It is difficult to equip a kitchen, since the kitchen is a wet area. Having taken up this matter, you first need to think hard about how to choose the finishing material suitable for the kitchen. Builders agree that tile is better suited for this purpose than other materials.
It is not possible to put parquet, laminate or parquet board, since wood materials absorb water and are destroyed under its influence. Therefore, the only question that remains before the home owner is how to choose tiles for the kitchen.
Porcelain tiles for floors are an ideal finishing material that hides all surface imperfections
To decide which tile is better, you should pay attention to technical specifications the purchased material, then - on the appearance, and only then - on the cost. Modern stores sell both matte and glossy tiles of the most different types, sizes, thickness. It differs in terms of color and texture, and technical characteristics. On specifications and should pay attention first.
Material Specifications
The first and main parameter by which floor tiles for the kitchen are selected is the hardness indicator. Hardness is measured using the Mohs scale, which includes 10 points. The first degree of hardness is talc, the second is gypsum, and so on. The highest hardness values are found in corundum (9 points) and diamond (10 points). Builders generally use material with a strength rating of 7 on the Mohs scale or higher. This is important, since the kitchen floor constantly “endures” very serious loads from people walking on it and from household appliances that are placed there.
Hardness is an indicator that directly affects the price of the product being described.
Despite this obvious fact, you should not save too much in this regard. If you choose tiles that are too soft, they will wear out very quickly and you will have to pay twice. Such “savings” are not savings in principle.
The second important parameter is wear resistance. Wear resistance affects the price of a ceramic floor in the same way as hardness. There are five wear resistance classes. For kitchen floors, it is recommended to purchase a second or third class ceramic coating. Buy the most wear-resistant matte or glossy floor tiles unprofitable. The friction coefficient indicator is worthy of attention. A value of 0.75 units is considered safe. This option is suitable for the kitchen.
People inexperienced in construction often believe that glossy tiles have the lowest coefficient of friction, and matte tiles have the highest. This is not true; the friction coefficient depends little on the texture. There is also such a parameter as resistance to chemicals.
Finding out which floor tiles cope better with chemicals is very simple: as with other parameters, there is a special marking. Both matte and glossy tiles have this marking. A person furnishing his kitchen should choose either class A or class AA. With such chemical resistance, the floor will last quite a long time.
Ceramic floors in composition
Not only physical parameters are important, but also the appearance of the floor in the kitchen. It is important to decorate the kitchen so that the finishing elements and furniture form a single composition and do not contrast too much with each other. For example, if the entire room is decorated in green, blue glossy tiles will look ridiculous against the background of the walls. A matte variety of yellow on a gray background, for example, will look just as ridiculous. From the kitchen you need to make a full-fledged composition, each element of which brings its own characteristics to its overall appearance.
Before choosing colors, you need to consult with a professional designer so as not to make a mistake.
If this is not possible, you should explore thematic forums. With the help of thematic forums, you can choose a good option, proven by time and the practice of other people.
Texture is no less important criterion for finding a suitable product than color. Glossy texture is good in cases where the rest of the kitchen decoration has a similar texture. For example, glossy tiles harmonize perfectly with similar textures stretch ceilings. Many experts say that a matte texture is better. Matte texture expands the range of use flooring.
In addition, it is typical for coatings that have safe friction indicators. Matte tiles can have a color similar to the color of wood or laminate, so you can choose it if you do not have the financial ability to buy a different coating. At the same time, gloss is suitable for simulating granite, marble or other types of stone.
How not to make a mistake with the choice?
When purchasing tiles for the kitchen floor, people often make serious mistakes. When deciding which tiles will decorate the kitchen, under no circumstances should you do the following:
- Buy “back to back”, without stock. This is the biggest mistake that can be made during repairs in principle. No matter how good the craftsman is who undertakes to lay tiles in the kitchen, no matter how good the material purchased for this purpose, in the vast majority of cases some of the material deteriorates during the installation process. That is why it is recommended to make a small reserve.
