Asian Style Kitchen Tile Ideas – 12 Ways to Embrace Exotic Eastern Style

From the spectacular Himalayas mountain range and the rocky Gobi Desert to the southern tropical rainforests, Asia is a continent of contrasts and rich history. Over 60% of the world’s population lives in Asia and it boasts the world’s largest and fastest-growing continental economy.

Asia is famous for its highly populated countries, incredible cuisine, varied landscapes and diverse culture. Home to some of the earliest civilisations, Asia is said to be the birthplace of many of the world’s religions including Islam, Christianity, Hinduism and Buddhism.

A continent bursting with culture, Asia’s architecture and interiors are a diverse and eclectic mix. If you’d like to add some Asian colour, texture and spice to your home, keep reading to discover how you can use tiles to help you get the look.

If you want to create some Asian spice in your kitchen you can’t go wrong with natural neutral colours and textures.

Image credit: @villeroyboch

Recommended Tile: Rio Beige

What is Asian interior style?

Because Asia is so vast, it’s impossible to pinpoint a typical ‘Asian style’. From the bright jewel tones that colour India, to the more minimal Chinese and Japanese styles, there are many ways to introduce elements of Asian interior style to your home.

If you prefer a more maximalist look, embracing colourful Indian and Thai designs can help bring a home to life. Pattern plays an important part in many Asian homes with bold prints and nature-inspired designs taking centre stage.

Conversely, more streamlined, minimal designs are popular in Chinese and Japanese homes. Use natural, sustainable materials and neutral colours to create a calming, Zen-like feel.

What tiles should I choose for an Asian-style kitchen?

Whether you favour the dramatic or understated approach or a unique fusion, there’s a tile for every Asian style.

If you’d like to create an Asian-themed kitchen, these are the tiles we recommend:

• Simple porcelain tiles in neutral shades
• Zellige tiles
• Colourful porcelain tiles in shades of indigo, green, red, orange, purple and gold
• Neutral, earthy-coloured porcelain tiles
• Stone effect and marble tiles
• Glossy glass tiles
• Tiles patterned with bold designs or natural motifs like leaves and bamboo

Asian-style kitchen tile ideas

Get ready to soak up the varied styles of Asia as we take a trip around some of the world’s most incredible countries to bring you exclusive tile-style inspiration for your kitchen:

Traditional Japanese-style tiles

Japanese decor is often simple, with the walls acting as a neutral backdrop to the rest of the room. With that in mind, kitchen wall tiles can be rustic and earthy and natural hues are the most effective for subtle, understated decor.

You can opt for matchstick mosaic tiles or small square or rectangular wall tiles to add interest to a neutral space. Choose large format stone or stone effect floor tiles for an unfussy finish.

Stone creates a truly impressive result, is enduring and easy to maintain and very much synonymous with Asian style

Image credit: @dotandpop

Recommended Tile: Perseo Light Beige 

Patchwork Indian-style tiles

India is famous for its love of bold, bright colours and patterns and, when choosing tiles for your kitchen, you can easily incorporate beautiful colours and patterns in the wall tiles.

Patchwork-style tiles are perfect for adding interest and they work brilliantly when used for splashbacks and smaller spaces.

Add a splash of colour with a feature wall or splashback using beautiful bold patchwork tiles and add the wow factor to your Asian kitchen.

Image credit: @adrioteyes

Recommended Tile: Provenza Deco

Minimal Thai-style kitchen tiles

If you prefer to keep it sleek and simple, a minimalist Thai-style kitchen is a great look. Pair crisp white and wooden units with white wall tiles and neutral-coloured floor tiles for a fresh and clean aesthetic.

If you opt for white wall tiles, you don’t have to stick to smooth textures. Subtle patterns and tactile finishes are perfect for adding a little character.

For a Thai inspired effect use white and combine with wood and stone to get a simple yet highly effective finish.

Image credit: @davin.interior

Recommended Tile: Freya

Chinese-inspired blue and white tiles

Although cobalt blue and white painted pottery is synonymous with China, it first appeared in ninth-century Iraq. Chinese potters used their sophisticated ceramic technology to develop their take on blue and white porcelain which soon became highly sought-after.

Blue and white tiles are popular the world over and they’re ideal for adding a subtle Chinese touch to a kitchen area.

Blue and white are combined to subtle yet stunning effect in these Chinese style tiles.

Image credit: @thetrueinteriors

Recommended Tile: Damask Decor 1 

Clean and simple Japanese-style tiles

Take inspiration from simple, no-nonsense Japanese-style interior decor and clad your kitchen walls with understated and elegant white tiles. Perfect if you’re on a budget, white tiles, especially square ones are easy on the wallet, quick to fit and perfect for transforming a kitchen or utility area.

