Should You Replace Your Flooring Before or After Your Kitchen Remodel?
One of the most common questions we hear during the kitchen design process is:
“Should I install my new flooring before the cabinets, or after?”
The answer isn’t always the same: it depends on the type of flooring you’re choosing, your budget, and your long-term plans. At Van Boxel Kitchen & Flooring, we help homeowners throughout Northeast Ohio make this decision every day.
Here’s what you need to know.
Option 1: Install Flooring Before the Cabinets
This approach means your flooring is installed wall-to-wall before any cabinets or islands are set in place.
Pros
✔ Gives You More Flexibility Later
If you ever decide to change your kitchen layout years down the road, your flooring is already underneath everything. You won’t have to worry about patching missing sections.
✔ Creates a Cleaner Finished Look
Installing flooring first provides a seamless appearance throughout the room, especially in open-concept homes where the kitchen flows into adjoining spaces.
✔ Easier Installation
Flooring installers can work quickly without having to cut around cabinet bases, toe kicks, or islands.
Cons
❌ Higher Material Cost
You’ll purchase flooring for areas that will never be seen beneath your cabinets.
Depending on the size of your kitchen, this could add several hundred dollars to the project.
Option 2: Install Cabinets First, Then Flooring
This method installs the cabinets first, with flooring fitted around them afterward.
Pros
✔ Saves Money
Since you’re only installing flooring in visible areas, you’ll need less material.
✔ Can be done at anytime
Tile installation timeframe doesn’t need to be coordinated and can be replaced at any point with minimal effort for demo.
Cons
❌ Future Layout Changes Become More Difficult
If you ever move an island or relocate cabinets, you may discover unfinished subfloor underneath.
❌ More Detailed Installation
Installing flooring around cabinet bases requires additional cutting and fitting, especially with irregular layouts.
What About Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP)?
Luxury Vinyl Plank has become one of the most popular flooring choices for kitchens because it’s:
- 100% waterproof
- Extremely durable
- Comfortable underfoot
- Easy to maintain
- Available in hundreds of realistic wood and stone looks
For floating LVP flooring, manufacturers generally recommend installing cabinets first. Heavy cabinets placed directly on top of a floating floor can restrict the floor’s ability to expand and contract with changes in temperature and humidity, which may affect long-term performance or even void the manufacturer’s warranty.
Every flooring product is different, so it’s important to follow the specific installation guidelines for the flooring you choose.
What About Hardwood?
Hardwood flooring is often installed before cabinetry, especially in custom homes.
Doing so creates a continuous floor throughout the space and allows for easier remodeling in the future.
Because hardwood can be refinished multiple times over its lifespan, many homeowners see this as a worthwhile long-term investment.
If you choose to install hardwood after cabinets and a dishwasher is involved, installing hardwood after cabinets can trap the dishwasher in, making it difficult to replace or service. If the overall height interferes with the dishwasher, consider building up the cabinets with plywood to bridge the difference.
What About Tile?
Tile gives homeowners more flexibility.
It can be installed either:
- Before cabinets
- After cabinets
The right choice often depends on the tile thickness, kitchen layout, and overall project goals.
As with hardwood if you choose to install after cabinets and a dishwasher is involved, installing tile after cabinets can trap the dishwasher in, making it difficult to replace or service. If the overall tile height interferes with the dishwasher, consider building up the cabinets with plywood to bridge the difference.
So… Which Option Do We Recommend?
There isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer.
At Van Boxel Kitchen & Flooring, we help homeowners choose the approach that best fits their remodel by considering:
- The type of flooring selected
- Your project budget
- Future renovation plans
- Manufacturer installation requirements
- Overall kitchen design
Our goal is to help you avoid unnecessary costs while ensuring your new kitchen performs beautifully for years to come.
Let Us Help You Plan It Right
When you’re investing in a new kitchen, every decision matters including the order in which your project comes together.
At Van Boxel Kitchen & Flooring, we don’t just sell cabinets and flooring we help you create a remodeling plan that makes sense from the very beginning.
Whether you’re updating your cabinets, installing quartz countertops, replacing your flooring, or tackling a complete kitchen renovation, our experienced design team is here to guide you every step of the way.
Visit one of our Northeast Ohio showrooms or schedule your FREE design consultation today.