- Unconditionally trust the calculations carried out by specialists of the selling party. Accidentally or intentionally, specialists working for the seller may make an error in the calculations, and then something will have to be done with the surplus.
- Hoping that the excess will be returned. This point is largely related to the previous one. It's rare that flooring stores agree to refund money. The surplus can be used for other purposes, but harassing stores with demands for refunds is a bad idea.
- Unconditionally trust the seller regarding the quality of the purchased product. There is an old saying, “trust but verify.” This is where it comes in handy: the seller may intentionally or unintentionally release a damaged product, or a product of the wrong color. Also, by mistake, not glossy, but matte tiles, for example, may be issued. You must look at the product in advance without fail. .
- Take the choice of sizes lightly. Many people think that the dimensions of the individual elements of floor tiles are not important, and they are cut as they please. In fact, this is true, but you will have to pay for it. You will also have to spend a lot of time and effort on this. It is better to think in advance and choose a size that will go well with the overall interior of the kitchen.
- Think only about the beauty of the tile, but not think about its technical characteristics. When choosing a floor covering, it is better to sacrifice your aesthetic preferences a little if the technical characteristics of the product do not meet your expectations.
If the product is purchased in a regular store, you should think about transportation, provided that the store does not offer its own transport.
A little about prices
You can buy tiles for the kitchen floor at the most different prices. The entire set of criteria described above directly affects the price. How to choose tiles for the kitchen floor based on price? To do this, you just need to compare real financial capabilities and real needs. Some people make the mistake of buying tiles beyond their means and, as a result, have problems in other areas of repair.
Kitchen flooring is important, but you shouldn't spend more money on it than necessary. Before choosing which tile to install, it would be a good idea to study the market and find out how much matte and glossy tiles cost in competing stores. You can also ask the opinion of experts on various forums about which tiles are best to install in the kitchen.
Anyone who has started a kitchen renovation will have a lot of trouble choosing the appropriate design option for the room and implementing the plan. The issue of choosing materials for finishing is no less important than the design project. As the main material for wall decoration, you can use washable wallpaper, lining, and even wood. But is this choice functional for the kitchen? Ceramic tiles have been considered the most practical option for many years. Due to its resistance to aggressive influences, environmental friendliness and always flawless appearance. There are a great many options for making tiles: they differ not only in color, texture and size, there are a lot of differences in operational characteristics. To decide which tile is best for the kitchen, let’s take a closer look at all aspects of the choice.
- Wear resistance.
- Surface hardness.
- Resistance to temperature changes.
- Water absorption.
- Resistance to chemically aggressive influences.
- Slip resistance.
An example of the use of decorative elements in cladding
Wear resistance is the interest of conservatives
The service life of floor tiles largely depends on the suitability of the selected material to the expected loads.
Wear resistance, or in other words, abrasion resistance of floor tiles intended for the kitchen belongs to group 3, as an indicator of the abrasion of tiles for rooms with average traffic intensity. Indicated by the symbol PEI III.
Tile surface hardness
The hardness of the tile surface (determined according to the “MOOSA” scale) is an indicator that determines the ability of a material to resist scratches from various abrasive materials. A number from 1 to 10 in ascending order indicates scratch resistance. For kitchen tiles, a rating of 5 is sufficient.
Resistance to temperature changes
At first glance, resistance to temperature changes is not such an important indicator in a kitchen. But if you plan to tile a surface on which a hot kettle could be accidentally placed, then it is better to choose a tile with the appropriate indicators (at least 125°C).
Moisture absorption capacity
Moisture absorption and frost resistance depend on the porosity of the material. These indicators are important if the surface is to be finished in an unheated room.
