Linoleum Kitchen Floors

Enhance your kitchen's design with suddenly fashionable again linoleum flooring, an affordable, eco-friendly and durable option available in a rainbow of colors.

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October 08, 2020

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Reasons to Love Linoleum

Linoleum is made with renewable, biodegradable materials including linseed oil and cork. Mineral pigments are added to produce rich, vibrant colors. Linoleum produces no harmful vapors and is considered a top environmentally-friendly flooring choice. Linoleum comes as sheet goods designed for glue-down installation and as laminated planks and tiles that install as a floating floor system. Some manufacturers provide a protective coating that prevents staining and helps the product stand up to foot traffic. Linoleum without this coating should be refinished every two years. Expect to pay $2 to $5 per square foot and $7 to $12 per square foot installed.

Why Choose Linoleum?

A rainbow of colors and a bevy of design options make linoleum a good choice for a kitchen floor. Often compared to vinyl, linoleum is a durable surface great for busy spaces (like kitchens). It stands up to foot traffic, water, heat and scratching. Linoleum is inherently antibacterial and antistatic, making it hygienic and easy to clean. And a plus for avid cooks: linoleum floors are soft and comfortable underfoot. You can stand for a long time at the stove without getting achy.

Easy-to-Clean Linoleum

Gray, gold and black linoleum floor tiles echo the colors found in this galley kitchen's backsplash while also adding a playful touch throughout.

Black and White

Black and white gives graphic punch and energy to this contemporary kitchen. A striped shade adds character above the sink and freshens up the classic black-and-white diamond floor.

From: Jenika Kurtz Cuadra

Playing With Color and Shape

When a former food writer decided to refresh the kitchen in her 1951 home, she turned to kitchen designer Christine Nelson for help. Nelson helped her client increase the counter space and overall efficiency and gave the kitchen the “colorful, updated, midcentury modern” look she wanted. “A gray linoleum floor, stacked subway-tile backsplash, and butcher-block counters create a clean backdrop while orange walls, and avocado-green accents add a burst of Mad Men-era color,” says Nelson. Classic period furnishings like a Saarinen-style Tulip Table and a pendant light based on Werner Panton’s Flowerpot design complete the look.

Lots of Options

Linoleum comes in a variety of colors, from earthy neutrals to bright reds, greens, yellows, blues and purples. The color is not just a coating but runs all the way through.

Linoleum was out of vogue for a long time but it's making a comeback thanks to its eco-friendly and health-conscious qualities. Linoleum is made from natural materials, including linseed oil, wood resins and flour and pigments. It's biodegradable and recyclable. Linoleum's surface repels dust and dirt for a floor that's hypoallergenic. It's also free of potentially harmful VOCs (volatile organic compounds).

Striking Design

As seen on Home Town, Ben and Erin Napier have fully renovated this residence in downtown Laurel, Mississippi. This refurbished room now features a stylish linoleum floor that can withstand any mess the homeowners can dish out.

All-Natural Flooring

Linoleum squares in a vivid pattern add energy in this kitchen. The all-natural material is comfortable underfoot and contributes to healthy air quality. Photo courtesy of Forbo Marmoleum

Creating a Retro Look

If vintage is your thing, a linoleum floor is one way to achieve it. This Atlanta home features a vintage dinette set and kitchen cupboard, classic movie poster, linoleum flooring and a rotary dial phone keep things pretty old school in the kitchen.

Eco-Friendly Corkoleum Floor

Non-toxic cork is taken from bark of the cork oak tree. It's used to make cork flooring and is a key ingredient in eco-friendly linoleum. Cork is a sustainable material, meaning the bark grows back and can be harvested repeatedly. Corkoleum, from US Floors, combines the best attributes of natural cork in its linoleum products.

Pattern Play

Linoleum colors and patterns can be mixed and matched to create many designs. You can set off the work area with a distinctive color or run a border along the perimeter of the kitchen.

Color Blocked Kitchen

Linoleum Quick Facts

The Lowdown: Linoleum is manufactured from natural materials including solidified linseed oil, resin, wood flour, limestone and pigments.

Tough Enough? Linoleum is a hardy floor, standing up to heavy traffic and spills.

How to Clean: Wipe up spills immediately. Sweep, dust, or vacuum regularly, and occasionally wipe the surface with a damp mop or cloth. Clean with a mop and ph-neutral cleanser, and buff as needed (often only every few years). If a yellow cast appears (a film caused by the oxidation of linseed oil), exposure to artificial light or sunlight will cause it to disappear.

From: Natalie Myers

A Splash of Color

Linoleum floors can add vivid colors in the kitchen. Antistatic properties repel dust and dirt for a surface that’s easy to clean. Photo courtesy of Forbo Marmoleum

Easy to Install

Sunny yellow linoleum squares imbue this kitchen with good cheer. The surface locks together for easy installation, no glue required. Photo courtesy of Forbo Marmoleum

Color Options

This contemporary living room features a two-color floor in green and beige that blends with the fireplace in green marble and light wood. Beige and chrome furniture sit cozily in front of the fireplace, creating a delightful spot for relaxing with a good book.