Tiles are a quick and simple way to add some personality to your kitchen. However, with so many options on the market, choosing which are the best fit for your home can be overwhelming. A vibrant pop of turquoise or a muted grey? Herringbone pattern or hexagonal? The choices are endless. But don’t fret, we're here to help.
First, consider your current kitchen colour palette. If your cupboards are already a bold colour, it might be wise to go for a more low-key tile. Conversely, you might wish to jazz up a cream kitchen with a loud pop of colour. And don't forget, the majority of kitchen tiles can be painted - so be sure to check before you buy if this sounds like something you'd be interested in.
Our top tip: don’t opt for a tile just because it is ‘in’ at the moment. Think about your personal style and enduring preferences in the home. If you tend to change your mind a lot about colours and textures, plain white tiles in an interesting arrangement or shape might be a better choice than a tangerine shade or intricate patterns.
Try to establish exactly what your interior design style is (Pinterest and Instagram are your best friends here). Are you a mid-century modern devotee, a Scandi-style enthusiast or a lover of shabby chic? Once you know this, it'll be much easier to search out tiles that blend seamlessly with your home.
Without further ado, here are our favourite kitchen tile ideas for all styles and budgets. And for even more advice and ideas, check out our ultimate guide to tile styles.
The best kitchen tile ideas
Scaled tiles
Turquoise tones and fan-shaped tiles bring a taste of the ocean to your home. This scale shape is very fitting for the bathroom, but also brings an ethereal edge to the kitchen. Go for one block colour for a real statement or add some depth with tonal tiling. Best paired with clean, light flooring and rustic wooden furniture for a harmonious blend of modern and country.
Tile half of the wall
Antique Bastille white smooth crackle metro tile, Walls and FloorsCreate a flowing and fluid kitchen space with a half wall tile design. The colour-way options are endless - use contrasting shades such as navy and white for a bold finish or if you prefer to play it safe, opt for a more subtle pairing like cream and grey.
For a distinctive boundary between wall and tile, try a herringbone design which produces a gorgeous zigzag edge.
Metro tiles
No longer dismissed as twee, pink has made an impressive comeback this year. Combined with a traditional metro shape, a pink tile has never looked so sophisticated. Bevelled detailing ensures a sleek finish and pale blush tones pair beautifully with white or grey worktops and chrome appliances. Pink to make all your guests wink!
When people hear metro, they tend to imagine the classic subway-style white rectangle, but there is so much more choice. With variations on colour, size and finish, designers and interior enthusiasts can really get creative. Laid together in geometric patterns, the tiles make for a striking feature - and you can be safe in the knowledge no one else will have quite the same design as you!
Katy Harris, Creative Director Tile Giant
Coloured grouting
If you’re a daring individual, play with pastels and neon. First, choose your tile – ideally a pretty colour with a lustrous sheen. Forget white or grey grouting, a vibrant neon is not to be shied away from with this trend. For a lively yet elegant combo, we love sunshine yellow grouting with baby pink tiles, a colour match that perfectly complements marble worktops.
White and bright
White tiles are our go-to for a clean finish that brightens up darker rooms and gives the illusion of more space. White is also easily adaptable so you can switch up your home décor without worrying whether or not your new cabinet colour will match. Add interest to a white colour theme by choosing tiles with 3D texture and geometric designs, such as these penny-shaped mosaic tile pieces with a dazzling gloss finish.
Herringbone tiles
Colour isn’t the only way to make your tiles stand out. A herringbone pattern is forever a favourite of ours thanks to its timeless appeal and intricate zigzag patterning. Opt for an elongated version of the classic metro tile and layer up in a distinctive V-shape for a refined design that looks gorgeous in a country kitchen.
Moroccan mosaics
If you're a fan of global style, why not bring the ‘wow’ factor to a grey kitchen with Moroccan-inspired mosaic tiles? Choose three or four tiles with unique designs and either apply to the wall in a repetitive pattern or randomly place them for an explosion of colour and intricacy. For a more subtle gateway to the trend, try tonal tiles. Designs that incorporate white, black and various shades of grey look polished and contemporary.
Be clever with shapes - using hexagonal tiles or mosaic adds interest without overwhelming a small space. For a more traditional decor, opt for rectangular tiles and use them to create your own shapes on the wall, or make stripes by combining two colours. Apply vertically to add depth to the room and give the illusion of higher ceilings. Laying horizontally, you can optically ‘stretch’ the room out and create the feel of a wider space.
Katy Harris, Creative Director Tile Giant
Orange tiles
From rich terracotta to soft peachy hues, orange has certainly solidified itself as one of our favourite summer shades. And orange you ready to jump on the bandwagon with some tempting tiles that look good enough to eat? Whether you go for square or hexagonal, lustre or matt, orange tiles are an exciting way to jazz up an otherwise neutral space.
Fade design
Forget monochrome, it’s all about mixing and matching tiles with this ombre effect. Pick three colours that blend into each other and lay the darkest shade at the top or bottom of the area you wish to tile. Gradually, add in the two lighter colours to create a scatter effect, ending with a solid section of the lightest shade. Ombre isn't just for your hair!
Deep shades
Deeper shades have made a comeback this year. Think forest green, sumptuous navy and our pick of the bunch, beautiful burgundy. A rich transitional shade, burgundy tiles will take your kitchen from summer to autumn. A feature wall is a simple way to navigate this moodier colour - combine with mellow neutrals and metallic accents for a modern aesthetic.