When choosing flooring and countertops for your kitchen, it’s important to create a cohesive look. The right combination of colors and textures can make the space more welcoming and stylish and even make your kitchen seem larger.
There is a lot to consider: Should your countertops match the flooring? What are the best kitchen cabinet and wood floor color combinations? Coordinating your cabinets and countertops with an ideal flooring for kitchens takes more than just picking out a color. You also need to consider the type of materials you’ll be using and your home’s overall design style.
If you’re struggling to pick the right color for your kitchen flooring, countertops, and cabinets, keep the following tips in mind.
1. Experiment and Investigate
When it comes to kitchen décor, there are more options than you might think, so do your research. Flip through magazines, check online décor resources, and visit trade shows in your area. Take note of the colors and looks that grab you.
A good place to start is the 50Floor inspiration page, which allows you to explore several options from the comfort of your home. As you find styles that pique your interest, look for common themes. Are you drawn to muted colors and classical styles? Do you prefer the look of modern kitchens with bold, primary shades? These can be good places to start your renovation journey.
2. Start With Countertops
It’s easier to match cabinet and kitchen flooring options to your counters than the other way around. Design your kitchen around your countertops, and you should have an easier time creating a cohesive feel.
Consider which countertop materials and colors fit your lifestyle and design preferences. Most homeowners choose a natural stone for their kitchen surfaces because of its luxurious appearance and durability. You could also find other options, such as wood or concrete, to suit your cooking and entertaining needs.
3. Think in Three Colors
Choose two dominant, complementary colors and a third, accent color to add interest.
If you have chosen granite or another stone for your countertops, your accent color should be drawn from the counter grain. Try these three colors together in a part of your home before you commit to a whole kitchen. You want to be sure you love the color combination and that all three shades work together in the lighting of your space.
4. Choose Timeless Flooring, Countertops and Cabinets
If you want your kitchen décor to last, choose classic colors that will age well. Use accessories, which are less of an investment and easier to replace, to add some trendiness to your kitchen. Towels, small appliances, wall paint, curtains, and other décor items are an easy way to add bold prints and trendy colors to revitalize your kitchen. When exploring countertops, cabinets, and different kitchen flooring options, focus on classic colors; they’ll be able to handle fashionable updates easily.
5. Consider Texture and Color
Once you have your three main colors and a general sense of how you’d like your kitchen to feel, consider the texture and finish of your countertops, cabinets, and flooring. The same colors will look very different with a matte compared to a high-gloss finish. If you prefer simple colors, you can explore different textures, such as rough stone or smooth marble, to add interest.
Don’t forget about shapes. Rounded counters create a different impression than those with sharp edges, as do round versus geometric pulls on cupboards. You can create various effects with flooring using the size or pattern of the wood planks.
Same Colors
There are many colors of flooring for kitchens, and selecting one is a big decision. Your floors will last several years, potentially even decades, so you want to make the right choice. Before you consider how to match your flooring to your cabinets, you’ll want to think about your flooring needs.
- Choose a design style: Defining your preferred design style and goals can help narrow your flooring choices. Modern styles lean toward lighter gray and neutral tones, while traditional styles indulge in the richness of darker flooring.
- Consider the size of your kitchen: If your kitchen is on the smaller side, you’ll want to use lighter flooring colors to brighten up the space and give the illusion that your kitchen is bigger than it is. Darker flooring can make a room feel cozy, but when used in smaller rooms, it can draw attention to the size of the space.
- Remember your lifestyle: Lighter flooring hides scratches and dust better, which can be ideal for homes with children or pets.
- Decide on either matching or contrasting: Choose between matching your countertops, cabinets, and flooring or contrasting them. Contrasting can add dimension, while matching ensures a cohesive look.
Popular Kitchen Cabinet, Countertop, and Floor Combinations
As you’re redesigning your kitchen, consider the following popular combinations for kitchen floor and cabinet colors and materials.
Contrasting Colors and Materials
Contrasting colors involve light and dark shades that create balance and visual appeal in a kitchen. If you want to use contrast for a dramatic first impression in your kitchen, choose colors from opposite sides of the color wheel, such as red and green. Modern kitchens often feature bold contrasts, while traditional kitchens opt for softer color combinations.
