Kitchen Flooring Ideas & Options

Kitchen Flooring Ideas & Options

There are numerous floorings for the kitchen and a choice of decision generally depends upon the expense. The closely laid wood floor can be varnished, stained or left unfinished. In the unfinished state it shows grease and requires endless scrubbings. It was the floor of our New England grandmothers where rag rug's were used and where "help" was expected to do sand scrubbing.

A later generation takes more kindly to linoleum. Of this there are many varieties. The cheap stamped linoleum soon loses its pattern and gives little wear. The inlaid linoleum, in which the pattern goes through, is made up of one inch blocks welded together and backed by a strong hemp lining. There is no wear-out to it, and it is easy on the feet. The main objection is that the seams absorb moisture and the fabric eventually rots.

In the pretentious kitchen, tile flooring is the best, but it is hard on the feet. To avoid any accumulation in the corners it should be carried up to the top of the mop board, and the corners should be coved. Tiling lends itself to decorative effects, such as a yellow with black banded border, or a white with blue or a gray with green.

Rubber and cork flooring, similar to linoleum, are by far the most comfortable for the feet. They are expensive but repay in comfort and wear the initial outlay.

Composition flooring which is poured on to the board floor and has a consistency somewhat harder than linoleum but without its disadvantageous seams, is the flooring of most possibilities. It comes in soft green, tan, brown and gray, and, once down, it is down "for keeps".

With floors of the character above no extra covering is needed; in fact, it is undesirable for sanitary reasons. A rug may be placed in front of the sink and prove a boon to the dishwasher, but it should be regularly sunned and aired to prevent mildewing. In place of the wool rug a cork mat will serve the same purpose and require less care.

Next Page: Kitchen Walls Ideas.