May,2024
Kitchen tiles? Here is a guide to choosing them!
Choosing tiles for the kitchen: the complete guide
When you start choosing your kitchen, you must consider two fundamental aspects: the furniture and the tiles. These are two of the main components of a kitchen and they need to go hand in hand, like two parallel tracks.
Today, the kitchen is no longer just any room, but the center of your home. It's where people spend most of their time. Even though we actually have less time to dedicate to meal preparation, the kitchen remains a refuge, an oasis of relaxation after a busy day at work. This is precisely why you should consider every detail, not only those related to aesthetics but also practical aspects, such as where to place the drains and what type of covering to choose.
When choosing your kitchen, there are several questions you need to ask yourself.
Firstly, you need to ask what type of kitchen you are looking for. What is your style? What is something you cannot do without in the room? Maybe a huge double-door refrigerator, a built-in oven, or the floor tiles you already have a clear idea about.
One important thing to keep in mind while organizing everything is to maintain a common thread, that is, consistency between the various elements of your kitchen.
Don't get too carried away by current trends or a mix of styles that might just confuse you. The kitchen should have a style that reflects your personality and characteristics; otherwise, you risk the final result not meeting your expectations.
Additionally, don't forget that the kitchen is a room used every day. The walls, furniture, and, of course, the tiles are always exposed to humidity and vapors created when cooking. Not to mention stains and damage caused by falling food or dishes. These are things that can happen frequently.
So, choose the materials well: they need to be durable and easy to clean because a beautiful kitchen is also a practical kitchen, and most importantly, one that lasts over time.
Some practical tips for matching kitchen tiles
If you are designing your kitchen, you know how important it is to choose and match tiles correctly. Tiles not only influence the aesthetic aspect but also play a fundamental role in the functionality of the space.
Fortunately, there are several strategies that can make this process easier.
First of all, consider color consistency. By choosing tiles of the same color, you can create a uniform environment. However, if you want to add depth to your kitchen, you might consider using different shades of the same color.
Another consideration is matching patterns. If the floor and backsplash tiles have different designs, try to choose patterns that harmonize with each other to maintain visual continuity and overall harmony.
Don't overlook the material of the tiles. Using the same material for walls and floors will help provide consistency to the environment. And remember, quality materials like ceramic or marble not only offer a pleasant appearance but also ensure long-lasting durability.
How to match the tiles you have chosen for your kitchen
In your mind or in the photos you see around, creating a beautiful and high-quality kitchen seems easy, but reality can sometimes be different. Here are some examples that might help you in choosing tiles for your kitchen:
1. Beige Tiles
If you want to create a cozy and versatile kitchen environment, beige tiles are a recommended choice.
Thanks to their versatility, they match various styles of furniture, from rustic to modern.
To achieve a bright and airy kitchen, perfect if the room is small or has little natural light, you can pair beige tiles with white furniture. If you want to add a touch of elegance and sophistication, you can opt for beige tiles with a marble effect. This will add a luxurious element to your kitchen, giving it a sophisticated and trendy look.
For a warmer and more traditional atmosphere, finally, beige tiles with wood details are recommended.
2. Gray Tiles in the Kitchen
Gray tiles are recommended if you want to have a modern and minimalist atmosphere in your kitchen. If you wish to experiment with shades of gray to create an interesting color effect, you can combine different tones to add depth and dimension to the space.
For a more contemporary touch, always remember that you can pair gray tiles with stainless steel appliances and choose a glossy finish to increase brightness and the sense of space within the kitchen.
If you prefer a shabby chic style, meaning a deliberately used look, lighter shades of gray pair well with vintage furniture and rustic floors. This combination will create a comfortable and homely environment.
Alternatively, if you are looking for a more elegant atmosphere, the secret is to choose dark gray tiles, such as anthracite gray. When paired with warm and soft-colored furniture and floors, tiles of this color are the ideal combination to add a touch of sophistication to the heart of your home.
Choosing gray tiles for your kitchen does not necessarily mean creating a cold and unwelcoming environment as many people think. On the contrary, this choice offers endless design possibilities, allowing you to create the kitchen of your dreams.
3. Wood-Effect or Parquet Tiles in the Kitchen
Choosing a parquet floor for your kitchen is an important decision, but it can significantly change the appearance and functionality of the space. The warm tones of wood add a touch of warmth and coziness. An alternative is wood-effect porcelain gres, which offers the same aesthetics as natural wood but with greater resistance and ease of maintenance.
If you opt for light wood, it is important to consider the combination with the kitchen furniture. A white kitchen is a common and versatile choice, but even furniture with glossy finishes or wood with matte finishes integrate well with this choice.
If you want to be bold, an entirely black kitchen can create an elegant contrast with light parquet. Even if you prefer a dark wood floor, you must ensure to balance the visual aspect with lighter furniture. Additionally, pay attention to providing good natural and artificial lighting to your kitchen to best enhance the dark floor and maintain a balanced atmosphere in the kitchen.
