Are Wood Floors Good for Kitchens?

Turn on HGTV, peruse a home design magazine, or visit decorating websites and you will see plenty of kitchens with wood floors. This type of flooring is definitely a popular design choice. While wood flooring provides incredible aesthetics, many of our home construction and remodeling clients ask our opinion on whether we believe wood is actually a good flooring option for a kitchen. Our answer, it depends.

A kitchen is the heart of the home. It is the gathering space. The place to cook and eat. The spot for kids play and do homework. Where people enter the home from a garage or exterior door. In short, a kitchen gets LOTS of traffic.

And depending upon lifestyle, some homeowners are a bit tougher on their floors than others. Some people don’t remove their shoes upon entering the home. Big dogs can wreak havoc running across the floors. Large families with active children will be harder on their floors than an older couple.

So, when we are asked if wood floors are good for kitchens, we in turn ask the clients detailed questions about their lifestyle. Their answers will help determine whether a wood floor is the right choice for their needs. To help you decide if this type of flooring option is right for you, we have put together a list of pros and cons.

Pros of Using Wood Flooring in a Kitchen

• Wood is a comfortable flooring surface underfoot.
• The natural tones of wood floors instantly warm a space.
• Utilizing wood flooring in a kitchen can allow you to seamlessly blend the kitchen floor with the floors in adjoining rooms for a larger, more open feel.
• Wood is incredibly durable and if properly maintained can last the home’s lifetime.
• With a variety of grain patterns and colors there is a wood flooring type for every design aesthetic, from traditional and farmhouse to contemporary and modern.
• Despite what you might believe, properly sealed wood floors are easy to clean and maintain.

Cons of Wood Floors in Kitchens

• Wood is susceptible to water damage, denting and scratching. So, extra care needs to be taken. Spills need to be immediately addressed and padding should be placed on the legs of chairs.
• Regular sanding and refinishing is required for optimal maintenance.