- There are a wide range of materials when looking for budget-friendly flooring. Vinyl is a traditional material that is easy to take care of and clean. Use vinyl tiles in unexpected ways, such as a blue and white checkerboard for a country kitchen or black and white stripes for a modern room. Cork flooring is inexpensive and environmentally friendly. This means it can work in a vintage kitchen or a contemporary space. Create a checkerboard from several tones of cork to simulate tile while you bring in natural colors.
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Paint is an inexpensive way to update kitchen flooring. If you have wood floors, paint large diamonds to add color and cover any flaws. If the flooring is in good shape, leave half of the diamonds the natural wood color and draw the other color from the countertops. This could result in chic black and natural checkerboard flooring. Try the same treatment on a smaller scale by painting a faux rug in front of the sink or island. Include a painted rug border made from squares. Sand the dried paint for an antique worn look. A contemporary painted rug includes alternating squares with open spaces and a mix of wood grain, chocolate brown and cream paint.
Stripes add visual interest to a kitchen floor. Show off the beauty of wood or laminate floors with cream paint. Cream paint gives wood a lighter appearance. Keep the other stripe in a natural wood tone. You'll need to prime a laminate floor and use an acrylic latex enamel paint. Stripes will also make a room feel wider or longer depending on the direction.
Work with existing concrete for a modern look that will save you money. Stain the concrete to look like leather that will match wood cabinets. Use several colors of concrete stain, such as orange and gray for an unusual look.
It's also possible to paint vinyl kitchen flooring. The texture and embossed pattern of the floor will remain the same, and it may not be as durable as other flooring options. The chemicals and paint may cost as much as installing new vinyl flooring, but it allows you to work with your existing surface and create a custom look. Use TSP to clean the floor, and take off the shine with 220-grit sandpaper. You'll also need to use a liquid deglosser so the paint will stick. Stencil the floors with a damask pattern in a color that is close to the main paint color for a tone-on-tone flooring option. Look for modified epoxy paint and seal with a few coats of polyurethane.
