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The kitchen is the hub of the home, where we cook, eat, chat and interact with children and pets. It naturally undergoes heavy use and is usually one of the more public places of your home where guests might visit to get refreshments or chat to you as you prepare a meal. You will naturally want it to look good and also be hard wearing and stand the test of time.
All of these competing demands mean that it’s worth spending some time considering which kitchen tiles to use. With so much choice available for walls and flooring, it can be difficult to know where to begin. Here are some pointers to help you make a decision that you won’t regret!
The material of your tiles is the best place to start, because this determines the look and character of the tile, as well as the durability and also the price point.
Natural stone tiles are a popular choice because they are beautiful and speak of understated luxury; they can be quietly sophisticated or charmingly warm and rustic.
If you opt for natural stone, your kitchen will have a classic quality that will withstand the vagaries of fashion. However, they do require regular maintenance to keep them looking good and to prevent water damage, staining, and scratches.
They can also be damaged with regular cleaning products that contain strong chemicals, so you will need to follow the manufacturers’ care instructions carefully. They need resealing at least annually to maintain water resistance and protect them from everyday wear and tear.
Popular natural stone tile choices include marble, which is available in light or dark hues and has a flowing vein pattern. However, it’s not as resistant as other types of stone and may be prone to scratches and chips. It’s also rather slippery to use as flooring.
Limestone is valued for its variety of colours, such as cream, beige, or grey. It has a smoother surface than many other types of natural stone and can look sleek and contemporary. Travertine is a hard-wearing and textured stone that is popular for tiles and also for kitchen worktops.
Porcelain is in many ways the ideal choice for a kitchen tile, because it is manufactured at very high temperatures, which produces a very dense and tough material. It is capable of withstanding impacts, so it is ideal for flooring, and it can also be used as wall tiling.
Modern techniques mean that porcelain tiles can be made with a huge variety of textures, colours, and patterns. They can even convincingly replicate other materials such as wood or natural stone, while being far more low-maintenance than these materials. They do not need sealing, and can easily be cleaned with regular products.
Ceramic tiles are less versatile in terms of appearance than porcelain, and they are generally not suitable for flooring because they are less hard wearing and too slippery. However, they are an affordable and attractive option if you are on a limited budget.
The colour of the tile is important because they take up a lot of space, and will impact on the whole look and feel of the kitchen. The trend for pristine white or neutral colours is moving on to favour bolder or darker colours, which is more practical if you have a busy kitchen that is prone to all the usual spills and splashes that goes with the territory.
If you opt for darker colours for the wall tiles, it can be a good idea to balance this out with a lighter colour palette for the flooring, and vice versa. This will stop the colour from being too overwhelming and claustrophobic. Also consider the colour of your cupboards and countertops. If these are a bright colour then you may want to go with more neutral tiles.
On other hand, colourful even patterned tiles can bring some life and personality to your kitchen if the other colours are muted. If you are naturally cautious about bright colours and patterns, restrict them to a feature such as a backsplash or window wall to create a focal point.
Larger tiles can make a smaller kitchen feel bigger, and are easier to keep clean because there are fewer grout lines. Smaller tiles such as mosaics look attractive as focal points to accentuate details.
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