Stylish kitchen vinyl flooring ideas for every interior scheme

Using kitchen vinyl flooring ideas is an easy and affordable way to add personality and individual style to any kind of space, whether you are aiming for a super contemporary kitchen scheme or a classic country design.

There are lots of types of flooring that are suitable for kitchens, but when it comes to low maintenance, cost-effectiveness and breadth of choice, vinyl is hard to beat. 

We've pulled together some of the best examples of vinyl kitchen flooring to give you some inspiration on the different ways to use this practical flooring choice, from those that will really bring your whole scheme to life, to designs that exude sophistication and elegance. 

Are kitchen vinyl flooring ideas right for you?

While everyone wants different things from their kitchens, most homeowners will be keen to ensure that they won't require lots of maintenance and that they will be easy to clean – and almost all types of vinyl flooring tick both those boxes. 

"Vinyl can provide the authentic look of a tiled or wooden floor at a fraction of the price and with far less maintenance," confirm the experts at Tapi Carpets & Flooring. "Aside from the cost factor, there are many other benefits to choosing vinyl flooring: it's quick to install, hard-wearing, water-resistant, and easy to clean. 

"Vinyl flooring features a wear and tear layer – a clear protective coating that goes on top of the design, which is stain-resistant, water-resistant, and slip-resistant, making it the perfect flooring choice for kitchens and bathrooms," continue Tapi's experts.

"There are many misconceptions about vinyl, notably that it is cheap looking and not hardwearing," adds Neel Bradham, CEO at Parador. "Although this may have been the case many years ago, vinyl has severely increased in its design prowess and technological capabilities.”

Neel Bradham

Neel Bradham is the CEO of Parador, a leading global flooring company since 1977. The brand redefines standards for the foundation of a beautiful room, changing perceptions about engineered wood, laminate, and vinyl floorings.

1. Fit pale wood-effect vinyl for a chic finish

Pale wood finishes are one of the hottest flooring trends around right now, but you needn't worry that they will quickly date – this is a very timeless, classic look that will suit almost any style of kitchen and can be paired with all kinds of colours and finishes. 

Using solid timber in a kitchen isn't recommended as it doesn't stand up well to spills and high levels of humidity. While engineered timber is a great alternative, being far more structurally stable, care still needs to be taken to quickly mop up spills to avoid damage or staining. 

This realistic timber effect vinyl flooring provides the perfect neutral backdrop to the modern finish of the units, plus its classic good-looks suit the white AGA down to the ground. 

2. Get a modern country effect with bold patterns

The search for Shaker kitchen ideas shows no sign of waning any time soon and the fact that this style of kitchen has been popular for hundreds of years is testament to its timeless appeal.

The pared back, simple design of a Shaker kitchen is what draws most people to it, but there is no reason why you can't jazz the whole thing up a little with bold colours and patterns.

The abstract floral pattern of these vinyl tiles works so well with the pale blue Shaker-style kitchen, picking up on the colours of the units, work surfaces and walls.

3. Create contrast with a dark floor and light units

Pairing a dark, moody shade of flooring with crisp white kitchen units will give you a very striking, contemporary finish – perfect for anyone after modern kitchen ideas.

In this sleek kitchen, the dark grey metallic-effect flooring is made up of rigid vinyl tiles that click together. The worktop material mirrors the flooring, while the creams and greys of the split face tiles that have been use to finish off the island and splashback further tie the whole look together. 

"Choosing luxury vinyl tiles (LVT) that replicate the look of tiles also has the benefit of helping to reduce cleaning time," says Lidia Cetrangolo, creative manager at Mulitpanel. "While it mimics grout lines, it doesn’t actually have any, meaning there isn’t anywhere dirt and mould can build up that can take extra time and effort to clean.” 

4. Inject timeless appeal with a herringbone floor

Although herringbone flooring has been popular for many years, it is enjoying particularly high levels of interest right now and is being seen being used by homeowners throughout their properties, for bathroom flooring, in hallways and even in living spaces. However, in the kitchen fitting herringbone flooring instantly adds character and sophistication. 

Herringbone flooring comes in many different materials – porcelain tile, engineered timber and, of course, vinyl. 

"Herringbone-style flooring is gaining popularity in kitchens due to its sophisticated design and practical benefits," explains Neel Bradham. "Despite being a classic pattern, it has recently become a highly sought-after choice once again. This timeless style seems to have been rediscovered and is now making a statement in modern homes, seamlessly blending old-world charm with contemporary design.” 

5. Mimic a polished concrete look with large format vinyl tile

Using polished concrete as a flooring for kitchens is a great way to achieve a modern finish that is also very timeless – but despite its many benefits, this is not a cheap option, with prices ranging between around £120/m²-£150/m².

If your budget doesn't quite stretch to that, there are many vinyl flooring products that do a great job of mimicking the look of polished concrete yet cost just a fraction of the price of the real thing. 

