Selecting the most suitable kitchen tiles is crucial regardless of whether you’re designing an entirely new kitchen or giving your space an upgrade. For walls, they’ll guard areas for work, like behind the cooktop and splashback. As flooring for kitchens, they’re tough and durable, easy to maintain and stylish. We’ll go over all options so that you can select the ideal kitchen tiles for your kitchen.
How do you choose the right material of kitchen tiles
There’s a huge selection of kitchen tiles that are suitable for flooring and walls. Manmade tiles are the best economical option and most simple to maintain. The variety of colors and designs that are simple or pattern-based, as well as various finishes mean you can design a look you’re happy with. Natural stone is an expensive option, but it is also a source of the beauty and uniqueness. Tiles made of stone (see our guide to the best stone flooring) require more care than synthetic, but follow the guidelines to keep your stone looking beautiful.
Stone kitchen tile made of natural stone
Look into limestone, marble, travertine , and slate for kitchen floors and walls. Be aware it is essential that the natural slate (see our guide on deciding on stone flooring) should be sealed to safeguard it and must be cleaned using products that are specifically specially designed for stone. the products you find in your supermarket are harsh. The finishes for natural stone tiles include the shine of smooth tile as well as the sleek contemporary polished, and the aged-looking tumbled.
Marble usually comes in shades of grey and white, however there are some striking darker and more coloured shades as well. The veining of marble could be soft or stark. Avoid laying polished marble on your kitchen floor as it could cause the risk of slips.
Limestone is readily available. Beige gray, cream, and dark colors can be employed to create a range of different styles. Limestones may have different levels of properties, so ensure that, if placing it on your flooring, it is sturdy enough for rooms with heavy traffic.
Travertine is typically offered in grey and beige shades, but there are warmer shades as well. There are natural gaps on its surface that are filled with grout in the majority of finishes or when tiles have been grouted.
Slate provides a smooth surface that improves the grip of floors or create interest in an kitchen when placed in the wall. The dark and rich shades of Slate create a striking stone.
Manmade kitchen tiles
There’s a wide selection of porcelain and ceramic tile (see our guide to choosing the right flooring for your home) for kitchens as well as patterns, color, the appearance of wood or stone and the various designs allow you to achieve the look you desire. Glass tiles expand the options more.
Ceramic tiles are extremely affordable options for kitchens. They’re perfect for walls however, some tiles aren’t appropriate for flooring. Be sure to check before you buy as a tile made specifically for wall use isn’t able to withstand the wear and tear of a space like the kitchen. Ceramic tiles don’t require sealing and are easy to clear.
Ceramic tiles fired with porcelain are heated to greater temperatures than ceramic, and have a high density, which makes them very durable. They are typically used as flooring because of this however, they can also be put for walls.
Glass tiles typically feature mosaics, however they can be found in different wall tile designs as well. They can add a touch of shine to your kitchen and with multiple coloured glass mosaics, they make an amazing centerpiece.
The reflective nature of gloss tiles and reflect light, so choose a glossy surface for your wall tiles if you’re looking to make your kitchen appear brighter. They are a great purchase if you’re planning an area that is small to make it seem larger. They’re easy to clean as well.
Matt tiles have a flat finish. They will appear less striking as compared to a gloss version that is light however they can be an excellent way to create subtle contrast to other kitchen surfaces such a way as an all-white design. It might require more washing down.
What tiles to pick for kitchen floors and walls?
For vertical elements in the kitchen design A kitchen splashback (see the ideas from our guides) can create a dramatic impact, and tiles make maximizing this possibility simple. Utilize reflectivity, colour and patterned tiles. tiles laid out in patterns like herringbone, intriguing designs like hexagons or fish-scale tiles. You can also use a man-made or natural stone to create the tiled splashback an attractive feature. Learn the steps to tile your splashback, if you’re thinking of making it yourself.
Alternately, make the tiles for kitchen floors the more attractive element in the design The floor pattern is an extremely popular trend and usually paired with plain wall tiles and repetition of the design on walls isn’t out of possibility.
If flooring tiles are the least extravagant part of your floor and wall pair, think about whether it’s the classic style of natural stone that you’re seeking or the sleek contemporary appearance you can get with ceramic or porcelain. Remember that a wood-look tile could create a warm, natural look that your kitchen may be crying for.
Design attractive effects using kitchen wall tiles
Small changes can make huge changes to the look of the tiled splashback. Check out these suggestions:
The grout color should be different from the tile colour to alter the appearance. Dark grout on light tiles can make the tiled areas stand out more.
Choose whether you want the metro (aka subway) tiles which are smooth or have an edge that is bevelled. The latter cast shadows and produce different reflections and can softly liven up the dull kitchen.
Do you want to use a tile with a peculiar shape, such as the hexagon? In lieu of cutting tiles to create straight edges instead, let the shape of the tile form an edge on the back of your splashback.
Imagine layout using metro-style tiles. Half tile offsets are popular, however they can also be laid out on a grid (or the two ideas merged (see above) or in the form of a chevron, basket weave or herringbone design instead.
No matter what style you pick especially when you have a tiny kitchen, be sure to select the right size tiles for your space.
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