as absorb sound and though I don't know your style of furniture I would guess that it will marry better with your furnishings. Other considerations though are: there IS now a tile that looks VERY much like hardwoods but with the ease of cleaning like tile. You may still have the echo though that tile can make. Also, another new product to consider is an indoor outdoor rug. Styles have goten much better and many of them mimic a more formal rug but are easily cleaned. Many of them can be taken outside and "hosed" off! By the way; your kitchen looks great!

using it as a sauna or shower