10 Ultra-Realistic Wood Effect Tile Ideas for the Kitchen

One of the most popular flooring styles, wooden floors have graced our homes since the 1600s. The wooden floor trend is still going strong, with classic patterns like herringbone and parquet style floors dominating kitchen and family areas.

Wooden flooring is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful solutions for your home, but there might be better options in areas that come into frequent contact with water. That’s where wood effect tiles come into play; practical, durable and water resistant, these tough tiles can take whatever life throws at them.

If you love the look of real wood but want a more practical solution, keep reading to see how attractive wood effect porcelain tiles can enhance your kitchen area.

Boost the beauty of your kitchen with porcelain effect wood tiles, renowned for their realistic effect, available in numerous shades and various sizes and colours, you’re sure to find your perfect match

Image credit: @lifeasmrsbuilder

Recommended Tile: Woodlands Forest

Are wood effect tiles a good idea?

We think so, yes! Wood-look tiles are an increasingly popular choice for homes that want the warm, stylish aesthetic that wooden floors bring, without the worry about warping, splitting, staining or scratching.

Wood effect tiles are made of porcelain, one of the toughest flooring materials available. Porcelain tiles are made of fine clay which is fired at extremely high temperatures, resulting in a durable, virtually waterproof tile. Porcelain is denser than ceramic so it’s less porous, it can also handle temperature extremes so is suitable for use outside.

Unlike real wood, porcelain won’t split, chip, rot or absorb water. Even when varnished, it’s almost impossible to fully seal a natural wood floor.

Another huge benefit of wood-look tiles is that they will go with all styles of decor and every colour of kitchen cabinet and there’s a tile to suit all tastes!

As printing techniques continually improve, so does the look of wood-effect tiles. Many tiles also incorporate a realistic wood texture. With the huge choice of colours and wood styles available, wood-look tiles are an excellent alternative to the real thing.

Here are just some of the benefits of wood-effect porcelain tiles:

• Durable – porcelain tiles are incredibly tough and will withstand heavy footfall, changes in temperature and stains.
• Water resistant – porcelain isn’t porous so it’s essential in areas that come into contact with water.
• Scratchproof – porcelain is resistant to scratches from pets and furniture, making it a practical choice in a busy kitchen area.
• Won’t fade – unlike real wood, porcelain won’t change colour over time.
• Timeless – choosing a classic wood-effect tile is an excellent option if you want a tile style that won’t date.
• Versatile – wood effect flooring goes with absolutely everything, so it’s an excellent choice for your kitchen space.

Wood effect kitchen tile ideas

Whether you prefer pine, maple, oak or rustic-looking planks, there’s a wood effect tile for you. Read on to uncover some of the most effective and elegant wood effect tile ideas for your kitchen:

Match flooring and cabinets

Take kitchen coordination to the next level with matching wooden flooring and kitchen cabinets.

The choice of wood effect tile flooring is extensive, and as the designs are prints of real wood textures, you should be able to find the perfect match for your kitchen.

Why not complement your wood effect kitchen floor to your kitchen cabinets, creating a seamless flow throughout your kitchen area. Simple yet highly effective.

Image credit: @widellboschetti

Recommended Tile: Naturae Wood Effect Willow 

Fit classic parquet floor tiles

Parquet flooring is made from small wooden, or in this case tile, batons laid in interlocking designs. The classic herringbone pattern is a design favourite and choosing it is an effective way to bring a timeless style into your kitchen.

There are a variety of ways to lay your wood effect floor tiles to create a unique effect of your choice, size and pattern can be used to great effect.

Image credit: @202_design

Recommended Tile: Wildwood

Opt for traditional-style wood effect tile planks

From parquet-style batons to large planks, wood effect tiles are available in a range of sizes, allowing you to get the right look in your home.

Classic wooden plank tiles are easy to fit and work brilliantly in all styles of kitchen, from ultra modern to farmhouse.

Wood effect tiles are so versatile, they are ideal for both traditional and modern look kitchens. Whatever your style, wood effect porcelain gives you endless options.

Image credit: @kitchen_posts_daily

Recommended Tile: Naturae Wood Effect Hazel

Choose plank-style wall tiles

Although wood-effect tiles are usually chosen for the floors, they can make an amazing addition to kitchen walls too. Add a rustic touch to your kitchen area with wood-plank cladded walls. Wood effect tiles are an excellent option for a feature or media wall, adding warmth, texture and interest.

