How to Choose Tile For Your Kitchen
Kitchen floors can take a beating. From pets to kids and an assortment of spills, you need durable flooring material in this often-used space. Of course, you don’t want to give up the style you seek just to get floors that are easy to maintain, right?
With the right kitchen tile, you don’t have to. While every kitchen is different, choosing kitchen tile for your home doesn’t have to be painful. Use this guide to learn more about choosing the right kitchen tile for your home.
Modern Kitchen Tile Flooring Dramatically Impacts the Appearance of a Room
Kitchen renovations can be confusing. Knowing where to put your money is one of the biggest problems. After all, deciding between new floors, updated countertops, and improved cabinetry can be tricky. If you’re not sure where to start, the floors are often a wise bet.
That’s because your kitchen floors take up a ton of visual real estate in your space. Improve those and you’ll notice a dramatic difference overnight. You might not even need new countertops at all!
Top Options for Kitchen Flooring
Creating an elegant kitchen you love spending time in starts with the floors. Here are some of the top options for kitchen flooring today:
• Ceramic tile. Strong and durable, ceramic tile provides ample protection from spills, spots, scratches, and scuffs as long as you handle messes in a timely manner.
• Porcelain tile. Hard and dense, porcelain tile provides an extra layer of durability and waterproofing, making it a great material for busy kitchens. Porcelain tile tends to cost just a little bit more than ceramic, but it’s a wise investment in most kitchens.
• Wood. Still, a popular pick for kitchens, natural and engineered wood both have a timeless beauty that many people love. Like natural stone, wood can be a little tricky to maintain in a busy kitchen. Hardwoods that can stand up to daily use like Brazilian cherry and maple can also be quite costly.
Cezanne SKU: 15270015
Modern Kitchen Tiles can Mimic the Appearance of Other Materials
Modern ceramic and porcelain tiles can look like just about any material under the sun today. With current production techniques, both tile types can help you achieve the look you desire even if you don’t have a huge budget. Here are a few of the looks both porcelain and ceramic tile can mimic effectively:
• Natural stone. Ceramic and porcelain tile can mimic marble, granite, travertine, limestone, and more with ease. Ceramic and porcelain tile is generally more cost-effective and easier to maintain.
• Natural wood. In a busy kitchen, natural hardwood can end up scratched and damaged due to water and spills over time. Porcelain and ceramic tile can give you the look you want without the expense and maintenance of natural hardwood.
Step 1: Consider the Basics of Style
Creating the kitchen of your dreams begins with understanding the basics of style when it comes to kitchen tile. Here are a few factors to keep in mind:
• Color. The color of your kitchen tile can either complement or contrast the rest of your décor. In most spaces, choosing a kitchen tile design that blends in with fixtures and paint colors is ideal. Many tile materials also have a neutral look that will work no matter what décor you incorporate in the future.
• Style. Your home’s style plays a big role in choosing the right tile for your kitchen. For example, traditional homes often look best with natural stone, natural wood or tile products that mimic them. Not sure what style your home is? Take a look around your space and see what other flooring materials and finishes you already have in place.
• Material. The material you choose for your floors will impact comfort and day-to-day use. While stone is beautiful, it can be hard under-foot and slippery. Wood can require more delicate care and maintenance, though it may feel a bit softer under-foot. For chefs and people with pets and kids, ceramic and porcelain are often ideal choices because they still feel good under-foot while resisting scratches, stains, scuffs, and spills.
Step 2: Consider Your Specific Needs
Choosing the best tile for your kitchen floor isn’t a one-size-fits-all proposition. While you might have a style in mind for your space, every kitchen has specific needs when it comes to flooring. Here are a few of the things to know about your kitchen before choosing tile:
• Determine where the tile will be installed. Are you installing tile in a busy cook’s kitchen where kids and pets tend to congregate? Most kitchens tend to be active spaces, so looking for a durable tile that can withstand spills, stains and scratches are just as important as the overall look.
• Determine your budget early. Sit down and determine how much you can spend on a kitchen tile upgrade before you start shopping. That way you won’t choose flooring that doesn’t work with your budget and then have to revise your layout down the road. That’s a recipe for being unhappy with your finished kitchen even if it turns out great.
• Consider your lifestyle. Cooking spills, pets and kids all take a toll on your floors. If you don’t use your kitchen often or you don’t do much more than reheat food there, a material that requires more care may be okay for you. However, if you have a busy kitchen, choosing a material that doesn’t match your lifestyle will result in the need for regular repairs and refinishing. That can get costly.
Step 3: Order Online from BuildDirect
Choosing the right ceramic or porcelain tile for your kitchen floor can be tricky. Luckily for you, we can help you create a wide range of different looks in your kitchen. Here are a few ideas we can help you bring to life in your home:
• Stunning mosaic tile floors
Going for a more ornate look for your kitchen floors? Multi-tile mosaics can be truly stunning in any kitchen. Mix and match a few different smaller tiles to create this popular look. For a more refined design, choose one larger tile to create a border around your space.
• Bold black and white tile floors
Great for modern spaces, monochromatic black and white tile floors offer a dramatic look sure to wow your guests. Go for alternating tiles or create a pattern for more visual depth.
• Modern geometric tile floors
Another modern option, geometric tile flooring can make your small kitchen feel larger while adding a contemporary touch to your space. Black and white, multi-colored, and single-tone tile cut into geometric shapes will all work.
White & Retro Light Blue SKU: 15270445
• Traditional old-world looks
Traditional homes require specific flooring to maintain their appeal. Old world looks like tile that mimics aged wood or materials like travertine are a go-to in these spaces.
Time to update your kitchen floors or take on a new building project? Reach out to the trained professionals at BuildDirect today so we can provide you with more information on natural stone like marble and travertine as well as porcelain tile and ceramic tile. We can also send free samples right to your door so you can see your kitchen tile options in your home.
