An outdoor kitchen area is a wonderful place for family and friends to gather and enjoy good food and good company.

While planning the layout and construction of your outdoor kitchen, you must not forget about choosing the right flooring. There are many different options that will suit a variety of budgets and tastes. You should also take your lifestyle and exactly how you plan to use this space into consideration.

You must consider the climate where you live and the amount of foot traffic the area will have. Will you be enjoying the space with just your spouse or small family? Will you be hosting large parties with many guests? These are questions you should ask yourself before making your purchase.

Let’s take a look at some of the most popular outdoor kitchen flooring options that are available:

Concrete Flooring

One of the least expensive and most durable outdoor flooring options is concrete. It is very versatile, in the fact that it doesn’t have to just be plain, boring gray slabs. There are many looks you can achieve with this material.

Concrete offers the options of customization, such as: imprinting a design or adding your choice of color. You may also prefer using concrete pavers laid out in a pattern or pavers that look like natural stone. The ideas are endless.

Tile Flooring

Tile flooring is budget friendly and has a wide selection of styles and colors available.

One of the most attractive things about using tile, is the ability to lay it out in different patterns. Choose from a basket weave, staggered lines, or an all over, large design. There are numerous patterns you can use on your outdoor floor that will give the space a unique and high end appearance.

This article suggests that if you live in a climate with freezing temperatures, the installer must take special care when placing the tiles. They should not rock and they also need to be sealed to prevent damage to the grout and tile.

Natural Stone Flooring

To give your outdoor kitchen a luxurious and organic feel, natural stone flooring may be the choice for you. Keep in mind that this type of flooring is more pricey than tile or concrete.

You will find that there is a wide variety of styles and colors available. You can choose from round, natural looking stone to flat and smooth, square tiles. When it comes to stone, there is something for any taste.

A great tip is to incorporate the same stone in your outdoor kitchen with what is used in your landscaping. This will make the space appear seamless and totally coordinated.

Ipe Decking

If you like the look of wood, then you will love Ipe. This is a very durable, hardwood, usually from Northern Brazil. You can find this wood in a wide variety of colors and shades.

This type of flooring is reasonably priced and is an excellent choice for large families or people who like to entertain. Ipe wood is scratch resistant and works well in high traffic areas.

Another benefit of this wood is that it is virtually termite and mold resistant.

Conclusion

There are an array of flooring options available to choose from. With a little imagination and the right materials, you can create the backyard space of your dreams.

It’s always best to consult with an experienced professional before starting any large project. You will be able to discuss the flooring varieties that are available for your personal budget. You will also discover new design ideas that you weren’t aware of.

For further reading, check out: Planning An Outdoor Kitchen – What Not To Include and 4 Paint Colors Joanna Gaines Likes.

Image: Flickr