Option for wall cladding with mosaics
Resistance to chemical aggression
This indicator determines the degree of surface resistance to various household chemicals, as well as resistance to staining. The ability of a surface to resist staining is rated from a higher value (1) to a lower value (3), for a kitchen the optimal value is 1 or 2. The AA chemical resistance rating means that the product is not exposed to chemicals, the A rating means that the product is resistant to aggressive influence.
Anti-slip on the floor
The fact that tiles must be safe is beyond doubt. When choosing floor tiles, the main safety requirement is slip resistance. This indicator displays the friction coefficient. Most often it is measured according to DIN standards. For kitchen flooring, the corresponding indicator is R10, category A.
“Apron” cladding option
Which tile is better for the kitchen
If only part of the wall is to be tiled: work surface above the sink, part of the wall near the hob and above the countertop (the so-called “apron”), then it is more advisable to choose small tiles of the correct shape. It is possible to add a decorative frieze or insert decorative elements between even rows of tiles. The main thing is the coincidence of the sizes of the decor and the main tile; in the case of even a seemingly insignificant discrepancy of a few millimeters, the geometric alternation of elements will inevitably reveal a flaw. The seams will be of different sizes, which in turn will not decorate general form lined surface. A few words about grout for joints. You can choose the color of the grout to match the shade of the tile, or use a grout of a contrasting color (repeating the color of the floor covering or the color of the furniture). In any case, the use of a special plastic material for grouting joints will protect the tile covering from the development of mold and fungi, as well as from the possible lag of the tiles from the wall.
It is more difficult to clean a textured surface from drops of grease than a smooth one. Therefore, when choosing wall tiles, it is better to pay attention to tiles with a smooth surface. But when choosing floor tiles, it is better to pay attention to a matte or slightly embossed surface; on a smooth floor, small scratches will be more noticeable.
Use caution when buying tiles with a reserve. About 10% of the total volume of tiles will be useful to you for several reasons: firstly, in case of unforeseen troubles during installation, you will protect yourself from having to look for missing tiles in stores. Secondly, in this way you take into account the possibility of surface restoration in the future. It is important to consider that you can easily “miss the color” when purchasing tiles from the same collection, but from a different batch.
Unity of style between wall and floor tiles
When choosing the color of the finish, everyone is guided by personal preferences, but it often happens that the tiles seemed spectacular on the stand in the store, but for some reason they don’t look right at home. The fact is that when choosing the color, texture and pattern of tiles, several factors should be taken into account: lighting, room size, general stylistic direction in the interior. When choosing floor and wall tiles, it is important to consider the compatibility of colors and textures. There are also ready-made collections of tiles on sale, in which a combination of colors of decorative elements, wall and floor tiles has already been selected. You just need to take accurate measurements of the kitchen and calculate required amount tiles of each type.
When choosing a facing tile, pay attention not only to its color, but also to its quality - evenness of corners, integrity of edges, quality of enamel, and so on. It is best to do this with a specialist who will lay these tiles, because in any business there are a lot of subtleties that the average consumer is not even aware of. Of course, there are no perfectly even tiles, but still. One of the indicators of the quality of a tile is the reputation of its manufacturer; you should not be tempted by cheapness - you risk buying a pig in a poke, and you should not chase very expensive brands - you will overpay for popularity. Here's a tip - always choose the golden mean.
Video guide to choosing tiles
As you can see, the issue of choosing tiles for the kitchen is easy to solve. You just need to show interest and arm yourself with relevant information on the topic.
Ceramic tiles as a facing material for the kitchen are an absolutely logical choice. This surface can withstand different temperatures, humidity, and is resistant to household chemicals. Construction stores offer a chic assortment of tiles, but not every one is suitable for the kitchen. Before purchasing, arm yourself with our instructions to choose a truly worthwhile option.
