Have you ever been told, “The grass doesn’t grow under your feet”? Well, that is true for me and my husband. I am always working on something, like my post demonstrated on Monday. Now that “something” is my kitchen. {{applause}} I am so absolutely excited to begin this venture that started a few years ago. Today, I want to show you the before(s) – yes, plural because there’s more than one – and I’m going to focus on our kitchen flooring. Looking to do your kitchen too? We are sharing our tips on how you can choose the right kitchen flooring to suit your style and budget.
If you want to get caught up to speed on the rest of our home remodel, you can visit our master bedroom, bathroom, boys’ room, and patio. Let us know what you think while you’re there!
BEGINNINGS
Our story begins in 2003 when we bought our house with one kid in tow and another on the way. This is what I see in the kitchen…
…yes, this is before we had a digital camera – I’m dating myself. ahem. There are dark cabinets, linoleum, white laminate, and a whole lotta 80’s going on. If you were to do a 180° turn, you’d see the dining area.
BLUCKY CARPET
This used to be a screened in porch at one time, hence the outdoor light fixture and faux door where the exterior door used to be. This Berber carpet ran down the steps connected to the family room and could also be found in our bathroom. yuck.
I want to open up the space and create more of a unified room, so the wall on the left is taken out and put up a header to divert the weight of the house. Since I am changing it up, I decide to add a faux panel to the cabinets and paint them a creamy white. After that added a new sink and faucet, and light fixtures, but I didn’t stop there. New laminate countertops were added, new drawer fronts, hardware, flooring, and added wallpaper to create a country feel, not to mention new window and door.
FUTURE
I am planning to sell our home, and this primitive country theme was the popular in the area at that time. Not decorating for me was feeling like you’re living in somebody else’s house. Not cool. And, for the life of me, I couldn’t find our listing photos, but me goofing around in there gives you the idea.
Now here is the kitchen present day.
Obviously, I didn’t sell because God didn’t have it in His plans. After 175 showings and a handful of near misses, here I am. I am tired of living in someone else’s house and trying to sell after 4 years off and on, so I paint and paint. All that pine paneling in the dining area and down into the family room became new. I paint the cupboards and wallpapered – AGAIN. This time, it’s going to be for my family and me.
You might say, it looks good as is…well, yes at a glance. The kitchen flooring is worn to the bone after 11 years and 6 kids later. Our sink is damaged, and plumbing is leaking, the counters have worn through to the bottom layer where I knead our bread…I could go on. Point is, it’s time for an update.
DIY FUN
I just recently put up that chandelier and gave away the fixture. The 1983 fridge died recently so I get a new one. That portable dishwasher is as loud as a freight train and on its last leg. The double-oven vintage Tappan range bit the dust so we got this used one as temporary fix. See the empty spot where the Tappan range used to be? Ugly, ain’t it?
I have even decided to tear out that peninsula (bar) and replace it with another style. Yay!! Nothing like cave dwelling to dig out your pots and pans. It is perfect for playing hide-and-seek though, just sayin’.
A week ago, I showcase how I refinished the dining room table and chairs complete with tutorial. I couldn’t be happier with the outcome.
DOWN BELOW
Now check out the kitchen flooring. See how it is wearing and breaking? This is where the original existing wall used to be, and I have to get that level before adding our new.
My 6 kids have even seen fit to make sure pieces are missing on the steps. Time for an update, right?
Now onto the fun part…the new kitchen floor!
Though tile was on my mind, I also looked at their laminate stock and hardwoods (be still my heart!) In the end I end up with a porcelain tile to suit my family’s needs.
Things to consider when choosing your kitchen flooring:
- Is your kitchen an open floor plan or does it connect to another room with different flooring? You will need to consider transition points and thickness of each floor.
- What is under your current flooring? For laminate, hardwoods, and vinyl, you can apply it directly over your subfloor with a layer of underlayment. For tile, cement board is the best choice.
- What level of maintenance suits you? For lower maintenance, pick hardwood, laminate, or vinyl. Medium maintenance is porcelain and ceramic because of the grout. Higher maintenance would be stone that would need a sealant initially and renewed periodically or buffed to keep the shine, like marble.
- Do you want radiant heat in your kitchen? You can use tile, laminate, and even hardwood too.
- Are you concerned about water damage? Most say wood floors are a no-no in the kitchen, but you can certainly use them with precautions taken. There is also a 100% waterproof engineered hardwood available that works well too. As always, tile is an excellent choice for the kitchen when installed correctly.
- Looking for long-lasting durability? Stone is by far the best choice, followed by porcelain and hardwood, then laminate and vinyl.
- On a tight budget? There are so many choices out there that can be less than a dollar a square foot, so there’s certainly something to suit any budget-savvy style. You can make it work for you.
I hope you’ve enjoyed seeing the beginning and I look forward to sharing our end results. Now it is GAME ON with our kitchen flooring.
UPDATE: See the full reveal HERE.
