The 2 Budget-Friendly Kitchen Materials Erin Napier Stands By For Floors And Countertops

Creating an eye-catching, personalized kitchen space doesn't have to mean breaking the bank — especially not if Erin Napier has anything to say about it. Napier is an interior designer and the co-host of "Home Town Takeover" on HGTV, and she's breaking two unofficial rules that have long placed unnecessary strain on home cooks' precious budgets. According to Napier, using vinyl flooring in the kitchen is totally fine, and so are laminate countertops.

Despite being inexpensive and versatile, these materials became less popular for a time due to longevity issues, outdated aesthetic designs, and a surge in interest in natural stone. Nowadays, however, updated versions of vinyl flooring and laminate worktops offer an affordable and attractive avenue. In an Instagram post, Napier shares photos of a home renovation project she completed that features vinyl kitchen floors and laminate countertops. The home, says Napier, proves that these oft-maligned, budget-friendly materials "can be so fresh."

Laminate countertops are typically made from an engineered wood-based product and layers of brown paper coated in plastic phenolic resins. This sandwiched stack gets adorned with a decorative outer layer, then the whole thing is sealed in melamine resin. Advanced modern production techniques subject these countertops to intense pressure, yielding superior durability compared to the laminate countertops of yore. This kitchen countertop material is available in myriad colors, patterns, and textures, from faux woodgrain to stone-like prints, even mimicking the look of concrete. Laminate counters are stain-resistant, easy to clean, and unlike porous natural stones, they don't require periodic resealing. Perhaps best of all, they cost an average of around $34 per square foot to install. 

It's worth noting that manmade laminate is ultimately less durable than natural stone materials like granite, and more susceptible to chips, scratches, and burns over time. However, it should last for as long as 20 years with proper maintenance. Pro tip: Matte-finished laminate hides scratches better than glossy finishes. Opting for a post-formed top with a non-drip edge also avoids the water-catching seams that were once built into old-school laminate countertops, eliminating this longevity-shortening hamartia.

Like laminate countertops, vinyl flooring is similarly available in a wide array of finishes and designs to suit any kitchen space. It can mimic the warm look of hardwood or capture the clean style of tile flooring. Also like laminate countertops, vinyl flooring is composed from multiple layers tightly compressed together. A base layer is supported by a padded underside, and the whole thing is coated in a decorative design and an outer protective coat. The resulting flooring is low-maintenance and scratch-resistant with impressive durability that can hold up even in bustling kitchens. It's easy to clean with regular mopping and vacuuming, and can last for 10 to 20 years.

To install, vinyl flooring simply gets adhered to the subfloor, costing a modest $2 to $5 per square foot to put in. It's a good idea to opt for thicker vinyl flooring (8 millimeters is ideal) to better withstand the high traffic of a kitchen. With an open mind, remodeling your kitchen on a budget doesn't have to skimp on any aesthetic possibilities.