How to position tiles in the kitchen
Inside your home, there are two environments where tile covering becomes a necessity: the bathroom and the kitchen. Besides the aesthetic aspect, you must also consider practicality and hygiene.
In case you didn’t know, many municipalities impose strict rules on kitchen wall coverings. Ignoring building regulations could lead to problems, such as the house being declared uninhabitable.
However, remember that if you prefer alternatives to traditional tiles, there are various solutions you can use.
When choosing how to position tiles in your kitchen, you have three main options. The first is to cover the entire wall with tiles, ensuring complete protection against splashes.
The second option is to cover only the area behind the work zone, leaving the rest of the wall free from coverings. This way, you can still maintain some stylistic and decorative freedom.
The third and final option is to minimize the tiled area, limiting it only to the section behind the stove and sink.
A common practice is to install tiles up to an average height, usually around 1.60 meters, and then paint the rest of the wall up to the ceiling. This creates a contrast between the ceramic tiles and the paint, adding a touch of personality and style to the kitchen.
Alternatively, you can consider tiling the countertop and its front part with coordinated tiles. This option will give your kitchen a uniform look in the work area, while also providing a durable and easy-to-clean surface.
Materials to consider for tiles
Choosing the material for kitchen tiles is a crucial step in the design process of this space. The kitchen is a high-traffic area, so we can define it as an “operational” room. Therefore, choosing one material over another for the tiles can significantly influence the functionality and aesthetics of this environment.
1. Ceramic Tiles
Ceramic tiles are a timeless classic in the kitchen. Their durability and the wide range of available designs allow you to customize the style and appearance of your kitchen according to your preferences. Ceramic is always a reliable choice.
Its hypoallergenic nature, lack of odors, and ability to repel dirt and bacteria make it suitable for the kitchen, a place where dirt and odors can easily accumulate. Additionally, it is a material that does not burn.
However, like everything, it has its drawbacks.
Ceramic tiles tend to be cold and hard to the touch, potentially requiring the use of rugs or additional heating systems to increase comfort.
Moreover, their surface can become slippery when wet, making the use of non-slip mats essential to prevent accidental falls.
Despite these disadvantages, ceramic tiles remain a practical and aesthetically pleasing choice for your kitchen.
One last piece of advice: ceramic tiles should be installed with care.
Make sure to entrust the installation to professionals or experts to avoid irreparable errors during the laying process, thus ensuring a safe and durable final result that will fully meet your needs.
2. Porcelain Stoneware
When it comes to covering your kitchen, an alternative choice you can consider is porcelain stoneware. This material allows you to give the environment a more modern look.
How?
Porcelain stoneware tiles can realistically replicate the appearance of natural materials such as wood, marble, or stone. By doing so, it will be easier to customize your kitchen according to your preferences.
Moreover, porcelain stoneware is extremely durable and versatile, making it the ideal material if you don't have time to dedicate to cleaning or if you simply prefer low-maintenance materials. Its ease of cleaning is a significant advantage, as it does not require the use of specific products and can be maintained in excellent condition with simple detergents.
3. Terracotta
Dreaming of a rustic or more traditional kitchen?
Then terracotta tiles might be the perfect choice.
Terracotta is a versatile material that works well for both outdoor and indoor environments. So you can consider it if you're thinking of a small kitchen in a veranda.
Its characteristic?
The shades resulting from wood firing and the irregular surface, very pleasant to the touch, help create a welcoming and homely environment.
Terracotta floors are known for both their red color and their impact resistance.
Additionally, indoor terracotta is a non-combustible material, providing you with greater safety in case of fire, as, like ceramic, it does not release harmful gases. From a health perspective, terracotta offers further advantages as it does not retain allergenic agents, making surface cleaning easier.
It is important to also consider the negative aspects.
Terracotta is a porous and untreated material, making it more susceptible to stains and requiring specific care and maintenance. If necessary, you can use specific products, which you can also find at supermarkets, that protect terracotta by creating a kind of film to prevent damage.
One aspect to mention, however, is the cost. Terracotta tiles are generally more expensive compared to other materials such as porcelain stoneware.
Even in this case, installation by expert personnel is required to avoid high maintenance costs.
How much do kitchen tiles cost?
When choosing tiles for your kitchen, calculating the overall cost is important, especially if you have a limited budget. Several factors come into play, in addition to the existing characteristics of the environment. Labor, for example, is a key element, as the installation work is entrusted to skilled installers or tilers, whose costs can vary.
The choice of material is another aspect you need to keep in mind because prices per square meter can vary significantly. The installation method also affects the overall cost of the project. If you choose simpler installation patterns, you will generally have lower costs.
Finally, remember that the retailer from whom you buy your kitchen tiles also influences the costs you will incur, as each retailer has their own pricing, which may also include different services.