We can’t all have the latest trends and HGTV-approved kitchens — no matter how full of dreams our Pinterest boards may be. Substantial kitchen renovations, such as swapping out cabinetry or upgrading to a sleek granite or quartz stone countertop, can be incredibly costly. Most of us are more in the market for doable, affordable cosmetic updates. No matter if you’re renting, on a budget, or doing a total kitchen redo, one impactful change you might not have considered is lightening up your kitchen floors.
Big ticket items, such as wall colors, backsplashes, and countertops, get all the hype, but what’s underfoot in your kitchen plays a bigger role in the room’s look and feel than you might think. Try harnessing a simple natural element — sunlight — by opting for floors on the lighter end of the color spectrum. Even and especially if your kitchen doesn’t get great natural lighting, light-colored flooring lets sunlight reflect and bounce off surfaces. This can help make a cramped kitchen feel much more expansive than it is. No need to start busting down walls or putting in larger windows (unless you’re already looking at a new build or complete redo); this tip works in any existing kitchen with some flooring swaps, DIY-friendly peel and stick options, or even painting existing floors. Renting? Throw down some light-colored kitchen runner rugs to help open the room up.
Lighter floors can go with any kitchen aesthetic
Lighter colors opening up a space is a basic concept, but we mostly think of it in the context of walls, not floors. If you’ve ever tried to maximize a cramped bedroom or bathroom, you already know that a lighter paint color goes a long way in creating the optical illusion of more space. This isn’t a matter of vibes alone — there’s science to back it up. Lighter colors are more reflective, meaning sunlight bounces off them. Conversely, darker colors soak up and effectively mute natural light, making rooms feel cave-like and enclosed. The latter may work well in a cozy library or bedroom, but may not be the vibe you want to food prep in.
Lighter floors are one of many ways to give tight kitchen quarters extra breathing room, along with smart storage and layout decisions such as the key design rule of kitchen triangles. Worried the pale floor look doesn’t match your vibe if you’re going for a more cozy, retro kitchen? This works with all sorts of flooring options, from pale oak and blonde woods to neutral vinyl, pale tiles, and speckled terrazzo. Just steer clear of rough, porous stone, which is a nightmare to keep clean. With so many options, you can find a floor that makes your kitchen feel lighter and brighter.
