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hohweiler Not meanig to be harsh, but...Your kitchen has too many extremes. You have a couple of options.

1. You can paint the cabinets a soft color. I see white in the counter and some white in the brick work. I would paint them a color in both the counter and the brick work. But not a stark white, something soft and subtle; something in the beige family. You should use a similar color on the floor. Not white, but something subtle and light biegish. Adding grey hardware to the cabinets will also tie in the counter top and back splash.

2. Change the back splash, you might want to put in a whiteish subway tile and then you could leave your cabinets the way they are and go with a floor tile that has some browns and neutrals in it, but still subtle.

Good luck pulling it together. There is lots of potential here.

Emily Hurley What's on the floor now? It was hard for me to tell in the photo.

Paul Perchacz whats on your floor I wouild go brown like your backsplash or a color close to your cupboards.

javincent3 I would not have selected that color counter with the lovely cabinets, but with that in place and really not going anywhere, I'd replace the back splash tile in a very soft white or very light beige subway tile. Then I would carry the soft beige on the floor selection - something that would compliment your cabinets.

njmomma Your kitchen is beautiful, don't change a thing, I love the black splash and I love the granite. I have the same granite in my kitchen and it's absolutely beautiful. I have less movement in mine, have been told it looks like black marble.

Anyway, back to the floor, I would go with something very neutral, with little going on, close in color to the back splash.

livelove Thanks for all the comments. Someone asked about what i have on the floor now. Are you able to see it now?

livelove sorry these pictures are not coming out in full. Don't know why. I will try again.

Paul Perchacz I really like the floor I wouldn't change a thing

Paul Perchacz If I were to change anything it would be in a brick lay instead

rawketgrl Nice finishes. However if you don't intend on painting the cabinets white, or changing to a neutral solid color back-splash; then with the colors and movement you have, there is only one choice. Floors have to match cabinets to mellow out all the back splash/counter top drama. Wall paint color in a light neutral possibly greige to help tie it all together. Possibly BM - Silver Satin. That said, you do have a pretty kitchen, I like the sink/counter connection, and the cabinet hardware. Nice.

livelove That sounds great. Why gray? Is it because the granite has gray in it? I like the silver satin. Do u think i could go a shade darker?

Urbana ~ Designer Ellen Crystal the counter & back splash are both quite busy. Very nice on their own, but a little strong to be combined. I would suggest a simple tile, without as much mottled effect. If you wish drama, go a black subway with an inlay of one row of white/creme to pick up the colours of the comic black counter. If you wish more subtle, try a cream/tan similar to your wall colour with a row of black accent tiles.

Alternately a new counter if you left the tile, in a quartz, very small texture like Cambria Coswell Cream. it would be soft & not compete with the jazzy tile.

Senior Designer~Urbana

livelove I can not change the backsplash or the granite. I need to know what colour would go great on the floor. Thank you.

julieewing I would agree, match the cabinets with wood flooring staying as close to the cabinet color as possible. I wouldn't add another material or color.

rawketgrl BM revere pewter for your consideration... Yes the tile and the counter have gray in them. I have seen the right greige help the most unique spaces come together for a great big wow factor.

For some reason I could not see the 2 most recent pictures you had posted when I wrote my 1st post. Now that I see the floor I can see your concerns. I had that same tile in a kitchen of mine. It has a blue tint in it and with all the brown/gray/tan/black you have going on it is a lot of movement for an already busy space.(Also I did not like those tiles; they were slippery when wet and hard to clean, which was brutal in my dog house, LOL). Yes I would replace tile floor with engineered wood in a maple.

I really like the tile back-splash/wall behind the sink, now that I can see the whole thing it is pretty cool. I think a different rug in a solid color would help also.

If you have not already done it, I would add more light, can lights in ceiling if possible and under cabinet lights everywhere you can.

