How to Select Modern Kitchen Tiles

Tips for choosing kitchen tile that suits your lifestyle

Of all the rooms in the house, the kitchen is the zone where tiles flourish. Available in infinite shapes, sizes and applications, choosing tile for your kitchen is often a daunting experience though.

If you’re in the midst of fitting or designing a new modern kitchen, chances are you’ve already spent a considerable amount of money on structural changes, cabinetry and appliances. Understandably, it can be tempting to dial back the costs when selecting modern kitchen tiles. Often, it’s the right move. But before you head down frugal lane, consider the importance of tiles in the greater scheme of your space. Here is the criteria to select the various tiles you might need in your kitchen:

Determine where your tiles will be applied

Before you can even consider what to buy, you need to decide which surfaces need tile. Tiles are often used as pops of character when applied to the backsplash behind the stove or beneath the upper cabinets. Modern tiling is also a wildly popular choice for countertops, and of course, the floors. It may seem obvious, but taking a moment to decide where your tiles will be applied, will spare plenty of drama later on.

Consider the differences between tiles

When someone says the word ’tile’, most people immediately envision the ceramic or porcelain variety. In fact the word ’tile’ can refer to all sorts of materials. As long as it can be set in rows or blocks on a flat surface, it’s a tile. In a modern kitchen, your options are vast – from stone, cork and linoleum to bamboo, glass and of course, ceramic and porcelain. Your application will largely dictate which tile you can use. Glass, for example, is ill suited as a floor tile, but great for backsplashes.

Decide how much to spend

Tiles are available in all conceivable price brackets. So knowing what your budget is should be a natural starting point. Vinyl tiles, for example are less expensive, while custom crafted ceramic tiles are often pricey. This reality will dictate what you can do. Once you’ve narrowed down your choices, you’ll find making a decision to be much easier.

Keep your lifestyle in mind

Most decent kitchen tiles are pretty resilient. But you should consider how you use you kitchen, and make tile choices accordingly. Ceramic tiles can handle the heat of hot pots and pans, while obviously linoleum can not. Vinyl floor tiles are less durable than stone, but do you really require tiles that will stand the test of time? Ask yourself how you use your space, and the answers will become apparent.

Select the correct size

A popular kitchen tile trend is using huge, oversized rectangular tiles. The reasons why is obvious. Larger tiles mean less joints and a heightened sense of sophistication. These tiles will need to be laid by a professional, as heavy tiles are difficult and dangerous to move. When laying down the tile, also consider the orientation. To make a kitchen feel modern, break the grid and run the tiles vertically. For a more conservative look, opt for a standard grid pattern.

Find out more about how to transform your kitchen by exploring more design ideas.