Contemporary Kitchen Tile Options To Consider
Use contemporary kitchen tiles for big impact, whether you prefer cutting-edge cement, lustrous mosaics, marble or porcelain
Kerryn Ramsey
19 July 2015
Houzz Australia Contributor. Freelance lifestyle journalist and serial renovator, reporting for print and digital articles on architecture, design, travel and business.
Houzz Australia Contributor. Freelance lifestyle journalist and serial renovator,... More
Versatility is a major drawcard when it comes to tiles – the latest ranges offer different materials, sizes, colours and patterns. They can work as a vibrant splashback, or even an easy-to-clean kitchen floor.
Discover the different tile options that will add flair and sophistication to your kitchen zone.
Discover the different tile options that will add flair and sophistication to your kitchen zone.
1. Stainless steel
These shimmering tiles bring sparkle to a pristine kitchen in a renovated Sydney house. Designed by celebrated New York designer Karim Rashid, the Alloy ‘Ubiquity’ tile in brushed stainless steel works wonderfully as an incandescent splashback. It’s the pattern and texture that give metallics extra intensity.
WHY IT WORKS: Metallic tiles are a great way to bring a neutral kitchen to life.
These shimmering tiles bring sparkle to a pristine kitchen in a renovated Sydney house. Designed by celebrated New York designer Karim Rashid, the Alloy ‘Ubiquity’ tile in brushed stainless steel works wonderfully as an incandescent splashback. It’s the pattern and texture that give metallics extra intensity.
WHY IT WORKS: Metallic tiles are a great way to bring a neutral kitchen to life.
2. Stacked bond pattern
Red is associated with passion, ambition and optimism. It’s also known to stimulate appetite, so a red splashback works a treat in a modern kitchen. Here, rectangular tiles provide a clean look.
WHY IT WORKS: The stacked bond pattern on the splashback gives the room an architectural edge.
Red is associated with passion, ambition and optimism. It’s also known to stimulate appetite, so a red splashback works a treat in a modern kitchen. Here, rectangular tiles provide a clean look.
WHY IT WORKS: The stacked bond pattern on the splashback gives the room an architectural edge.
3. Subway
The classic subway tile adds a utilitarian feel to any space. Here, the gloss effect with black grout works in beautiful counterpoint in this country-style kitchen.
WHY IT WORKS: Subway tiles are a breeze to clean, even in the busiest zone of the kitchen.
The classic subway tile adds a utilitarian feel to any space. Here, the gloss effect with black grout works in beautiful counterpoint in this country-style kitchen.
WHY IT WORKS: Subway tiles are a breeze to clean, even in the busiest zone of the kitchen.
4. Geometric pattern
With a burst of colour, contemporary patterned tiles make a strong statement in a kitchen. These intricate, luminous tiles in ocean-like hues work as a functional and fabulous splashback.
WHY IT WORKS: The zigzag pattern brings movement and texture to the space.
With a burst of colour, contemporary patterned tiles make a strong statement in a kitchen. These intricate, luminous tiles in ocean-like hues work as a functional and fabulous splashback.
WHY IT WORKS: The zigzag pattern brings movement and texture to the space.
5. Marble
Black marble tiles with a honed finish add a contemporary edge to this well-thought-out kitchen. Open shelving and handy kitchenware are beautifully colour coordinated in earthy light hues, allowing the sultry tones of the tiles and benchtop to provide a strong contrast.
WHY IT WORKS: The marble tiles include striking flecks, adding real texture to the splashback.
Learn to pair kitchen splashbacks and benchtops
Black marble tiles with a honed finish add a contemporary edge to this well-thought-out kitchen. Open shelving and handy kitchenware are beautifully colour coordinated in earthy light hues, allowing the sultry tones of the tiles and benchtop to provide a strong contrast.
WHY IT WORKS: The marble tiles include striking flecks, adding real texture to the splashback.
Learn to pair kitchen splashbacks and benchtops
6. Mosaic
Mosaic tiles are durable and water-resistant. A quick wipe-down is all that’s needed to clean these shimmering tiles. Mosaics are also eco-friendly – many ranges are made of recycled bottle glass, and since they’re heat- and moisture-resistant, they’re suitable for the steamiest kitchen.
WHY IT WORKS: Most ranges now come as pre-mounted plastic mesh sheets, so they’re quicker (and cheaper) to lay.
Mosaic tiles are durable and water-resistant. A quick wipe-down is all that’s needed to clean these shimmering tiles. Mosaics are also eco-friendly – many ranges are made of recycled bottle glass, and since they’re heat- and moisture-resistant, they’re suitable for the steamiest kitchen.
WHY IT WORKS: Most ranges now come as pre-mounted plastic mesh sheets, so they’re quicker (and cheaper) to lay.
7. Encaustic
These bring a touch of exotic Morocco to the kitchen. Made of cement, the colour is not only on the surface but throughout the 3-4mm thickness of the tile. While encaustic tiles are suitable for floors or walls, they can also be used as decorative splashbacks with the addition of a penetrating sealer.