Have fun it is already a great space!

livelove okay. Carpet is easy, thank god. I like this colour wall better. thank u. Okay, i have hardwood right beside my kitchen. Can I put to hardwoods together? Two different colours? So it would be maple in the kitchen and dark brown in the hallway and livingroom. Not sure how that would look. Any suggestion? Omg, this is soooooooo hard. lol

Urbana ~ Designer Ellen Crystal same hardwood as adjacent hallway. The dark brown would be nice contrast with your cabinets.. won't chop up the space & make it all look bigger

designideas4me If you cant exactly match the wood you have now than do tile. Dont paint the cabinets white. Thats stupid. They look great. I would pick the lighter brown and tan tones in the brick blacksplash for the tile. Bring home samples. Go with 16 or 18 or even 20 inch tiles.

Genevieve If you can git rid of the bricks paint over them to make them blend in with the floor and the cabinets ,I don't know why you chose such colour for a counter top in the kitchen you could have stayed withing the colours of the bricks, I would paint either the cabinets or the brick and if you could remove the counter top and get a much lighter one it would be best . This one belongs in a bathroom not in a kitchen.

livelove When i bought the backsplash it was grey and black. When i put the seal on it, it turned brown. So now i am stuck. Whatever, i cant change it all now. I need to know what colour would look good on the floor. If any one has a suggestion that would be wonderful.

Scott Design, Inc. If you install 3/4" x 2 1/4" strip red oak flooring that needs to be finished, consider either Zar Moorish Teak and if you want to warm it up a bit, add Rosewood 6/1 ratio. Another color wood be Mocha. Ask the installer to "pop" the wood (open the pores after he sands the wood) so you get full depth of color and then add 3 coats of Waterlox tongue oil finish. Budget $6.00-7.00 per sq. ft. installed and finished. Of course, you have to add the cost of removing the existing tile.

These two stains would work well with both browns and blacks in your top and backsplash as well as the oak because it is a natural material with depth variations.

onthefence livelove, regarding your backsplash....I saw a post here a few days ago from someone who wasn't happy with the color of her splash. Recommendations were given to lightly stain the stone. You'd probably need to strip off the sealer and CERTAINLY want to test it on a scrap of stone before you start on your wall. Depending on your stone though - and if you want to change the look - that may be an option for you.

I know this wasn't your question, but thought I'd throw it out there since you indicated you were surprised by the color change.

livelove thank u for your posting, onthefence. I will see what i can do.

onthefence You're welcome livelove. Just found the thread. I think it probably depends on the type of stone you have - but IMO you have nothing to loose by testing on a spare piece of stone.

http://www.houzz.com/discussions/322648/Help--Counters-backsplash-don-t-match-

rawketgrl Hi livelove, oh you already have some wood floors! OK then just bring your current wood floors into the kitchen. Or a tile in a neutral that matches the cabinets. I like your kitchen. The surfaces all look nice to touch and are a nice upgrade. Sorry to hear you had such a drastic tile color change with sealer. That is a good point and one I will remember next time I tile. I do however like the tile black-splash it is very pretty. Taking it all the way up the wall really grounds the kitchen. Good luck with the flooring! :D

Jean Tuck Well I love it All. But I would add in the corner next to sink a undercabinet appliance garage for toaster or kettle if that sticks your fancy, make one out of a cardboardbox and paint a decal of a sunflower on it.Your one lucky person Id say.

livelove thanks everyone for all your great suggestions.

Debi McCann Stain grout in backsplash to black or ver dark gray to tie in. If that doesn't. Work white wash stain the back splash stone (refresh the black grout stain). Good luck.

Color Specialist for Benjamin Moore - Middle East Your countertops are gorgeous!
The cabinets easy to work with too.
Your backsplash works great with your cabinets and cabinets with your countertop (hope I am not too confusing!) but the dramatic textures of the countertops and brick/squares of the backsplash are very competing against one another. Choosing materials and combining them is the tough part. I highly recommend going with a very heavy even floor option that avoids anymore texture. I also recommend a paint color that is heavier as it can take away from the busy textures of all of it...a strong green or blue thats neutral (hard to say here without knowing your lighting)...from Benjamin Moore's new color stories palette or perhaps a historic color. I strongly believe pale neutrals will bring out the textures more, especially when trying to 'match' them. Good Luck and we would LOVE to see your progress as it unfolds!

