12 Timeless Kitchen Tile Ideas
With so many beautiful tiles to choose from, it can be challenging to choose the right ones for your kitchen. Although tiles in bright colours, bold patterns and innovative materials can make gorgeous additions to your kitchen, they may not last the test of time as well as natural materials and neutral shades.
Timeless tiles are resistant to passing trends and will always look good. From the unrivalled beauty of natural stone to the time-tested elegance of mosaics, many tiles will resist passing trends and always be in style.
If you’re looking for a timeless tile to enhance your home, keep reading to discover the most classic tile types and how to use them in your kitchen.
Image credit: @seabrightlane
Recommended Tile: Rio Blanco
Timeless kitchen tile ideas
From time-honoured natural neutrals to classic Victorian and ancient Roman favourites, we’ve curated some of the most attractive and versatile timeless tile ideas to inspire you.
Wood effect floor tiles
With their ultra-realistic appearance and tactile grainy texture, wood-effect tiles look as good as the real thing. Wood-look floor tiles will never go out of style, and if you opt for a timeless layout, you’re guaranteed a floor that will stand the test of time.
Look for honey-coloured and deeper wood shades for the most timeless effect.
Image credit: @johnlewisofhungerford
Recommended Tile: Naturae Snow
Metro tile splashback
Both timeless and bang-on-trend, these super-versatile tiles are one of the most popular choices for kitchen splashbacks. Don’t let their present popularity fool you into thinking they’re a passing trend, metro tiles have been in style since Victorian times.
For the most timeless look, opt for muted shades and classic layouts.
Image credit: @meghanshadrickinteriors
Recommended Tile: Dorset Smooth Slate
Stone effect floor tiles
Like wood-look tiles, stone-effect porcelain tiles blend the beauty of natural materials with the practicality and durability of porcelain.
As well as their timeless qualities, stone effect tiles are supremely versatile and will add a layer of understated luxury to kitchen floors and walls.
Image credit: @studionestharrogate
Recommended Tile: Ventoux Grey
Cool marble tiles
As one of the most beautiful natural stones, marble is associated with luxury and grandeur. Used to build some of the world’s most iconic statues, buildings and monuments, marble’s natural beauty has ensured its timeless appeal.
Look for real marble or lower-maintenance marble-effect porcelain tiles for your kitchen floors and walls. You can opt for tiles in a wide range of shapes, sizes and finishes, from luxurious polished to more rustic tumbled styles.
Image credit: @johnlewisofhungerford
Recommended Tile: Elgin Gloss
Patterned splashback tiles
Patterned tiles have a host of benefits, they’re perfect for adding character and, with the right designs, can provide a timeless touch to your kitchen.
Look for subtle patterns, neutral colours and classic designs for the most timeless aesthetic.
Image credit: @meghanshadrickinteriors
Recommended Tile: Damask Decor 4
Terracotta tiles
Perfect for achieving a more rustic kitchen vibe, timeless terracotta tiles are an inspired choice. With their warm, rich, red-brown tones, terracotta tiles add welcome interest and character to all types of kitchens.
Terracotta tiles are tough, but they’re also porous and need to be sealed to protect them from water spills and stains.
Image credit: @cotswoldinterior
Recommended Tile: Natural Terracota
Natural limestone tiles
Limestone is usually thought of as a pale stone but it’s available in a surprising range of shades from dark grey to pinky beige and almost white. This attractive and durable stone comes in several finishes, you can choose polished, honed (semi-polished) or tumbled tiles, depending on your preference.
Image credit: @pecasafurniture
Recommended Tile: Casablanca
Natural slate tiles
Slate is one of the toughest natural stones and an excellent and practical choice for kitchen floors. Unlike other natural stones, slate tiles are resistant to scratches, stains and chips and can be used indoors and out.
