In a really open floor plan perhaps a tiled kitchen might not be the greatest look but we love having tile in our semi open one. Its the hardest working floor of the house and tiles are so durable. Bathrooms and laundry rooms are great with tile too but I wonder if a entry rug would negate the need for tile in your entry?

You are correct, it would be too choppy. Put tiles in the powder room only.

Agree with G&S Floor Service--tiles in powder room only, and engineered wood everywhere else. And the same wood upstairs.

I've had all types of flooring in kitchens, and have found a good wood floor the best for upkeep and comfort (knees, back).

Wood throughout, except for bathrooms, laundry & mudroom.

Thanks everyone! I live in Canada and need tiles in the foyer to catch snow from the boots. Currently the foyer and powder room are tiled. What is the best approach in this case?

I would keep tile in the foyer, powder room and kitchen. From a functional stand point tile is best in the foyer and since it leads to the powder room it makes sense.

I know lots of people like wood in the kitchen, but one leak from the water line to the icemaker or a leak in the dishwasher and you'll wish you had tile in the kitchen instead of wood.

You have what's called "goal conflict." You don't want a chopped up floor, but you need tiles in the foyer. You need to choose the lesser of two evils. If the snow is such that you don't want wood in the foyer, use tiles in a rectangular format, probably even with the dining room wall. If that doesn't line up with where you want the tiles to end by the stairs, have the tilesetter cut the tiles in a curve to span the two points.

Tiles in the powder room. Wood elsewhere.

Thanks everyone. I have several ideas now that I can explore.

Tile noted in blue