Your kitchen is not awful by any standard. It will be a bear to remove all of that terrazzo.

Since you said "we don’t yet have the money to completely renovate the kitchen", I assume you are planning a full renovation in the future.

If the hole in the terrazzo is in a place where you can put a kitchen runner, I would just cover it up and keep saving my money.

Whatever flooring you put in to replace the terrazzo would be ripped out when you do the full reno. I would just wait rather than wasting the money on replacing the floor now.

Buy the kitchen runner. Buy a case of wine and another case of chocolate. Apply either the wine or the chocolate when the terrazzo bothers you. In case of extreme emergency, apply both.

If your mother-in-law points anything out to you about it, say "thank you. I've been so busy with life that I haven't gotten around to it". Then blast her head off with your laser beam eyes (figuratively of course). Then apply wine and/or chocolate as outlined above.

I definitely don’t think the kitchen is awful! We will be renovating, but in 5ish years. We’re just trying to look into ways to improve the look in the meantime and make it more to our taste. Thanks!

I think the way to go then is accessories. That glorious mixer that you are going to leave on the counter. Fresh flowers (you've already got that going). Maybe a bowl of fruit. Things to distract your eye, but that won't hurt the budget while you are saving.

Then save like you really want a kitchen remodel. I don't know anything about your lifestyle, but there's always something you can give up to make the kitchen come sooner (driving the car an extra couple of years, cutting back on the Starbucks, etc.) If you want it badly enough, you might cut that 5 years down to 4, or maybe even 3.

Just wanted info on removing terrazzo to figure out our options... no need for advice on saving money or condescending comments either.

I do love terrazzo buuuuuuut...it looks like it's trying to escape. It's not entirely happy here.

If it's super smooth (like it should be), you might be able to put down a sheet flooring on top of it. Do consult with a flooring pro though. Marmoleum would be my choice. Possibly even orange. Not cheap, but 5 years is a long time.

Is the stuff on the walls cast in place or tiles? I think I could live with it there. It's a neat effect.

Ahah indeed! I believe the red portion is cast in place. I also wouldn’t mind the terrazzo on the wall by itself... it’s just a bit much with the floors!

Floors are smooth, juste concerned about covering since there is not a 90degree joint between floor and wall... it’s curved 🙃

But thanks for your input, will ask a flooring pro!

Is it thickset or thin-set terrazzo? Thin-set over a concrete slab might be removed. It would be messy. Thickset is usually pretty thick and wouldn't be practical to remove. Sheet vinyl or linoleum can follow the radius at the base and terminate in a metal trim like so:

Thickset! Didn’t know about the vinyl/linoleum! Thanks for the tip!

Do not remove that terrazzo please. I'm begging. It's an amazing floor and outperforms any of the modern crap.

@Clara Bc

I am sorry that you found my comments condescending, since they were offered in a (failed) attempt at helpfulness.

There is no easy way to remove terrazzo. Covering it (as suggested by @Seabornman will be your only option.

Good luck!

Oh, wow. I probably can't convince you to love it, but *I* love it. Not only is it terrazzo (so very neat and hard to find/afford), but it has all the charm of checkered floors without the stark nature of black-and-white. It's awesome.

It is awesome. But it's not great stylistically with the cabinets and the borders are screwy. Almost looks like the cabinets were a later remodel and that's why the borders don't work (but that wouldn't explain the backsplash).

The cabinets are a later remodel! The owners loved the terrazzo and wanted to keep it (floors and backsplash). I would like it of the colors were a bit toned down or if there were less colors. It’s really tough to style!

Hmmmmmmmmm. How about paint the cabinets instead? They are the offenders, apparently! Maybe tackling the cabinet end of the problem instead of the floor end would get you something more true to the house...and something you can live with. That range bumpout though...

Terrazzo can be repaired. But of course you have to want to. :)

Yes I actually wanted to paint the cabinets a bit lighter to lighten up the room! Hesitating because white would probably clash with the red, so would have to go with a cream colour. What colour would you paint them?

Cool kitchen!

YELLOW. But that's me and nobody else. :) Yellow like the stripe but less intense.

Black would be too dark unless you replaced the sparkle-pony countertop. (I can spend all your money from all the way over here!)

Painting cabinets well is not going to be at all cheap, either.

I really don't know what I'd do in your situation. I'd probably just ride with it while plotting the future remodel. See how the layout performs. If nothing else, it's a conversation starter.

And I would be very tempted to incorporate that floor into the new kitchen, but it depends on how much is still there. How hard can it be to put in cabinets--the lines are already there! :P

I've never seen anyone try to remove real terrazzo. If the only hurdle is the integral base, a worker with an angle grinder, diamond blade and a few demo tools can likely remove it and make it flat where it meets the wall.

Are those pictures taken with all your lights on? If so, work on that first. It's way too dark to get a good sense of the color, not to mention to cook. If that isn't all your lighting.. turn them all on and retake pictures. I'm guessing your cabinets are already close to the lightest color in the terrazzo. Painting is a lot of work if you're just going to get rid of the cabinets someday anyway.

I agree with those that say Keep the Floor, it is amazing and unique. What if you replaced the countertops with a wood countertop ? Most home stores sell them fairly inexpesive and could be switched out later. Bring in some warmth maybe change up hardware to gold accent. ( I know im late on this thread but I found it while looking into adding Terrazo in my over 125 yr old house kitchen remodel ) I love the look