Hardwood floors in kitchen?

Lots of varnish, girlfriend.

You'll be fine. We have a 125 year old house with hard pine floors in the kitchen, mud room, and pantry. Had 'em refinished and sealed when we bought the place 20-odd years ago. Can't say I've ever spilled anything more than water since then and a damp mop every couple of days is all it takes to keep 'em clean. Otherwise vacuuming and washing it with Murphy's Oil Soap every couple of months.

And you're right: even the most expensive vinyl planks look like shit.

My home is also 1920's. Polyurethane is enough. Do not do vinyl plank. The hardwood is easy enough to clean. Just white vinegar and dish soap and hot water to clean.

Do not use Murphy's oil soap. It destroys hard wood floors. That stuff should be taken off the market.

Read please

Carpet in kitchen -- NO!

Hardwood floor -- OK.

We've hardwood floors in the kitchen (hickory - wide planks) and it's fine... we clean it about once a month with NuOil Hardware Cleaner. The truth is there's less mess and wetness in the kitchen than there is at hardwood floor at the front entrance (even with a tiled "mud room").

Go with the hardwood floor.

[quote] Carpet in kitchen -- NO!

Who the fuck said anything about carpet in the kitchen, you philistine??

Carpet in the bathroom

Philistine ☝🏻

Ugh, just imagining carpet in a bathroom!

Little mushrooms would sprout everywhere.

ok. what about pine sol to clean for hardwood floor ? wet swifter? method squirt and mop?

I'm more worried about our hardwood kitchen floor getting wet than I was in previous homes with linoleum or porcelain tile, so we keep moisture sensors under the sink and near any appliances that could leak.

Thanks R13. Good idea re the moisture sensor.

Lots of good feedback from all here—appreciate your thoughts, everyone!

Floor coverings were designed to provide a non-permeable, soft surface that made standing in place while doing chores more comfortable. Extending the original floor mat to the walls prevented curling.

If you leave the floor bare, it just means you disrespect whoever has to toil in your turdbox mansion. This is DataLounge and we love that about you.

Carpet is for.... who, actually? It's horrible.

Hardwood floor snobs are as tiresome as most other types of snobs.

"Things you'll regret for $100.00, Alex"

OP, I've had wood floors in the kitchen in my current (9 years) and previous (15 years) homes. They used two coats of polyurethane on them with a "low luster" sheen. I have 2 cats and have had no issues around the litter box or their food & water bowls. I use moisture-proof door mats in those areas. I do not use rugs or runners. I'm usually barefoot at home and enjoy the feel of the wood floors.

I had hardwood floors in the apartment I lived in though last year (15 years residence). The finish on them was fine through the normal wear-and-tear of cooking and foot traffic with a minimal amount of cleaning. The only spot that was a little ragged was right in front of the refrigerator's icemaker/water dispenser where water frequently dripped. I'd recommend putting down some sort of mat or pad if you have one of those, and maybe in front of the sink.