Always Nesting Bless your heart. You must be totally overwhelmed by now. When I feel like I am second guessing or unsure of a choice, I step back for awhile then revisit my choices.

artzi Ceramic tile-12" in shade closest to cabinet color, could have a subtle natural stone like pattern.

islasusana I would go with the ceramic tile as well, with the shade matching the cabinets. But I would use the largest tile possible - less grout to clean. Just put these large tiles in my basement bathroom and they are beautiful and easier to keep clean. They were around 32" by 16".

collettec Like the suggestions to pick up the color of the cabinets in the tile. Second choice would be a gray. The one thing that I think would be a consideration would be to have a larger tile - flat surface, solid color, no variation or pattern, with the same color grout, so that it isn't something that is very attention getting visually. You have a lot going on visually with the stone, counters and cabinets so I would go with something simple on the flooring. Beautiful kitchen!

bbocking Having ripped out both hardwood and laminate that were water damaged in kitchens, I would only put a matt finish tile in the kitchen. (The matt finish doesn't show water spots, is easily cleaned, and non slippery). I also have maple cabinets, similar backsplash, but neutral granite countertops. I put in a soft cream colored floor tile and it looks great.

maryannes I think it looks good, but I would change that rug. If it's in your budget to change the floor, then I would definitely go with a solid color with no pattern or variation in color Similar to this:

mervwolf Less is more. You really are suffering from an excess of materials. Go with a wood floor finished as close as possible to the cabinetry.

Vivian Rase If you change the floors I would use the same wood that you have in the other areas. That would give you nice continuity and make all the rooms seem bigger. I'd remove the small decorative items on the window sill and counter tops. One large arrangement of fresh sunflowers would make a lovely statement. If the ones you have are silk you might just want to donate them.
Place some bright decorative items in the glass cupboard....something that will stand out...maybe some bright yellow vintage mixing bowls. Since you like sunflowers and have touches of yellow already, perhaps you might want to use a bright yellow striped rug, yellow kitchen towels, yellow soap holder etc to complete the look.

yoder178 I like it the way it is. Might add a great area rug and maybe add a color to the neutral mix. Good luck.

bevballew I would change the countertop. The black with white is too busy. I think the backsplash is beautiful and blends with the cabinets. I think if you keep the grante tops and cabinet any backsplash would still clash. You have beige as a dominant color. You could go with a dark wood floor, if you want to change it. I think the change of the countertop is all you need.

bevballew Since you cannot change the granite countertop or backsplash, the you need to go with a dark floor, an almost black wood floor. There are so many patterns with the top and backsplash, which do clash, you need to keep to a simple solid floor with no pattern. Otherwise it will be extremely busy and a mishmash.

cadaveria Dark wood floor...YES! I love it, kind of a gothic cathedral feel and the dark wood floors will really compliment that concept...however i would change the cabinet hardware to something dark iron.

digitald Hi if you do wood then stick with what you already have, two different wood floors is not a good option..so for me it would be either wood...or a nice neutral tile..nothing busy at all...you already have a lot of busy going on...its lovely but you just dont need any more patterns...and perhaps some white appliances or plain netural containers on the counter will help to balance the two patters...I love the shiny stuff too but i think in this setting it is adding to the competition going on with the tile and counters

auroracanby I really liked the suggestion & the color sample up there. Floor's good, cabinets etc. -- how about painting the backsplash that color gray? Would look altogether great.

Beth Jay Paint the brick!! Change the hardware on the cabinets to black and leave the floor the way it is.

auroracanby Saaay, I always wonder how these things turn out. Let us know what you decide, okay?