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While you’re at it, here are more of our remodeling projects like our kitchen flooring:
I appreciate the time you took to write about your current flooring choices. We are about a month away from updating our upstairs laminate flooring to what you have mentioned “timber lock”, a flooring that does not require glue or nails. The previous owner installed a different flooring in each room of the house and you can imagine how it drives us crazy. There is no flow from room to room. Each time I walk into a store, I see something I like. Our final decision is going to be a big change for the better. I look forward to actually seeing how you install the flooring. Thanks for your post!
Good for you! Yes, many floors can drive you crazy. I know you’ll love it when it’s an improvement! Thank you for stopping by. 🙂
We have a black and white checkerboard floor in the kitchen that was done with peel and stick tiles. I love the look but I have replaced so many tiles. It is not bad when it is a black tile but when it is a white tile, it sticks out like a sore thumb. I would love to do the same floor but with ceramic tiles. I did find a full out floor with black and white that a sheet but I am afraid to even price what it would cost. Other things have come up and eventually we will have to do something. Thanks for the advice.
We were looking into a checkerboard style flooring, but could only find it in vinyl and we didn’t want to do that again. It is my pleasure to help in any way I can!
Oh I’m so excited! Looking forward to your kitchen update. I love the flooring you chose. Mine was new when we moved in and after 4 kids the cabinets are falling apart! I guess the kitchen is the room that takes the most beating from the kids.
You and me both, Mary! Yes, our kitchen is where we homeschool and live 24/7, so you know it takes a beating. I can’t wait to get this done!
WOW! I would have gotten lost in that store and would have been there all day! I didn’t know they offered so much! Love what you picked out!
Seriously, Lindsay. It is amazing and any DIYer would find a new home. Thanks for stopping by!
a true inspiration! after 12+years in our house, i’m so looking forward to knocking down 2 load-bearing walls and redoing the flooring all through the entryway, dining room and kitchen! i’m very hopeful it’ll happen this year! great advice for options – thanks!
I sooo hear you! It can be such a chore, but sooo worth it! Have fun, Gwen. 😀
Can’t wait to see your new flooring installed! That store looks amazing. So many choices, but the tile you decided on is gorgeous.
It was so hard to choose, Amy, because there’s so many! I want them all. 😀 Thank you for stopping by!
This was a great post,it so fun to redo:) Good choice on flooring,love the tiel choice
Thank you, Melinda! I can’t wait to see it down.
I am looking forward to seeing this room makeover. I know you’ll add your magic touch and it’ll be magazine worthy in no time!
I can only hope, Marie! It seems daunting, but that’s when the “tough get going” right? Thank you!
Oh wow… I love the tile that you chose and dream of one day being able to redo the floors in our kitchen… wood laminate now… not practical at all… look forward to seeing it all installed and see you work your magic!
I can’t wait either, Lucy! Thank you for your encouragement – it’s much appreciated. 😉
Great tips to consider. I can’t wait to see it finished and hear the tips there. Laying tile myself scares me.
It can be daunting, but like anything, once you try it can be pretty simple. Thanks, Kim!
I love the tile you picked out. Can’t wait to see the reveal. I need to check and see if there is a Floor & Decor in my area!
Watch out if you go, Kathy, and warn your husband too! I could stay for hours just dreaming up projects. Thank you for stopping by!
The tile you picked reminds me of what we had in our last home. I LOVED it so much I would absolutely do it again! We have a Floor & Decor not far from us so I will definitely have to check it out! I can’t wait to see your kitchen reveal….no doubt it will be stunning as all your projects always turn out. 🙂
You are such wonderful support, Amy. Thank you! I can only hope to please. 🙂
Ohh such a pretty choice! I can’t wait to see how it looks! And I can’t believe you still have those before photos!
Sooo not funny about the befores…seriously! This house was a dream to use when we found it and the owners took off $25,000 to make it so we could afford it. A blessing for sure, but a whole lotta work. 😉 Thank you, Bre!
Floor and Decor id one of my all time favorite stores! I’ve used them for years! Your home progress is amzing and I can’t wait to see what you do!
That’s awesome to hear, Wendi! If they were closer to us, I know I wouldn’t have missed them for this long. Guess I’ll be hittin’ the road often. hahaha… 😀
Awesome advice! We have laminate “wood” in our kitchen (almost 5 years) and it isn’t holding up very well. We’re interested in looking at more durable options. I can’t wait to see how your kitchen makeover turns out!
Thanks! With our 24/7 traffic from seven of us, we definitely need a durable option. I know this porcelain will do the trick. I can’t wait! 😀
Can’t wait to see how it turns out! I wish we had a Floor & Decor store near us, although I’m sure my husband is happy we don’t! 🙂
hahaha…I can assure you this won’t be the last time I’m there. hee hee. 😉
Larissa, what do you think about wood vinyl planking (or vinyl wood planking)?
Thanks,
Earline
If it’s going in the kitchen, you just make sure it doesn’t have water damage issues. Sometimes even a spilled drink can ruin tile. I love hardwoods in the kitchen and have had them for years. We went with tile, but I wish we had done wood.
Hi Larissa. I am going to design my kitchen floor. Can you help me what type of material should I use to save on budget? What if I use Vinyl Flooring?
Hi Eliza! 🙂 We used vinyl for years and loved it. If that what suits you and you like what you find, then I say go for it.
thanks for your thoughts
You bet! I wish you the best with it.