The kitchen is undeniably the heart of the house, where family gatherings and culinary adventures take place. When it comes to designing or renovating your kitchen, selecting the perfect tiles is a crucial decision. New kitchen tile designs can greatly impact its overall aesthetics and functionality.
Here are a few essential tips and considerations to help you choose the best kitchen tile design from the vast array of options.
Follow the Interior Style & Theme
Modern kitchen designs can vary from sleek and minimalistic to bold and eclectic. Identify the style you want to achieve in your kitchen and look for tiles that align with that vision. Consider clean lines, geometric patterns, and a contemporary colour palette for a modern look.
If you have an interior décor theme for the house, select tile designs complementing the theme. However, if you are finishing up your kitchen and want a neutral design, choose the more popular mosaic, heritage or plain colour tiles.
You can choose more flashy and bold tile designs for an open kitchen attached to the living room. Porcelain tiles like Glamour, Exotic, and Special Polished tile portfolios from H&R Johnson can assist you in creating such kitchen backsplash designs.
Set a Budget
Set a budget for your kitchen tile project, and explore various options within that range. The usual cost of tiling your kitchen can range from Rs 200 per square foot and above. The cost will depend on the following three factors:
- Type and cost of tiles used
- Type of grout used
- Labour charges
You can find stylish and affordable tiles that suit your modern kitchen design. However, the total cost of tiling will depend on the total tiling area of the kitchen. This could include the kitchen dado or backsplash, countertop, and floor.
The Best Material
You want to choose only high-quality, durable, and easy-to-maintain materials. Ceramic, porcelain, glass, and natural stone tiles are popular choices for a modern kitchen. Each material offers unique benefits, so consider factors such as stain resistance, water resistance, and ease of cleaning.
| Material | Pros | Cons |
| Porcelain (Glazed Vitrified Tiles) | Waterproof, doesn’t stain, heat and fireproof. Can last forever with nominal care. | Usually available in larger formats. If your kitchen wall is curved, this tile would be tough to install. |
| Ceramic (non-vitrified tiles) | The glazed surface is stain and scratch-proof. Smaller tiles give more creative opportunities. | The tiles need careful handling and grouting to seal the gap between tiles. |
| Glass | Physical characteristics are similar to a polished porcelain tile. | Fewer design options with glass. |
| Natural Stones | Great appearance, stones like granite can last a lifetime with proper care. | Need regular polishing, as stones can absorb liquid and gather stains. |
Longevity And Timelessness
While modern trends can be enticing, also consider the longevity of your chosen tiles. Select designs that have a timeless appeal to ensure your kitchen remains stylish for years to come.
Flashy and bold tiles may appear outwardly for a while, but such designs often generate extreme opinions. However, more neutral patterns can be soothing and create a calming atmosphere in the house.
Maintenance and durability are other factors you should consider. Glossy porcelain and ceramic tiles can resist all kinds of stains and household chemicals. Simply wiping them with warm soapy water will be enough to bring them back to life.
Natural stones on the other hand require regular care with polishing to seal off the pores and keep them stain-free.
Colour scheme
The colour scheme of the tiles should complement your kitchen’s overall design. Neutral tones like white, grey, black, and beige are classic choices for modern kitchens. You can also add a pop of colour or choose tiles with subtle patterns to create visual interest.
Neutral and natural colour themes that give soothing vibes are more popular with a long-term design than a flashy or dark theme.
Size and Shape
The size and shape of the tiles can significantly impact the overall look of your kitchen. Large-format tiles can make a space look more expansive, while smaller tiles, like mosaics, can add intricate details and textures.
Your kitchen’s structure, shape and available tile area also have a say in your choice of tile size. Smaller tiles are easier to install on curved and angled surfaces, while larger tiles would need straight unhindered walls.
Backsplash & Flooring Coordination
Ensure that the tiles you choose for the backsplash coordinate well with the flooring. Consistent colours or complementary designs can create a cohesive and harmonious look in your kitchen. If you install the coordinated tile designs in the kitchen you will have a matching option of the matte finish floor tile.
However, if you are choosing the wall and floor tiles separately, you can choose wood plank, natural stones, or matte finish versions of living room floor tiles.
Consider Texture
Incorporating textured tiles can add depth and character to your modern kitchen. Tiles with three-dimensional patterns or tactile surfaces can be an exciting addition to the overall design. New kitchen tile designs feature several options with punched 3D elements.
However, make sure that the tiles for kitchen walls feature a glossy finish. While the 3D texture adds a new dimension to your kitchen design, the glossy finish will ensure lasting, maintenance-free walls.
Lighting
When you are trying to arrive at a kitchen design from pictures, natural lighting is often ignored. However, natural lighting is important to keep the kitchen functional in all situations. So, take into account the lighting in your kitchen when selecting tiles.
Select tiles that can enhance the natural lighting if the light is too little, and aim to dampen the effect if you have a large window in the kitchen. Natural light and artificial lighting can affect the way colours appear. So, it’s better to choose tiles that appear almost the same under different lighting.
Ease Of Installation
If you’re planning to DIY the installation, consider tiles that are easy to work with. Some tile patterns may be more challenging to install than others, so choose a layout that matches your skill level.
Ceramic and porcelain tiles will be the easiest to install due to their modular size and readymade grooves. Intelligently selected tile sizes will make the task easier by reducing the amount of labour for cutting and adjustment of tiles.
How & Where to Buy New Kitchen Tile Designs?
Your style preferences, material choices, colour schemes, sizes, and textures of the kitchen tiles will ensure your kitchen complements your home and stands the test of time. Whether you’re aiming for a modern, traditional, or eclectic look, new kitchen tile designs can pass the test with flying colours.
However, choosing the right tile design for your kitchen can be overwhelming with thousands of designs, patterns, and textures floating around in the market. Even with the list of factors you need to consider the choices can be difficult and time-consuming.
A better way could be to connect with a tiling expert at one of the leading tile brands in India, like H&R Johnson. Consulting experts will clarify several things for you before you visit the store to buy the tiles.