I would consider a warm white or off white with specks of brown and/or gray that pick up the colors in the cabinetry/countertops. It's always best to choose flooring that has a textured look, so you don't see every crumb. I would also go with a large porcelain tile, such as a 20"x 20", (laid in a running brick pattern) so that you won't have as much grout to deal with. I am sure you will have a beautiful kitchen when it is finished!

Thanks!

Another vote for light -- your finishes are beautiful but will be altogether dark, and a cream or tan (even travertine-look, although that might be too traditional for this kitchen) seem the best choice.

What kind of wood floors are you working with in the other areas of the home? In this space, I would love to see a natural cork floor or something in the same colour family.

The lovely thing about natural cork = it gets LIGHTER as it ages. It has some creams and some reddish tones in it. These naturally ease off to produce a lovely, light floor. As your cherry cabs darken your floor will lighten. Kind of a nice option.

And cork does VERY well with other woods. There are no grain issues and cork contains 5-15 different shades of "brown wood" inside the pattern which makes it super easy to get it to work with MULTIPLE WOOD tones in a single space (which is exactly what you have).

Just a thought.

@cancork thanks for your thoughts - I love cork! Unfortunately, I have been working in a studio (cleaning) that has cork floors and now cannot imagine them in a kitchen - the water damage and such is just too easy - too much maintenance for a kitchen for me. That is why I haven't wanted to go down the "wood" road either..... I appreciate how beautiful, warm and forgiving they are, though!

@acm - thanks for those ideas -- I hadn't actually considered a light beige-y floor. I appreciate the inspiration photo - that is nice! I don't think I have one of those places near me, but I hope to check out something equivalent just in case!

Don't get a solid color in a kitchen floor. Have some color variation. Otherwise every speck of dirt or flour shows up. (Been there. Never again.)

When I say staying away from a "dark" floor, I pretty much mean black or dark brown or grey. I am a little scared of a very white/cream floor in the kitchen - won't it get dirty easily?

Part of your color choices will need to be based on the room the kitchen is connected to. And if the resale value is part of your decision. Maybe a color more caramel if you want to go neutral. With red iron tones to go with the counter tops.

Thanks @Emily E - that is good to know. I am not thinking about resale - it is a small kitchen space and where I live whoever is buying will probably rip everything out no matter what it is, unfortunately. People would buy even if I never put in a floor.... So it is really just for me. I like the idea of a warm caramel! The space opens to a Red Oak wood floor. Does that help?