Kitchen Floor Tile Ideas – How to transform the heart of your home with tiles
For most of us, the kitchen is the busiest room in our house. From preparing food to eating and cleaning, a kitchen is the hardest working room in the home and it has to be practical.
When it comes to choosing kitchen flooring, it’s essential that the flooring you select is as aesthetically pleasing as it is functional. Replacing flooring isn’t cheap, and it’s certainly not something you’ll do regularly. Some kitchen tiles will last a lifetime so it’s worth taking a bit of time and doing your research before you make a decision. I recently replaced the floor tiles in our kitchen, utility, hall and downstairs toilet and, of all the changes we’ve made to our house, it’s the one that’s made the biggest impact.
We’re here to help you decide which tiles will be best for your kitchen floor and inspire you with some of the most gorgeous tile styles available to purchase now.
What type of kitchen floor tile should I choose?
Spills, breakages, leaks and heavy footfall, our kitchen floors get hit with just about everything and they need to be resilient.
There is a huge range of kitchen tiles available to buy and you may well be wondering where to start. Let’s look at some of the most popular tile materials for kitchen floors:
Porcelain
Thicker and denser than ceramic, porcelain is one of the toughest flooring materials. Porcelain tiles are highly water-resistant, rarely need to be sealed, are extremely resilient and well suited to areas of high footfall. Often used in commercial, as well as residential settings, porcelain costs more than ceramic, but it’ll last longer. It’s available in a huge range of colours and textures and the best quality porcelain stone-effect tiles are almost indistinguishable from the real thing.
Just beware, very few things are likely to survive being dropped onto a porcelain floor, however the floor itself will be just fine!
Terracotta
Often associated with Mediterranean and more traditional style homes, terracotta tiles are not particularly tough however with correct maintenance they can be long-lasting. The warm, orange-red colour of the tiles adds an ‘earthy’, timeless feel to a room.
The main disadvantage of these tiles is that they’re extremely porous so will need to be sealed regularly to prevent staining and cracking.
Ceramic
Ceramic tiles are one of the most affordable options when it comes to kitchen flooring. They’re available in a huge range of colours and styles, are hard-wearing and durable and also easier to install than some other tiles types so they’re ideal for DIY tiling jobs.
Softer than porcelain, ceramic tiles are much more likely to chip or crack.
Natural Stone
Arguably the most beautiful choice for a kitchen floor, natural stone tiles can include slate, limestone, marble and granite. Exceptionally hard-wearing, stone floors can last a lifetime. Stone floors can be polished or matt in texture and they can be a toastier option than the other materials as they retain heat well. The only downside is they do need regular maintenance (sealing) and can be more porous than porcelain, so spills will need to be dealt with quickly.
What size kitchen tiles should I go for?
Once you’ve chosen your tile material, you’ll need to think about the tile size. With the exception of terracotta, kitchen floor tiles are available in small or very large format and plank, brick and hexagonal styles.
The size of floor tile you choose comes down to personal preference and the style of the floor that you like best. Large-format tiles are a great option for larger kitchens, particularly if you’re continuing the tiling beyond the kitchen. Large tiles also work well in smaller rooms as they help to increase the sense of space. Fewer grout lines mean a more seamless, contemporary look, and they’re generally faster to install.
Small tiles on the other hand can be laid in a variety of different ways, ideal if you want to create a different look.
Kitchen floor tile ideas
We’ve put together some elegant, stylish and quirky kitchen flooring ideas to help you find the perfect floor tiles for your home, plus discover tips on how to keep your tiles looking as good as the day they were installed.
1. Large-format kitchen floor tiles
Available in various sizes, large-format tiles are usually considered to be those that exceed 60cm in width and length. Large tiles create a modern, sleek look that’s equally breath-taking in a large or small kitchen.
Fewer grout lines make large tiles a practical choice, especially if you have children, pets and lots of spills!
2. Concrete effect kitchen floor tiles
If you love the industrial look, concrete-effect tiles are a great way to bring this style into your home. More practical than cement, concrete effect tiles are easy to clean, available in a range of styles and their understated appearance means they’ll look fantastic for years to come.
3. High gloss kitchen floor tiles
If you’re aiming for a light, bright and airy feel for your kitchen, consider installing polished porcelain floor tiles. These beautiful tiles can be laid close together to create the illusion of a continuous floor surface.
Believe it or not, these super shiny tiles are incredibly practical. They are extremely easy to keep clean; A quick wipe-over with a damp cloth will keep them looking their sparkly best.
4. Black kitchen floor tiles
If you’re after a dramatic look for your kitchen, installing a black floor is a great way to achieve it. Black is great for creating a striking contrast with paler units, it’s extremely practical, especially if you have pets, and it looks incredible.
From glossy quartz to matt black porcelain and natural slate, almost all styles and materials of tile will be available in black.
