Kitchen tile ideas with grey cabinets – 10 different combinations
The new favourite neutral, grey units are the go-to choice for many kitchens. Timeless, elegant and light enough to work in any size, aspect and style of kitchen, grey is the 4th most popular kitchen colour of the year.
Grey is said to represent neutrality and balance and it’s often used by designers as a background colour.
It’s easy to see why grey kitchens are so popular, grey doesn’t show up dirty marks as well as white (and in a busy kitchen, that’s important!), grey is warmer than white and softer than black and, it looks fantastic.
What tiles go with a grey kitchen?
Because grey is a neutral colour, pretty much any colour tiles will go with it. Grey is easy to liven up with pops of bright colour or keep neutral with understated colours. You can also choose a different shade of grey tile.
You can opt for timeless and classic white tiles, pick a range of colours from blue, green and pink or choose dramatic red or black. It won’t help to narrow your choice down, but it’s good to know that you have a huge selection to pick from.
Kitchen tile ideas with grey cabinets
If you’ve set your heart on a gorgeous grey kitchen but are stumped when it comes to choosing the tiles, we’ve found some of the most stylish kitchen tile and grey cabinet combinations to help get you started:
Classic white tiles
Grey and white has to be one of the most chic kitchen mixes. Keep things simple and elegant with a white metro tile splashback. White grout creates a clean, crisp look. White tiles are also one of the most budget-friendly options and you don’t have to stick to rectangular tiles, try squares, hexagons or even fish-scale tiles for a look that’s a little different.
Choose large-format grey floor tiles to tie the look together and help create the illusion of space.
Recommended Tile – Dorset Smooth White
Blue gloss tiles
Grey and blue are two of the hottest kitchen colours at the moment. Whether you have grey and navy blue units or want to add a splash of blue to the walls in an all-grey kitchen, there are many different shades of blue to choose from.
Glossy tiles make a striking contrast next to matt cupboards and help to bounce light around so they’re a good choice for smaller spaces.
Patterned tiles
Add interest to a neutral kitchen with bold, patterned tiles. Vivid tiles will immediately grab your attention and they’ll make a space feel busier than a plainer tile would. Don’t let that put you off if you’ve got your heart set on patterned tiles as they can make a beautiful addition to a kitchen.
Mosaic splashback tiles
Create a decadent splashback using miniature mosaic tiles. Mosaics are guaranteed to add a touch of class to any space. These small tiles are most effective when used in compact areas, and kitchen splashbacks are ideal. If you’re tiling a smaller area, you can opt for tiles made from more expensive materials such as marble, shell or even metal.
Moroccan-style tiles
With their bold designs and a huge range of colours and patterns to choose from, Moroccan-style tiles are a great way to liven up a kitchen. Not only are these tiles attractive and durable, but the designs have been around for centuries. If you’re worried that a more modern patterned tile will date, these classic tiles are a good option.
Moroccan-style tiles can vary hugely in price from genuine hand-painted encaustic tiles to less expensive printed porcelain tiles.
Marble tiles
If you want to add a classy feel to your kitchen, marble is one of the most striking materials you can choose. Black and white marble will go with every kitchen colour and will fit in with any décor, whether you have a brand-new or more traditional-style kitchen.
Real marble is fairly high maintenance. As it’s a permeable material it will stain easily so will need to be periodically sealed. Marble effect porcelain tiles are a more practical and less expensive option for the kitchen.
White tiles black grout
Keep it neutral with off-white tiles and black grout. This creates a marked contrast which works well against grey kitchen cupboards.
Image credit: @peppertreeliving
Unusually shaped tiles
If you’re feeling creative, why not try a tile that’s shaped differently? Add interest and texture to your kitchen walls with beautiful tiles in a range of different materials. From natural stone to porcelain, there’s a wide selection of shaped tiles to choose from.
Pink tiles
Pink and grey can be a colour match made in heaven. Warm up a cool grey kitchen with bright pink tiles or keep the look more neutral by selecting a dusky or millennial pink shade.
Get creative with tile style too, these pink hexagon tiles create a completely different look in a kitchen. The hexagon shape works especially well when left intact, as opposed to cutting a straight edge along the top.
Warm wood floor tiles
Grey kitchen units look fantastic but, like white, they can feel a little cold or clinical if surrounded by white or neutral tiles. Using wood is one of the best ways to add warmth to a room. Whether it’s wooden flooring, wooden shelves or worktops, or carefully chosen wooden accessories, the addition of this beautiful material can lift a kitchen like nothing else.
Wood-effect floor tiles are an incredibly practical addition to a kitchen and you won’t need to worry about inevitable spills, stains and leaks from kitchen appliances.
Top tips for tiling a kitchen with grey cabinets
- Think about tile finishes. If you have matt kitchen cabinets, mix things up with a glossy tile and vice-versa.
- Like black and white, grey will go with all colours. Pick a few samples out and consider creating a mood board to find the colours you like best.
- Introduce colour to a grey kitchen with bright tiles or add warmth with wood-effect flooring.
- Do something a little different and opt for shaped tiles or pick tiles with a glass, mother-of-pearl or metallic finish for added pizazz.
Atlas Ceramics has a vast range of wall and floor 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.