It is natural for the kitchen to have a high load on surfaces and frequent cleaning. Therefore, the materials here must be of particularly high quality. According to the international PEI classification, tiles vary in strength. For kitchen walls, level III is required, and for the floor - IV-V, that is maximum levels. If the manufacturer indicates the strength of the product according to the GOST scale, focus on a class of at least five. The “MOOCA” scale will tell you how hard ceramic is and how it resists scratches. Quality here is determined in ascending order, using marks 1-10. Kitchen requires level 5 and above. Also pay attention to the chemical resistance rating. Values “A” and “AA” indicate high tolerance to alkalis and acids. Stain resistance is identified by numbers 1-3: fewer stains will form on tiles marked 1 or 2.
- maximum wear resistance;
- matte surface instead of gloss;
- slightly ribbed texture designed to ensure the safety of the finishing material;
- grainy or variegated colors that hide minor dirt.
In general, kitchen tiles should meet the basic needs of a cook: not cause trouble in maintenance and be sufficiently resistant to all kinds of influences and damage. These properties will be present in samples with minimal porosity, with a dense and uniform enamel coating.
9 months ago
When going to the store to buy new tiles for the kitchen, many housewives make the same mistake: they choose the same material for finishing the apron, walls, countertops and floors. Even the highest quality ceramic product cannot boast of universal properties and technical characteristics. The ideal wall tiles should be beautiful, lightweight and resistant to high temperatures. It is better to line the work apron with ceramics that are resistant to chemical attack, since this part of the work area is constantly covered with grease and requires frequent washing.
Choice ceramic tiles for the kitchen is a very important process, since you need to take into account not only your aesthetic tastes, but also the quality characteristics of the material. First, let's look at the main types of such products.
What are the different types of kitchen tiles?
Ceramics for backsplash
For wall cladding in the kitchen, only those products that have an image of a palm on the packaging are suitable. The optimal thickness is 4 millimeters. The main task of such tiles is that they should protect the wall covering from dirt and grease, and should also be easy to clean. It's no secret that you can wash off such stains without using chemicals pretty hard. Therefore, you should expect chemical resistance from ceramic backsplashes, and it is best to make it from AA type tiles.
The tiled covering of the apron should not have a porous structure. The presence of a protective layer of enamel is also welcome, since it is not only better cleaned various types pollutants, but also perfectly repels water. You can opt for gloss, but it is not suitable for arranging compact kitchens.
Connoisseurs of classic design clad the apron and other parts of the kitchen walls with plain tiles that match the color of the floor covering and countertop. However, you can follow current decorative trends, turning the apron into a bright and colorful accent of the entire interior. Modern designers like not only contrasting combinations, but also three-dimensional graphics or inlay. In this case, the choice depends entirely on your imagination. It is worth remembering that the characteristics of the pattern determine how easy it is to care for them during operation.
Recommendation! It is necessary to lay the tiles for the apron before installing the furniture. The upper border should be the bottom edge of the cabinets, and the bottom wall should be tiled so that the material falls slightly below the beginning of the countertop. It is also important to understand the features of fastening kitchen shelves and cabinets, and also think about the location of additional accessories on the tiled surface.
Ceramics for countertops
Every housewife dreams of a reliable and high-quality countertop that will serve its owner flawlessly for many years. Ceramic tiles can do this job perfectly. In addition, it will become an exclusive decorative element of your new kitchen. The technology of their application is called a “sliding apron”, since the transition from the apron to the tabletop is almost invisible. As with walls, table tiles should be chemical resistant. However, another requirement is added to this requirement - high wear resistance.
Just imagine how much physical activity, friction and other manipulations, this coating will have to withstand day after day, not to mention high temperatures. If you cook every day, you shouldn’t neglect this quality. That is why tile coverings of the first or second class are most suitable for arranging countertops.
Ordinary tiles are not as suitable for this case as porcelain tiles. The structure of such a synthesized stone replicates not only the external attractiveness of the product, but also all the necessary strength characteristics of natural granite. With such a countertop coating, you won’t be afraid to scratch it with a sharp knife or spoil the surface of the product. In addition, laying porcelain tiles requires a minimum of seams. This means that even after many years of active use, your countertop will look impeccable.