5. Wood-look kitchen floor tiles
Wood-look flooring is everywhere right now. Popular for its warm hues and timeless looks, wood-effect tiles are a much wiser choice for a kitchen than the real thing. Waterproof, low maintenance and resistant to scratches and scrapes, these clever tiles are hard to distinguish from real wood.
6. Traditional stone kitchen floor tiles
If you have an older property or just love the look of traditional flooring, consider installing stone tiles. The natural variations in the stone will create a completely unique floor that will blend in with modern and more traditional cabinetry.
Stone floors are a higher-maintenance option than ceramic or porcelain tiles. You’ll need to seal the surface periodically to prevent staining and help to make them easier to clean. Also, take care to mop any spills quickly as some substances can penetrate the sealant.
Alternatively you could opt for a low maintenance stone look porcelain such as the DD range as seen below:
7. Statement checkerboard floor tiles
You can’t get much more traditional than a checkerboard floor. Dating back to before the Bronze age, it’s probably safe to say that this style won’t be going out of fashion any time soon. We usually think of black and white tiles in this pattern, but really, anything goes. Pick a couple of colours you like and have fun! It’s a great way to make an instant impact, especially when combined with colourful kitchen units and quirky accessories.
8. Slate kitchen floor tiles
If you like natural stone flooring, then slate is a great choice. Available in a range of colours from black and grey to brown and cream, it’s an elegant flooring solution that won’t go out of style. Equally at home in contemporary and traditional homes, you can choose from a range of tile styles.
Because slate is a natural product, it will need to be sealed to help it repel water and resist scratches.
If you’re looking for a low maintenance alternative to natural slate, there are plenty of porcelain tiles designed to have similar look and feel to the real thing but with none of the hassle!
9. Patterned kitchen floor tiles
The great thing about the sheer number of different tile styles available for the kitchen floor is that you can pick something that really suits your personality. Large, sleek tiles will always have their place, but if you fancy creating a more unusual look, patterned tiles are a fantastic choice. They work particularly well in smaller spaces.
There’s such a wide range of patterned tiles to choose from and you can create a design that’s completely unique.
10. Terracotta kitchen floor tiles
When you think of terracotta floor tiles, small, red, shiny squares probably spring to mind. Although they can create a beautiful floor, it’s hard to deny the beauty of this natural, pale-coloured terracotta floor. The rustic red tile colour and contrasting grout create a traditional, farmhouse-style look that works perfectly in any elegant kitchen.
11. Mixed kitchen floor tiles
As extending our homes becomes increasingly popular, open-plan spaces are fast becoming the norm. Although you might be happy to continue the same tiles throughout your home, you might also want to section off different areas, for example, the kitchen and living area and this is where clever tiling comes in.
Small tiles, particularly hexagonal tiles, can be used to great effect when delineating a space.
Kitchen floor tile tips
Once you’ve chosen the perfect kitchen tiles, you’ll need to keep them looking their best. Here are some handy tips to help you make the most of your new investment, after all, it’ll be around for many years to come.
Install upstands
Depending on the style of tile you’ve chosen (large format and larger tiles will be best) swap out your skirting for matching upstands. Often seen on worktops, upstands create a beautiful finish to a tiled floor and they’re so much more practical than wood, especially in a kitchen. No more paint touch-ups can only be a good thing!
Keep tiles regularly maintained
Whether you’ve chosen ultra glossy tiles or natural stone, all floor tiles will benefit from a regular clean and seal if appropriate. If you have a large tiled area, consider investing in a steam mop, it’ll make cleaning your tiles a breeze.
Use specialist solutions to help seal and clean your floor tiles- Lithofin have a multitude of different solutions for different surfaces and different purposes. Browse the full range here
Seal the grout
Imagine the scenario, you’ve spent your hard-earned cash on a stunning new floor, only to drop a glass of red wine onto it. If you have white or pale grout, this can be difficult to remove. You can purchase grout sealants which are easy to apply and help to keep your floor looking good for longer.
Lose the shoes!
Sounds obvious but leaving your shoes by the door is one of the best ways to keep your tiles looking their best. It’ll also mean much less cleaning for you and it’ll help to reduce scratches from rogue loose stones or debris.
Brush up your repair knowledge
Knocks and scrapes are part of everyday life and at some point, your tiled floor will probably pick up a scratch or chip or two. You can buff out small scratches and there are many repair kits available for larger dings. Badly damaged tiles will need replacing but a skilled tiler will be able to do this without ripping up the whole floor.
It’s well worth making the effort to keep your tiled floor looking as good as the day it was laid. As well as looking glorious, a well-maintained tiled floor will help to boost the value of your home.
Atlas Ceramics has a vast range of kitchen floor tiles for every budget. Browse our selection yourself or call one of our experts for advice.