Blog>Ideas>Creative kitchen tile ideas for any kitchen
Last updated: 5 October 2023
Creative kitchen tile ideas for any kitchen
Updating your kitchen tiles is simple way to modernise your kitchen. Before you start your kitchen renovation, check out which kitchen tiles are popular with homeowners in 2023.
When you need kitchen tile ideas, you'll need to think about the design of them, not just the type of tile or its colour. Kitchen tiles are vital to any kitchen's overall design and functionality. Without them, your kitchen's walls and floors would be less water and humidity-resistant and harder to clean.
Choosing from a vast array of kitchen tiles design ideas in many designs, sizes, shapes, and finishes lets you be as artistic or minimalist as you like.
If you're looking for splashbacks, floor tiles, wall tiles, or tiles for small kitchens, this article is for you.
Popular kitchen tile design ideas
There are many possible online and in-store ideas for kitchen tiles - creating a bespoke kitchen completely tailored to your taste is easy.
Choose from trending bold colours, geometric patterns, or herringbone tiles, or combine textures and finishes for a completely contemporary feel.
Check out our favourite kitchen tiles design ideas below.
1. Simple subway tiles
Subway tiles (metro tiles) are just timeless - their classic rectangular shape and budget-friendly price tag make them some classic kitchen tiling ideas.
Depending on your design plans, you can even lay your subway tiles in different directions; try a herringbone, vertical or horizontal layout. Don't forget to choose a dark or contrasting grout colour for dramatic contrast.
2. Personality and patterns
The popular patterned Victorian kitchen tile makes a comeback, and it isn't just kitchen floors that can make a statement with patterned tiles. Show your personality on your kitchen walls and splashback, too!
It's easy to appreciate the detailed Victorian-inspired tiles below in their blue, brown and cream tones. What is so inspiring about these tiles is their effect on the kitchen. The intricate tile pattern beside the plain white cabinets and light wood worktops shows the homeowners' creative flair.
3. Go bold
Adding a bold, statement colour to your kitchen walls is an easy and cheap way to breathe life into your kitchen.
Stunning deep greens, bold blues or vivid reds can create a stunning contrast to your kitchen's interior and make a focal point. Choose a kitchen tile trend in contrast to your cabinets for extra interior design points.
This homeowner has chosen well with a bold blue kitchen splashback tile that sharply contrasts the glossy white marble countertops. Choosing white grout was also clever as it creates a contrast with the tiles and a seamless blend with the worktops.
4. Dabble with different directions
Homeowners wanting to jazz up a traditional country kitchen or basic white kitchen can try laying their subway or metro tiles in different directions.
Laying your kitchen tiles at a 45-degree angle is a simple way to create an exciting point of difference and added layer of interest that works on both kitchens and floors.
Laying your kitchen tiles in different directions can make narrow kitchens, like galley kitchens, seem much bigger.
5. Pick pastels
Choosing pastel shades lets you create a fun and uplifting feel to your kitchen's design. Pastel tile shades are ideal for country-style kitchens.
Utilise pastel kitchen tiles design ideas in gradients of the same colour to create layers of depth.
Achieve a striking, sleek look with black or brown grout in neutral kitchens, like the country kitchen below. The tiles' pastel shades compliment the pale blue kitchen cabinets and light wood worktops for a fresh take on a country home.
6. Stack metro tiles
A modern take on the timeless subway tile is metro stacking. Stack your metro (subway) tiles lengths ways instead of sideways for a statement-making effect.
Use a light, complimentary grout that lets the gap between the tiles appear minimal, just like the tiled wall below. By using white grout on these light towels, the homeowner ends up with a seamless effect.
7. Tile all the way up the wall
To make kitchens look bigger and for more of a maximalist feel, tile the entire wall rather than limiting your tile design to only a splashback.
Go right to the ceiling with your white or neutral kitchen wall tiles so your eyes will be drawn all the way up the wall, making your kitchen look taller.
The kitchen below is pure inspiration; the grey herringbone tile with matching grout and frame pairs beautifully with the ceiling-height glossy white tiles to create a budget-friendly focal point.
This type of tile layout will be a difficult DIY project, so it's worth finding a reputable tiler to execute your vision expertly. Simply add a few basic details into the box below to find a qualified tiler.
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8. Stop halfway
For most homeowners, committing to an entire kitchen tiles wall is unnecessary - go halfway instead. You can create contrast with the wall above by only tiling the lower half of your kitchen walls.
Paint the upper wall in any contrasting or complementary wall colour to finish your kitchen refit. Many people choose to tile halfway up the wall and paint the rest, but how far you tile your wall depends on your personal preference and the height of your worktops and walls.