Distinguished Flooring LLC Love the countertops

motherofchrist I would not replace the backsplash because it complements the cabinetry well. It seems that you have already decided to change the flooring, and I don't blame you as it is a bit dated. I would go for a natural finish such as a slate tile. You can usually find them in various sizes, i.e. 12x12, 16x16, 18x18 etc... Since your kitchen has a lot going on, I would recommend that you keep the lines to a minimum by choosing a tile bigger than 12x12. Also, adding a nice sisal area rug would be a good finishing touch.

earthbybike I love your kitchen. May I suggest that when designing a room, you need to decide which element is to be the star of the show and everything else plays a supporting role or takes a back seat. Personally, I could live with the way your kitchen is. But, if you are wanting to make a change, the backsplash would probably be the easiest. If your making a change to the floor, I agree with another comment that it should blend well with the cabinets.

auroracanby By the way (as you've probably discovered) the floor photos pop out when you scroll over them, so they're fine.

bevballew Your backsplash is beautiful. It is a beautiful natural stone and it does go great with the cabinet. Like someone said eliminate items on the countertop, change the floor, find a good paint color for the walls and you should be done. You have to be real careful with the floor. Take samples and feel it out over a number of days, look in the evening, because the colors will look different at different times of the day, sunny day, cloudy, etc. same with color samples for the walls. the cabinets are beautiful. Why paint the items of quality. Then if you paint the backsplash or cabinets the color may not look good and you have wrecked what already looks pretty good. Try dark for the floor and then light for the floor. You should not mix woods. You will be sorry if you do and will be sorry if you paint the cabinets or backsplash. If you had a brown countertop you would have no problem.

mugsy1703 Your kitchen is fine the way it is. The current flooring goes well. Change out the hardware for black and ... BOB's your uncle ...

eileenkenah I would put in hardwood floors. You may be able to match the adjacent hardwood with the stain. If you can't match it, I would accent transition by laying the hardwood in a different direction.

shelbybella ...After looking at your photos...its not so bad, really. The countertops are beautiful, and the backsplash is ok; Although I think its a tiny bit busy, you could get away with it just as it is. One thing I think would really make the space seem brighter is painting your cabinets. This may seem tedious, but with the dark countertop, it is sort of ' depressing looking', and I mean that in the ' design sense". Other than that , they are gorgeous,The boyfriend I have lays tile / stone for a living - he looked at your photos and said REPLACE YOUR FLOORING..NOT your countertop) For painting your cabinets. I would not go with ' white white'.. something soft and not too much of a contrast , but with enough light and not a lot of ' ivory'...and change the hardware, to a charcoal- blackish color ( like the one suggested , in the photo of a different post) or even a pewter, Nothing ' stainless steel- too much. I consider paint to be my ' friend' and many times..just updating with paint will make a really big difference and can change the feel / look of your room. As far as the flooring, my Boyfriend does tile.. He looked at your flooring, and said slate is expensive and not always the best choice for a kitchen. ..he suggests laying either a 16 x16 or 18 x18 tile, laid in a ' staggered pattern'...and for color, he suggested a soft creamy white or a plain shade of white, ( no patterns, as it would be too busy) as to not compete with your countertops and backsplash. he also said a grayish color or soft charcoal grout would really set off your space, and tie the colors together. just be aware that its kind of hard to keep up if you dont have the grout sealed. Replacing your backsplash could be an option, but he said if you dont like it after you have the floor laid..paint it..:) You could also paint just your walls; I have used this color called ' Paris Grey..adn its beautiful. Something light, like that color, in any ' grayish shade 'would look great. But with painted cabinets , new hardware, and new ' neutral like ' floor..we both think your kitchen will look ' near new"..:) He cautions you against using wood, or even laminate in your kitchen; not user friendly.; when you go with tile, its will last you for a long long time. :

bevballew Not sure why to paint the cabinets. Are they old? They look like quality cabinets. Painting them to me still leaves you in the same dilemma since I don't think the problem is with the color of the cabinets but the three patterns since the black top is not a solid black. Furthermore, the owner is asking what color to do the floors and nothing else. I like the backsplash. It has a tumbled marble look. I know the new look in tile is the subway but eventually it will date itself. Just because the backsplash has a white mortar filling does not warrant introducing white. I think your best is wood and if you think the color of wood you already have would look nice do that. This is your house and if you like what you have why would you paint backsplash.

