9 Timeless Stone Kitchen Tile Ideas

Whether your kitchen is ultra-modern or traditional, stone tiles are a timeless and versatile choice for floor and wall surfaces, adding a touch of natural elegance to any space.

Crafted from various types of stone such as marble, limestone, or slate, stone tiles include unique surface patterns, textures and colour variations to create a distinctive aesthetic. Renowned for their durability, stone tiles can withstand high-foot traffic and are resistant to wear and tear.

Although stone tiles aren’t the cheapest option, installing them can add value to your home. Stone’s durable qualities and naturally beautiful appearance mean they’re an investment you won’t regret.

If you want floor or wall tiles that are completely unique, keep reading to discover the benefits of using stone tiles in your kitchen and be inspired by our pick of the best stone tiles.

Image credit: @burlanesinteriors

Recommended Tile: Mink Tumbled

Stone kitchen tile ideas

If you’ve settled on stone tiles for your kitchen, read on to discover our pick of the most attractive stone kitchen tiles.

Slate tiles

Composed of quartz and muscovite or illite, slate is one of the strongest and most durable natural stones and a perfect choice for busy kitchen and utility areas.

Go for dramatic dark slate tiles

Dark slate floor tiles are a striking choice and they’ll sit well against all colours of kitchen cabinets.

Because slate is so tough, it will resist scratches and scrapes and is a great option for busy families and multi-pet households.

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Recommended Tile: Graphite Black Natural Slate

Mix it up with multicoloured slate tiles

When you think of slate tiles, dark or light grey usually springs to mind, but natural slate can contain a range of colours from purple and blue hues to more vivid red and orange tones. The colour of the slate is determined by the chemicals and minerals it contains.

Choosing multicoloured slate is a great way to bring interest into a large kitchen space and it’s an excellent choice if you want a floor that’s a little bit different.

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Recommended Tile: Amazon Green Natural Slate

Add interest with herringbone slate floor tiles

Slate floor tiles don’t have to be large, look for small rectangular stone tiles if you want to create a classic herringbone-patterned floor or splashback. Ideal for adding elegance to a kitchen area, the herringbone pattern can help to open up smaller spaces.

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Limestone tiles

One of the most beautiful of all natural stones, limestone is composed mainly of calcium carbonate and contains millions of tiny fossils and shells. Although softer than slate, limestone is highly durable but it does need to be protected from acidic substances.

Enhance your space with light limestone floor tiles

If you want to create a light, bright and open feel in your kitchen, opting for large format tiles in a pale shade is one of the best ways to do so.

Limestone tiles are available in several colours from palest cream to beige and dark grey.  You can also choose from a range of finishes,, from polished to tumbled and various edging options to create a more contemporary, or traditional look.

Image credit: @joe_gunn_tiling

Recommended Tile: Casablanca 400mm x 600mm

Keep it neutral with grey limestone floor tiles

Create a traditional-looking kitchen with flagstone-style limestone floor tiles. The undulating textures, rugged edges and wide grout lines create a beautifully rustic vibe that’s cosy and welcoming.

Grey is one of our favourite neutral shades, it goes with everything and works equally well in modern and period homes.

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Recommended Tile: Rosetta Grey Limestone

Marble tiles

Surprisingly versatile, marble is one of the most distinctive and luxurious of all the natural stones.  From the Taj Mahal to the Parthenon, marble has been used to create some of the world’s most recognisable buildings and sculptures.

Fit a classic marble chequerboard floor

Ultra-stylish and effortlessly elegant, the chequerboard floor pattern has been gracing homes since ancient Egyptian times. This thoroughly time-tested style will pack a punch in all styles of home and, if the pattern is laid diagonally, it can help to visually widen small spaces, a clever trick in compact galley kitchens.

Marble tiles are often used to create this distinctive pattern. You can opt for polished, honed or tumbled finishes depending on the look you prefer.

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Add luxury with marble splashback tiles

Marble tiles are extremely durable so they’re a natural choice for floors, but their exceptional beauty means they are a popular choice for kitchen wall tiles too.

Marble tiles are available in a huge range of shapes and sizes to complement your kitchen decor. Look for tumbled marble tiles for a more rustic feel and highly polished marble tiles for a more glamorous, luxurious finish.

Image credit: @sefastoneusa

Recommended Tile: Cubo

Go for glam with a full marble kitchen

If you want a kitchen with the ultimate wow factor, marble is one of the best stones you can choose. Its natural beauty and versatility make marble equally suitable for floors, countertops and splashbacks.

Highly polished marble is more resistant to water and stains than rougher, tumbled textures and it’s easier to keep clean too. Just make sure that marble is regularly sealed to keep it looking its breathtaking best.

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Recommended Tile: Viano White Polished Marble

Create texture with tumbled marble tiles

Marble’s appearance can be drastically altered by the extent of the polishing process. If you prefer a smoother, more rustic-looking tile, tumbled marble is an excellent choice.

Tumbled stones are smooth but have a chalky, pitted surface that’s created during the tumbling process. Use tumbled tiles over walls, splashbacks and window sills to create a timeless, subtly elegant aesthetic.

Image credit: @sarahthetiler

Are stone tiles good for kitchens?

The ultimate neutral tile, stone goes with absolutely all types of decor and works in all sizes of kitchen.

Although natural stone tiles don’t have the low absorption rate of porcelain tiles, they are exceptionally durable, won’t scratch or chip and, if looked after well, can last a lifetime.  Stone tiles are arguably the most beautiful of all tiles but they do require a little maintenance to keep them looking their best.

Stone tiles can also be used outside, so if you want to create a seamless blend between your indoor and outdoor living areas, stone is hard to beat.

Can you use underfloor heating with stone tiles?

Stone is an excellent conductor of heat and will retain warmth for a long while after it has been heated. Along with porcelain, stone tiles are ideal for use with underfloor heating. The thicker the stone tile, the longer it will take to heat so if you’re considering installing underfloor heating in your kitchen area, you may want to look at the different thicknesses of stone that are available.

Stone kitchen tile tips

• View the tiles before you buy It’s worth visiting a tile showroom to view stone tiles in situ before you splurge on your final choice. Because stone tiles contain many natural variations, it’s important to see how a large area looks, this is especially recommended for multicoloured floor tiles.
• Give them a little TLC Stone is naturally porous so will need periodic sealing to protect it from water and stains. Be careful not to use harsh chemicals or abrasive cleaning pads on stone floors. You can buy cleaning products that are formulated for use on specific stone floors.
• Overorder if you can Stone tiles contain many natural variations so, if you can, it’s worth ordering a little more than the recommended 10% extra to allow for variations.
• Install upstands Whether you’re using stone to tile your kitchen floors or walls, you can take advantage of the natural texture and install beautiful upstands. Not only does this eliminate high-maintenance wooden skirting boards, but it creates a more seamless, high-end finish.

Atlas Ceramics has an extensive selection of stone wall and floor tiles to choose from. Browse our selection yourself or call one of our friendly experts for advice.