Ceramics for kitchen floors
What you need to know about kitchen flooring? It is not only constantly exposed to serious physical stress, but also from day to day it is exposed to conditions of high humidity and high temperatures. Only those tiles that have the symbol of a foot on them are suitable for the floor, and other ceramic products simply cannot cope with the intensity of physical activity. The minimum permissible thickness is 5 millimeters. The ideal ceramics for kitchen floors will have maximum wear resistance, chemical resistance and durability.
Many consumers choose linoleum instead of tiles for kitchen floors, due to the fact that the tile covering is too cold. Firstly, linoleum cannot boast the same long service life and practicality. Secondly, the problem with a cold surface can be easily solved by using “warm floor” technology. Ceramic heats up and cools down quickly, making it incredibly practical.
No matter how beautiful glossy tile coatings are, they are dangerous for their owners when water gets on them. They are quite easy to care for. However, even the slightest moisture makes glossy tiles very slippery. That is why designers recommend choosing matte finishes, which are not so easy to clean, but are much safer to use. You can check the material for this quality right in a hardware store by dropping a few drops of water on it. Try running your finger along the surface of the tile; it should not be too slippery, only a slight slip is allowed.
How to choose kitchen tiles according to interior styles?
It's unlikely that you plan on remodeling your kitchen every few years. This is why everything needs to be done correctly from the very beginning. Facing tiles in any case, it should be combined with your countertop, as well as with the color scheme of the walls and furniture. Contrasting accents are rarely allowed. This has to go with a certain decor style, or your kitchen will feel a little awkward.
Glazed square tiles with dimensions of 15x15 are especially popular for kitchen decoration. A glossy finish will always be relevant for a compact room, as it helps to expand it visually. By using matte tiles for the kitchen you can achieve the opposite result. The modern variety of interior design styles allows everyone to find something to their liking:
Modern style. Do you want to decorate your kitchen according to the latest fashion trends in decor? Then pay special attention to tile coverings with a smooth, glossy surface. The highlight of this style will always be clear lines and solid colors. You can choose any tile to your taste, as long as it fits harmoniously into the overall interior of the kitchen space. Modern decor loves simplicity and practicality, and also allows you to deviate a little from the rules. Complete your kitchen with creative mosaics or stylish panels.
Country style. This decor is also called rustic; tiles made of aged marble or imitation coating are most suitable for it. natural stone. For such a case, hand-painted tiles, custom-shaped ceramics, or mosaics are also suitable. The highlight of the style is the atmosphere of comfort and warmth, as well as non-standard combinations and colorfulness. A countertop made of porcelain stoneware or marble is ideal. Give preference to warm natural colors: golden, cream or brown.
Mediterranean style. This is a good choice for people who love bright colors, for original and creative characters. Stylish mosaics or tiles with small chips would be appropriate in a Mediterranean kitchen. If you have small pieces of old ceramics left over, they can be turned into an exclusive decorative ornament. Do you want to bring a piece of the warm coast of Spain into the interior of your kitchen? Colorful tiles in the color of sea blue or iridescent turquoise will help you with this. No less appropriate would be ceramics for the kitchen in rich green and yellow shades.
How to avoid mistakes when choosing tiles for the kitchen?
If you are not well versed in kitchen tiles, you need to entrust the selection of suitable materials to qualified specialists. However, you can also take advantage of expert advice and recommendations:
Kitchen tiles must not only match the overall color scheme and interior design, but also have all the necessary technical characteristics. Many buyers are so focused on the external qualities of the facing material that they forget about the technical aspect. Buy not only beautiful, but also wear-resistant ceramics. It must be equipped with a special protective layer against negative chemical effects. Kitchen floor tiles should also have a high coefficient of friction, no less than 0.4.