Keep it practical with a grey or black grout or go for a seamless look with matching brilliant white grout.

Down to earth Japanese style Kitchens utilize white to excellent effect with simple square tiles, elegant and cost effective.

Image credit: @oji_masanori

Recommended Tile: Gloss Bumpy White 

Brilliant blue tiles

The colour of the sea and the sky (if you’re lucky) blue is calming, refreshing and peaceful.  The colour blue has different meanings across Asia; in Chinese culture, blue is said to symbolise immortality, whilst India associates light blue with Krishna.

Blue is an easy colour to live with, it’s one of the most popular colours for kitchen cabinets and the range of beautiful hues available to choose from means there’s a shade for every taste.

Beautiful blue is bold, invigorating and very versatile, available in many shades and very popular across Asia.

Image credit: @1stdibs

Recommended Tile: Mermaid Olive 

Bold Indian-style tiles

Geometric shapes and patterns are commonplace in Indian interiors and they can look incredible in a kitchen.  Whether you choose to use patterned tiles on the walls or floors, they’ll have a big impact.

Patterned tiles look good alongside natural stone, wood effect and plain porcelain tiles and they’re an excellent way to revamp a tired kitchen.

India is renowned for it’s colourful patterns and designs. Add inspiration to your kitchen with a wall or floor area of pretty patterns in your choice of colour pallet, sure to impress.

Image credit: @pinwheelventures

Recommended Tile: Damask Decor 2 

Rustic-style stone tiles

If you prefer a more traditional Asian style, consider using rustic stone tiles. Splitface and natural slate tiles will make a statement and work especially well with understated kitchen furniture.

Natural slate tiles will need to be sealed to keep them watertight and stain-free but it’s an easy job to do.

Stone tiles create a homely effect and have a rustic finish tantamount to traditional Asian style. Available in a range of colours and textures to suit all tastes.

Image credit: @signaturesold

Recommended Tile: Arun Dark

Thai-inspired kitchen tiles

Add a touch of Eastern sunshine to your kitchen with spicy, saffron-coloured wall tiles.  In Thailand, yellow represents authority and also Monday, the day the past and present kings were born.

The colour of sunshine, yellow is a positive, happy colour and it’s perfect for creating an uplifting and cosy feel. You don’t have to stick to bright, zesty yellows, golden, ochre hues can be just as energising.

Bring joyful sunbeams into your kitchen with yellow wall tiles. Yellow is always uplifting and popular in Thailand with a range of shades and styles available, bring the happiness into your home.

Image credit: @earpbros

Recommended Tile: Brick Ivory 

Indian-style marble tiles

Cool, timeless and elegant, marble is associated with high-end luxury and, as much of the world’s marble is found in India, it’s perfect for creating an Indian-style kitchen.

Marble is well suited for use on kitchen walls and floors (just make sure it’s well sealed) and if you fancy something a little lower maintenance, opt for marble effect porcelain tiles.

Choose large-format tiles for a sleek look and add texture and interest with smaller marble tiles. For a more rustic appearance, you can opt for tumbled marble tiles.

Majestic porcelain effect marble is opulent and graceful and is very popular in India. Available in a large range of stunning styles and sizes, there’s something for everyone in marble.

Image credit: @thatdecorlady

Recommended Tile: Canaletto Gold 

Japanese-inspired matchstick tiles

Slimline, Japanese-style matchstick tiles are perfect for creating a modern-looking Asian-style kitchen. Mosaic tiles are practical, versatile and ultra stylish and they’re perfect if you want to add texture and contrast to your kitchen.

These tactile tiles are fixed to sheets, making installation a breeze.

These matchstick mosaics embody Japanese style with their simple sophistication and stylish finish, available in a wide range of colours and effects.

Image credit: @originalstyleuk

Recommended Tile: Eclipse Decor 

Thai-style kitchen floor tiles

Whilst modern Thai kitchens are sleek and neutral, traditional Thai-style interiors embrace colour, pattern and intricate details. Combine boldly patterned floor tiles with natural materials and wooden furniture to create a warm and elegant aesthetic that’s bursting with character.

If you want to create a traditional Thai-style interior it’s all about the detail, put your personality into it with your choice of patterns, colours and textures.

Image credit: @findyourhappyplate

Recommended Tile: Damask Decor 6 

Asian-style kitchen tile tips

An Asian-style kitchen can be bold and colourful or sleek and neutral and the right tiles are essential for helping you to achieve the look.

Atlas Ceramics has a wide range of beautiful stone, porcelain, handcrafted and patterned tiles to choose from. Browse our selection yourself or call one of our experts for advice