Can we all agree that choosing to decorate this kitchen in a complementary burnt orange/copper through out is just interior design genius?
Try pairing light and dark kitchen tiles design ideas, like marble tiles with dark blue or green paint, or glossy black tiles and plain white walls.
If these ideas for kitchen tiles feel too dramatic, try a hexagonal tile for your half-and-half. Use light colours that match your kitchen aesthetic and arrange them gradually to soften the transition up the wall.
9. Turn to textured tiles
You can also add interest and depth to your kitchen with the use of 3D tiles, a trend gaining traction. These kitchen wall tiles ideas use tiles that pop out of the wall, creating a textured or 3D effect.
3D textured tiles are popular because they come in a range of designs, including;
Sharp geometric shapes
Undulating wave patterns
Subtle textured tiles that have a raised finish
If you want to add personal flair to your kitchen, 3D tiles are an easy way to turn your kitchen into a work of art.
10. Exposed brick tiles
Adding exposed brickwork tiles to your kitchen walls is an easy way to create an industrial or rustic theme for your kitchen project. Unless it's possible to expose your brick walls yourself (in the case of a kitchen renovation), you can lay special tiles manufactured specifically to look and feel like a natural red clay brick wall.
A newly built home can especially benefit from the addition of brick slip-tiled feature walls as the combination of new and old creates an interesting home, as you can see from the image below. But always use a matt sealer to your brick tiles to make them easier to clean.
Splashback ideas for kitchen tiles
A splashback is an ideal place to add kitchen tiles. Not only do kitchen tile backsplash ideas protect the walls around your oven and sink from dirt and moisture. But, you also go along with your splashback choices as you're only focussing on a small area.
Carry on reading to find some of the most popular kitchen splashback ideas.
1. Vertical stacking
If any parts of your kitchen are bereft of kitchen cabinets, use the opportunity to employ some vertical 'tile stacking'.
You can add texture and interest to your kitchen by laying tiles in different patterns, colours and textures, which breaks up a large space.
Check out the kitchen below. Although there are many cabinets, there would be lots of plain wall showing without adding these interesting kitchen tile ideas. This thin 'split-face effect' in neutral pebble tones combines nicely with the wood carpentry and under-cabinet lighting of this kitchen.
2. Use mini-mosaics
If you're looking for an easy-to-clean, durable, heat, frost and moisture-resistant kitchen tile, mini-mosaic tiles are the way to go. These kitchen tiles are available in various colours and designs and are incredibly easy to lay.
Mini-mosaic kitchen tile designs are often available in a collage of small tiles pre-backed on mesh, allowing homeowners to mount and grout easily.
Choose variations of bold colours like green and match them with corresponding white tiles to create a light, air and interesting design, just like the kitchen splashback below. Or, opt for neutral shades that are both warm and elegant with just a subtle hint of texture.
3. Pastel acrylic splashback
A pastel acrylic splashback is the perfect option if you want to brighten up your kitchen.
An acrylic splashback is also helpful for low-maintenance cleaning as it doesn't tend to attract much, and you can easily clean it with cloth and some soapy water.
However, be careful when using an acrylic splashback in your kitchen, as they are susceptible to fingerprint marks, streaks, smudges and scratches.
4. Glowing gold
Try gold or copper-effect ideas for kitchen tiles for a metallic, modern and striking effect on your kitchen. Creating a wow, statement-making splashback with the opulent glow from cold or copper tiles is easy.
This is a fiddly job, but a well-recommended tiler will be able to help.
You cannot beat this combination of rose gold mini hexagonal tiles, matt black faucet and matching worktop; all is offset well by a sleek gold sink.
Trending floor tiles design for kitchens
When completing your kitchen renovation, don't forget about your floor tiles. Choosing the right tile for your kitchen floor is essential to ensure a non-slip, water and moisture-resistant, durable kitchen floor that also looks good.
The most popular homeowner choices for kitchen floor tiles are porcelain and natural stone. Both are durable, hardwearing kitchen tile ideas, but natural stone can provide a more muted and rustic design choice. Natural stone tiles are often available in;
In contrast, porcelain kitchen tiles are a sturdy option for areas like kitchens and bathrooms that see a lot of traffic. Porcelain tiles are water-resistant and can be bought glazed or non-glazed for more styling options.
Matte (unglazed) floor tiles might not be as bright and shiny as glazed tiles, but they have better traction and offer 'non-slip' properties.
Even for the smallest tiling ideas for kitchens, we always recommend hiring a reliable kitchen tiler to get the best finish for your project. Finding a trustworthy tradesperson can feel stressful, but we have a host of customer-reviewed, approved tradespeople who can properly complete your job.
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