From the Classic to the Innovative, These Are the 15 Kitchen Tile Ideas You Need to Know for Project Planning in 2025

Choosing the right kitchen tile ideas is essential — not just because they add color, style, and visual appeal to the home (and yes, boost a kitchen's resale value), but also because they ensure the space’s longevity and smooth functioning. Whether it’s floor, wall, backsplash, or even ceiling tiles, these surfaces need to be chosen thoughtfully, as they play a major role in elevating the kitchen’s overall aesthetic.

A beautiful, modern kitchen features tiles suited to the climate, the room’s foot traffic, and the overall design, ensuring the space doesn’t feel outdated anytime soon. From bold colors to intriguing patterns and unique installations, designers have experimented with countless creative approaches, using tiles as a key element to transform this otherwise utilitarian space.

If you’re looking for inspiring kitchen tile ideas, these examples are a great place to start. From subtle floors and backsplashes to fully tiled kitchens, there’s something here for every style and taste.

1. Go for a Tiled Ceiling

Who says you can't be experimental in the kitchen? Instead of focusing solely on the kitchen floor tiles or the walls and backsplash, consider the often-overlooked ceiling—it offers just as much design potential as any other surface in the room.

In this kitchen designed by Morgan Madison Design, the white ceiling tiles add a clean, refined finish and give the space a distinctive edge. Jennifer Laouari, partner and designer at the firm, explains: "We took the once boxy and confining kitchen and opened it up to the dining room and the stunning view of the lake beyond. Soft off-white handmade ceiling tiles catch the glimmering light from the surface of the water, and that magical, shifting and sparkling reflection in the space really helps it feel a lot airier than its footprint."

To complement the white ceiling, Tanner Morgan, the other half of Morgan Madison Design, installed a spectacular floor that appears to have been there since 1933, the year this Ohio lake house was originally built. His goal? To create something perfectly imperfect. "Our client was very apprehensive about ‘losing character’ during the design process. While we agreed on the importance of preserving character, we were also insistent on replacing the unsightly aspects (and there were many) with beauty. We worked with Material to define the scale of the floor tiles — which turned out to be the most challenging part of the design. We went through a couple of rounds of sampling to make sure the final result was just right: if they were too small, the pattern would have felt busy; if too large, the entire space would have felt cramped and small."

The stones were chosen early on and remained consistent throughout the process: Sable, for its warm brown hue and subtle gray undertone; Nero Marquina, which visually connects the kitchen and dining area to other parts of the home where it’s also used; Imperial Danby, tonally similar to Calacatta Gold but with a more subdued pattern that suits the floor’s design and is easier on the eye.

Jennifer Laouari

Jennifer Laouari has spent 20 years exploring all sides of the design industry: working in high-end residential design in New York and the Hamptons, managing an antiques and bespoke furniture gallery in the heart of the New York design district, and working in textile, lighting, and furniture sales to the trade. Her penchant for rich color palettes and her artistic approach to interiors was born from this extensive experience and her background in fine art.

2. Cover Surfaces in a Kitchen in the Same Tile

Agreed, a fully tile-drenched kitchen may not be on everyone’s agenda — but a stunning space like this one, designed by Hạnh Lê Nguyễn Nguyên of Whale Design Lab, is certainly worth bookmarking for inspiration. If not an entire kitchen, perhaps a kitchen with terrazzo countertop or island could be the perfect compromise. After all, this material is durable, low-maintenance, and resistant to water and stains.

Hạnh Lê shares: "The terrazzo material was handcrafted on-site. This space reflects the meticulousness of the artisans, creating something akin to lacquer work—something that, in many ways, stands in contrast to the industrialization of construction today. Most importantly, this material is inspired by the memory of modern architecture in Saigon more than half a century ago."

Hạnh Lê Nguyễn Nguyên

Hạnh Lê Nguyễn Nguyên's studio, Whale Design, has been in the field of interior design and construction for several years. Over time, her firm has collaborated with many talented and passionate clients, resulting in remarkable homes and living spaces. She pays great attention to detail and understands how crucial the little touches are.

3. Add Drama With Checkerboard Tiles

Checkerboard kitchen tiles have a long history in interior design, seen everywhere from Victorian hallways and French country houses to American lounge rooms. Their bold, oversized pattern works in nearly any space, instantly giving it a visual lift. "The homeowners wished to feel as though they were living within their enchanted garden, so we turned to the dreamy indoor/outdoor worlds of loggias and Italian villas," say Sarah-Jane Pyke and Juliette Arent of Arent&Pyke. "This inspired the checkered terrazzo floors bound by a verdant border."

