Tiles

$Buyer\'s guide to kitchen flooring$

Stone 'Stone comes in such a range of sizes, colours and textures it can complement any style of kitchen,' says Richard Robson of Paris Ceramics. Choose from rich browns to muted tones in greys, greens and yellows. Even the best-quality limestone is porous, but the latest sealants are very effective and, once applied, the floor should be easy to maintain.'For a modern look, opt for matt-finish, extra-large tiles,' says Jo O'Grady at Stone Age. 'Distressed surfaces and random sizes, on the other hand, suit traditional kitchens.'

Porcelain 'Porcelain is so versatile and can be made to look like anything from limestone to concrete, or even modern metallics and weaves,' says Cressida Johnstone at Surface. 'It's maintenance free and practically bomb proof, so good if you have a messy dog or kids.' The newest ranges include a wood effect, which looks indistinguishable from the real thing.

Composite Materials With around 38 per cent quartz, quartz composite is part stone and part tile, and doesn't require sealing. One of the huge advantages is that you can have a matching work surface in the same material. To add glamour, choose a composite with metallic flecks – fabulous teamed with stainless steel.

Ceramic Tiles Primarily made from clay and other natural materials, ceramic tiles come in many different shapes, colours and textures. They're less expensive than porcelain, but tend to be manufactured with fewer straight edges and square corners. This means that grout lines need to be thicker, resulting in a more grid-like finish. However, glazed Moroccan or Syrian tiles can still be beautiful.

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