The floors of contemporary kitchens today are a very telling aspect of how kitchen designers are trying out both new materials and application methods in kitchens, in order to create innovative and highly functional spaces. As more and more people building their homes become determined to create spacious, beautiful and practical ‘dream’ kitchens, the amount of choices available for the patterns, colours and materials for flooring are increasing in order to meet demands.

Whilst functionality always has been and always will be a high priority, appearances still top the list for many kitchen designers when it comes to flooring. Aside from this, comfort, warmth and durability are all key considerations. Those creating contemporary kitchens are also often keen to keep the materials of the space as eco-friendly as possible and so the source of the materials is just as important as the appearance and practicality.

The right type of flooring in a kitchen can help to give structure to open plan kitchen spaces. Adding matching flooring to both the kitchen and the dining space will ensure that the decor has a uniform and attractive appearance as a whole.

Wooden flooring has become increasingly popular, as the look of this material adds a certain richness and warmth to the space. The beauty of choosing wooden flooring is that it offers versatility as well as style. In terms of which woods work best for kitchen floors, bamboo and oak are popular with many people designing their own contemporary kitchens. Bamboo is an especially great choice for those who are concerned about the environmental impact that building a home can have on the planet. Its sleek and understated modernity is perfect for the contemporary home and it co-ordinates beautifully with chic, oriental decorative themes.

Of course, there are plenty of other choices when it comes to selecting the material for kitchen floors. Stone is a choice often favoured by those who want a rustic, French-country feel to the kitchen. Stone is very durable and a good choice for the traditional kitchen. Tiling is a choice that is now coming back into style; a few years ago, tile was often dismissed as an option for kitchens as its hard surface could make the room feel colder. However, with the introduction of under floor heating, tile is fast becoming one of the best loved choices for the modern kitchen.

For those on a budget, linoleum is still a favourite, as it offers durability and plenty of colour and pattern options. It is also considered to be one of the most eco-friendly choices on the lower end of the price scale, as most manufacturers today produce linoleum that is free from chlorine. Many people today choose to buy apartments in cities, where sound pollution can be an issue, whether it’s noisy neighbours or passing traffic. For this reason, flooring that can absorb sound effectively is often chosen. Cork is particularly suitable for this and it not only provides sounds absorption, but is also an excellent thermal insulator in colder spaces.