kdavis48 If your budget allows, pick one area to replace (either the countertops or the tile). If you stay with the tile I can invision the maple cabinets working. Find a suitable countertop that has similar colors as in the tile. DO NOT TRY TO MATCH, but rather compliment. Perhaps use nickel or pewter hardware which would bring together both a warm as well as cool harmony. If you stay with the countertops concentrate on a backsplash that incorporates black, gray and white. Paint your cabinets white (although it's a shame to paint good wood if you really like it) and go with nickel or silver hardware.

bevballew . Painting the cabinets might to me still leave you in the same dilemma since I don't think the problem is with the color of the cabinets but the three patterns since the black top is not a solid black. Furthermore, the owner is asking what color to do the floors and nothing else. I like the backsplash. It has a tumbled marble look. I know the new look in tile is the subway but eventually it will date itself. I think your best is wood and if you think the color of wood you already have would look nice do that. I blew up the picture and your floor does blend with the backsplash. This is your house and if you like what you have why would you paint the backsplash. I blew up the picture and saw how the backsplash goes to the ceiling. I would change the color of your walls first. That might be the only problem. if you want to change the floor I think a dark wood would pull everything together. Get samples. That will probably help solve your uncertainty. Hope we get to see the final results. Your paint color is not pulling the theme together. It is a very nice kitchen!

onthefence Just to recap my understanding of the situation - livelove only wants to determine what to do on the floor. The items that will not change (be painted/replaced/torn out etc) are:

Granite countertop
Backsplash
Cabinets

And FWIW, I really like Scott Designs suggestion of moorish teak on hardwood.

May I ask if you're looking for hardwood or tile? If tile, I honestly feel that what you have now is working well with all your colors.

luihlein do a wood floor... I have not seen your whole kitchen but you have a heavy black marble... consider
painting the upper cabinets black that way you have incorporated the black ... just an idea. Also put
black pulls like iron on the cabinets to bring in more black.

soesoe Do not attempt to paint the backsplash - it will never look how you hope! Since you have lots of movement in the splash and counters you have two choices for your floor:
1) Choose a wood that matches the wood that is your adjacent room - but it must really match well for it to look look continuous. If not matching wood is available than:
2) Choose a large format non textured and non pattered tile in a brown tone that works well with the tile and cabinets. Also see how this tile looks next to your wood floor in the adjacent room. Add a lovely rug to the kitchen.

I do agree that your walls should be painted a lovely neutral gray such as BM Revere Pewter. I've used the color and it a very appealing.

Consider changing the cabinet hardware to be darker to tie in w the black counters.

BEST OF LUCK, it will look great!

abbyy It looks like tile on your floor that could be painted by a professional to match one of the neutral colors in your backsplash but not the same as your cabinets.

auroracanby Yeah, I'm wondering if there's a russet town somewhere in the backsplash that can be picked up for the floor. The black hardware for the cabinets that someone suggested also seems as though it can tie a lot of it together. Here's to all life's problems being solved with a little hardware!

auroracanby PS I have no idea where the word "town" came from in preceding, and take no responsibility! Did I mean brown?

Mary Poulos Interior and Exterior Design I would go with a slightly deeper version of the cabinets for the flooring.

Genevieve The floor look okay to me and as someone already posted change the cabinet's handle to carry the black a bit further then the counter top.

I found this picture but in comparison to yours I like yours much better
http://www.ikitchensetc.com/images/new_range.jpg

morristhecat Wood floor to match cabinets as some have suggested. Although both counter top and cabinets are beautiful, you have too much going with the backsplash. If you paint wall, go with some color that is in that backsplash. If possible, I might paint backsplash a solid color (on the light side) also to make that countertop pop. Get a dynamite rug to go with the countertop. You also have chair-rail that is next to the backsplash. Make sure that is in some color that is already going on in the kitchen to unify it.

onceuponasummer I also had maple cabinets and had the same granite as yours. I used 18" italian ceramic tiles in golden shades, the floor looked just like honey onyx, beautiful. My kitchen sold my house! Good luck!

bevballew Wow! Genevieve sent a great picture for you. Hopefully a wood floor of that color would go with the other wood floors you have. I wish I could find a picture with dark floors to see what it would look like and if it would work to complement with the black tops.