Wood effect porcelain is so adaptable it even looks great on kitchen walls. Use it to create a rustic, snug feeling in your space.

Image credit: @ssue365dayscontent

Recommended Tile: Weathered Multi 

Embrace a contemporary style

Whatever your home style, there will be a wood-effect porcelain tile to suit it. Modern kitchen interiors are usually light and bright, so choosing light-coloured wooden floors will help to enhance the feeling of space.

Natural looking wood effect porcelain in lighter shades enhances the feeling of space and size in your kitchen area. Simply stunning.

Image credit: @loriceisleinteriors

Recommended Tile: Woodlands Natural

Get a relaxed look with bleached wood effect tiles

One of the main advantages of wood-effect floor tiles is the huge choice of textures and colours available.  Get an ultra-modern, relaxed look with light-coloured wood-look tile planks. You can lay wood effect tiles in a typical parallel pattern or cut them to size and create a timeless herringbone floor design.

If you love the wood effect but want something lighter then real shades of wood, bleached effect wooden planks are the way to go, available in various sizes and textures.

Image credit: @insidenumbersixteen

Recommended Tile: Naturae Wood Effect Snow 

Try something different with wood effect wall tiles

Play around with smaller wood effect tiles and create a striking feature wall in your kitchen or dining area.

Perfect for adding period charm or a modern makeover, wood effect tiles can be used to make a unique style statement.

Wood effect porcelain can also be used to design an outstanding feature wall area in your kitchen/ dining room, bold and brilliant.

Image credit: @ecosurroundings.eco

Recommended Tile: Forest of Dean Wooden Panel

Liven up a floor with coloured wood-effect tiles

Add a playful and unexpected touch to a kitchen floor or splashback area with fun coloured wood effect tiles. Perfect for use across different areas, to mark the transition between different floor types or just to inject personality and character into your space, a splash of colour can be a welcome addition to a neutral colour scheme.

Recommended Tile:

Use wooden tiles throughout an open kitchen/living area

Herringbone wood effect tiles can be one of the best options for large, open areas of the home. Timeless and neutral, wood textures will blend with all ages and styles of home and all types of decor.  There’s no reason why you can’t tile the entire ground floor of your home for a cohesive look that flows from room to room.

Design tip: If you don’t have the luxury of underfloor heating, using rugs is an excellent way to add warmth and break up large areas of tiled flooring.

Wood effect porcelain tiles are ideally suited in open plan kitchen and living areas as they create a seamless flow of space throughout.

Image credit: @symphonygroup

Recommended Tile: Timeless Ivory Advance Antibacterial

Match indoor and outdoor tiles

With the growing trend for blending indoor and outdoor living areas, choose similar wood effect tiles to create a seamless flow between the kitchen and the garden.

Many porcelain tiles are suitable for use outside as they can withstand temperature extremes. They are also very easy to keep clean.

Ideally suited for both indoors and outdoors, wood effect porcelain tiles are highly durable and very easy to maintain, use them to extend your indoors out to marvelous effect.

Image credit: @fivewalnutconstruction

Recommended Tile: Naturae Wood Effect Silver Anti-slip 

Wood effect tile tips

Ready to embrace the natural textures and warm tones of wood-look flooring? We’re here to help you along every step of the way. When choosing wood-effect porcelain tiles for your kitchen, here’s what we recommend:

Image credit: @originalstyleuk

Recommended Tile: Stripwood Natural 

Get samples

It’s always worth visiting a tile showroom or getting samples sent by post so that you can examine the tile and see how it will fit in with your design scheme.

Think about pattern and design

Wood look tile flooring is extremely versatile and there are many ways to lay it. Think about adding borders, laying herringbone and traditional parquet flooring patterns and transitioning them with other types of tile.

Combine tiles

Take advantage of the versatility of tiles that look like wood by combining them with coloured kitchen cabinets and a range of other tiles. Terrazzo-effect, coloured porcelain, glossy glass and rustic terracotta tiles are all excellent companions for wood look tiles.

Atlas Ceramics has an impressive range of realistic wood effect wall and floor tiles for your kitchen. Browse our selection yourself or call one of our friendly experts for advice.