Black Kitchen Tile Ideas – 11 ways to embrace the dark side
The darkest colour of them all, black has no hue and is a colour often shrouded in mystery. Seen as the colour of the underworld by the ancient Greeks and Egyptians, black is a powerful and magical colour that symbolises formality and sophistication.
Once a colour you may not have considered for your home, black interiors are becoming increasingly popular with interior designers and homeowners alike. Ebony walls can be found gracing bathrooms, bedrooms and of course, kitchens all around the world.
From sleek, black kitchen units to glossy tiled splashbacks, black can make a serious style statement in your home. Keep reading to find out how to make black tiles work in your kitchen.
Image credit: @homewithkrissy
Are black tiles good for a kitchen?
Like all colours, if you love it, you’ll find a way to make it work in your home. There’s no doubt that black is a bold choice, but it can elevate a kitchen from bland to breathtaking. Black will go with absolutely any colour and looks especially striking combined with the warmth of natural wood.
Black tiles will make a space seem smaller but you can still use them to great effect in a compact area. Picking glossy over matt tiles is a wise choice in dimmer kitchens as the reflective surface will help to bounce light around the room.
Don’t be put off if you don’t have much natural light in the room, you can lift black tiles with brighter wall units, painted walls and worktops. An all-black kitchen can look incredible too, it all comes down to what you prefer.
Beautiful black kitchen tile ideas
Whether you prefer glossy black tiles or matte monochrome, we’ve picked out some of the very best black kitchen tile ideas to inspire you. Let’s head over to the dark side:
Get the industrial look with black wall tiles
If you want to create an industrial vibe in your kitchen, then black will definitely feature somewhere. These simple but gorgeous inky black tiles add a touch of class to this kitchen. You might think glossy black tiles are a pain to clean, but actually, they’re really easy to keep looking like new, just give them a quick wipe-over with a glass cloth for best results.
Image credit: @happy___deco
Combine black hexagon tiles with wooden flooring
Thinking of tiling your kitchen floor with black tiles? This is one of the most beautiful ways to do it. Hexagon tiles will look great wherever they are placed, but the contrast between the warmth of the wooden floor and the coolness of the matt tiles is a match made in heaven.
Tiles are more practical than real wood in a kitchen area, so if you’re keen to incorporate wooden flooring, consider combining it with porcelain floor tiles for a spectacular effect.
Image credit: @709_design
Recommended Tile: Ava Nero
Fit a black subway tile splashback
Subway tiles are so versatile, they are available in many colours and finishes and you can also lay them in a variety of ways. The ever-popular herringbone bond is a style classic. It will add a luxurious look to your kitchen or utility area. Use coal black grout to keep it cohesive and create a more dramatic feel.
Image credit: @sochic_decor
Recommended Tile: Rio Nero
Create a wall of black mosaic tiles
Mosaic tiles work best in smaller spaces and can look incredible in bijou kitchens. You can easily use black tiles in a smaller space, particularly if the kitchen units are a different colour. White grout will make the tiles pop, whereas dark grey grout will create a softer look.
Image credit: @bravestar.house
Tile a wall with mini hexagon tiles
A different take on subway tiles, hexagonal wall tiles will add interest to a kitchen wall. This kitchen still manages to look bright and airy with a black splashback. Keep walls and worktops light and accessorise with bright appliances and plenty of natural wood for a similar look.
Image credit: @lifestyleby_mari
Recommended Tile: Honey Black Mosaic
Add a dramatic slate floor
A black floor will be a timeless addition to your kitchen. As well as looking beautiful, natural slate is extremely durable and perfect for creating a more traditional or rustic-looking floor. You can also tile walls with slate. Natural slate will be cold underfoot so you might want to consider laying underfloor heating for toasty toes on cold days.
Although natural stone needs more maintenance than porcelain, you’ll be rewarded with much more variation in the tiles in terms of colour and pattern. If you prefer an easy-care floor, slate-effect porcelain is a great choice.
Image credit: @martinmooredesign
Recommended Tile: Graphite Black Natural Slate
Lay a vertical metro tile splashback
Add a touch of class to your kitchen with high-gloss black tiles. Try an ultra contemporary vertical stacked layout and keep the grout dark for a chic finish. The black worktop and accent handles help to pull this perfectly coordinated kitchen together.
Image credit: @katehomedesignandfindsnash
Be bold with black patterned tiles
If you’re a little unsure about all-out black tiles but love the darker look, you can still bring the colour into your kitchen through pattern. Try bold Moroccan-style prints, black and white star patterned tiles or create a chevron pattern with black and white subway tiles, the possibilities are endless!
Image credit: @whitfield_no5
Recommended Tile: Damask Décor 3
Choose classic metro tiles
There is something so elegant about bevelled subway tiles, especially when they’re glossy black. Go bold with a statement black feature wall for maximum impact in your kitchen. Keeping the other walls white will stop if from feeling too dark. We love the contrast between the modern black tiles and the rustic furniture in this kitchen. The beauty of black is that it goes with all colours and styles, whether traditional, modern or a bit of both.
Mix it up with black and white floor tiles
Solid black floors are certainly beautiful, but you don’t have to go all over ebony. Classic checkerboard floors are always in style (they have been for centuries!) and they just don’t date. Mix black with white or any other colours for the most eye-catching floor. Laying the tiles in a diagonal pattern will help the room to feel bigger and it’s an effective way to tile a smaller kitchen floor.
Image credit: @blancmarineliving
Recommended Tiles : Damask Black and Damask Blanco
Fit a vintage star tile splashback
Add a touch of vintage-inspired industrial design to your kitchen with standout star tiles. This bold design is guaranteed to add interest to a smaller kitchen. If you’re keen to use patterned tiles in a larger space, you can use them to highlight a smaller area of the kitchen or go for broke and use them throughout the whole area for maximum impact.
Image credit: @thehomeco
Recommended Tile: Madrid Castilla Light Star
Useful tips for tiling a kitchen with black tiles
- If your kitchen or utility room is on the darker side, consider using glossy tiles as they’ll reflect the light more than matt tiles.
- If you’re unsure about going all black, you can just tile one wall or mix black tiles with a different colour such as white.
- Accessorise with matching black taps and a sleek black sink or add interest with gold brassware.
- Offset black tiles with warm wooden, white or brightly coloured kitchen units if you’re worried that going all black will be too dark.
- Order some tile samples before you commit to ordering all your tiles. Nothing beats seeing tiles in situ.
If you’re keen to give your kitchen a dramatic makeover with black tiles, go for it! With a little planning, you can create an incredibly stylish space in your home.
Atlas Ceramics has a vast range of black wall tiles to help you achieve a similar look in your kitchen or utility area. Browse our selection yourself or call one of our experts for advice.