Where are tiles used?
Choosing the best kitchen tiles is really important, whether you’re designing a new white kitchen or giving your brick room an update.
On walls, they protect work areas, including behind the hob and back of the kitchen, and as kitchen floors, they are durable, easy to clean and look good. The following explains all of the options so you can choose the best kitchen tile for your space.
What types / areas are there?
There is an enormous variety of tiles that are suitable for kitchen walls and floors. Artificial tiles are the most cost-conscious and easiest to maintain option. Various designs and colors, either solid or patterned, and a range of finishes allow you to create a scheme that you will love. Natural stone is a more expensive choice, but it has beauty and individuality. Stone tiles have stricter maintenance requirements than artificial tiles, but follow the rules and you can keep stone looking beautiful.
What materials are they made of?
Check out marble, limestone, travertine, and slate for kitchen walls and floors. Remember that natural stone needs to be sealed to protect it and that it needs to be cleaned with products designed for the stone. Supermarket staples are too hard. The surfaces for natural stone tiles include the sheen of a polished tile, the smooth, contemporary sanded, aged surface that can optionally be provided with Moroccan or mosaic patterns.
There is a tremendous variety of ceramic and porcelain tile choices for the kitchen, and the color, pattern, the look of stone or wood, and different finishes mean you can be precise in creating the finish you want. Glass tiles expand the selection even further.
What colors do they come in?
Marble is usually available in shades of gray and white, but there are also striking dark and colored shades. Likewise, the veining can be subtle or dramatic. Do not place polished marble on a kitchen floor as this can create a risk of slipping.
Limestone is widespread. Beige, gray, cream, and dark colors mean that a whole range of different looks can be created with this. Limestones can have different durability. So make sure the stone is durable enough for a high-traffic room when used on the floor.
Travertine is generally available in shades of beige and gray, although there are warmer shades as well. It has natural voids on the surface that are filled in most surfaces or when the tiles are grouted.
Slate creates a textured surface that can improve grip at floor level or make a kitchen more interesting when used against the wall. Slate’s dark and rich tones make it an attention-grabbing stone.
Glass tiles are often included in mosaics, but are also available in other wall tile formats. They add extra shine to a kitchen and with multi-colored glass mosaics they can create a stunning focal point.
Glossy tiles are modern, can be large or small, reflective, gray, green, blue-black, or think of your wildest colorful dream. Shine can happen. This non-limiting tile is there when you want to brighten up the kitchen. They can be a good buy in designing a small kitchen to make it feel bigger. They’re also easy to wipe off.
Matt tiles have a flat surface. They look less noticeable than a translucent gloss version, but can be a great way to create a subtle contrast to other kitchen surfaces, for example in an all-white scheme. It might take a little longer to wipe them off.
Small changes can greatly change the appearance of a tiled back wall.
Try these ideas:
Contrast the grout color with the tile color to change the look. Dark grout on pale tiles will better highlight the tiled area. You can find more tips on grouting in our function.
Decide between tiles with subway (also known as subway) that are flat or have a beveled edge. The latter cast shadows and create different reflections so that a simple kitchen scheme can be gently livened up.
Are you using an unusual tile shape like a hexagon? Instead of cutting the tiles to get a straight edge, let the tile shape form the top of the back wall.
Think of a Metro-style tile layout. Half a tile offset is classic, but they can be stacked in a grid instead (or the two ideas combined, see above) or used in a chevron, wicker, or herringbone pattern instead.
Whichever design you choose, and especially if you have a small kitchen, make sure you choose the right tiles for your project.
Can you use tiles for walls and floors?
As a vertical element in a kitchen design, a kitchen splashback is effective, and tiles make it easier to use this potential.
Use paint, reflectivity, patterned tile or tiles laid in a pattern like herringbone, interesting shapes like hexagons or fish scale tiles, or a natural stone or artificial look to make a tiled back wall a feature.
Alternatively, you can make kitchen floor tiles the more decorative element of the scheme – patterning the floor is a big trend and is generally combined with simple wall tiles, although repeating the pattern on the walls is not excluded.
If floor tiles are the less extroverted partner of your wall and floor pair, consider whether it’s the timeless style of natural stone you’re looking for or the clean, contemporary effect you can get with porcelain or ceramics. Don’t forget that a wood-look tile can create a natural warmth that a kitchen might crave.
Do you need maintenance?
It all depends on the tile.
How much do they cost?
Typically, your glossy tile is one of the cheapest options that can get you back $ 9-10 per square meter, while your square marble-diamond mosaic or something like that can get you back up to $ 50 per square meter. Check your local supplier or nationaltiles.com.au to see if you need to compare prices on the National Tiles website.
5. Two are better than one
National tiles
Can’t decide between wood and tiles? This kitchen is proof you don’t have to. Wooden boards run into a hexagonal mosaic tile. It’s eclectic, unexpected, and kind of seriously sexy.
4. Diamond (floors) are a girl’s best friend
National tiles
Turkish terrazzo tiles create a graphic floor that perfectly accentuates the white subway tiles.
3. Matchy-Matchy
Rabbits
Match your floor tiles to your countertops and you won’t have to worry about collisions. Warm up the room with a bold, colorful rug (and add contrast).
2. Fake It ‘Til You Make It
National tiles
Live your dreams of parquet floors with tiles in wood tones. Put them in a similar pattern to hardwoods and you will have the look you’ve always dreamed of for making a lot less money – plus, tile cleaning is a breeze.
1. Stand up for terracotta
National tiles
If you are looking for a kitchen that feels relaxed and homely, opt for terracotta floor tiles. The country-style kitchen of this house gets a dose of hacienda charm from the hexagonal patterned floor.
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