Image credit: @robinson_home
Recommended Tile: Welsh Slate Bangor Black
Checkerboard tiles
One of our favourite tile designs, the iconic checkerboard pattern has existed for millennia. This distinctive two-colour pattern is usually made up of black and white tiles but you can use any combination of colours.
The checkerboard pattern can be used to visually widen small spaces; the larger the squares, the wider the floor area will seem. Bigger tiles mean fewer lines to distract the eye which can make all the difference in compact kitchen areas.
Image credit: @blancmarineliving
Recommended Tile: St Andrews
Penny tiles
These cute and quirky miniature mosaic tiles date back to the early 1900s. Easy to fit, durable and easily customisable, penny tiles provide one of the best non-slip flooring surfaces.
Vintage-style tiles are an excellent option if you’re after a timeless design, the fact they’ve been around for so long is a testament to their staying power.
Image credit: @vincent_the_house
White tiles
The most timeless colour of all, white tiles are classy, neutral and perfect for brightening up kitchen areas. White tiles will help all sizes of kitchens to feel bigger and lighter, whether used on the floors or the walls. You’ll also have the largest choice of tiles to choose from and if you’re on a budget, you’ll be able to find a range of wallet-friendly tiles to suit your style.
Image credit: @allabout_thehome
Recommended Tile: Emilia Blanco
Beige tiles
Warm-neutral shades have never really gone out of style and are an excellent choice for creating a timeless look in your kitchen. Softer than white, neutral tones will bring warmth to kitchen areas and match virtually all other colours.
Beige stone effect tiles are ideal for creating a classic, farmhouse-style kitchen. Beige is
easy on the eye, practical and brightening, making it the perfect choice for a timeless kitchen design.
Image credit: @originalstyleuk
Recommended Tile: Rio Beige
What kitchen tile is the most timeless?
Many types of tile are destined to be timeless. From natural stone and terracotta to Victorian favourites like penny and metro tiles, these tiles have proven enduring qualities. If you’re looking for a timeless tile that won’t date, these are the tiles we recommend:
- Natural stone tiles – Arguably the most timeless tile of all, natural stone is neutral, versatile and suits all types of kitchen. It’s not cheap, but stone can add value to your home, it’s incredibly beautiful and will never date.
- Terracotta tiles – Natural terracotta tiles are made from clay. They’re often associated with Mediterranean-style homes and their warm tones make them a brilliant addition to kitchen floors and splashbacks. As well as being timeless, terracotta is extremely durable.
- Wood effect tiles – Wood effect tiles have a warm, welcoming aesthetic that suits all styles of home and blends with all colours of kitchen cabinetry. Like stone, wood tiles will enhance kitchen floors with a timeless look that’s hard to beat.
- Metro tiles – Metro tiles have their roots in Victorian subway stations. Created to help keep underground stations clean, these tiles have never gone out of fashion, their timeless quality making them one of the most popular tile styles to date.
- Mosaic tiles – One of the very oldest tile types, mosaic tiles have graced the walls and floors of ancient Roman homes. Still popular today, mosaic tiles are an elegant and timeless addition to kitchens.
- Neutral-coloured tiles – Neutral shades are always in style. They’re versatile enough to match with all other colours and will always look good. All natural and most man-made tiles are available in a wide range of neutral shades.
What tile will never go out of style?
When selecting tiles for a timeless kitchen, look for the following; neutral shades like black, white, cream, beige and grey, natural materials, wood and stone effect tiles. Also, think about the tile layout and opt for classic patterns like herringbone, brick bond, diamond and modular.
What is the most timeless kitchen flooring?
Natural stone is one of the most classic options for a timeless kitchen floor. For elegance, it’s hard to beat the beauty of marble, for a more rustic look, opt for limestone or slate. If you don’t fancy the maintenance of a real stone floor, look for realistic stone-effect porcelain tiles instead, they’re ultra-realistic and incredibly durable.
Atlas Ceramics stocks a large range of timeless tiles for kitchen floors and walls. Browse our selection yourself or call one of our helpful experts for advice.