Greek Style Kitchen Tile Ideas – 11 Ways to get the Hellenic look

Think of Greece and its picture-perfect islands, olive groves, ancient architecture and beautiful beaches probably spring to mind. It may come as a surprise that Greece is one of Europe’s most mountainous regions, with mountains covering over 80% of the country.

Thousands of Greek islands are dotted throughout the Aegean and Ionian seas but only around 200 are inhabited.  

Greece is home to 18 UNESCO World Heritage sites including the Acropolis in Athens, the medieval city of Rhodes, the site of Olympia and the island of Delos, the birthplace of Apollo, according to Greek myth.

One of the world’s most popular and attractive holiday destinations, Greece is famed for its varied architecture, from the whitewashed hilltop houses to colourful portside residences.

If you’d love to bring some Hellenic sunshine into your home, keep reading to find out how.

The picturesque Greek island of Symi. Image credit: @wegoarabia

How can I get the Greek look in my kitchen?

With over 250 sunny days a year, Greece is one of the sunniest countries in the world.  The Mediterranean is a magical place and it has an irresistible draw for many people. It can be a little depressing to return to the familiar grey skies of the UK after a wonderful holiday in the Greek sun, but with a little research and well-chosen tiles, paint and accessories, you can bring a slice of the Mediterranean into your home.

Traditional Greek interiors are predominantly white, with splashes of bright sea blue and plenty of wood and natural materials. Whether traditional or modern, Greek interiors favour a mainly neutral colour palette, inspired by the natural surroundings.

Greek interior style is light and bright, you can add vibrant dashes of colour or stick to a neutral palette, introducing texture through natural stone, wood effect and terracotta tiles.

What tiles should I choose for a Greek-style kitchen?

If choosing tiles for a Mediterranean-style kitchen is all Greek to you, here are the tiles we recommend to help you get the look:

• Natural (or stone effect porcelain) floor tiles, especially limestone and marble 
• Zellige tiles
• Colourful porcelain tiles in shades of blue, red, purple, green, black and white
• Neutral-toned porcelain tiles
• Patterned tiles – look for geometric designs like the Greek key pattern, decorative border tiles and tiles with repeating patterns
• Natural terracotta tiles
• Mosaic tiles

• Greek style kitchen tile ideas

Whether you prefer the traditional look or a sleeker, more modern design, we’ve selected the most beautiful Greek-style kitchen tile designs to inspire you:

Marble floor tiles

Marble is a key feature in Mediterranean homes, it’s elegant, cool and timeless and it’ll fit into all styles of home. Often associated with luxury and opulence, marble is incredibly versatile and will work well in both traditional and modern kitchens.

We recommend picking marble tiles in lighter shades to keep your kitchen feeling bright and spacious. If you prefer a lower-maintenance option to real marble, marble-effect porcelain is available in a range of colours and sizes and is virtually indistinguishable from the real thing.

Marble is luxurious and grand as well as being classic and established, making it incredibly versatile. Marble works beautifully in both traditional and modern kitchens.

Image credit: @oracleoliveoil

Recommended Tile: Nebula Semi Polished 

Terrazzo floor tiles

Although terrazzo floor tiles originated in Italy, they’re a perfect fit in a Greek-style kitchen. Durable and stylish, terrazzo tiles can be made from a variety of materials but you’ll most often find them in porcelain, with chips of different coloured porcelain, glass or stone running through them.

Another versatile tile choice, terrazzo will work well in traditional and contemporary kitchen designs.

Terrazzo is a perfect choice for a Greek style kitchen, adding splashes of colour and interest and offering a Mediterranean feel.

Image credit: xinarahouse

Recommended Tile: Monarch Terrazzo Nero

Stone floor tiles

Stone tiles are often found in Greek homes and they’re perfect for achieving a rustic aesthetic. Stone works beautifully in all styles of kitchen, we love the grey floor tiles in this ultra-modern Greek kitchen and you can choose a more rustic, flagstone style if you prefer a more traditional look.

To create an ultra-modern Greek style kitchen this stunning grey stone is a delight. Stone is available in numerous colours and textures so if you prefer a more traditional look it is easy to achieve.

Image credit: @greenriver.gr

Recommended Tile: Blue Nile Modular 

White tiles

Crisp white walls are found in almost all Greek homes. Cooling and fresh, white is also perfect for brightening spaces and it has the added advantage of being completely timeless.

White tiles are one of the simplest ways to tile a Greek-style kitchen. Combine white tiles with ocean-inspired blue elements to perfect the Mediterranean vibe.

Refreshing white walls are found in almost all Greek homes and offer a clean, energizing and spacious look every time.

