Kitchen tile ideas with cream cabinets – 12 complementary tile designs
If you’ve got cream kitchen cabinets, you’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to choosing tiles. One of the most versatile neutrals, cream will go with absolutely any other colour.
Expected to be one of the top 10 most popular kitchen colours for 2023, cream kitchen cabinets are a classic choice. Warmer than white and softer than cool grey, you can choose to complement your cream cabinets with subtle neutral-coloured tiles or be as bold as you dare, opting for contrasting navy blue, black, or vibrant pops of colour.
We know this won’t help you narrow your selection down, so keep reading to discover some beautiful, colourful and quirky kitchen tile ideas.
Image credit: @the_one_with_the_green_door
Recreate this look: Dorset Bevelled White
What colour tiles go with a cream kitchen?
If you have a cream kitchen, you can view it as a blank canvas which any other colour will happily sit beside.
Although cream is a classic colour choice for kitchen cupboards, you can opt for ultra-modern tiles or go for more traditional styles.
All colours will go with cream, but popular choices include sage green, soft pinks, dramatic colours like navy blue and black and other neutral hues.
Kitchen tile ideas with cream cabinets
If you’re looking for tiles to go with your elegant cream kitchen, scroll through our top tile picks to find the perfect style:
Wooden floor tiles
The warmth of wood makes it an attractive choice for kitchen floors. As it’s so versatile it’ll go with all colours of kitchen cabinet, but it contrasts especially well with lighter-coloured kitchens.
Wood-effect porcelain tiles are extremely realistic, incorporating the grain pattern and texture of real wood. You won’t need to worry about floor damage from inevitable spills and stains and it’s an ultra-low maintenance option too.
Image credit: @ourchaletbungalow
Recommended Range: Naturae
Ornate wall tiles
Add interest to a neutral-coloured kitchen and get creative with decorative wall tiles. By choosing a more unusual tile shape, you can create a striking feature that you’ll never tire of. You can stick to a light colour scheme or add splashes of colour for a livelier feel.
Image credit: @mdesignsinteriordecorating
Patterned tiles
Black and white patterned tiles are hugely popular and it’s easy to see why. Looking good in both modern and traditional kitchen settings, they’ll instantly add character and interest.
Bold patterns work well over large areas, or you can use them to highlight smaller areas, such as the splashback behind the oven, or a windowsill.
Whether you prefer Moroccan-inspired tiles, bold geometric designs or floral patterns, the design and colour will stand out effectively against cream cabinets.
Image credit: @homejustlovely
Recommended Tile: Waxman Rustic Heritage
Textured tiles
The irregular surface of zellige tiles creates a beautifully rustic look and makes a great contrast against smooth wall cabinets.
High gloss tiles work well with matt cupboards or try matt textured tiles next to high gloss cabinets. High gloss tiles might seem like a high-maintenance option in a kitchen, but they’re very quick and easy to clean.
Image credit: @semihandmade
Real stone tiles
It’s hard to beat the beauty of real stone tiles, and if you’re looking to create a timeless, traditional kitchen, it’s one of the best options. There is a vast range of stone colours and textures to choose from and all types of stone will work well together.
Real stone tiles will need to be periodically sealed to protect them from water and stains, but it’s a small price to pay for tiles that will last a lifetime. If you prefer a lower-maintenance option, consider stone-effect porcelain tiles instead.
Image credit: @originalstyleuk
Pink tiles
Pink and cream is a kitchen dream. Soft pink works especially well with cream and, because it’s such a popular shade, you can find a range of tile styles in this colour.
Add a modern touch to a cream kitchen with stylish hexagonal tiles or vertically stacked metro tiles, or go for a more traditional look with pink patterned tiles. All shades of pink will pair well with cream cabinets so if you’re a lover of fuchsia or magenta, get tiling!
Image credit: @kristinehayesinteriors
Recommended Tile: Ava Rosa Plain
Feature tiles
If you’ve inherited a cream kitchen that’s in need of spicing up or just fancy adding a fabulous feature to your kitchen, you can opt for brightly coloured statement tiles.
Green is a gorgeous companion for cream, but you can take your pick from the rainbow of colours to really make an impact in your kitchen.
Image credit: @artdecojewel
White metro tiles
One of the most popular tile designs, iconic metro tiles are attractive, versatile and a great option if you’re on a budget. White metro tiles are often seen with cream cabinets, and you can vary the grout colour to create a completely different look.
Metro tiles are available in a huge range of colours and their shape makes them perfect for creative layouts. Although the brick bond lay is probably the most popular, herringbone, basket weave and vertical stacks are all good-looking options.
Image credit: @featheringournest
Recreate this look: Brick White
Patchwork tiles
If you love a traditionally styled kitchen, then you may like to consider fitting quirky patchwork tiles. The colours you choose are entirely up to you, but we love the beautifully chosen muted tones in the below kitchen.
Including a cream tile in the mix and keeping adjoining walls the same colour as the cabinets helps to coordinate the look and prevent the patchwork effect from being too overpowering.
Image credit: @lifeatolddenehouse
Splitface tiles
Add character to a cream kitchen with eye-catching splitface tiles. Available in sparkly natural stone or realistic stone-effect porcelain, these on-trend tiles will bring depth and interest to your walls.
Although irregular tiles might look tricky to clean, they’re really low-maintenance and easy to care for.
Image credit: @webstershome
Recommended Tile: Arcalis White
Blue tiles
Rich blue hues are a perfect match for cream kitchen cabinets and are a great choice if you want to create a dramatic contrast between your cabinetry and tiles.
Opt for traditional square tiles, classic metro tiles or do something a little different with trending hexagonal tiles or mosaic fish-scale tiles in shimmering shades of ocean blue.
Image credit: @littlewarrenliving
Sage green tiles
This dreamy neutral shade is a perfect match for cream. Warm neutrals are a popular alternative to cooler white and grey colour schemes. All warm neutral shades from beige and taupe to sage green and dusky pinks will sit happily next to cream. Sticking to a neutral palette is a subtle way to add colour without it looking overpowering.
Image credit: @bellwood_no10
Top tips for choosing tiles for kitchens with cream cabinets
- If you have a cream kitchen, it’s one of the easiest colours to match tiles to. You won’t need to worry about the tile colour clashing with the cabinets. However, we still recommend getting a few tile samples before you commit to placing a large order, just to be sure that you are happy with your selection.
- As well as coloured porcelain tiles, natural stone tiles are a perfect partner for cream cabinets. You can choose different stones for the floors and walls and opt for delicate mosaics or contemporary large-format tiles.
- If you’ve set your heart on metro tiles, be sure to check out the range of layouts so that you can choose a standout design for your splashback.
Atlas Ceramics has a vast range of wall and floor tiles to complement your cream kitchen cabinets. Browse our selection yourself or call one of our experts for advice.