Interestingly, checkerboard tiles are no longer limited to classic black and white —they’re now available in a range of vibrant color combinations like teal and orange, or green and gray. The possibilities are endless. They can also be laid in various patterns — traditional squares, diagonal layouts, or even herringbone to add depth, movement, and visual intrigue to the kitchen.

Juliette Arent and Sarah-Jane Pyke

Arent&Pyke interior design studio was formed in 2007 by principals Juliette Arent and Sarah-Jane Pyke. Since its inception, Arent&Pyke has grown into an award-winning design practice with a distinctive style and approach to living in the home, underpinned by the belief that clients should connect emotionally with the spaces they live in. They work collaboratively, creating carefully considered, functional, and beautiful spaces.

4. Design a Black and White Kitchen With Tiles

Fact’s a fact: Color fads come and go, but a black and white kitchen will never go out of style. This crisp, contrasting palette is timeless and works in homes of any size or style. Surprisingly versatile, black-and-white schemes allow for creative play — think colored grout between monochrome tiles or vibrant fabrics and accessories to add a pop of hue.

And if color isn't your thing? A kitchen like this one by Michelle Gerson is inspiration enough. The black-and-white kitchen cabinets pair beautifully with chevron tiles, while white furniture keeps the scheme feeling fresh and balanced.

"From the onset, the homeowners indicated that the kitchen was the most important room to them, as it served as the hub for all of their interactions and casual entertaining," says interior designer Michelle Gerson. "Therefore, we wanted to give it a major wow factor and went with a graphic black-and-white motif. We loved this large-scale black-and-white chevron concrete tile flooring and tied the space together with black cabinetry with white detailing, white Caesarstone counters, and a Carrara marble backsplash."

Michelle Gerson

Modern, eclectic design defines Michelle Gerson’s signature style. She specializes in creating interiors that prioritise comfort, infused with Deco and mid-century elements—hallmarks of her aesthetic. With a diverse network of resources, she has designed high-end homes across the US and in London.

5. Blur the Lines of Transition With Tiles

Have a small kitchen and dining area within an open plan? A clever way to blur the transition — or create subtle separation — is through the use of tiles.

"This Paris apartment was full of corners and crooked walls to design around," shares Margaux Carnevali of NEVA Architecture Intérieure. "I decided to create a 3-in-1 kitchen with a dining area that could also function as a desk, plenty of storage for cleaning supplies, and a kitchen side with a bar that hides the laundry machine. It also helps guide people from the entrance, leading them through the apartment like a line."

"For the kitchen floor, we chose mosaics for their small scale — hexagonal tiles, though not usually at this size. We installed the white tiles everywhere first, and then I got down on my knees to mark every little tile I wanted in pink. Those were removed and replaced one by one. For the diffusing shapes integrated into the wooden floor, I instinctively sketched where each should go, and the team carved matching holes in the wood, filling them with single mosaic pieces. It’s like a landscape full of pâquerettes!"

Margaux Carnevali

Margaux Carnevali loves to see beyond a space and uncover possibilities that may not be immediately obvious. She enjoys experimenting with interior design, enhancing small spaces with clever elements to make them feel larger. Her passion is optimizing every inch to reveal a space’s full potential—always in a style that is original, colorful, and uniquely hers.

6. Balance Bold Cabinets With an Understated Tiled Backsplash

If you’ve chosen a bold kitchen cabinet color and have your heart set on graphic floor tiles too, designers recommend showing some restraint when it comes to the backsplash. Take this project by Michelle Gage, for instance. The white backsplash tiles provide breathing room between the vivid blue cabinetry and the eye-catching floor—while still offering a clean backdrop that lets every element shine.

"We used porcelain tile on the floors and a simple white subway tile for the backsplash," says Michelle Gage, founder of Michelle Gage Interiors. "We wanted this kitchen to have graphic appeal, so we stuck with neutral tile and colorful cabinets. The backsplash was made a bit more unique by using black grout instead of white, which really helps the tiles pop."

Michelle Gage

Michelle Gage is passionate about creating homes full of color and intuitively layered patterns, delighting in meticulously crafted, magical spaces that reflect each client’s personality and lifestyle. With every project, she aims to tell the story of the people who live there, aligning with the home’s architectural character—while always infusing a sense of playfulness.

7. Opt for On-Trend Penny Tiles 

Mosaic tiles — or penny tiles — have been a popular kitchen flooring trend for the past few years, adding texture along with as much pattern and color as you’d like. They bring a chic, bistro-style vibe, and in fact, we saw them being used in our favorite bars and restaurants long before they made their way into our homes.