WHY IT WORKS: Encaustic tiles are extremely durable, making them a favourite option in a busy kitchen.
These bring a touch of exotic Morocco to the kitchen. Made of cement, the colour is not only on the surface but throughout the 3-4mm thickness of the tile. While encaustic tiles are suitable for floors or walls, they can also be used as decorative splashbacks with the addition of a penetrating sealer.
WHY IT WORKS: Encaustic tiles are extremely durable, making them a favourite option in a busy kitchen.
8. Black and white
Even in a compact inner-Sydney apartment, high-end tiles add a dramatic element to the kitchen. The classic black and white floor tiles laid in a diamond pattern are given a modern edge by using flecked marble. The long splashback nicely underplays the olive cabinetry.
WHY IT WORKS: The white-veined marble on the splashback reflects plenty of light in this small galley kitchen.
Step inside this apartment
Even in a compact inner-Sydney apartment, high-end tiles add a dramatic element to the kitchen. The classic black and white floor tiles laid in a diamond pattern are given a modern edge by using flecked marble. The long splashback nicely underplays the olive cabinetry.
WHY IT WORKS: The white-veined marble on the splashback reflects plenty of light in this small galley kitchen.
Step inside this apartment
9. Porcelain
So versatile and long-lasting, vitrified porcelain tiles offer up a world of choice. While these tiles nod to the classic brick format, their texture and curvaceousness adds a new dimension to this refined kitchen.
WHY IT WORKS: A quality porcelain tile is four times harder than granite.
So versatile and long-lasting, vitrified porcelain tiles offer up a world of choice. While these tiles nod to the classic brick format, their texture and curvaceousness adds a new dimension to this refined kitchen.
WHY IT WORKS: A quality porcelain tile is four times harder than granite.
10. Herringbone pattern
While Calacatta marble is renowned for its timelessness, this splashback has a more modern approach. A custom herringbone pattern is introduced to give the kitchen a contemporary edge.
WHY IT WORKS: Rather than adding vibrant tiles as a feature, this subtle pattern has plenty of impact.
While Calacatta marble is renowned for its timelessness, this splashback has a more modern approach. A custom herringbone pattern is introduced to give the kitchen a contemporary edge.
WHY IT WORKS: Rather than adding vibrant tiles as a feature, this subtle pattern has plenty of impact.
11. Laser-cut tile
These tiles are intricately cut with lasers to produce elaborate designs that are pieced together like a puzzle. Beware of the price tag on these tiles, as many of them are made of precious materials such as quartz and marble, or handmade gold- or silver-backed glass.
WHY IT WORKS: This tactile pattern can be applied to a splashback or an entire wall.
SHOW US
Have a terrific tile splashback you’d like to share? Post a high-resolution photo in the Comments section.
MORE
Kitchen Inspiration: 10 Stunning Splashback Ideas
How to Choose the Right Splashback for Your Kitchen
Super Splashbacks: Stylish Up-to-the-Minute Ideas for Your Next Kitchen
These tiles are intricately cut with lasers to produce elaborate designs that are pieced together like a puzzle. Beware of the price tag on these tiles, as many of them are made of precious materials such as quartz and marble, or handmade gold- or silver-backed glass.
WHY IT WORKS: This tactile pattern can be applied to a splashback or an entire wall.
SHOW US
Have a terrific tile splashback you’d like to share? Post a high-resolution photo in the Comments section.
MORE
Kitchen Inspiration: 10 Stunning Splashback Ideas
How to Choose the Right Splashback for Your Kitchen
Super Splashbacks: Stylish Up-to-the-Minute Ideas for Your Next Kitchen
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Really like the laser-cut tiles and tkrucke's patterned ones, but am so over the subway tiles.
Fantastic article with a varied range of different types of splashback designs to accommodate all different preferences! However, we would like to add in some informative information for home owners that are building or renovating their home to make sure you get your grout sealed! Grout can discolour or even become stained from high traffic areas such as the kitchen, and especially the splashback that lives behind the stove-top!
All tiled surfaces such as splashbacks, kitchens, bathrooms, living rooms etc. should be sealed. There is a grout sealant called colourseal that ultimately seals your grout lines in pretty much any colour you'd like, usually best to match the grout colour to the tile unless you want it to stand out. If you've already had your house built or renovated find a professional to give your tiles a grout a deep cleanse that will, bring them back to life then seal for protection against wear and stains.
Epoxy grout is our recommendation for those who want to replace their grout with a durable, stain proof substance especially with the large variety of colours this product usually offers. We hope this helps some home owners make the most of their time, money and to enjoy the experience with less frustration and stress. Thanks! GroutPro HO :D https://www.groutpro.com.au/
Nice article
We have multiple options where you can select tiles for kitchen purpose. My favorite tile is "Laser-cut tile". This tile is best to use in the kitchen and it is also very easy to clean.
Thanks for sharing this article
www.newcastlecarpetandtilecleaning.com.au/
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