Cancork Floor Inc. Onthefence is correct, livelove is looking for flooring advice. Right now, you have a tile floor that appears to do well with the back splash, but you are unhappy with this look. I'm with you on that. Although it "works" on paper, in your space it is giving off "too much" business...if that makes sense. I suggest you do one of two things:
A) Bring in a floor that very closely matches your cabinets; OR
B) A floor that very closely matches your counter top

I'm for the "counter top" match because you have black appliances. As a cork flooring specialist, I'm going to suggest cork...'cause that's what I know/have. But the ideas that I suggest can be worked with in other formats (tile,slate, hardwoods, laminates, etc).

A cork floating floor (or any floating floor for that matter) can be installed directly over top your existing floor! This is A HUGE BONUS! No removal costs...just new flooring. There may be a little bit of prep but in essence you can put down a floor without too much fuss/dust/labour.

I noticed your spelling leans towards the Canadian ("colour" is a dead give away). Feel free to visit our website: www.corkfloorsales.com. We offer free samples delivered anywhere in Canada.

But I digress. Here are some ideas that my help you find a solution to your question: "What to do with the FLOORING"

Aileen Kleinhuis That's so strange... I was just logging in to suggest a very plain cork (or even allure cork) in a tone close to your cabinets as an alternative to the wood. I agree you can't put two hardwood floors beside each other that are different. Or match the counter top grey/black like the previous cork specialist said. I just put it in my kitchen and I love it.

shelbybella ..I also asked my boyfriend in reference to a darker floor; ( I commented previously , about the flooring) he said that oft times people like that ' dramatic look' in the beginning ..but it loses its novelty when its difficult to keep up, and will make a smaller space - or one that already has a lot black (appliances. etc) feel dark and enclosed. Hence, I did not even address that in my previous post. Personally, I like cork flooring. But he said in relation to your countertops, it might not give you the look you are really want.

bevballew I think the safe bet would be a floor close to the cabinets. You will not regret that. Cork would be great since you have other wood floors and the color of the other floors won't blend possibly with the cabinets. Or you go with a tile of a color close to the cabinets. If you go black it will probably show more debris on the floor. I would put something on the floor like dark rugs as a sample to experiment with to see if you like that combo before you do anything. If you go with a light floor you can have a blackm rug in front of the sink to pick up the dark top. The rug you presently have.does the work well.

blaura I have a similar kitchen w/o brick backsplash. I have a hardwood floor that matches the cabinets and it looks great. Since you have the dark hardwood butting up to the tile I don't think that will work for you. No matter what material you use, I would get rid of the square tiles as they seem to add more to the "busy" (colors and patterns). They make several tiles that resemble a wood floor look and don't have a lot of color variation. I would look at them and try to match the cabinets as best you can without going darker. I think the subway tiles (mentioned in suggestions) are far to small and would just add more business. Keep the floor simple.

rubykritz I agree with those who say the backsplash is too busy....most kitchens and baths I see in contractors' notebooks also have way too much going on--its best to check with a designer or friends BEFORE choosing...

Ginny Sargent I think the dark counter is throwing the balance way off. If you got something like a granite or the newer product with a smaller (no streakes) color bits and softer, it would be lovely with the back splalsh.

bevballew Since writing last I have gone through many pictures on houzz just to look at decorating ideas. I saw so many kitchens with wood floors similar to the cabinet color. Does not need to match exactly but they were absolutely stunning. I vote for a wood floor similar to your cabinet, a little darker. Nothing else.maybe you can refinish the other floors to all be the same color. Hopefully the other wood floors are not much different in color? Check out kitchens on houzz. With your black granite and backsplash I saw many pictures similar to yours and the wood floor was stunning! If you felt unsure about wood floors then a cork or whatever close to your cabinet color I am sure would be great.

livelove OMG, so much information. Sorry i have not been on line, i dislocated my thumb. lol.
Thank u everyone for taking the time to help me.
I like the light hardwood floors or the light tiles. But if I do the light hardwood floors am i able to have dark hardwood floors against them? Or just be safe and do the plain tiles 12x24 in a subway tile layout?

