The Best Non Slip Tiles for Kitchen Floors – 9 Ways to Turn up the Traction
Choosing the right tiles is a key part of the kitchen design process and, when selecting tiles for a room that has to withstand all life can throw at it, safety and durability are essential.
From rugged stone to retro penny tiles, keep reading to find out which tiles are the most slip-resistant and discover some inspirational non-slip tiles for your kitchen floor.
Image credit: @insidenumbersixteen
Recommended Tile: Naturae Wood Effect Willow Anti-Slip
What is the most slip-resistant flooring?
Kitchen floors work hard. They’ll endure regular spills, scrapes, scuffs and the wear and tear of everyday life.
The tiles you choose for your kitchen floor need to be tough, durable and have enough traction so that you don’t slip and slide. These are the tiles we recommend:
- Porcelain tiles – Made from clay, sand and feldspar, porcelain tiles are fired at super-high temperatures which makes them incredibly tough, water resistant and able to withstand scratches and chips. For the grippiest effect, look for stone or wood-effect porcelain tiles with tactile pits and grains.
- Terracotta tiles – Natural terracotta tiles are one of the most eco-friendly options for your home. Crafted by hand from iron-rich clay, the resulting texture is ideal for creating non-slip floor surfaces.
- Stone tiles – Natural stone tiles are available in a range of sizes, styles and colours. Look for tumbled or honed stone rather than highly polished surfaces for a grippier finish.
- Small tiles – The smaller the tile, the more grout lines there will be, resulting in an effective non-slip surface. This is particularly true of mosaic floor tiles.
Non-slip kitchen floor tile ideas
From large-format natural stone to miniature mosaics and Victorian-style tiles, it’s easy to find non-slip tiles for your kitchen floor. Here’s our top pick of the best tiles with traction:
Natural stone tiles
Whether you prefer a light-coloured limestone or a deep shade of slate, stone tiles are perfect for creating non-slip floors in a kitchen area. You’ll need to look for a stone with a tumbled or honed finish to ensure the best grip. The rougher the surface of the stone, the grippier it will be.
Image credit: @jade.doutch
Recommended Tile: Keope Brystone Gold
Stone effect porcelain tiles
If you love the look of natural stone tiles but want a floor that’s extremely low maintenance, there’s a growing range of realistic stone-effect porcelain tiles on the market. To create a realistic appearance, ultra-high-res photographs of real stone are printed onto tough, water-resistant porcelain.
Many porcelain tiles feature uneven edges and are textured to look just like stone, making them almost indistinguishable from the real deal.
Image credit: @originalstyleuk
Recommended Tile: EcoStone Bianco
Natural terracotta tiles
With their rich reddish-brown hue and gorgeous, rustic appearance, terracotta tiles are seeing a huge rise in popularity.
Attractive and well-suited to traditional and modern kitchens alike, terracotta tiles feel wonderful underfoot and they make an excellent non-slip floor surface. Just remember to regularly seal terracotta tiles to keep them looking their best.
Image credit: @maitlandandpoate
Recommended Tile: Natural Terracotta
Victorian-style tiles
Known for their striking geometric patterns, Victorian-style tiles will add timeless style and elegance to your kitchen. There are a number of classic Victorian tile designs to choose from or you can create your own custom patterns, complete with border.
Modern Victorian-style tiles are made from porcelain, making them practical and easy to care for. Their compact size means they’ll provide a satisfyingly non-slip surface that feels as good underfoot as it looks.
Image credit: @originalstyleuk
Recommended Tile: Original Style Victorian Floor Tiles
Hexagon tiles
Small and perfectly formed hexagonal tiles make an ideal non-slip floor surface. Hexagon tiles have become style icons in their own right and there’s a huge range of tile styles and materials to choose from. Whether you favour practical porcelain or tactile terracotta, there’s a hexagon tile for every kitchen.
Hexagon tiles make brilliant transition tiles if you’re introducing a tiled area within a different flooring surface. Their versatile shape means they can be stylishly integrated in many ways.
Image credit: @originalstyleuk
Recommended Tile: Ava Nero Plain
Wood-effect tiles
A more sustainable option than laminate and more practical than real wood, wood-effect tiles are waterproof, durable and attractive. Most wood-effect tiles have a woodlike grainy texture, adding a reassuringly non-slip finish and a pleasing texture underfoot.
Design tip: Laying wood effect tiles diagonally or in a herringbone pattern will add an extra level of traction to your kitchen floor.
Image credit: @lifeasmrsbuilder
Recommended Tile: Wildwood Walnut
Penny tiles
Round or hexagonal, these retro-style tiles are often seen in bathrooms but they’re just as practical in kitchens. With their high grout-to-tile ratio, penny tiles are one of the best non-slip options for kitchen floors. We also love that they can be easily customised; you can add borders, patterns and even words.
Image credit: @lindsayherodinteriors
Flagstone tiles
Nail the traditional farmhouse look in your kitchen with rugged flagstone floor tiles. Practical and perfect if you favour a rustic aesthetic, the uneven surface of flagstones is ideal for a non-slip kitchen floor. Go for natural limestone or pick up flagstone-style porcelain floor tiles.
Image credit: Original Style
Recommended Tile: Mink Tumbled
Octagon and dot tiles
This classic Victorian floor design is still going strong and it’s a winner in both modern and traditional-style kitchens. Using different-sized tiles within the floor design is an effective way to create an attractive and non-slip floor surface.
Image credit: @originalstyleuk
Recommended Tile: Harrogate Classic Victorian
Non-slip kitchen tile tips
Having a non-slip floor is essential in busy rooms like kitchens and bathrooms. There are many suitable tile types but if you’re unsure what to look for, ask us about the tile’s non-slip rating.
Here are our top tips for choosing the best non-slip tiles for your kitchen:
- Check the R rating – Most tiles are given a non-slip or R-value. R stands for Ramp and it ranges from R9-R13, with R13 being the least slippery.
- Look for texture – The shiner the tile, the more slippery it will be, especially when wet. Look for tiles with a texture for kitchen floors; stone, stone and wood-effect porcelain and terracotta are all excellent options. Some tiles have special non-slip coatings and you can apply non-slip sealant to stone and terracotta tiles.
- Think about tile size – Smaller tiles will naturally have more grout lines than larger tiles which instantly creates a non-slip surface. If you prefer large-format tiles, choose a tile that’s textured for the best non-slip effect.
Atlas Ceramics has an extensive range of non-slip tiles for peace of mind. Browse our selection yourself or call one of our friendly experts for help and advice.