6 Kitchen Floor Ideas on a Budget

The kitchen is the heart of the home, and homeowners spend a lot of time picking out countertops, cabinets, appliances, etc. However, flooring is a major appeal of kitchens — one that many neglect. 

Expensive flooring might seem like the best option, but there are several low-cost flooring solutions for homeowners who don’t want to spend too much money. To that end, we compiled this quick guide on six kitchen floor ideas on a budget. These inexpensive kitchen flooring ideas are perfect for a weekend DIY project. 

Contact Fairmont Kitchen Center today to speak to the best kitchen remodelers in Fairmont, WV!

1. Vinyl Tiling

Vinyl is the go-to material for affordable kitchen flooring, and for good reason. Vinyl comes in a wide range of colors, patterns, and finishes while maintaining an extremely affordable price per tile. Vinyl flooring can mimic the texture of ceramic or wood at a fraction of the cost. 

Vinyl is also easy to install. Most of the time, you can place it directly on the previous flooring, saving you money on flooring removal. Vinyl is also very easy to clean and can last up to 20 years on average. 

2. Refinished Wood

If your wood floors look worse for wear, your first instinct might be to rip them up and start anew. However, depending on their condition, you can salvage wood floors with a new coat of paint and a new finish. 

Refinishing wood involves removing the top layer, repainting, and applying a new layer of finish. That might sound like a lot of work, but refinishing is significantly cheaper than removing and installing new wood floors. 

Normally, you can remove the top finish layer by sanding the floorboards. You can rent the necessary tools inexpensively, making refinishing your flooring a good DIY option for kitchen floor ideas on a budget. 

3. Ceramic Tiles

Thanks to its beautiful appearance and durability, ceramic is an extremely popular flooring option. Ceramic is incredibly easy to clean and tough enough to handle daily foot traffic. Assuming proper maintenance, care, and cleaning, a ceramic tile floor can easily last over 50 years. 

Ceramic has a reputation as only being for expensive-looking kitchens, but ceramic tiles are actually good for kitchen floor ideas on a budget. What makes ceramic more expensive is paying for complicated patterns and color schemes. You can buy simple ceramic tiling and install it yourself to save money. 

4. Laminate

Laminate is a composite material consisting of pressed wood. The main draw of laminate is that it mimics the look and texture of natural wood at less than half the cost. Advances in laminate manufacturing have made it tougher and more lustrous, providing an excellent low-cost alternative to natural wood. 

Like vinyl, laminate flooring is durable and easy to clean. You can use most types of floor cleaners, though you will want to avoid rough scrubbing surfaces. Remember to remove spills quickly, too, as the liquid can seep between flooring seams and cause bubbling.

5. Cork

When it comes to budget-friendly floor options, most homeowners have probably never considered cork kitchen flooring, but it is one of the more budget-conscious flooring options thanks to its appearance and sustainable nature. Corkboard flooring looks great in rustic and farmhouse kitchens. Cork is naturally resistant to mold and microbes and is also flame retardant. 

Engineered cork floorboards snap together, so you don’t need glue or nails to secure them. Like vinyl, you can usually install cork on top of existing flooring. Cork flooring is also slightly springy, so it is comfortable on the feet and impervious to scratches and cracks from heavy appliances. 

6. Linoleum

You may think of linoleum only as something for cheap, poorly built apartments and homes. However, modern linoleum is an excellent option and one of the most economical kitchen floor choices. Linoleum is similar to vinyl in texture and durability and is highly sustainable because it is made from flax. 

Linoleum patterns are durable and won’t fade because they are built directly into the material instead of being printed on like laminate. Linoleum tiles can last as long as 40 years, and you can refinish and re-stencil linoleum to extend its lifespan. 

Custom Kitchen and Bathroom Remodeling in Fairmont, WV

Homeowners have a wide range of options for kitchen floor ideas on a budget. If you would like to discuss your kitchen remodel budget or get a quote, contact Fairmont Kitchen Center online or give us a call today at (304) 933-5662!