Tiled Benchtops: Back in Vogue?
They defined a kitchen era, but is it time the tiled benchtops of the 1970s made a comeback?
Like many kitchen trends that have had their day in the sun, tiled benchtops disappeared under hammer-wielding renovators glad to see the back of them when timber – and then stone – benchtops won our hearts. Fads you thought were gone for good have a habit of becoming cool again, however, and this may be the case with tiled benchtops.
Forget the glazed tiles in autumnal tones that graced the kitchens of the 1970s, though. When tiles take on a contemporary, European or eclectic edge, they can add unexpected visual delight to kitchens of all persuasions – from humble to high-end. Sceptical? Read on and you might just change your mind.
Forget the glazed tiles in autumnal tones that graced the kitchens of the 1970s, though. When tiles take on a contemporary, European or eclectic edge, they can add unexpected visual delight to kitchens of all persuasions – from humble to high-end. Sceptical? Read on and you might just change your mind.
Stepping back, the need for texture and visual interest becomes more apparent. In such a large open-plan area, the tiled island helps the kitchen turn into a focal point.
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See more of this house
The kitchen in this Paris apartment may have a tiled benchtop, but its classic black-and-white colour scheme makes it 21st-century cool. In a space-saving move, the tiled benchtop continues into the adjacent bathroom, where even the sink is tiled!
Live InStyle interior designer Chris Wheeler used an Everstone porcelain hexagonal tile for this benchtop in her home. “I chose tiles for this bench as I wanted to do something different – as a feature,” she says.
Glazed ceramic tiles were commonly used on benchtops in the ’70s, a choice Wheeler says was impractical. “Obviously not all tiles are suitable for benchtops and they may also be prone to chipping, scratching or breaking should something heavy be dropped on them,” Wheeler says. “Ceramic tiles should be sealed, especially in a kitchen situation.”
Wheeler says a good tiler will make or break the job in a benchtop application – they need to be laid precisely to prevent an uneven surface. And selecting a suitable grout is vital. “I recommend Mapei’s Kerapoxy grout, which is a bit harder to work with but is a premium-grade, stain- and chemical-resistant grout.”
Glazed ceramic tiles were commonly used on benchtops in the ’70s, a choice Wheeler says was impractical. “Obviously not all tiles are suitable for benchtops and they may also be prone to chipping, scratching or breaking should something heavy be dropped on them,” Wheeler says. “Ceramic tiles should be sealed, especially in a kitchen situation.”
Wheeler says a good tiler will make or break the job in a benchtop application – they need to be laid precisely to prevent an uneven surface. And selecting a suitable grout is vital. “I recommend Mapei’s Kerapoxy grout, which is a bit harder to work with but is a premium-grade, stain- and chemical-resistant grout.”
To minimise the risk of grout getting discoloured over time, Graeme Metcalf from Dan Kitchens Australia suggests using dark grout if it suits the look you’re after. The tiled benchtop in this Singaporean kitchen will look good for a lot longer because of just that.
Although tiles really haven’t been seen on benchtops in decades, Metcalf says they could be striking and vibrant when used with colourful glazed tiles back in the day. “Matching the tiles on the splashback and benchtop also created a powerful and sometimes overwhelming statement that I strangely miss,” he says. “People were certainly brave with colour in those days.”
The owners of this Los Angeles home chose to preserve their kitchen’s retro look, tiled benchtops and all.
The owners of this Los Angeles home chose to preserve their kitchen’s retro look, tiled benchtops and all.
Dan Kitchens hasn’t had much demand for tiled benchtops and Metcalf says the drawbacks make it difficult to endorse as a benchtop surface – tiles are harder to maintain due to their raised surfaces (food and liquids naturally collect at the grout lines and can cause staining), and they are more brittle than most benchtop materials – they may chip or crack when hit with a heavy pot, especially at the benchtop edge.
“However we have worked with a lot of full-slab porcelain benchtops, which are in essence tiles, just very big tiles at 3 metres x 1.5 metres, that avoid the need for grout,” Metcalf says. “They are still slightly more brittle compared with engineered stones, but porcelain-slab benchtops are the most stain- and heat-resistant products on the market and really suit people who do a lot of cooking.”
“However we have worked with a lot of full-slab porcelain benchtops, which are in essence tiles, just very big tiles at 3 metres x 1.5 metres, that avoid the need for grout,” Metcalf says. “They are still slightly more brittle compared with engineered stones, but porcelain-slab benchtops are the most stain- and heat-resistant products on the market and really suit people who do a lot of cooking.”
The tiler hired for this Mexican holiday retreat’s kitchen managed to create a smooth surface on the island bench, but played up the texture of tiles on the sides for an organic, handmade look and feel. Concrete is a practical benchtop material of choice where the most mess is made – around the oven and sink – while the island acts more as a serving and dining area.
Scavolini’s Favilla kitchen features Borgo brick-look ceramic tiles, to bring warmth and elegance to the space.
If you’re not game to use tiles on your kitchen benchtops inside, they can certainly give an outdoor kitchen plenty of character – as in this Brazilian backyard.
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Would you ever consider tiles for your kitchen benchtops? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
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TELL US
Would you ever consider tiles for your kitchen benchtops? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
MORE
Browse more kitchen photos
The ‘Vogue’ tiles used on this island are from De Fazio Tiles.