What’s great about penny tiles is that they can be very affordable, and they offer plenty of room for creativity. You can keep it simple with a single color and matching grout or go bold with whimsical designs like this classic black-and-white floral pattern. We've also seen motifs and even slogans created with penny tiles — perfect if you want to add a personal touch to your space.

8. Add a Rustic Touch With Brick Flooring

Brick tiles are such a lovely way to give any style of kitchen an instant rustic touch. They work in more traditional spaces like this black kitchen by deVOL but look equally at home in contemporary spaces or within a Scandinavian kitchen design.

"I love creating indoor-outdoor spaces, and brick feels like an extension of the outside when it’s incorporated in the house," explains designer Amber Lewis. "Brick is – obviously – traditionally used for exteriors, but as an interior material, it brings in beautiful texture, a wonderfully rustic feel, and has an incredibly warming and inviting coloring."

"Why does brick flooring work so well in the kitchen? Because it’s so durable! The kitchen typically gets a lot of foot traffic, so materials, such as brick, can withstand wear and tear," says Amber.

"Also, brick floors are versatile and mix well with different textures and tones," adds Amber. "Brick is warm and neutral, and I’m always guided by the material – I personally love layering a vintage rug or runner over a brick floor, as that extra layer adds so much coziness to the space.'

9. Or Switch Classic Subway Tiles for Brick Slips

Bricks can work just as well as kitchen wall tiles to add a slight industrial vibe. They work really well in nooks or alcoves, acting almost as a feature wall. In this classic white kitchen designed by Lava Interiors, the brick gives the neutral color pallette a lift, adding a focal point and grounding all those pale hues.

"I skip the expected white subway tile because it’s already been done, and keeping the white clean takes away from the joy of cooking and baking," says designer Meg Lavalette founder of Lava Interiors. "Instead, I like to use unexpected materials to make it visually interesting, like a historical brick that has an authentic patina. We uncovered original brick walls in a Brooklyn townhouse and instead of covering them back up with drywall and putting a tile over for a backslash, we repointed them (and even had a decorative painter tint the mortar color so it looks authentically aged) and then sealed the brick so it won’t absorb grease and stains."

No brick wall to reveal in your kitchen? No problem. Brick slips, which work just like any other tile, can create a really authentic look in any space.

10.  Bring in Plenty of Texture With Zellige Kitchen Tiles

Kitchens with zellige tiles are full of texture. These tiles are known for their irregularity in finish, shape, and glaze adding imperfect charm to a kitchen. This is they look great as backsplash tiles in this neutral kitchen. No tile is the same, so the result is a lovely rainbow of tones.

"I find zellige tile both practical and pretty as a backsplash, especially when skipping the grout, which is how I approached the Hudson Valley kitchen," shares Meg. "We installed the handmade terracotta tile from Riad very closely together and without grout, so there’s nothing to seal nor scrub as the glazed surface of the tiles easily wipe down."

11. Embrace the Trend of High Gloss

For years, matte has been the go-to finish — matte paints, matte woods, and matte tiles have reigned in the world of interiors, but in recent months, there's been a shift as high gloss kitchen cabinets are making a major comeback. Extra shiny glazed tiles may sound a tad dramatic, but you can really go as bold or as subtle as you want. If you want them to up the drama in your space, go for a bright or moody hue and take them right up to the full height of the room.

Here, olive green is approachable, acting as almost a neutral hue in this warm-toned space. But the gloss makes it more exciting, more unexpected, and more luxurious.

Adrian Bergman of British Standard, says: "On the rise are eye-catching sink walls featuring glazed tiles. Their rich, glossy depth of color provides a great textural contrast against pared-back, hand-painted wooden cabinetry. Easy to clean and wear-resistant, they are also highly practical."

Tip: if space allows, scrap wall cabinetry and instead opt for kitchen shelving. Tile all the way up the wall and take it behind the shelving to provide a colorful backdrop for your display.

12. Extend the Subway Tiles to the Ceiling

Subway tiles are becoming a big kitchen tile trend this year, and for good reason. They look good across large surface areas and have a clean aesthetic. You can easily extend them all the way up to the ceiling too, to get the full effect of their timeless pattern. Don't be afraid to experiment with different grout colors and finishes, too.

"Rectangular tiles will echo the lines of kitchen cabinetry, enhancing a linear feel," explains Colin Roby-Welford of Fired Earth. "Metro-style tiles have long been a popular choice for kitchens — they look clean and fresh — and there are countless affordable designs to choose from, so there's something for every kitchen style. For a contemporary twist, try slim-format glass or metallic brick-shaped tiles. Shimmering surfaces like these really shine if you're entertaining friends for a candlelit kitchen supper, adding a glamorous touch."

