Choosing kitchen tiles that work for your home

The best kitchen tiles are the ones that can live up to how the room is actually used. Some kitchens need a tough floor that can handle family life, pets and regular foot traffic. Others need a simple splashback behind the hob or sink, or a more decorative wall tile to bring colour and texture into the room.

Porcelain tiles are a popular choice for kitchen floors because they are strong, easy to clean and available in a wide range of finishes. Stone effect porcelain works well if you want a natural look with less upkeep, while concrete effect and large format tiles are a good fit for more modern kitchens.

Natural stone tiles bring a different feel. Limestone, tumbled stone and flagstone styles can make a kitchen feel softer, warmer and more established, especially in country homes, period properties and open-plan spaces where the floor plays a big part in the overall look.

Ceramic tiles are often used on kitchen walls and splashbacks. They are a good way to add colour, pattern or texture without covering the whole room, and they work particularly well behind worktops, sinks and cooking areas.

Kitchen floor tiles

Kitchen floor tiles need to be practical first, but that doesn’t mean they have to feel overly plain. Porcelain, limestone and stone effect tiles can all work well, depending on the look you want and the level of maintenance you are comfortable with.

Larger tiles can make a kitchen feel calmer and more open, especially in neutral shades. Smaller formats, patterned tiles and tumbled finishes can add more character, which can suit cottages, shaker kitchens and older homes particularly well.

If your kitchen leads through to a dining area, hallway or garden room, it is worth thinking about how the floor will flow from one space to the next. Choosing a tile that works across more than one area can help the whole ground floor feel more connected.

Kitchen wall tiles and splashbacks

Wall tiles are a simple way to make a kitchen feel more finished. They protect the areas that deal with the most splashes and marks, but they can also change the character of the room.

Metro tiles are a classic choice for splashbacks, while patterned, glazed and handmade-look tiles can add more detail. If the kitchen itself is quite simple, a more decorative wall tile can bring in colour without overwhelming the space.

For a quieter look, neutral wall tiles, soft stone effects or subtle gloss finishes can work well with painted cabinets, natural wood and stone worktops.

Matching style with practicality

Every kitchen has a slightly different balance between style and practicality. A busy family kitchen may need a low-maintenance porcelain floor. A smaller kitchen might benefit from lighter wall tiles to help the room feel brighter. A larger open-plan space may suit a natural stone or stone effect floor with more texture and variation.

Before choosing, it is worth ordering samples and viewing them in the kitchen itself. Tiles can look very different depending on natural light, cabinet colour, worktops and the direction they are laid. Comparing a few options at home will usually make the final choice much easier.

Kitchen Tile FAQs