Your Ultimate Guide to Selecting Hardwood Flooring for a Luxurious Kitchen
- Studio Jeandré
- Nov 11, 2020
- 6 min read
Updated: Jul 21
The kitchen is the heart of the home—a space where families gather, meals are prepared, and memories are made. Choosing the right hardwood flooring for your kitchen is a crucial decision, as it needs to withstand daily wear while enhancing the room’s aesthetic appeal. Whether you’re renovating or designing a new kitchen, hardwood floors bring warmth, elegance, and timeless charm that other materials simply can’t match.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore everything you need to know about selecting the best hardwood flooring for your kitchen, from construction types to finishes, species, and maintenance. We’ll also highlight key considerations like white oak hardwood floors, herringbone wood floors, and the best hardwood floor stain colours to complement a white kitchen.
Why Choose Hardwood Flooring for Your Kitchen?
Many homeowners opt for tile or stone flooring in kitchens due to their durability, but natural hardwood floors offer unmatched beauty and warmth. A well-chosen hardwood kitchen floor can elevate the entire space, adding character and sophistication.
Key Benefits of Hardwood Floors in Kitchens:
Timeless Appeal: Unlike trends that fade, hardwood floors remain a classic choice.
Warmth & Comfort: Unlike cold tile, warm wood flooring creates a cosy atmosphere.
Durability: High-quality hardwood floors can last decades with proper care.
Versatility: From light oak floors to rich walnut, there’s a shade for every style.
Solid vs. Engineered Hardwood Flooring: Which Is Best for Kitchens?
When selecting hardwood flooring, you’ll encounter two main types: solid plank and engineered plank. Each has its pros and cons, especially for kitchen use.
1. Solid Hardwood Flooring
As the name suggests, solid wood flooring is made from a single piece of hardwood. While beautiful, it has some limitations:
Not ideal for underfloor heating – Solid wood expands and contracts with humidity changes, leading to gaps or warping.
Prone to moisture damage – Kitchens are high-traffic, spill-prone areas, making solid wood less practical.
Limited board sizes – Solid planks are typically narrower and shorter for stability.
Best for: Homes with stable humidity levels where a traditional, authentic wood look is desired.
2. Engineered Hardwood Flooring
Engineered wood flooring consists of multiple layers, including a hardwood top layer, a stabilising core (often plywood), and a backing layer. This construction offers several advantages for kitchens:
Greater stability – Resistant to warping, making it ideal for underfloor heating.
Wider, longer planks – Creates a seamless, modern look.
Refinishable – A 4-6mm wear layer allows for sanding and refinishing every 7-10 years.
Best for: Kitchens with underfloor heating, high moisture exposure, or contemporary designs.
Parquet & Herringbone Wood Floors: A Stylish Kitchen Choice
If you love intricate patterns, a herringbone wood floor or parquet design can add instant glamour to your kitchen.
Why Choose Herringbone?
Timeless elegance – A classic pattern that never goes out of style.
Versatile sizing – Smaller blocks (60mm x 300mm) suit traditional kitchens, while larger planks (100mm x 500mm) create a modern look.
Engineered options – Can be installed over underfloor heating with a plywood subfloor.
Pro Tip: Pair a white oak herringbone floor with a white kitchen for a bright, airy aesthetic.
Grab our Buyers Guide to Hardwood Flooring Ebook for Everything you Need to Know When Buying a Hardwood Floor Below
POSTS RELATED TO HARDWOOD KITCHEN FLOORS:
Best Wood Species for Kitchen Floors
The type of wood you choose impacts durability, colour, and maintenance. Here are the top options:
1. White Oak
Why it’s great: Durable, versatile, and available in many hardwood floor stain colours.
Best for: A timeless wood floor colour that complements both modern and traditional kitchens.
2. Light Oak
Why it’s great: Brightens the space, making it ideal for small or dark kitchens.
Best for: Scandinavian, farmhouse, or minimalist designs.
3. Walnut
Why it’s great: Rich, dark tones add luxury and warmth.
Best for: High-end kitchens with a dramatic flair.
4. Maple & Beech
Why they’re great: Naturally antibacterial, making them hygienic for kitchens.
Best for: Light, clean interiors.
Choosing the Right Finish for Your Hardwood Kitchen Floor
The finish you select affects durability, maintenance, and appearance. The two main options are:
1. Lacquered Finish
Pros: Highly durable, scratch-resistant, and easy to clean.
Sheen levels: Matte, semi-sheen, or gloss (gloss shows more scratches).
Best for: Busy kitchens needing low-maintenance protection.
2. Hard Wax Oil Finish
Pros: Natural look, repairable (no full refinishing needed).
Maintenance: Requires occasional re-oiling to refresh the surface.
Best for: Those who love a matte, organic feel.
Maintaining Your Hardwood Kitchen Floor
To keep your hardwood floors looking pristine:
Clean spills immediately – Use a microfiber mop (like Bona’s spray mop).
Avoid excess water – Wood and moisture don’t mix well.
Use protective pads – Place felt pads under furniture legs.
Refinish when needed – Every 7-10 years for lacquered floors; oiled floors need occasional reapplication.
Surface Treatments for a Wood Floor:
Many hardwood kitchen floors will be available in a brushed and oiled or a brushed and lacquered finish.
Brushing is a process whereby the wood has a wire brush applied to the surface of the wood to accentuate the natural grain.
By raising the grain of the wood it masks surface scratches and thereby making it another great low maintenance option.
Board Width for Wood Floors:
Consider the space when it comes to choosing your board width.
Interiors that have high ceilings and large open rooms can easily take the proportion of super wide 300-500mm (12-20 inch) boards.
For most projects I will recommend a board width between 180mm-220mm (7-9 inch) as I feel this gives you a wide board without overpowering the room.
Installation: Should the Floor or Kitchen Go First?
Glue-Down or Nail-Down Floors
Install the hardwood floor first, then the kitchen.
Floating Floors
Install the kitchen first to avoid trapping the floor under heavy cabinets.
Design Tips: Matching Hardwood Floors with Your Kitchen
1. Light Floors for a Spacious Feel
Light oak floors or white oak hardwood floors make small kitchens appear larger.
Pair with white kitchen cabinets for a fresh, modern look.
2. Dark Floors for Luxury
Deep stains (like walnut) add sophistication but show more scratches.
Best for low-traffic, high-end kitchens.
3. Mixing Materials
If your cabinets are wood, opt for a contrasting wood tile floor or stone island.
Avoid using more than two wood tones in one space.
Best Colour for Kitchen Wood Floors:
When it comes to choosing a colour generally clients opt for light to mid tone products.
I find that the darker the wood, the more formal the space.
Dark floors can show up scratches more so than lighter options so it's not the most practical for a family kitchen but would look timeless in a luxury apartment.
The colour of the kitchen needs to compliment the floor and sit well together as a finished design. Opting for softer colours such as a white-washed oak or a light grey that might be picked up in the patten of your countertops is always a winning combination.
I also love the design trick of using different counter tops in the kitchen and switching up the door handle styles.
If you are nervous about doing a wood overkill, think of the three main surfaces in the kitchen: the units, the countertops and the flooring – wood is fine for one or two, but mixing in three different woods in any room would challenging!
A hardwood kitchen floor is a long-term investment that enhances both functionality and beauty. Whether you choose white oak, herringbone wood floors, or a light oak floor, the right selection will create a timeless wood floor colour that lasts for decades.
Pro Tip: Always take home samples to see how they look in your kitchen’s lighting before making a final decision.
By considering durability, finish, and design harmony, you can select the perfect hardwood flooring to transform your kitchen into a luxurious, welcoming space.