Vivian Rase @livelove I'd still suggest doing the floors the same color wood that you already have. Others said they could see it in your pictures but I can't. I wouldn't match the floors to the cabinets....just continue with what you already have. it will give your house a nice clean look if the floors continue the same throughout

bevballew You may want to click browse rooms on this site and then kitchen. You will see floors close in color to the cabinets. They do not have to match but blend. If the other floors in your house are dark how dark. Do you have any extra pieces of wood of what is laid down already and abut it to your cabinets to see if it works. If that does not work either sand the other floors and restain or find a cork or tile flooring that would blend. The tile you have now resembles the backsplash but does not blend well due to the black top. I saw some pictures of a backsplash similar to yours on houzz, either in the kitchen or backsplash section and the blend was just gorgeous.

shelbybella Hello livelove. I hope that your thumb is better.. and that you arent overwhelmed by the amount of input on your issue.lol. Its a big contrast to do light wood against dark wood, with flooring. Not sure I would recommend that, but it is your home.:) I suggested to you what my boyfriend said, as he lays flooring for his profession; he said that laying the tiles " staggered" is best, or even on the diagonal . You are very welcome, I know you must have had tons of suggestions. I do believe that tile is the better flooring, for a kitchen. My boyfriend stated that wood or even wood laminate will not stand the test of wear, tear and time. He has just recently REPLACED two kitchen floors in homes that had laminate hardwood. I looked at your photos again, and I think if you wish to ' lighten ' up your kitchen, that will go a long way in ' refreshing ' it. I failed to mention that I would also replace the rug, when time allows ..to something that has a ' soft, subtle' pattern in the colors you finally choose to go with.OR something solid, to add contrast, as you prefer. In my kitchen, I have opted for contrast. I have a sort of soft apple green color, for my rugs. Green is a great color for kitchens, in small doses.. as ' green' signifies ' life'.. and growth. :) What better place for that .. than ones kitchen...:) Blessings to you and hope to see whatever you choose to do, in a future post.

auroracanby I swore I wasn't going to comment again but -- re light floor to dark floor: possibly put a narrow strip of black stone (I mean, like, two inches) between the two floors. Your brain will know anyway that it's just a transition from one space to another. No stress. And if you do the other small black accents (knobs, handles) it'll help clarify that. You've tried the tiles. Try the wood you like. You've remained admirably focused on the floor.

bevballew I will say too that wood floors in a kitchen require more care. If you spill something you need to wipe it so it doesn't stain the floor. I myself do not like the feeling of wood floors in a kitchen but that is me. I would say to put a honey color tile or cork to,blend with the cabinets if you don't do wood. If you had another color it might add more business. I cannot envision a dark wood floor in kitchen but it might work. An interior designer would know. It might work to have wood floors of two colors but I would think pattern should be consistent but I am not sure.

MarbleWarehouse.com I will go with dark granite tile.

bevballew Sorry about your thumb. Page 16 of kitchen cabinets on this site houzz has a dark wood floor with a cabinet color similar to yours. Dark wood floors should look great. What i saw was beautiful. Very rich and classy. I also saw a picture similar to your kitchen including a tile floor similar to yours. Only difference was the cabinets were a darker color than yours. It had a backsplash similar to yours, black granite tops also. It was also beautiful! Maybe these pictures will help.

Sara Bederman Interior Design I recommend lightening the tone in the kitchen by adding an off white flooring and off white backsplash. Consider a glazed tile for the backsplash to add some reflection under the cabinets.

bevballew She only will replace the floor, and not anything else. Everything stays but the floor.