Size matters. You definitely need to think about this parameter in advance, because incorrectly selected ceramics can greatly spoil the final result. Tiles that are too large will have to be cut, which will cause a lot of additional hassle and unjustified financial costs. When you finally decide on the design style, try to take the measurements correctly. Do this strictly in a straight line using a special tape measure. Also, take the time to measure the diagonals to make sure that the corners of your kitchen are correct.
Ceramics should not stand out from the overall interior. There is no point in buying tiles prematurely just because you like them. We must not forget: it must be combined with furniture, countertops and flooring. All this needs to be thought through in advance if you want to achieve a harmonious result.
Always buy tiles with a reserve. Do you want to use your financial resources rationally? This is certainly commendable, but no one canceled unforeseen situations. Even the most professional calculations do not guarantee that everything will be in strict accordance with the plan. Always add another 10 percent to the calculated amount. Firstly, there is no guarantee that the tile you choose will always be in stock in the store if you suddenly need a refill. Secondly, an accidentally damaged product can always be replaced from reserve, returning the kitchen design to its excellent appearance.
Do not blindly trust the recommendations of store consultants on calculating the required amount of materials. Large construction centers and stores often offer similar services to their clients. This is indeed a very profitable and interesting offer, but do not forget that mistakes happen. If you have the opportunity to double-check your calculations, be sure to take advantage of it. The earnings of managers and consultants directly depend on the number of tiles sold, so they may well throw on a couple of extra packages that cannot be returned.
Never buy tiles by eye. Have you chosen the ceramics of your dreams and decided to buy it without even making minimal calculations? This could be a fatal mistake. As practice shows, returning kitchen tiles back to the store is very difficult. Firstly, it is important to preserve the presentation of the purchase, but if the facing material is sold by the meter, this parameter will not be enough for a return. Construction stores are extremely reluctant to accept goods back, especially only a small part of it.
Carefully inspect the ceramic product you are purchasing. The surface must be smooth, level and free from roughness. The porous structure of the material is also not at all appropriate for the kitchen, where high levels of humidity are observed almost every day. If you discover serious defects already at home during the installation process, filing a claim with the seller will be late. It is much easier to immediately buy the right product of appropriate quality.
conclusions
Today you can buy tiles for the kitchen in almost any specialized store. From the variety of shapes, sizes and color range dazzling in the eyes, but making the right choice is very difficult. If you do not understand such issues, do not be afraid to seek help from professionals, because the more thoroughly you prepare in advance, the longer you will enjoy stylish and practical kitchen decor.
If you need help choosing tiles, we have a link to a directory of companies that specialize in them.
Universal finishing materials does not exist, and you need to know how to choose tiles for the kitchen so that it fully meets the tasks facing it. After all, the requirements for tiles for decorating an apron over a workplace are slightly different than for the floor covering. And the tiles for a decorative panel on the wall are selected according to a different principle than the material for facing the countertop. Therefore, the decision about which tile to choose for the kitchen must be made depending on the intended location of its use.
Carefully study the technical characteristics of the material, read the passport and information indicated on the packaging. Also, be sure to ensure that you have a hygiene certificate, which confirms the safety of the purchased tiles for life and health. After all, the selection of tiles for the kitchen is carried out taking into account the fact that materials for residential premises must be impeccable from an environmental point of view.
Choosing ceramic floor tiles
Ceramic coating is a convenient, practical and profitable option for finishing floors. But when the question arises about what is better in the kitchen: tiles or linoleum, the choice is often made in favor of the latter. This happens primarily because tile is considered a cold material. At the moment, this problem can be easily eliminated using “warm floor” technology. Ordinary ceramic tiles are ideally suited for use in a heated floor system, because... it has quite high thermal conductivity.
Another negative quality that limits the use of tiles for floor finishing is its slipperiness. How to choose tiles for the kitchen so that the floor is safe in this regard? Avoid glazed coatings, as moisture can turn a glossy floor surface into a real skating rink. Give preference to tiles with a matte, ribbed surface.
