My boyfriends parents just redid their entire kitchen. The last thing they did was the floor. They could not decide what to do with the floor. They did not want tile since if it breaks they need to chip it out and its a cold floor during a cold New England winter, plus there is no give to tile, so his moms feet would ache after hours of cooking or being in the kitchen. They did not want hardwood because of their dogs and cats and the traffic is just too much, plus the cost. They did not want linoleum either (don't know why) but what they ended up finding, are these tiles that are padded linoleum (I think) that you lay down like real tiles and grout like real tiles. They keep warm in the winter, they look GREAT, just like tile, but if they wear or crack its much easier to lift one out and replace it. They have a softer feel to your feet. I seriously might consider this option when I redo my kitchen. Right now though... I'm saving my pennies so I can get hardwood throughout! I just love hardwood!
I need to rip the carpet out of my living room this fall and Im going to put down the cheapest, floating wood/pergo floor I can find for a temp fix until I get my hardwood!
