A dark floor kitchen is a beautiful look and one that is popular with light kitchen cabinets. Dark floors not only look great, but are also useful because they can hide the dirt and wear and tear that are common in these busy spaces.
According to premier flooring supplier Porcelanosa dark floors can give a room a warmer and more elegant look.
Kitchen choices for dark floors
There are many flooring materials available for dark floor kitchen designs. Here are some of the best options to consider.
- Wooden floor kitchen – Dark wooden floors always look good. A kitchen with dark wood floors in dark gray or brown is a modern look that still has texture and warmth. Both solid wood and laminate wood options are available.
- Porcelain tile – Dark porcelain tile is a durable and versatile option for kitchens. They are durable, easy to clean and can mimic the look of other more expensive materials such as wood, marble, slate and stone.
- Slate – Slate is a beautiful natural stone to create a black or gray kitchen floor with a pleasing variety of other colors such as brown, green and purple.
- Granite – Granite is another natural stone floor with dark color options. This is a durable and beautiful option for dark kitchen floors where you want some variation and texture in color in the stone.
- Marble – If you are looking for a luxurious option for your kitchen, dark marble tiles are an ideal choice. There are black, dark brown and dark gray color variations with a stunning mix of lighter colored grains to give the floor a dynamic look.
- Rubber – A rubber floor is a common flooring material for commercial kitchens where cooks need a comfortable and durable floor for constant use. These floors do require some maintenance such as waxing and polishing to keep them looking their best.
- Vinyl- Vinyl floors are a synthetic material that can be both durable and attractive. Vinyl records, tiles and planks are available in dark colors. Modern versions of luxury vinyl floors are five times thicker than standard vinyl. This floor can mimic wood, stone, or ceramic tile for a more expensive look.
- Linoleum – Unlike vinyl, linoleum is made from natural materials such as solidified oil, cork dust, pine resin and other mineral fillers. Linoleum is durable, biodegradable and water resistant.
Advantages and disadvantages of dark kitchen floors
White kitchen dark floors are a great look, but not ideal for everyone and for every situation.
Advantages:
- Style – Dark floors in kitchen areas are not as common as light floors. Therefore, this is a great way to create a unique and dramatic look in your kitchen space.
- Maintenance – Dark kitchen floors such as slate and porcelain tile will hide dirt and food stains well.
- Warmth – Dark kitchen floors have an intimate and warm style.
- Contrast – A white kitchen cabinet with dark floors has an attractive contrast and balance.
cons:
- Scratches – Scratches on dark wood or tile floors in kitchen areas will be more visible than on light-colored wood or tile floors.
- Size – This point is debatable, but some people find that a kitchen with a dark floor appears smaller. This can be mitigated with multiple windows and with lighter cabinets and walls.
- Maintenance – Certain types of dust and grime will be more visible on dark floors – think dust bunnies or light-colored animal fur.
Ideas for a dark floor for the kitchen
Dark kitchen floors always make a statement. We have collected some of the best kitchen ideas for dark floors using different materials.
White kitchen with dark wooden floors
The design firm, studio PPARK, nails this beautiful kitchen design with white kitchen cabinets with dark floors. They used dark wood kitchen floors that are almost black with a glossy finish. This formal look is accentuated with the ceiling-to-ceiling white cabinets with the beautiful white marble backsplash.
Dark wooden kitchen floor with dark cabinets
The Works, on the other hand, used dark cabinets in this dark hardwood-floored kitchen. This room has a cozy and moody feel that is lit by the large unadorned windows and the white walls.
They added extra texture with the warm wood furnishings, marble countertops, open shelves, and the glowing gold and black pendant lighting.
Dark floor tile kitchen
If you’re looking for a dark kitchen floor that’s different from wood, yet has texture and interest, consider slate tile.
Slate is a beautiful natural stone material that can have a dark gray to black hue. The wavy level creates a more traditional look than manufactured tiles for the kitchen.
The pits and imperfections are ideal in this English kitchen cottage by Nicola O’Mara Interior Design.
Modern dark floor kitchen
Dark porcelain tiles in a kitchen provide a smooth, durable and sleek surface. They create an elegant balance in this light wood and marble kitchen. It grounds the space to create a more sophisticated look than a light kitchen floor in this design.
Dark linoleum kitchen floor
Linoleum is a water-resistant, durable and inexpensive kitchen floor with a retro look and feel. It is made from renewable resources such as cork dust and pine resin for a more environmentally conscious choice than vinyl.
TreHus Architects + Interior Designers + Builders uses black linoleum with a speckled white design that combines the dark black cabinets with the upper white cabinets and tile.
Dark patterned kitchen floors
Dark kitchen floors can be too tight for some kitchen designs. If you still like this look, try making a statement with a patterned black kitchen floor tile.
Black and white checkered floors are always eye-catching, but if you want something even more different, try a more distinctive pattern. These both look nice and distract from dust and grime that accumulate on the busy kitchen floor.
Modern white kitchen dark floors
Dark kitchen floors are beautiful in this modern white kitchen. The designer, Studio 3 Architecture, used black marble without any veins to create a strong contrast between the white cabinets and the black floors.
Small kitchen dark floors
In this tiny kitchen, the designers, Sustainable Kitchens, used a motley gray cement floor tile. This contrasts with the deep green cabinets and white walls and gives the kitchen a more industrial style. The overhead skylight keeps the small kitchen from feeling trapped.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) FAQ
Is it a good idea to have a kitchen with a dark floor?
Both dark kitchen floors and light floors have pros and cons, but you need to know what you’re getting to decide whether dark floors are a good idea for you. Some floors, such as textured dark tile floors such as slate or matte finished dark wood floors, will hide some dust and grime, but show other types of grime, such as light-colored animal hair. Certain types of floors, such as glossy marble or granite, will show more dust than textured floors.
Do white or colored cabinets match dark kitchen floors?
Yes, dark floors go with white and colored cabinets. Dark floors, such as a gray kitchen floor, go well with white because it creates a dramatic contrast without looking too sleek. Black kitchen floors have a more modern look, but work well with both white and colored cabinets.
Does the kitchen feel smaller if it has a dark floor?
Yes and no. Dark kitchen floors can make a kitchen appear smaller, especially if your kitchen lacks natural light and other dark elements such as cabinets. Kitchens with multiple windows and light cabinets appear larger, even if they have dark floors. On the other hand, dark kitchen floors make the space feel warmer and more intimate. Smaller isn’t always bad.
Which dark kitchen floor wears the best over time?
Porcelain and natural stone tiles such as slate wear out very well over time. Linoleum and wood floors are also hardwearing options if you maintain them over time.
What is a good color scheme for kitchens with dark floors?
White has always been a timeless color for kitchens. Gold pops look beautiful with the white and dark floor background. Colors such as deep blue and green stand out on dark kitchen floors. Wood textures also help lighten the look against dark kitchen floors.
Conclusion
Dark floors make a unique and elegant statement for many kitchen spaces. Dark kitchen floors look great with both light and colored cabinets and suit both traditional and modern design. They can look both modern and traditional depending on the type of material you choose. If this is an option you want, you can be sure to find a material that works for you.
