Most of us choose our kitchen flooring based on the color and design that we personally prefer, or that will go with the existing space. Very rarely do we give any consideration to the comfort of a given flooring. But if you have spent any length of time standing on a kitchen floor, you will realize that your legs and feet can really suffer from an uncomfortable floor. Paying attention to the right color and design instead of to comfort may not have been such a great idea after all.



If you spend a lot of time standing in front of a kitchen counter, you should consider a cushioned floor that will spare your legs and feet a lot of pain. Carpet, linoleum and vinyl are the best choices for this, even though tile is becoming so popular because of looks and easy cleaning.

Other factors in the kitchen should also be taken into consideration when choosing a flooring material. Do you have pets or children who are prone to spills and messes? You may have to choose an easy wipe surface. Stone or marble floors are not practical for this type of environment since spilled liquids can be a real hazard on such hard surfaces. If there are elderly in the home, you may even want to consider no slip surfaces for your flooring.

For easy care solutions, you want to choose a surface that does not require waxing. If you spill a hot liquid on a waxed surface, the wax will melt, and if you do not reapply it immediately (not too practical if you are in the middle of preparing a meal), you will find that the finish will wear down quickly. You will want to choose a floor that can be wiped up easily after small spills.

A great new option for kitchen floors that is both pretty and comfortable is laminate flooring. are also an option. They can be manufactured to look either like wood or stone, and it is easy to clean, plus is made of layers that are more comfortable on the feet and legs. Installation is simple and is even easier to clean with the new swifter type mops. Most of them are made of stain resistant materials but since it is essentially a "floating floor", you have to be careful about using liquids on them too liberally. If the liquid seeps under the laminate, it can ruin it. Other modern choices for kitchen floors are slate, marble and stone, but, though they look beautiful, they may not be the most practical in terms of comfort. If you have a "show" kitchen that is not used a great deal, these materials may work, but if you are like most of us and have to stand for hours in front of the stove and sink, stone is not the best choice.