The choice of the right kitchen tiles is essential when you’re planning your kitchen from scratch or giving your space an overhaul. They’re great for walls as they protect areas for work, like behind the stove and the splashback. For kitchen flooring, they’re durable and durable, easy to maintain and stylish. Here we look at all options so that you can select the ideal kitchen tiles to fit your needs.
What is the best material to select of kitchen tiles
There’s a huge selection of kitchen tiles that are suitable for floors and walls. Man-made tiles are the most economical option and most easy to maintain. There are a variety of designs and colors that are simple or pattern-based, as well as various finishes mean you can design a look that you like. 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) are more stringent in their maintenance requirements than man-made ones, but adhere to the guidelines and you will be able to keep your stone looking beautiful.
Natural Stone Kitchen Tiles
Take a look at limestone, marble as well as slate, travertine and marble for floors and kitchen walls. Be aware the fact that stones (see our guide to choosing stone flooring) should be protected by sealing and must be cleaned using products that are specifically made specifically for stone. The products that are sold in the supermarkets are not suitable for stone. 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 grey tones and white, however there are some striking darker and more coloured shades as well. In addition, veining could be soft or stark. Do not lay polished marble on the kitchen floor as it could cause the risk of slips.
Limestone is available in a variety of. Beige gray, cream, and dark colors can be utilized to create a variety of looks. Limestones have different quality, so be sure that, if placing it on your flooring, it is sturdy enough for an area with a lot of traffic.
Travertine is usually found in grey and beige shades, but there are warmer shades as well. It is a natural stone with voids on its surface that are filled with grout in many finishes or when tile is grouted.
Slate provides a smooth surface which can improve the floor’s grip and add interest to an kitchen when placed in the wall. The dark and rich shades of Slate makes it a popular stone.
Manmade kitchen tiles
There’s a huge selection of porcelain and ceramic tile (see our guide to selecting tiles made of ceramic or porcelain) for kitchens as well as design, colour, appearance of wood or stone and various designs allow you to achieve the look you desire. Glass tiles expand the options more.
Ceramic tiles are an extremely cost-effective option for kitchens. They’re great for walls, however, some tiles aren’t appropriate for floors. Be sure to check before you buy since a tile designed specifically for wall use will not stand up to the demands of a bustling space like the kitchen. Ceramic tiles do not require sealing and are easy to tidy.
The porcelain tiles have been fired to more temperature than ceramic, and have a high density, which makes them extremely durable. They are often used for flooring because of this but they can also be put to decorate walls.
Glass tiles are often used in mosaics , but they are also available in different wall tile designs also. They add sparkle to kitchens and, with multi-colored glass mosaics, they make an amazing center point.
They reflect light therefore, choose a high-gloss finish for your wall tiles if you’re looking to make your kitchen appear brighter. They are a great option if you’re building an area that is small to make it seem larger. They’re easy to clean and clean, too.
Matt tiles have a flat finish. They will appear less striking than gloss tiles with a brighter look however, they are an ideal way to add subtle contrast to other kitchen surfaces the case of an all-white design. They may require a little more washing down.
How do you choose the right tiles for kitchen floors and walls?
For vertical elements in the kitchen design the kitchen splashback (see suggestions within our article) makes an impact and tiles make making the most of this possibility simple. Utilize reflectivity, colour and patterned tiles. tiles laid out in patterns like herringbone, intriguing shapes like hexagons, fish-scale tiles, or even a man-made or natural stone to create the splashback tiled a focal point. Learn what you need to know about tiled splashbacks, if you’re thinking of making it yourself.
Alternately, make the kitchen floor tiles the most ornamental element The floor pattern is an extremely popular trend and usually paired with plain wall tiles and it’s possible to repeat the patterns on walls isn’t out of idea.
If floor tiles aren’t the most extravagant part of your floor and wall pair, think about whether it’s the classic style of natural stone you’re looking for or the modern, clean appearance you can get with ceramic or porcelain. Be aware that a wood-look tile could create a warm, natural look that your kitchen may be crying for.
Make kitchen tiles look attractive by adding decorative features with kitchen wall tiles
Small tweaks can create huge improvements to the appearance of an untiled splashback. Check out these suggestions:
Use a contrast in grout color and tile color to create a different appearance. Dark grout on light tiles can make the tiled areas stand out more.
Choose among subway (aka subway) tiles which are smooth or have an edge that is bevelled. The latter cast shadows and produce different reflections which can be used to softly jazz up the dull kitchen.
Do you want to use a tile with a peculiar shape such as the hexagon? In lieu of cutting tiles in order to make an even edge instead, let the shape of the tile make what is the upper part of the splashback.
Imagine layout using metro-style tiles. Half tile offsets are traditional, but they can also be laid out on a grid (or both ideas combined (see above) or in the form of a chevron, basket weave or herringbone pattern in lieu.
Whichever design you decide to go with especially in the case of a smaller kitchen, make sure you select the appropriate size tiles for your space.
