There are other things to consider as well, which may be more or less important to you and your family. If you have an open floor plan, you may want to maintain one type of flooring throughout the kitchen and living space to avoid an unsightly transition in the middle of the floor. If you spend a lot of time cooking, you might want to choose a softer flooring option, which will be easier on your feet and joints. You might be going for a particular look that can really only be achieved with one particular type of flooring, in which case your decision will be relatively easy.

Some of the most popular flooring options for kitchens today include:

1. Hardwood floors. They are extremely durable and have been known to last for generations. They are easy to clean; messes can be wiped up with a damp cloth or towel. Despite the name, this is one of the softer flooring options. They are also a great option for those with an open floor plan because they look equally good in a living area. Some people worry about damage from water or moisture, but today’s pre-finished hardwoods and engineered hardwoods actually stand up very well to water and changes in humidity.
2. Vinyl floors. They top the list for durability and softness. They are also very budget friendly. Dirt and moisture can get under the flooring if you have any unsealed seams so use sheet vinyl instead of tiles and ensure that any seams remain well-sealed.
3. Porcelain tiles are more durable than ceramic tiles. So if you like the look of tile for your kitchen and want the most durable option, then this is it. Porcelain tiles are extremely easy to clean. Grout lines, however, will likely need to be resealed periodically, which may be more maintenance than you would like. Keep in mind that tile floors are hard, so if you spend a lot of time standing in your kitchen, consider whether you will be happy with the end result.
4. Stone floors can be expensive and heavy, but the finished product can be absolutely decadent in the right kitchen. If you are set on the look of stone, they have the added benefits of being extremely durable and easy to clean.
5. Cork flooring is very soft, water-resistant and naturally slip-resistant due to its texture. It is also sustainably harvested, making it an eco-friendly flooring choice. The downside to cork is that its softness means it is less durable than the harder flooring options. It needs to be resealed periodically to protect it from scratches and wear.

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Because fall is the harvest season, most fall decorating tends to reflect the season by incorporating warm fall colours (particularly yellows, browns, oranges and reds) and harvest themes. Pumpkins, apples, nuts, cut branches with colourful leaves or berries and corn stalks all feature heavily in fall décor. Don’t be afraid to bring the outdoors in by decorating with found objects or the bounty from your own garden.

But how do you decorate your kitchen without compromising its functionality? You will want to avoid decorating surfaces that you use for food preparation. Instead, concentrate your fall décor on the walls or on high open shelves that are used infrequently. In addition, you can swap out regularly used items (such as tea towels, napkins, place mats and salt and pepper shakers) with special fall versions that complement your décor.

Here are 10 easy ways to help make your kitchen warm and beautiful this fall:

1. Textiles. Table clothes, tea towels, and even your apron can help celebrate the season by bringing warm colours and harvest motifs into your kitchen.
2. Centerpieces. Unless you are having a party, keep centerpieces small, to minimize the amount of table or island space that they monopolize.
3. Garlands. Great for those with smaller kitchens, garlands look great in locations that would otherwise be completely unused, such as over the doorway, or on top of the pot rack or light fixture.
4. Signs or artwork. If you don’t have any room to spare in your kitchen for additional seasonal décor, switch out your usual artwork for something with a fall theme.
5. Place settings. Consider acquiring some plates in celebratory fall colours, or with a pretty fall theme, such as nuts or colourful leaves.
6. Glassware. Your fall place settings won’t be complete without matching fall glassware.
7. Candles. Nothing says warm and cozy like a nice fire. If you don’t have a wood stove in your kitchen, candles can be used to replicate that cozy feeling. As a bonus, they often have great fall smells, like pumpkin pie!
8. Flower arrangements. Certain flowers, such as sunflowers or mums, are a nice complement to fall décor.
9. Wreaths. Essentially a centre piece that hangs on the wall, this is another great option for those short on counter or table space.
10. Display produce. Instead of hiding fresh fall produce away in a cupboard or a drawer in the fridge, leave your apples, squash or other produce out in a nice bowl as a simple display or centerpiece.

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Popular choices of material for countertops today include stone (usually granite, although marble, soapstone and others are also used), solid surface (comprised of acrylic or polyester, engineered stone (a combination of quarts and acrylic), laminate, wood, ceramic tile and concrete.

If you are choosing new countertops for your kitchen, here are a few factors that you should take into consideration:

1. Appearance

Obviously you want your new countertops to look good and to complement the rest of your kitchen. It is important to balance the look that you want with other factors so that you are not disappointed with your choice of countertop materials.
For example, you may love the look of wood countertops, but not be keen on the maintenance that they require to prevent water damage. If you are not willing to provide the maintenance that your counters need, they won’t stay as beautiful as they are upon installation.

Fortunately, there are many countertop material options and it is often possible to find one that meets all of your needs plus provides you with the look that you want.

2. Durability

Most countertops will last for decades provided they are maintained properly. Granite, engineered stone and solid surface counters are the hardest surfaces and therefore the most indestructible. Other stone that can be used for countertops, such as marble or slate, is softer than granite and is more prone to staining or scratches.

Laminate and wood countertops are made of the softest materials and are the most prone to scratches and damage from hot objects.

3. Maintenance

Engineered stone, solid surface and laminate counters require the least amount of maintenance. Granite counters require less maintenance than other stone surfaces, but they may need to be resealed periodically to prevent staining.

Ceramic tiles may require extra care to prevent dirt from building up in the grout lines.

All other countertop surfaces require frequent sealing to prevent water damage, warping, staining, scratches or chips.

4. Cost

The cost of a new countertop can vary greatly depending on the type of material used, different finishes and cuts that are required. Granite counters range in price based on the popularity or scarcity of the particular granite.

Remember to consider the cost of installation as well, as it will vary significantly for different countertops.

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