13. Create a Traditional Feel With Terracotta

Want to create a modern farmhouse kitchen with a charming, rustic look? Take this one, for instance — full of that ever-on-trend bucolic charm, perfectly complemented by terracotta floor tiles.

Terracotta instantly evokes a European farmhouse feel but can work beautifully with just about any kitchen style. There’s a wide range of shapes to choose from, and you can opt for glazed or unglazed finishes, depending on the look you’re going for. Just keep in mind that terracotta is a porous material, which makes it prone to staining. So be sure to clean up spills quickly and stick to recommended cleaning products. When properly sealed and maintained, terracotta tiles can last for decades and develop a lovely patina over time.

This kitchen also makes a compelling case for using tiles across every wall. While the look can verge on clinical, you can avoid any sterile or ‘abattoir’ vibes by choosing tiles with a bit of texture and contrast. Pair them with floor tiles in a different tone or finish to soften the overall effect and keep things visually interesting.

14. Expand a Space With Classic Stripes

Floor stripes are a great way to make a small kitchen look bigger. These visually expand space and make it feel larger and even airer.

While covering your kitchen floor in stripes might sound bold, this space proves it can actually feel soft and livable. The flooring doesn’t overwhelm the room or even come across as particularly daring. The size of the stripes definitely plays a role here—so, as a general rule, finer stripes tend to feel more subtle and understated, while wider stripes bring the drama.

The limited color palette also helps make this look work. A classic blue-and-white scheme ties everything together, creating a sleek, minimalist vibe—even with such a bold tile choice.

16. Make the Stove a Feature With Patterned Tiles

Tiles can be a beautiful and practical way to highlight the area around your stove or oven. Tiled range hoods need to be not only heat-resistant but also easy to clean and able to hide splashes and spills. But practical doesn't have to mean plain—these tiles can become a standout feature in your kitchen.

In this space, the encaustic tiles add a subtle touch of European charm. Their muted tones blend seamlessly with the soft neutrals and warm hues used throughout the kitchen — understated, yet clearly a focal point in the room.

FAQs

What Are the Preferred Tiles for the Kitchen?

The most suitable tiles for kitchens are those that combine aesthetics, durability, and practicality. Porcelain and ceramic tiles are top choices as they resist stains, moisture, and wear. Natural stone options like marble, slate, or travertine work well in high-traffic kitchens, though they require yearly sealing. Terracotta brings warmth and a rustic charm, ideal for country-style spaces. Terrazzo tiles add both visual interest and strength. One key consideration: choose matte or textured finishes with anti-slip properties to ensure safety, especially in busy areas prone to spills.

What Is the Best Type of Tile for a Kitchen?

The best type of tile for a kitchen depends on where you plan to use it—flooring and wall applications require different considerations.

For kitchen floors, Rob Whitaker of Claybrook recommends porcelain tiles. "Porcelain is undoubtedly the most practical floor option for kitchens. Designed to be stain- and water-resistant, once laid, it only needs a vacuum and a mop," he says.

He also suggests opting for larger tiles for both aesthetic and practical reasons. "As more people choose open-plan layouts that combine kitchen and dining zones, the floor area needing coverage has grown over the last two decades. Larger-format porcelain—think 80cm x 80cm and above—is ideal for drawing the eye across the floor, making the space feel attractively open. Stick to paler colors, but choose something with a bit of pattern or movement. Darker floors, counterintuitively, tend to highlight scrapes and crumbs rather than hide them."

When it comes to wall tiles, there are plenty of practical and stylish options—from classic subway tiles to fluted 3D designs. In this case, the choice is more about personal style. Just make sure your wall tiles are easy to clean and determine whether they need to be heat-resistant, especially if they're placed behind a stove or cooktop.

What Tiles Are on Trend for Kitchens?

Texture is a major trend in kitchen tiles right now. Fluted designs, zellige tiles, and terracotta are among the most popular choices, reflecting the ongoing appeal of rustic kitchens that aim to make the space feel softer and more inviting—almost like a living room, rich with tactile finishes.

Of course, we can’t ignore subway tiles. Despite ongoing debate, they remain a kitchen staple that never truly goes out of style. They're a classic choice if you're after a design with staying power, and you can easily update the look by playing with finishes and grout colors.

So, before deciding on kitchen tiles, take a moment to consider which part of the room you’d like to highlight most. Colored, patterned, or matte wall and floor tiles can add charm and character — just be sure they’re non-slip, practical, and easy to clean. If you're simply looking to introduce a pop of color, consider focusing on the backsplash or island tiles for a stylish but subtle impact.