When you think of flooring for a kitchen, what image comes to mind? You may immediately picture tile, or laminate and vinyl. While those are all good choices for a kitchen, they're not the only options. Hardwood floors have become an increasingly popular choice for kitchens.

No longer just the domain of rustic farmhouse kitchens, hardwood works in any style. Here are reasons hardwood works so well in kitchens, to help you decide if it's right for your remodel. We compare hardwood vs tile flooring in our flooring comparison guide.

Timeless and Stylish

Hardwood is not a passing trend; it offers a timeless quality. You could just as easily picture it in a historic 1800s farmhouse as in a newly built home. It won't go out of style.

Versatile Across Styles

Vary the type of wood, plank width, and finish, and hardwood goes with most kitchen styles. It complements traditional, beach style, and contemporary designs, and pairs with any cabinet finish.

Durable and Refinishable

There's a reason historic homes still have the original hardwood floors. Strong woods like oak or ash are very durable. Wood floors do get scratched over time, and minor wear can add to the character. Unlike tile that has to be fully replaced if damaged, minor dings to wood floors can be corrected by sanding and refinishing. Over time, the life of a wood floor can be extended by refinishing the entire space.

Warm Tones and Textures

Tile floors tend to be cold; they don't retain heat well, though this can be helped with underfloor heating. Wood floors are warmer and softer underfoot than tile, a welcome difference in a room where you spend a lot of time standing.

Seamless Transition Between Spaces

One of the top reasons for wood floors is creating a unified appearance between kitchen, dining, and living spaces in an open plan home. Wood is a great choice to floor the entire ground level for a seamless transition throughout.

Engineered Hardwood for Moisture

If you're worried about moisture, engineered hardwood is more stable and withstands higher levels of humidity, while still giving many of the benefits of wood. Or, if you just want the look without the warmth and natural feel, consider wood-look ceramic tile.

Talk through flooring with a designer

If you're planning a kitchen and want to talk through whether hardwood is right for your space, we'd love to talk.

Schedule a showroom visit at our 5,000 square foot showroom in Norwell. No pressure, just a real conversation about your home.

Transitions Kitchens, Baths & Remodeling
433 Washington St, Norwell, MA
(781) 871-0881