This Popular Kitchen Floor Option Is Actually The Worst Choice For Avid Home Cooks

Remodeling the kitchen brings a strange mix of excitement and anxiety from start to finish. You have a clear vision for how you want it to look, and you don't want anything to disrupt that. When you consider flooring, your choice may come down to what looks good with your cabinets and countertops. Thanks to their versatility and range, tiles may seem like an obvious choice. But you should consider more than just appearance before making a final decision. Whether stone, porcelain, or ceramic, there's a tile to fit any kitchen design. But they're also very unforgiving, and if you spend long hours cooking, your feet will feel the strain.

Of all the flooring materials you can choose, tiles are the worst for people who spend a lot of time standing in one place. Hard surfaces don't have any give; when you step or even just stand still, the weight of your body presses down, and tile resists it the entire time. You can't sink into tile — there's no padding, so your body absorbs the shock instead.

This won't seem like a big deal in the moment. If you're just passing through the kitchen, spending a few minutes to prepare something, it's not like it's going to create immediate pain or discomfort. But over time, standing on a hard surface will put increasing strain on your feet, legs, and joints. That's why many jobs that involve standing provide padded flooring to reduce the strain of concrete or tile.

In addition to the discomfort of standing on a hard surface, it's worth remembering that tile conducts heat poorly. If you live in a cold climate, tiles are going to feel incredibly chilly on your feet unless they're being heated. You can fix this by putting down an area rug, which also addresses the hardness problem, but it adds an extra step — and most people don't want multiple rugs in the kitchen that can absorb spills or food residue.

Speaking of messes, tiles can also be slippery when wet, so spills on tile can pose a safety risk if not cleaned up right away. Some tiles are designed to be slip resistant, but like the area rugs, that's another inconvenience to worry about. Tile surfaces are usually very easy to clean, which is an upside, but the grout between tiles can be difficult to clean and prone to staining.

Darker tiles can make a small kitchen look even smaller, so they're not always the best aesthetic choice. Tile comes in countless colors and patterns to match any decor or style you're going for, but alternatives like cork or hardwood can be just as attractive, much easier on your feet, and offer a timeless look. It's something worth considering the next time you remodel your kitchen.