The kitchen is a special type of haven for those who love to cook at home. When it comes to redoing this superior space, it’s important to have all the details perfect. Whether it’s the amount of counter space you need for the perfectly powered oven or the color of your kitchen linens, all should be taken into consideration.
The same goes for your floors too! Follow along with us as we dig deeper into finding what hardwood floors look the best and work the best in a kitchen space. You may even be surprised at some of the discoveries. Let’s get started!
What Are the Benefits of Having Wood Floors?
Before we go into the different types of woods that are proven to do well in your kitchen, let’s first break down why hardwood is literally a good solid choice for the home. Follow along to see the true benefits.
- They help improve the overall look of a space.
- Hardwood floors are super low maintenance and easier to clean than carpet.
- Hardwood is more durable and strong.
- The home increases in value with the presence of hardwood.
- Air circulates easier in the home.
- No matter what décor, hardwood will always go with your style.
- Hardwood lasts a long time and is much more cost-effective.
- The color of hardwood won’t fade as easily as carpet.
- Hardwood has the ability to be refinished.
- The hollowness of the wood can actually improve the sound in the house.
Each of these benefits is something to consider when looking at the overall reasoning for adding this type of material to your home. Think about how each one has the potential of benefiting you and your needs in particular.
Then once you solidify your choice to add hardwood in your kitchen, take a look to see what type will work best for you below.
Oak
Oak will always be a traditional and timeless option! The coloring itself works wonders and will go with so many unique styles. It’s truly a great option for an interior designer to work with as they reimagine a space. What’s also great is that this species is offered in a large range of finishes, so no one will look the same as the other.
Best of all, it’s a tough hardwood, so if you have pets, this selection will not be scratched as easily as other options.
Brazilian Cherry
However, the Brazilian cherry actually ranks as one of the most durable and solid woods to exist. So, if you’re also looking to design a commercial space, this is the type of hardwood that can handle foot traffic. The gorgeous red and brown coloring mixed with dark streaks is great for warming up an overall look in a home.
What’s wonderful too about this option is that it can disguise the appearance of dirt much easier, so you won’t feel the need to always have to clean it. Given that a kitchen in a home is prone to be a bit messier, this feature will definitely come in handy.
Acacia
Moving on to Acacia, this hardwood option is fantastic for color variations in it alone. It even has super unique grain patterns to pair with your home.
This is a wood that is always specifically recommended for the kitchen due to its ability to cater to all features that both the oak and Brazilian cherry possess. It’s able to withstand dents, scratches, dirt and has wonderful color variety.
Look At These Other Details
Now that we’ve looked at some of the best types of woods to have in your kitchen, let’s now take a deeper dive into some of the details that we should pay attention to as well. All of these help pay tribute to the end result, all because they add little something extra. Best of all, they each can signify a totally different look! See below.
- Finish: The finish on a hardwood floor option can make all the difference to your final decision. For instance, you can opt for a water-base finish that can make the flooring much more protected against water and any other liquid-related spills.
- Species: When looking at the different species, think more about the softness or toughness of the wood you choose. If children or pets are present in the household, it might be better to have a species of wood that is much more durable than others. A soft wood such as pine may not last as well in an area of a home like a kitchen.
- Sheen: You have the ability to choose if you want your kitchen to have a shine or appear more matte. If you decide to choose a satin sheen in your kitchen, it’s actually a great choice just because it can hide the appearance of dirt and grime much easier than others.
Something as simple as the finish or as intricate as the species can make or break the look you’re trying to achieve. With a little extra thought and preparation, you are just minutes away from picking the floor of your dreams.
Try This Alternative
If you’re not sold on the idea of having solid hardwood floors in the kitchen, not to worry! Another great option for this area in the home happens to be Wood Polymer Composite (WPC).
This option is a vinyl plank that has a waterproof core, yet it’s capable of mimicking most other hardwood floor options. A feature such as waterproof alone is great for a kitchen in case of spills or other accidents.
The Heart of Your Home
Ultimately, as long as you love your floors, you made the best choice. We find that with the right options available and suggested to you, the decision-making process overall will be much easier in the end to handle.
At Hardwood Bargains, we’re a company that is happy and always willing to help you with all your renovation needs.
Sources:
Select the Best Wood for Your Kitchen Floor | Better Homes & Gardens
Your Guide to the Different Types of Wood Flooring | DIY Network
The Basics of Brazilian Cherry Hardwood Floors Lee Wallender | The Spruce
