The kitchen is the second most important room to remodel for safety if you’re planning to age in place, coming in only behind the bathroom. And, an important part of that project is choosing the right kitchen flooring.
Many people fear that they won’t be able to maintain their own unique sense of style when remodeling with safety at the forefront. However, you can choose flooring that is safe, yet still reflects your unique style and taste.
Kitchen flooring options
Ceramic Tile
Ceramic tile is a popular choice for many kitchens and bathrooms. It’s fairly inexpensive, is easy to clean and offers plenty of design choices. Unfortunately, ceramic tile is also a very hard surface that will offer no cushioning in the event of a fall. Ceramic is slippery when wet, and spills, which are fairly common in kitchens, could prove disastrous. If you’re going to use ceramic tile in your kitchen, keep it to the backsplash.
Design score: 8/10
Safety score: 5/10
Glass
Glass flooring is a surface that should be avoided for seniors whenever possible. It’s extremely hazardous for seniors, not only because it’s hard and unforgiving, but because of the shatter risk during a fall. While glass tiles are beautiful—see endless décor ideas here—they can create a very dangerous situation quickly if used for kitchen flooring.
Design score: 8/10
Safety score: 3/10
Hardwood
Many seniors consider hardwood flooring the obvious choice for the kitchen. They may have chosen to use it throughout the rest of the house because its durable nature makes it tough enough to stand up to walkers over time. It’s also smooth enough to make moving across it in a wheelchair easier. Hardwood is warm, gorgeous, and inviting. It is, however, slick underfoot, which can be particularly dangerous in a busy kitchen.
Design score: 10/10
Safety score: 6/10
Bamboo
Bamboo flooring is similar to hardwood, though a little bit harder to maintain. It picks up scratches and scrapes much more easily than traditional hardwood. It is, however, unforgiving in the event of a fall and may not be appropriate for a kitchen, where water damage can cause the condition of the wood to deteriorate over time.
Design score: 7/10
Safety score: 6/10
Non-Slip Vinyl
If you’re looking for the flooring that’s easiest to clean and maintain, vinyl is the obvious choice. Non-slip vinyl is textured to help reduce slips and falls, but its real appeal is in maintenance. Vinyl is available in a variety of different colors and patterns, so it can be selected to reflect the rest of your style. It does require a great deal of petroleum to produce, so if you’re eco-minded, vinyl might not be the best choice for your kitchen.
Design score: 9/10
Safety score: 9/10
Cork
Cork is naturally non-slip: it has traction, so it’s easier to walk across, especially in rooms where spills are fairly common. Cork is also insulating: it decreases noises from other rooms and keeps the room warmer. This material is comfortable underfoot and softer in the event of a fall. It does need to be sealed, and the seal will need to be maintained in order to keep the flooring in good condition. Cork is fairly easy to clean as long as the sealant is maintained. Cork’s soft surface does, however, make it easy to score and scar the material.
Design score: 6/10
Safety score: 9/10
Carpet
Carpeted flooring comes in all the colors and designs you could hope for, allowing your sense of style to really shine through. The natural texture of carpet naturally makes it less slippery underfoot, reducing the odds of falls. Unfortunately, carpeting is very difficult to keep completely clean, especially in the kitchen, where spills are common. Cleaning spilled flour or sugar out of carpeting can be very challenging! Carpeting also holds on to small pieces of dust and other things in the air, which can lead to decreased indoor air quality.
Design score: 7/10
Safety score: 8/10
Rubber Flooring
Traditionally, when people imagine rubber flooring, they picture it in a gym. The same benefit that makes it perfect for a gym floor—its forgiving surface and slightly cushioned effect underfoot and in the event of a fall—makes it ideal for seniors’ homes. Treated properly, rubber is very easy to keep clean. Rubber flooring isn’t as traditionally “pretty” nor is it cheap as some other options, but you can exercise your creativity to fit it into your décor.
Design score: 6/10
Safety score: 10/10
Stone
Natural stone is another gorgeous kitchen flooring choice, but it’s not a great choice for many seniors. Natural stone is hard to maintain, which can be problematic for seniors living on their own. It’s also a very hard surface, which could cause injuries in the event of a fall.
Design score: 9/10
Safety score: 4/10
Concrete
Concrete flooring is highly durable. It’s very easy to maintain, and it can be stained or dyed in a variety of colors to create the effect you’re after. While a rougher-textured concrete may help prevent slips and slides, unfortunately, concrete is a very hard surface, making it less than ideal for most seniors.
Design score: 7/10
Safety score: 5/10
You don’t need to compromise your kitchen décor for the sake of safety. There are plenty of safe, beautiful kitchen flooring options that will allow you to keep your sense of style intact while still providing for your safety as you age.
Research your options in depth before making a final decision to ensure your enjoyment of your kitchen remodel for years to come.
Photo credit: James Buck via Foter.com / CC BY