Besides contrasting colors, modern design can also contrast materials. Since most cabinets are wood, you could pair wood cabinetry with stone-style vinyl flooring for an aesthetically appealing, dramatic contrast.
Same Materials
Create a cohesive look in your kitchen by using the same or similar materials throughout.
If you install oak cabinets, for instance, you may want to establish a design theme with hardwood flooring. Since oak has unique color variations, choosing oak floors and cabinets would still give your kitchen visual interest. You can also explore options of flooring for countertops uniformity, like pairing natural stone counters with vinyl tile that looks like stone at a fraction of the cost.
Just try not to make your cabinets, countertops, and flooring all the same material, as it could look monotonous. Instead, select a different material for one of the elements for contrast.
Same Colors
Depending on the shades you choose, a monochromatic design can give the impression of a larger kitchen. When exploring cabinet and floor for kitchen ideas, experiment with similar white tones to add a rustic look. Keep in mind that there should be some color variation to add a bit of vibrancy to your room. You can find an accent shade by looking closely at the variations in your hardwood, laminate, or vinyl flooring to design the rest of your kitchen.
As you weigh different kitchen flooring ideas, also consider using patterns to add visual interest. Luxury vinyl with a unique pattern can prevent a monochromatic room from appearing dull.
Do Floors Have to Match Countertops?
Your floors don’t have to be the same colors and materials as your countertops, but you should have cohesive cabinets, countertops, and flooring for kitchens that feel well-designed. There are a lot of kitchen worktop and floor combinations to choose from, so many of your choices will come down to your personal preference.
However, since kitchen countertops are typically a different material than your flooring, keep in mind that it can be hard to get a perfect match. You may find it easier to choose contrasting colors or complementary shades for your floors and countertops.
Common Kitchen Design Questions
With so many kitchen flooring options available, you’re sure to have a lot of questions. Here are some of the more common questions that come from deciding how to match kitchen cabinets, countertops, and flooring.
1. Should Kitchen Flooring Be Lighter or Darker Than Cabinets?
This depends on the style you’re going for and the color of your cabinets. Are you looking for a sharp contrast to create dimension, or do you want a soft, complementary color palette?
Darker flooring will give your kitchen a dramatic and moody flair, especially when paired with lighter cabinets. Meanwhile, lighter flooring paired with darker cabinets will also add contrast, but the space will feel much brighter and open.
2. Should Your Kitchen Trim Match Your Cabinets?
If you’re aiming to design a traditional-style kitchen, you’ll want to match your cabinets and kitchen trim. However, there’s no right or wrong answer, and contrasting cabinets and trim can create a unique, eclectic look if that’s more your style.
3. Should Your Kitchen Island Match Your Cabinets?
Again, this is a personal design preference. Match your kitchen island to your cabinets for a seamless, cohesive look, or contrast your kitchen island materials and colors with your cabinets to create a statement piece.
4. Which Color Kitchen Floor Shows the Least Dirt?
You may expect darker color floors to hide dirt better, but the opposite is true. Lighter shades of brown and gray are actually better at hiding dirt and dust. Be careful not to go too light, though, because dirt on white flooring easily stands out.
5. What Type of Kitchen Flooring Should You Choose?
There is no one-size-fits-all solution to choosing flooring for kitchens. Your budget, personal design preferences, lifestyle, and the shape and size of your kitchen can affect what flooring choice makes the most sense for your home. If you still feel unsure, speak to an interior designer or flooring provider for guidance on kitchen flooring ideas.
Schedule a Free Consultation With 50Floor
At 50Floor, our team can guide you on how to match countertops with flooring and will help with any other questions you have along the way. If you’re wondering what flooring options might look best in your kitchen space, contact 50Floor to schedule a free appointment.
Our flooring experts will come to your home with samples so you can compare different kitchen flooring options and match the countertops to your home’s natural lighting. Experience excellent customer service, guidance from skilled industry professionals, and beautiful, quality flooring with 50Floor.
