Mediterranean Kitchen Tile Ideas – 8 ways to bring the sunshine into your home
Almost completely bordered by land, the Mediterranean sea surrounds 20 countries and the islands of Cyprus and Malta. Famed for their hot, dry summer climate, Mediterranean countries are among the most visited destinations in the world, with France and Spain at the top of the list.
Think of a Mediterranean country and whitewashed buildings, blue sea that blends into the sky, red-tiled roofs and colourful bougainvillaea-lined streets probably spring to mind.
If you love the bright, clean lines and natural materials that feature so heavily in Mediterranean-style homes and would like to bring the look into your kitchen, keep reading for ideas and inspiration to help you bring the sunshine into your home.
Be inspired by the colours of the Mediterranean.
What is Mediterranean style?
Mediterranean style is warm, bright and full of character. Colours are very much influenced by the surrounding turquoise sea and endless blue sky. Rich, earthy tones like terracotta and ochre are synonymous with Mediterranean styling, as well as cool whites and neutrals.
Modern Mediterranean homes often feature open floor plans, large kitchens, airy windows and cool tiled flooring throughout. There is a strong emphasis on indoor-outdoor living and materials like stone, wood, ceramics and wrought iron all feature throughout Mediterranean homes.
How can I get the Mediterranean look in my kitchen?
Light and bright, Mediterranean kitchens are filled with natural materials such as wood, stone and clay. Kitchen units are often white or wooden and flooring is usually tiled or natural wood.
What kind of tiles should I choose for a Mediterranean look?
Mediterranean style encompasses many different looks, from light, bright and airy to darker, traditional wood and terracotta, you can take inspiration from both and even combine styles to create your perfect kitchen.
When choosing tiles for a Mediterranean look consider:
● White and light-coloured tiles
● Natural stone and splitface tiles
● Patterned Morrocan-styles
● Blue, green and yellow glazed tiles
● Colourful glass tiles
● Metallic tiles
● Wood-effect tiles
● Authentic, handmade terracotta tiles
Mediterranean kitchen tile ideas
We’ve taken a tour (albeit virtual) of the Mediterranean to bring you some inspirational kitchen tile ideas.
Get the look with a blue and white mosaic wall
This kitchen perfectly epitomises Mediterranean style: cool, white walls, stone tiled floors, exposed wooden beams, beautiful wooden units and chic blue and white wall tiles.
You can get a similar look by using blue and white mosaic tiles or boldly patterned, Moroccan-style tiles, along with natural stone or stone-effect porcelain floor tiles.
Image credit: @saragilbaneinteriors
Recommended Tile: https://www.atlasceramics.co.uk/p/damask-series-decor-12/
Replicate the modern Mediterranean style with natural colours
Less traditional than brightly coloured schemes, this modern Mediterranean-style kitchen oozes glamour. Clean lines and simple colours create a clean, uncluttered look, making the exposed stone wall, wooden shelves and Moroccan style wall tiles stand out.
Large format stone floor tiles with matching upstands help to create a spacious feel and will be gloriously cool underfoot in summer and (with the addition of underfloor heating) toasty in winter.
Recommended Tile:https://www.atlasceramics.co.uk/p/spa-stones-bianco/
Choose Moroccan-style tiles for a standout splashback
Channel the Mediterranean style with white wall cupboards and standout Moroccan-style wall tiles. The signature Moroccan look is created with bold, geometric patterns and colours ranging from bright to more subdued.
Using these tiles is one of the easiest and most effective ways to bring the Mediterranean look to your home.
Image credit:@withkendra
Recommended Tile:https://www.atlasceramics.co.uk/p/damask-series-decor-7/
Pair feature tiles with a rustic terracotta floor
If you had to pick two colours to represent the Mediterranean, blue and white are most likely to be high on the list.
Blue is often seen on doors, shutters and furniture throughout the Med, turquoise or deep sea blues are the shades to go for. We love these pretty, patterned wall tiles which contrast perfectly with the rustic, terracotta tiled floor.
Image credit:@ruffoniofficial
Recommended Tile:https://www.atlasceramics.co.uk/p/waxman-rustic-heritage-taco-grey-165mm-x-165mm/
Select a cool white colour scheme
Light, bright and airy kitchens are staple features in Mediterranean homes. Get the look with white wall units and worktops, white subway tiles and a pale tiled floor.
To break up the white walls, create a feature above the oven with patterned black and white tiles. Introduce elements of wood and brass to add the finishing touches.
Image credit:@hagit_taylor
Recommended Tile:https://www.atlasceramics.co.uk/p/damask-series-decor-6/
Choose rustic, natural terracotta
Used to create figures, pots and tiles since ancient times, terracotta literally translates as ‘baked earth’. Terracotta tiles get their characteristic colours due to the iron content reacting with oxygen during firing.
Not only beautiful but practical too, terracotta tiles remain cool in shady outdoor areas and inside the home.
Natural terracotta tiles vary in colour from red to buff and everything in between.
This stylish French home shows terracotta floor tiles at their stylish best.
They work equally well in modern or traditional homes and work wonderfully with white colour schemes.
Image credit: @elodie.clv
Recommended Tile: https://www.atlasceramics.co.uk/p/handmade-terracotta-400×400/
Opt for natural tile materials
Wood and stone are prominent features of Mediterranean homes. You can achieve a similar look by using splitface tiles, painting exposed bricks white and fitting wooden flooring or wood-effect tiles for a more practical option in the kitchen area.
Image credit:@brisbaneappliancesales
Recommended Tile: https://www.atlasceramics.co.uk/p/moon-split-face-grey-300mm-x-600mm/
Fit a vibrant Spanish-style tiled floor
From the green mosaic and colourful patterned wall tiles to the vivid green and white floor tiles, this kitchen is fabulous, rustic Mediterranean styling at its best. White and wood still feature heavily, but we love the addition of colour in this inviting kitchen.
Image credit:@olafworkshops
Recommended Tile:https://www.atlasceramics.co.uk/p/san-vincenzo-green/
Top tips for achieving the Mediterranean look with tiles
When choosing tiles for a Mediterranean-style kitchen keep tile material, colour and texture in mind:
- White is always a good idea. Timeless and elegant, white tiles work with every
colour. - Introduce natural elements with stone wall and floor tiles, natural terracotta tiles and
wood-effect floor tiles. - Add pops of bright colour. Splashbacks and floors are a great way to do this and look
especially effective against an almost all-white backdrop. - Stick to the Mediterranean colour palette of white, brown, buff, blue, green, ochre,
yellow and red.
Atlas Ceramics has a wide range of natural stone, terracotta, porcelain and patterned tiles to help you achieve a Mediterranean look in your kitchen.
Browse our selection yourself or call one of our experts for advice.