The Kitchen Flooring Your Grandparents Used Is Back In Style (2024)

When you're ready to choose new flooring for your renovation, there are many options to browse: hardwood, tile, vinyl, and even stone. But if you haven't considered linoleum flooring, you might want to give it a second look. This durable flooring option often gets a bad reputation for being seen as cheap or dated—but there's a reason why this material is in all of our grandparents' homes and continues to be used. Because of its resiliency, versatility, and affordability, linoleum flooring isn't going anywhere anytime soon. You might even say that this flooring material is having a resurgence.

"Linoleum has a specific and distinctive look. The design aesthetic hasn’t really changed,” says Jane Rohde, ASID, FIIDA, a registered architect and certified interior designer and technical consultant for the Resilient Floor Covering Institute. “Linoleum is more abstract with rich pigments and marbleized swirls but no wood plank or stone patterns.”

If you're still on the fence about choosing linoleum flooring for your upcoming kitchen remodel, you've come to the right place. Here's what else you need to know about buying linoleum flooring and where it looks its best in the home.

Linoleum is a resilient and flexible floor covering made from cork, limestone, wood flour, linseed oil, and pigments. These materials are all combined with resin, then it's spread out and cured. Once set, protective surface treatment and jute backing are added, and the material is then cut into sheets, 12-by-12-inch tiles, or 12-by-36-inch planks.

Invented in 1860 by Frederick Walton, linoleum was widely used in businesses and homes until the 1960s. Always popular in Europe where it’s manufactured, there’s been recent renewed interest in linoleum in the United States as people look for products derived from natural ingredients that are also easy to take care of. Linoleum is easy to clean and long-lasting (thanks to its protective coating) and unlike wood floors, you won't need to refinish it every few years. “Most people change their [linoleum] floors due to an aesthetic reason long before the product has worn out,” Rohde says.

Linoleum’s natural (and occasionally recycled) materials make it appealing to eco-friendly homeowners who want to move away from using synthetics. Scraps left over from the linoleum manufacturing process can also be reused, meaning that the material is almost indefinitely recyclable and there’s very little waste. However, Rohde says there is some environmental impact in the production of linoleum because of the energy required to manufacture it.

Besides being comprised of renewable natural ingredients such as linseed oil, jute, cork, and tree resins, linoleum is extremely tough and resists abrasions. It also has a soft, warm feel underfoot. Because the color and pattern are consistent throughout the product, it also holds up better than other types of flooring. For example, you’ll still be able to see the pattern if you scratch or nick it, says Rohde.

While older linoleum was criticized for yellowing because of the oxidation of the linseed oil over time, modern formulations have evolved with stabilizers to address that concern, says Rohde. However, you may still see some yellowing or discoloration in your linoleum flooring over time. Linoleum is also prone to showing scratches and scuffs, especially in high-traffic areas.

“Look at the overall picture to decide if it’s right for your home,” Rohde says. “Think about your expectations, what activities take place in that space, and what’s most important to you. Don’t choose a type of flooring based on just one attribute.”

According to data from Angi, you can expect to spend between $650 and $4,800 on your linoleum flooring. The current national average cost is $1,760. In terms of square footage, linoleum flooring can cost between $3 and $12 per square foot—this wide cost range is due to different thicknesses, designs, and material compositions.

Installing linoleum flooring is typically a job for professionals. But you may be able to install your own linoleum tiles if you’re patient and meticulous. Either way, make sure your subfloor (i.e., the surface over which the linoleum will be installed) is completely smooth and free of defects because you don’t want bumps and flaws to show through the finished product, says Rohde.

“Linoleum doesn’t have to be waxed or buffed because it already has a protective surface treatment,” says Rohde. Instead, keep your linoleum in tip-top shape by sweeping frequently to remove grit and dust. Spots and spills can be wiped up with a damp mop and a floor cleaner designed for use on linoleum flooring—acidic cleaning products will damage linoleum. Finally, make sure all your furniture legs have felt slides to prevent scratching the material.

Depending on the product, most manufacturers’ linoleum warranties are from 5 to 15 years, but chances are that linoleum will last much longer in your home, potentially upwards of 20 to 30 years.

Forbo (also known as Marmoleum) and Tarkett are two of the most popular brands of linoleum flooring.

• Marmoleum’s linoleum is 100 percent biodegradable and made from natural materials, Consumers often choose this brand for its climate-minded manufacturing.
• Tarkett uses 97 percent recycled and natural materials in its linoleum construction. Its modern designs are a favorite of style-minded homeowners.

Is linoleum tile flooring waterproof?

Linoleum is water-resistant, but not waterproof. Spills or splashes, if not wiped up or dried in time, can cause the linoleum to warp. Try to avoid using linoleum in bathrooms for this reason.

What is the difference between linoleum and vinyl flooring?

While both are long-lasting and cost-effective alternatives to hardwood or tile, linoleum and vinyl are different in several ways:

• Linoleum is made from all-natural materials, including resin, wood, and linseed oil to name a few. It’s a softer material than vinyl and comprises one solid sheet instead of many layers.
• Vinyl is a PVC product with a design printed on top. Because it’s made from synthetic material, vinyl is often cheaper. Some vinyl is also waterproof, whereas linoleum is only water-resistant. Because it’s thinner, vinyl is also easier to DIY.

Can I install linoleum tile flooring myself?

While you can install linoleum flooring yourself, we always recommend hiring a professional to do the job right. If you’re eager to take on a DIY flooring project, choose vinyl flooring that’s thinner and easier to remove if you make a mistake.

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