinyl sheets. It’s really affordable and remarkably easy to maintain. Apart from that, vinyl sheets are water-resistant and very durable. If you take care of them properly, they can last between 15 and 20 years.
Another plus is that you can install sheet vinyl over many types of subfloors, including ones that have cracks or are uneven. Simply ensure that the subfloor is smooth and clean. You don’t want to see bumps on your kitchen floor from debris you didn’t remove from the subfloor.
Vinyl planks
Luxury vinyl tiles and planks are nowadays among the most popular budget options. The cheap-est vinyl tiles and planks that can still be categorized under luxury flooring often cost as little as 5 percent of what other flooring might cost. Here we are referring to those with a wear layer of around 2mm. Thicker vinyl planks will cost more, but will still be excellent value for money.
Ceramic tiles
Not only do ceramic tiles come in every pattern and color you can think of, but they are also available in a wide variety of shapes and sizes. Apart from that, they are easy to clean and long-lasting. A popular option is to create a ceramic tile border around an existing kitchen floor for that custom ceramic ‘rug’ look.
Hardwood Flooring
Here you have a choice between engineered hardwood flooring and solid wood. Both types come in affordable varieties. As the name indicates, solid wood flooring planks are made from solid wood while engineered hardwood flooring consists of a substrate of medium-density fiber-board or plywood, bonded to a top layer of wood veneer. This makes it a particularly suitable choice for humidity and temperature variations.
Laminate flooring
If you want the expensive look of dark hardwood flooring without the associated cost, a good option is laminate wood flooring. The latter is also not difficult to clean. There is currently a vast variety of inexpensive laminate kitchen flooring products on the market.
If you are in a hurry to get the job done, why not go for laminate flooring that comes with fold-down installation? With this option, there is no need for gluing. In fact, you will be able to walk on your brand new kitchen floor straight away.
Oak flooring
If you are one of the many people who adore oak wood floors but your budget has until now not stretched that far, you should perhaps consider oak flooring of the unfinished utility variety. These budget options cost only slightly more than vinyl flooring at most major flooring dealers. Technically they are ‘seconds’ because they often have knots, splits, machine burns, or other defects. They often also come as a mixture of V grooves and square edges. If you love the rustic country kitchen look, you might consider simply installing them as-is. For a more modern style, first install the flooring and then sand and finish it.
Bamboo Flooring
Bamboo flooring is a good option for families who like to use sustainable products but have a limited budget. It is available in a wide range of prices and stain colors.
For about the same price as good quality vinyl planks you can, for example, buy an engineered bamboo strip floor that has been natural stained and comes fitted with click-together edges to make installation a breeze.
When it comes to maintenance, just be sure to use furniture feet and felt pads to avoid scratches. Always wipe spills the moment they occur and sweep up grit and dirt every day.
Cork kitchen flooring
In the universe of cheap kitchen flooring, you are unlikely to find a material with a warmer, more cushiony feeling than cork flooring. On top of that also it’s eco-friendly because it’s manufactured from cork tree bark. And if you didn’t know that bark grows back after being harvested, you know now. Finally, it’s possible to find quality cork kitchen flooring options for even less than the bamboo flooring mentioned above.
Parquet kitchen flooring
This type of flooring consists of many small chunks of wood that have been assembled into an attractive geometric pattern. This is what makes it so appealing: it looks like artwork, yet you can walk on it.
Although this is one of the more expensive budget options, it’s still up to 80 percent cheaper than some other options on the market. One of the more popular choices is the 1-ft tiles with their alternating grain blocks that create a beautiful and stylish checkerboard effect.