Hardwood and tile flooring transition ideas

7 years ago

Hello!

We are in the design phase of updating our flooring. We plan to upgrade to hardwood flooring. However, we prefer not to have hardwood in the kitchen area - as we use the kitchen a lot and the kids tend to sometimes drop stuff on the floor. If we want to use tile in the kitchen, we are not sure on the best way to transition between hardwood and tiles - as we want to achieve a clean look provided hardwood all around.

I have attached a picture that shows the living and dining room and a peek into the breakfast nook area and kitchen on the right side of the nook. I have also attached a floor plan. We think we have 3 options:

(1) Tiles in the kitchen, breakfast nook, and dining room area - all these areas are separated from family and living room by 3 steps. As such, this elevated platform provides the transition between tiles and hardwood.

(2) Tiles in the kitchen and breakfast nook area. Hardwood everywhere else. The door between dining room and breakfast noon provides the transition.

(3) Tiles in the kitchen only. Transition will be somewhere between kitchen and breakfast nook area.

Any other ideas or comments on the above options are welcome!

Featured Answer

SJ McCarthy

7 years ago

I prefer to stop the tile in the kitchen/nook. The hardwood can then flow from the formal dining area down the steps and into the living space.

The ONLY thing that would cause any concerns would be the ability to find MATCHING stair treads for the hardwood you choose. Sometimes this is a BIG problem...if that is the case, then moving the tile all the way into the dining area would be the way around it.

But you have to find this out BEFORE you choose/order your flooring. You do NOT want to make this decision on the fly...only to find out that you cannot find more of the tile in the same dye lot...that's WORSE than having miss-matched treads. Much, much worse.

All of these decisions/questions MUST be answered WELL before you put pen to paper. A designer who is well connected in the building industry would be able to do all the leg work for you - without much effort. S/He would have already run into these issues DOZENS of times in their career and will know the ins and outs of working around these issues. And s/he will have ALL the needed professionals on speed dial.

Which then becomes the NEXT dilemma which MUST BE dealt with before pen is put to paper. Whew! Lots of things to do before anything is decided. A well versed designer can be worth his/her weight in GOLD at this point.

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Comments (6)

yvonnecmartin
7 years ago
I vote for Option 1. Not only will this unify the space, but food spills will be easy to clean up. Do choose a tile that blends well with the floors in the rest of the space.
sg_designs thanked yvonnecmartin
Lisa G
7 years ago
Based on your floorplan I vote for Option 2: Tile in kitchen and nook. Tile in the formal dining area would be strange. I'd ultimately prefer to see hardwood throughout but understand your preferences. With your particular floorplan I think it would be difficult to only put tile in the kitchen without including the nook.
sg_designs thanked Lisa G
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Flo Mangan
7 years ago
Tile in all areas above steps. Best transition and a beautiful rug in dining room (as long as you select high end looking tile) over tile will make lovely, serviceable space. I would also “float” your sofa in the living room so you create a more cozy, inviting room. I would consider wood on the living room floor with nice rug for anchoring your seating area along with a couple swivel chairs and large coffee table. A sofa table on the wall behind the sofa with a pair of lamps would create a nice backdrop for the living room seating area. Great art would be a plus in living room and dining room.
sg_designs thanked Flo Mangan
User
2 years ago
hardwood everywhere.
millworkman
2 years ago
" hardwood everywhere. "

@shadowstep, 5 years ago, so I am sure the floors have long since been decided and finished.