The vanilla kitchen got new shoes. I (well, a friend) installed wood-look luxury vinyl tile planks right over the 1980s beige ceramic floors and umm. LOOOOK!!! I can’t even wait until the end to show you the pictures. You’ve just got to see it to believe what a CA-RAY-ZEE difference it made in updating this little abode of mine.
So good right?
The floor was the last vestige of the vanilla milkshake left to banish. And boy, the wood tones really bring cohesiveness to the entire living area. The warmth infused makes me want to lay down and commence making wood angels on the floor.
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Why I chose Luxury Vinyl Tile Flooring for my kitchen (sometimes called planks)
Now vinyl is not what is used to be. This stuff has a beautiful pattern, great texture and isn’t pliable in the least. Don’t think linoleum of the past.
Here’s the mood board I started with for the kitchen:
Sources: Chandelier // Hardware// Faucet// Fabric// Backsplash
RELATED: How to Make a Mood Board
I knew I wanted a wood look but wasn’t quite sure of the product to use.
When searching around for kitchen flooring you have a few options if you want the wood look:
- Actual wood or engineered wood. We didn’t want wood because it’s pricey and we live in a starter home community. Wood floors would ‘over-renovate’ this home.
- Ceramic wood look tile. They make a million different colors of tile that look like wood and are very affordable. But I really don’t care for how cold ceramic tile can be. Plus, the grout lines are always a sign it’s not wood, but tile.
- Laminate. You can get laminate that’s graded for the kitchen, but it’s pricer because you have to purchase underlayment.
We installed laminate flooring throughout the remainder of the house except for the kitchen and the bathrooms. However, laminate isn’t recommended for wet areas. The change from carpet to laminate proved drastic. We transformed everything from beige builder-grade carpet to this gray-washed laminate in ONE day.
The installers quoted us $900 to do the kitchen in a similar vinyl planking, which included ripping out the tile (although he mentioned he could lay the LVT right on top of the tile). We weren’t quite ready financially after doing the rest of house, so we held off.
When I started slooowwwly remaking the kitchen and revisited the idea of vinyl, I thought,’ man if I don’t have to take up the tile, surely I can do this myself.’
I started hunting for the right products and tools.
Everybody sells LVT. Everybody didn’t sell the gray-washed tone and wood pattern I wanted at the right price point. I finally found something that matches the rest of our laminate flooring at Floor and Décor called Duralux. The planks are 6 inches by 36 inches an 5 mm deep. They are two inches shorter in width than the existing flooring, but it’s not noticeable. They transition really beautifully.
What I love about the Duralux flooring is that you can use it right out of the box. No acclimation needed, no underlayment, not even a moisture barrier. And the price was phenomenal. I paid $318 for the ENTIRE kitchen. You remember that quote above? LABOR is expensive. You save so much money when you learn to do it yourself.
LABOR is expensive. You save so much money when you learn to do it yourself.I debated removing the tile for a while and ultimately decided to just keep it in place. There’s a slight elevation (maybe 2mm) from the dining room to the kitchen, but it would have been that way in the opposite direction had we removed the tile because the laminate is 8mm thick.
LVT Wood Look Flooring is Easy to install and remove
I wanted new temporary and permanent flooring. Sounds weird, but lemme explain.
Painting the cabinets was a temporary fix. We will need to invest in real cabinets soon, but I couldn’t live with that floor much longer. This ‘floating floor’ clicks and locks in place. Which means you can essentially take the entire thing up if you want. So when we eventually install new cabinets, we can actually use the same flooring. I bought an extra box of flooring just to cover any issues.
When they say it’s easy…buyer beware.
So I started out buying all the supplies to lay the floor myself.
- Duralux Luxury Vinyl Planks in Tuscan Greige
- Any angle finder! (this worked SO WELL)
- Utility Knife
That’s all. Total cost including tools? $330.95
Mind blown! Good quality floors CHEAP!
Everybody and they momma explained how easy it was to lay this stuff. So I figured, pshh…I got this.
Well, yes. I could have had this in a square room. But there were SO.MANY.ANGLES! It wasn’t difficult, just a little tedious because of the shape of my room. Totally doable, but took so much longer than I expected. To cut the boards you simply score the front with a utility knife and snap. For smaller pieces, we scored and used pliers to snap off little pieces. A jigsaw comes in really hand too, but not totally necessary.
I started the project then called over an experienced friend when I got sick and couldn’t finish the night before my son’s birthday party. He said sure, it’ll take me about 2 hours. Well, let’s just say we went way beyond the two hours because of all those little bitty stinking cuts.
So How’s the Quality of the Luxury Vinyl Planks?
When I say I’m head over heels in love with this flooring I mean IN LOVE. It feels absolutely amazing underfoot (not cold at all) and there’s zero hollow sound because of the foam backing versus the usual cork backing of other luxury vinyl plank. I actually wish we could have laid the rest of the house using this flooring because it feels more authentic. The texture is more true-to-wood than our laminate AND I don’t see this scratching nearly as easily. We tried to be gentle while moving the appliances back in, but inevitably the fridge got dragged a bit and didn’t scratch at all.
At this point (only three weeks in) I have zero cons. Well, one: just didn’t install them sooner.
And here’s where we are with the vanilla kitchen makeover! See the kitchen before here.
Kitchen Makeover Series
Below are all the links to the Kitchen Series. As you can see, I did a ton of work, but it was all worth the effort.
