The best material for a kitchen floor is probably hardwood. It does have its cons and that means it may not be the best kitchen floor for all situations. However, its pros are pretty impressive. Hardwood is a long lasting material, easily repaired and can be sanded if a facelift is in order. Most natural finishes will reflect light and make a kitchen look larger. Finishes that bring out the natural color of the wood will help to hide dirt. Some hard wood floors are sustainable, like bamboo.

Basements and cement substrates have some additional challenges for hard wood. Hard wood floors are, as expected, a bad choice for kitchens that may collect prolonged exposure to moisture, like basement kitchens. Cement substrates can have additional installation requirements for hard wood that may make it a poor choice if budget is a concern. Hardwood floors also dent easily. While dark stains are very beautiful, they can collect and even highlight dirt.

Most hardwood floors are treated with a polyurethane finish or water-based finish to help it resist staining and moisture. This will also help when it comes to cleaning the floor. There are a variety of wood colors and hardwood options available for almost every budget. Because of their longevity they are often competitive with cheaper flooring options that won’t last as long.

If you have a cement substrate, you may consider tiles or stone instead. Tiles have been used for ages and add a great deal of beauty to any kitchen floor. When using on a kitchen floor go for the matte option. Tiles are very tough and won’t dent as easily as wood floor, but they can crack. Also, unbreakable dishes have a tendency of breaking on stone and tile. The grout can also mildew or stain easily with some foods, when foods are dropped. If you’re choosing tiles for your kitchen floor be sure that the grout has a mildewcide.

Some critics of stone and tile don’t care for the hardness of the material. Standing on stone or tile for long periods of time can be hard on leg and back muscles. Stone flooring can be difficult to clean, especially if it's not smooth, or has any groves at all, which can make it a poor choice for a kitchen floor.