These Pebble Beach F030 Big Vinyl Tiles by Floorify from Hyperion Tiles measure a whopping 900mm x 600mm and look seamless thanks to their subtly bevelled edges.

6. Achieve classic style with black and white tiles

A classic black and white chequerboard patterned floor works so well in a whole range of kitchens and is the perfect way for those after small kitchen ideas to visually expand the space. 

While this style of vinyl floor works well when paired with a monochrome scheme, as in this stylish kitchen diner, it will also look great against brighter shades, such as yellow, as well as classic schemes using soft pastels. 

The Etienne vinyl here, from Tapi Carpets & Flooring, does a great job at replicating the look of marble tiles and is slip and water resistant. Even better, DIY installation is simple thanks to the fact that you can loose lay up to 16m2 with no sticky adhesive required.

7. Make a small kitchen feel bigger with horizontal planks

The laying pattern of any kind of flooring, be that wooden planks or tiles, will have a massive effect on how big or small a space feels so it is important to plan out how you want your floor laid out before getting started. 

For those after narrow kitchen ideas, bear in mind that laying planks horizontally across the width of the room will help to visually stretch the space and this is easily done using wood-effect vinyl. 

Here, Kefe luxury vinyl flooring from Tapi Carpets & Flooring has been used as a subtle yet effective backdrop for the beautiful Shaker kitchen. 

Shop for wood effect vinyl flooring

8. Turn your flooring into a focal point with a busy pattern

If you are keen to keep your kitchen design subtle and classic in order that it won't quickly date – it is, after all, a pretty big financial investment – you can still add a lively, individual touch with your kitchen flooring ideas. 

Vinyl flooring comes in a huge range of colours, patterns and finishes making it easy to create all kinds of looks - plus it is affordable and easy to lay should you change your mind a few years down the line. 

In this kitchen, Flooring Superstore's Patterned Terracotta Mosaic vinyl flooring has been used to turn the floor into the focal point of the space. It features shades of baby blue, white, black and terracotta, all of which are picked up on elsewhere in the design scheme.  

9. Opt for a terrazzo-effect vinyl for an elegant look

Real terrazzo flooring is comprised of marble chippings which are then set into cement. It dates way back to the 16th century and was designed as a method of reusing stone offcuts by the Italians.

It looks stunning but it does come at a cost and installation is a complicated job best left to the professionals. Thankfully anyone after stone flooring ideas but keen to stick to a budget can get the same look with a vinyl floor.

Here, Verona Terrazzo Luxury Vinyl Tiles from Hyperion Tiles create a classic finish that also manages to look fresh and modern. 

10. Visually open up the kitchen with patterned vinyl

While those with small kitchens are often led to believe that plain and neutral is the only way forward to ensure the space feels as open and airy as possible, a vibrant pattern on the floor can also work brilliantly if chosen with care. 

Zig-zag and geometric patterns can have the effect of opening up a room, creating an optical illusion of a space that is bigger than it really is – ideal if you are after small kitchen diner ideas. 

The Merida Vinyl Flooring in Terrazo Blue from Tapi Carpets & Floors that has been used here is made up of a Moorish-inspired eight-pointed star design. If you opt for a busy patterned-floor it is best to keep units and drawers fuss-free and simple to avoid the end result seeming overwhelming. 

FAQs

Can vinyl flooring withstand liquid spills?

Any flooring you opt for in the kitchen needs to be able to withstand water and frequent fluctuations in temperature and humidity levels. 

“As a material for the home, vinyl ticks all the boxes," says Neel Bradham. "Not only is it a great choice for design enthusiasts, but it also excels in resilience and technological performance. It is versatile, highly affordable, waterproof and durable, making it an ideal choice for high traffic areas such as kitchens."

While most vinyl is water-resistant, it is still important to mop up spills quickly and properly research how to clean vinyl floors. In an area such as the kitchen it is best to opt for a vinyl with a thick 'wear layer' as these will be more resistant to stains. Aim for a wear layer of at least 0.5mm.

Can I install a vinyl floor myself?

Wondering how to lay vinyl tiles? This is a job tackled by many DIYers successfully but it is important that you prep the sub floor properly to achieve a good, long-lasting result. 

"One of the most important steps you can take comes right at the start of the process – ensuring that your subfloor is completely clear of any debris or dampness and that it’s completely level too," say experts from Tapi Carpets & Flooring. "For most vinyl flooring, it’s not necessary to use underlay because vinyl flooring has a built-in layer of soft material that gives the same effect as an underlay. However, some click vinyl flooring does require an underlay to go underneath, especially if it’s a floating floor, as this will help to keep the floor balanced and protected."

While vinyl is a brilliant flooring option in the kitchen, it is still well worthwhile researching the other options out there. Just bear in mind that the best flooring for kitchens needs to be easy to clean and hardwearing - if it is also water- and stain- resistant, even better.