The Best Kitchen Tiles for your Kitchen

Tiling in the kitchen can make a dramatic statement, and can perfectly enhance the functionality and decoration of your dream design.

With so many colours, materials, shapes and textures to choose from, selecting the best tiling can be a bit of a minefield. At KNB, we specialise in providing a kitchen design and installation service in Nottingham that offers personal advice and guidance to help you make the right choices to bring your dream kitchen to life.

Read on to find out more about the different types of tiling you can choose from to enhance the look and feel of your kitchen.

The Best Tiling for Kitchen Walls

Installing tiling is a great way to add more durable, attractive surfaces that are easy to keep clean. Splash-backs for the sink and hob area are a popular choice for many homeowners, however some people opt for tiling from floor to ceiling. Whatever your dream design, there is a tiling solution to match your needs and personality.

Materials for Kitchen Wall Tiling

• Mosaics – Best for Visual Highlights These mini glass square tiles are available in a range of colours, shapes and patterns and are great for back-splashes on worktops. Mosaic tiles are luxurious and can add a visual pop to a space. Easy to maintain, they are completely stain, water and scorch resistant, but if broken they can be hard to repair.
• Large format tiles – Best for a Clean Finish Usually ceramic or porcelain, these tiles provide a smooth, clean finish that looks expensive but is happily affordable. They are also long-lasting and have less grout lines to keep clean. The downside of large format tiles is that they are quite heavy and not suitable for all wall types. They can also be difficult to replace if damage occurs.
• Ceramic tiles – Best for Versatility Hard wearing and available in a range of colours and designs, ceramic tiles are versatile and can complement any kitchen scheme. If fitted correctly they can last a long time, however they do have lots of grout lines to keep clean and can be difficult to replace if broken.

Tiling for Kitchen Floors

A key part of design is choosing the right flooring. Kitchen floors take a lot of abuse, so it is important to choose a material that is able to withstand all kinds of spills and accidents. While hardware floors such as wood are popular, they can be expensive and require a lot of maintenance. Tiling however is far more cost-effective and has numerous benefits which makes it a highly reliable material.

Benefits of Tiled Kitchen Floors

• Easy to maintain – Tiling is a really easy material to look after and only requires occasional mopping or sweeping to maintain its sleek appearance. Spilled food or drinks can be cleared up quickly and efficiently and a variety of cleaning products can be used without affecting its quality.
• Long lasting – Good quality tiles installed by a professional can result in a long-lasting floor that is highly durable and resistant to most hazards.
• Hygienic and safe – The kitchen is a breeding ground for germs, so keeping it clean and hygienic is essential. Tiling is one of the most hygienic materials for flooring as it is easy to clean.
• Versatile – Tiles come in a range of designs and colours, making them ideal for both contemporary and modern kitchens.

Best Materials for Kitchen Floor Tiling

There are a selection of materials that can be used for floor tiling. Below is an overview of some of the most popular:

Ceramic or porcelain tiles

Made from natural clay minerals, these hard glazed square tiles are durable and highly resilient to scratches and stains. They can, however, be quite cold and hard underfoot, but this is a minor disadvantage compared to the pros. Whatever your dream design, there is a style, shape and colour of ceramic or porcelain tile that will match your requirements, and they are available in a matte or gloss finish.

Natural stone tiles

Limestone, granite and marble are common stones used for tile flooring, and provide an elegant finish that is highly durable and easy to maintain. Stone floors will complement any design and each tile is completely unique in design and texture. The only downside is that some natural stones can scratch and chip easily – particularly marble.

Terracotta tiles

This material is a hard, fired unglazed clay that is distinctively reddish brown in colour. These tiles add a warm, earthy feel to their environment and are most commonly found in traditional, rustic style kitchens. Terracotta tiles come in a variety of finishes and styles and are resistant to bacteria growth. They are however susceptible to stains and will need to be sealed regularly to prevent discolouration and cracking.

Kitchen Tile Size and Shape

The size of your tiles will depend on the size of your kitchen and where they’ll be placed.

• Small tiles and mosaic designs are ideal for splash-backs and for tight spaces between worktops and cabinets.
• Choosing larger, oversized tiles for the walls will help to make your space look larger.
• Rectangular shaped tiles on the floor create a structured and streamlined appearance.
• Generally, smaller kitchens look better with smaller tiles on the floors, while bigger ones are better served with larger tiles.

Kitchen Tile Colour

Tiles come in a range of patterns, designs, shapes and colours, giving you plenty of scope to get creative. There are however certain advantages to choosing specific colours, depending on the size of your kitchen and the ambience you want to create:

• If you have a small kitchen, choose smaller, lighter coloured tiles to add brightness and create the illusion of more space.
• Dark colours used in excess can have the effect of reducing the size of a room, so mix them up with patterned or lighter coloured tiles.
• Neutral coloured tiles are ideal if you want the freedom of changing accessories without worrying about colour mismatch.
• If you fancy something different, arrange a selection of patterned styles to create an eye-catching design.
• You could also use a selection of different coloured tiles to brighten up neutral coloured walls.
• Vibrant colours are cheerful and add warmth and character.

If you’re keen to have your dream kitchen installed, KNB is a leading provider of fitted kitchens in the Nottingham area. To find out more about our comprehensive services, including our free no obligation design and quotation, please visit our fitted kitchens page.