Before 
After
- Kitchen Makeover Plans
- DIY Laminate Countertop Makeover on a Budget
- How to Make DIY Shaker Cabinet Doors on a Budget
- The Best Paint for Laminate Kitchen Cabinets
- What you need to know about Installing Glass Peel and Stick Tile
- How to Paint a Vent Hood
- How to Get the Best Deal on Name Brand Appliances
- Why Luxury Vinyl Tile is Best for Your Kitchen
- Replace Fluorescent Light Box in Your Kitchen
- Ceiling Painting Tips for your Kitchen (Hint use pink paint!)
- Kitchen Makeover Story-The Final Reval
Tara Adams says
Awesome job! I’m inspired. It looks great. I meant to say this sooner, great job on the picture quality. I can see the difference. You’re doing great!
Kenyatta Harris says
Thanks Tara! I appreciate the feedback! I’m starting to get the hang of photography and still have a LOT to learn.
Michelle says
Looks great. We have been wanting to do this over ceramic tile as well. How has it held up? Over time is there any dipping were the tile grout is?
Arlisha says
Love this!!! I am definitely inspired! Hubby and I are getting ready to FINALLY start little projects here and there in our home! I’m already feeling overwhelmed with color scheme and we haven’t even started!! I love earth tones but you are really making me want to look into pop colors as well!! Keep up the great work! Oh and the pics look great!
Kenyatta Harris says
Thanks Arlisha. Take a pause breathe and go for it. It can be overwhelming, but you can manage it. Here’s how I tackle color.
https://mydesignrules.com/choose-room-color/
Ola says
This turned out really great Kenyatta! Congratulations on your new flooring!
Kenyatta Harris says
This floor right here! gahh it’s so great. Thanks girl!
N'Ckyola says
Great job Kenyatta! Love the flexibility of this product & the color you chose. Very Nice.
Kenyatta Harris says
Thanks N’ckyola. This product is just phenomenal.
Ashley Basnight says
I just bought a similar product and love it! Great way to change the look of the space with minimal work! Nice job
Kenyatta Harris says
I saw your laundry room. Loving the stencil AND the floor.
Lidia says
Excellent job! (I would have sworn that was hardwood!)
The Furnshop says
I really liked this Vinyl tile flooring for the kitchen. They are giving the perfect look. Thanks for sharing.
Patti Withers says
Wow-thanks for this great post. We’re redoing our little kitchen and have been strongly considering LVP. This post helped me decide! In fact, we’re wanting to do a “greige” color and so may go with the same one. Thanks again!
Kandace says
It’s beautiful!! I’m going to show this to my daughter. She wants to replace some flooring with the same type of vinyl flooring. I think her and her dad could manage this.
Meg says
Amazing. I want to do this now!
My kitchen floors are pretty groovy -I noticed your old floors were groovy as well, or is that just the way the light was reflecting? I’m just wondering if I’m going to need to rip out tile (hire out) or if I can go right on top (do it myself).
Thanks for sharing,
Kenyatta Harris says
Hi Meg,
My original flooring was tile, so the grooves were the grouted area. We didn’t have have any issue just going right on top. There was a small area near the back where the tile wasn’t level, but it just took a little more effort to get it locked in place.
I’d love to see how your floors turn out!
danielle says
What color are your bottom cabinets. They look like a different color then Hale Navy. I read the paint blog post, but these look brighter. Thanks
Kenyatta Harris says
Hi Danielle, the bottom cabinets are Sherwin Williams Indigo Batik. I’m sorry if that wasn’t clear on the post I talked about painting them.
Nicole says
How did you do the transition from floor to floor if you went over the tile ?
TJ Boyd says
Did you lay the planks over existing tile? I was curious if grooves in the existing tile would cause the planks to dip after a while?
Kenyatta Harris says
Yes, I laid them right over the tile. It’s been a year and 1/2 and no dipping. I don’t foresee an issue because the planks aren’t pliable. They’re pretty stiff. I only attempted because a professional was going to do it. It’s probably not the best thing in the world, but for $350 and those ugly floors of mine, I was willing to risk it.
Cari says
Just checking in on the “dipping”. Any yet? I have used this stuff but always taken up the pre ious flooring. Would love to “ not” this time 🙂
Kenyatta Harris says
Hi Cari, We moved in January and there was still no dipping. The vinyl planks aren’t soft like old-school linoleum so I doubt it would begin to dip.
Jessie says
They look great! How did you handle the transitions between different flooring? We’d love to do this in a home but I’m concerned!
atxstainedconcrete.com says
Thanks for sharing this insights. I find this really helpful.
San Antonio Epoxy Flooring says
I must say, it looking so good! Kitchen floors are one of the mostly used place in a house so, its a great choice to install luxury vinyl tile for kitchen space! i really appreciate your post!
Ready Mixed Concrete says
Wow, your photos are stunning, and the transformation is incredible. I loved the way you applied luxury vinyl tile in your kitchen. I am also going to try it in my kitchen. Let’s hope for the best!
Miami Concerete Services FL says
This is a fantastic transformation, Kenyatta! I came to know a lot of things about luxury vinyl tile and now I’m confident of using it in my kitchen. Thanks so much for sharing. Keep up the excellent work.
Ms. My says
Absolutely! Vinyl is a strong and durable flooring material, making it an excellent option for a bathroom or kitchen. It might take practically everything from a normal to a chaotic domestic life. https://www.epoxysanantonio.com
Larry Smith says
Truly couldn’t put it in better words! Its a great option for a quick and easy change of look. I’ve been looking more and more into doing simple remodels like this! https://www.lockhardflooring.com
Jackie says
Wow! This is such a great post. I have been wanting to re-do the tile floors in our kitchen. It might have to be the next weekend project! We are refinishing our kitchen cabinets so maybe after that! Thanks so much for sharing!