Image credit: @golden_grey_goose

Recommended Tile: Arctic Gloss Pure White 

Terracotta tiles

The Greeks have used terracotta tiles for thousands of years, often as roofing tiles, but also in friezes and temples. Terracotta is firmly associated with Mediterranean architecture and choosing terracotta tiles for your home is an excellent way to add an earthy, rustic feel.

Terracotta tiles are extremely durable, they’re also porous unless you choose glazed tiles, so you’ll need to seal them periodically to keep them waterproof and stain-free.

Opting for terracotta tiles is one of the easiest ways to achieve a Mediterranean look in your kitchen, you can also use terracotta tiles outside, so you can create a seamless flow from kitchen to garden.

To create this authentic Mediterranean look chose terracotta tiles for your home. Its classic beauty will never age.

Image credit: @brooke.abrams.design

Recommended Tile: Handmade Terracotta

Greek key tiles

The symbolic Greek Key or Meander pattern can be found on Greek pottery, jewellery, paintings and, of course, tiles. The continuous line represents infinity, unity and the eternal flow of life. 

Add a piece of Greek history to your kitchen by introducing Greek key-patterned border tiles. These tiles will work well on walls and floors; combine them with metro-style tiles or use key tiles to create a smart border with larger format floor tiles.

Patterned tiles

The most traditional Greek interior colours are white and blue, but you can take inspiration from the lemon groves of Poros, Crete and the Cyclades and bring vibrant, zesty yellow into your kitchen.

Look for patterned tiles that incorporate yellow, green and ochre and pair them with the brightest white for a twist on the classic Greek colourway.

Add a touch of sunshine from the lemon groves of Greece with pretty patterned tiles reminiscent of Mediterranean summer days.

Image credit: @mondayonline

Recommended Tile: Damask Series Decor 4

Blue tiles

Blue and white are the national colours of Greece, blue represents the ocean and the endless blue skies, while white symbolises the struggle for freedom.

White is used widely throughout Greece for its light-reflective and cooling properties. Blue paint was historically used for doors, window frames and shutters as it was the cheapest colour available, but it’s become synonymous with Greece and blue tiles are an excellent choice for a Mediterranean-style kitchen. 

Add a splash of the Mediterranean sea to your cool white kitchen with beautiful shades of blue, there are so many shades to chose from you’re sure to find your perfect match.

Image credit: @waterworks

Recommended Tile: Emilia Navy

Tiled worktop

If you prefer to stick to plain neutrals for your kitchen walls and floors but want a little pattern in your life, you can be creative about where you place patterned tiles.

Tiling a kitchen worktop isn’t as common as it used to be, but porcelain tiles provide a durable, practical, heat-resistant and easy-to-clean work surface. You can also use tiles to clad the sides or end of a kitchen island unit.

Why not tile your kitchen worktop, the benefits are endless. Porcelain tiles are not only charming and beautiful, they also provide a hard wearing heat-resistant and easy-to-clean work surface.

Image credit: @c_o_a_r

Recommended Tile: Damask Decor 8

Modern meets traditional

If you love the Greek interior style but are torn between the traditional and modern aesthetic, why not combine both? Sleek marble flooring can sit alongside more traditional patterned wall tiles, you can also introduce wood-effect floor tiles for a look that sits somewhere between the two.

Greek interior styling is effortlessly beautiful and the options to combine traditional and modern are endless. We love this combination of marble and patterned tiles with wood effect styling as it creates an individual look.

Image credit: @a.c.d.egy

Recommended Tile: Floor – Canaletto Gold Marble , Wall – Waxman Heritage Taco Mix

Install a Greek-inspired Masterpiece

If you want to add a subtle Greek feel to your kitchen, there is a range of beautiful, decorative tiles that depict figures in classic Greek and Roman settings to choose from.  Large tiles of this nature can be inserted into a wall of plain tiles, creating a practical artwork that will suit modern and more traditional kitchens.

Greek style kitchen tile tips

Getting on board with the Greek look in your kitchen? Our tips will help you to get it just right: 

Keep it bright – Although the ancient Greeks favoured deeper colours, light, bright colours are a key part of the modern Greek look. Use plenty of white and light neutrals in your design to keep your kitchen looking spacious and feeling cool.

Choose the right colours – Blue and white are the colours most closely linked with Greece but look around, and you’ll find plenty of green, red and earthy neutrals to include in your colour scheme too.

Incorporate wood – Wood is a key feature in Greek-chic interiors. As well as using wooden furniture and accessories, you can install wood-effect porcelain tiles for an elegant and fuss-free flooring option.

Atlas Ceramics has a wide range of stone, terracotta, porcelain and patterned tiles to help you create a Greek style kitchen. Browse our selection yourself or call one of our experts for advice.