Choosing Kitchen Floor Tiles That Look Good and Keep Clean

 Harriet Goodacre Harriet Goodacre

July 20, 2020

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Kitchen floor tiles with pink kitchen cabinets

When choosing the best floor tiles for a kitchen, it’s important to weigh aesthetics against practicality. How are you planning to use the space day in, day out and how much wear and tear is the floor going to be put through? You also need to consider the position of the kitchen in your home and other factors like pets and children as all of these elements will affect how your floor is used and the foundation you need for your space.

Kitchen Floor Tiles

What is the best floor for a kitchen?

For a kitchen floor, tiles would be the best and most durable option compared to other flooring like laminate, vinyl and wood flooring. The type of tile depends on the use of the space and how much traffic it will see over time.

Wood Effect Floor Tiles

What type of tiles are best for kitchen floor?

Depending on the use of your kitchen space, either porcelain tiles or natural stone tiles would be the best tiles for a kitchen floor. Both of these options are hard wearing and durable enabling them to withstand considerable wear over time.


However, if you have a large amount of activity in the kitchen every day, like you’re an avid baker, you let the kids help with the cooking or you are a little bit clumsy then our kitchen floor tiles advice would be to avoid natural stone. Stone can be porous and if not sealed and treated properly and regularly it can stain and therefore mark overtime.

What is the easiest kitchen floor to keep clean?

Porcelain tiles are much easier to clean than natural stone tiles as you don’t have to worry so much about damaging your sealant or water marks. Most porcelain is micro sealed during production meaning they are most resistant to wear and tear, requiring little up keep.


Given the nature of the room, we’d advise opting for a mid-tone floor tile. This means it won’t show up as much dirt as a light tile but it also won’t show up grease marks, hair or dust like a dark floor tile would. We’d also advise a darker grout colour, this will keep it looking fresher for longer. You can read our top tips for cleaning tiles here.

Wood Effect Tiles

Kitchen Floor Wood Tiles

Mimicking the look of real wood flooring, wood effect tiles are a great way to add warmth to your kitchen. The printed knots and grain add interest and texture to your space whilst providing a durable and practical surface.


Available in a wide range of tones and formats, you can create different laying patterns depending on the look you want to achieve. There are also matching grout colours available so you can create a really realistic looking wood floor but one that doesn’t scratch or mark easily, perfect if you have pets or children.

Concrete Effect Tiles

Kitchen floor concrete tiles

We’ve talked about mid-toned flooring and a grey concrete effect is perfect for this. It’s a really durable finish which works well in both contemporary and more traditional settings when styled right. The concrete effect tile is a great option for those looking for a minimalist or Scandi-inspired finish, you can warm it up by pairing it with natural woods and warmer metals like burnished brass or gold.

Patterned Tiles

Kitchen Floor Pattern Tiles

If you want to add the wow factor then a patterned tile is definitely one to consider. The pattern brings a brightness to the space and a uniqueness and if you get the styling right, can be really versatile for most interior schemes. A patterned tile is also really useful for making a space feel bigger if you choose the right pattern but it’s also great for creating a zone, especially important for a more open plan living area. You can zone off the kitchen and eating areas by switching from patterned tiles to a wood effect for example.


If you’re choosing a porcelain tile then you can also see if it’s suitable for outdoor use, giving you the option to extend your living space through bi-fold doors to really open up your home and connect your room to the outdoors. This gives you a greater sense of space but also connects you with nature and therefore promotes a healthy wellbeing, making your kitchen a relaxing and positive space to be in.

Underfloor Heating

We’ve talked about the best kitchen floor tiles but we haven’t talked about the foundation of that floor. A really great investment is underfloor heating. Not only does it feel luxurious all year round it can also be more cost effective than conventional heating systems. It’s especially useful for those with a compact kitchen or one that sits on the back of a north facing house as it will keep it feeling warmer and you don’t have to waste precious space on radiators.


So, there you have it, the best tiles for kitchen floors are made of porcelain and should be used in conjunction with underfloor heating. If your kitchen is always busy try opting for a neutral grey tile with a darker grout line but if you want something with a little more wow, open up your space with a gorgeous patterned tile instead.

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