Which tile to choose for the kitchen floor: technical specifications
Manufacturers offer a large selection of ceramic tiles for floor finishing.
But you need to take into account that the kitchen floor is subjected to heavy loads every day, especially in the area of the stove and sink.
It gets dirty faster than in other rooms and, accordingly, it is washed more often. All this puts forward a number of specific requirements for kitchen flooring: it must have increased strength.
For the kitchen, tiles of at least class III of hardness according to the European classification PEI or at least class 5 in accordance with GOST are preferable. Resistance to acids and alkalis must also be high - class AA or B.
Floor tile design
We must not forget that the choice of ceramic tiles for finishing the floor depends on the overall stylistic decision of the kitchen. Of course, the color and texture of the flooring should be in harmony with the rest of the room’s decoration. But it is necessary to take into account a few more points.
On a glossy surface, stains and small debris will be very visible.
While the matte and grainy texture of ceramics will not only give the room a more comfortable look, but will also perfectly hide various stains. Variegated colors will also disguise some imperfections.
As for the shape, the choice of tiles for the kitchen does not have to be limited to the traditional square or rectangle. You can experiment with hexagonal or octagonal tiles. Manufacturers also offer samples with rounded edges.
If you use small floor tiles for tiling, the room will look more spacious. But it is more difficult to install, because... difficult to achieve straight seams. It is better to use mosaic tiles in small fragments as finishing. You should not lay out complex designs on the floor - they are more suitable for rooms with a large area, for example, halls.
The work area in the kitchen is often decorated with an apron made of tiles. This material reliably protects walls from splashes of water, high temperatures, grease and soot. In addition, an elegant apron can become a bright decorative accent and decorate even the most modest kitchen. How to choose ceramic tiles so that they meet all the above requirements and, in addition, provide easy care for the surface of the walls?
Choosing tiles for the apron
The work area needs to be cleaned regularly using detergents. The selection of ceramic tiles for the backsplash should be made taking this factor into account. The tile requires minimal porosity, as well as a dense and uniform enamel coating.
Resistance to chemical influences is indicated by letter markings on the packaging. For our purposes, a tile with the symbol AA is suitable, which means high level resistance to aggressive substances.
And here high strength for wall tiles it is not critical, since there are practically no mechanical loads here. Pay special attention to such an indicator as the thermal resistance of the material. This is important for tiles above the work area, especially if you use them for cooking. gas stove. The glaze on high-quality tiles can withstand heating up to 125 degrees.
Tile design for kitchen backsplash
For an interior with a restrained design, choose a plain tile that matches the color of the rest of the kitchen elements. If it is difficult to find the right shade when selecting ceramic tiles, make the surface of the work area white - it is universal and will suit almost any color scheme.
An interesting option is when the color of the apron is chosen in contrast to the kitchen set.
For example, combinations of orange with light green or coral with yellow will look fresh and unusual. But before choosing tiles for the kitchen in bright colors, soberly assess its size. Remember that such color solutions require a lot of space, otherwise the room will look cramped and too colorful. This rule also applies to large drawings and large-format tiles.
How to choose tiles for the kitchen if its area is small? Designers recommend decorating the apron and walls in one color, preferably beige, cream, light gray or sand. At the same time, it is worth abandoning the gloss, because... shiny surfaces visually reduce space.
Do not overload the surface of the working area with decorative inserts made of textured tiles. Oily deposits will accumulate in the relief of such tiles.
Ceramic tile countertops: pros and cons
Ceramics are not often used to decorate countertops. Meanwhile, the countertop, lined with tiles, looks no less worthy than models from natural stone, agglomerate or solid wood. At the same time, its production will cost less. But do not forget that from the right choice ceramic tiles depends on how strong and durable the desktop surface is.
This finishing method has certain disadvantages: numerous seams create difficulties in maintenance, and also require regular special treatment, because The grout quickly changes color.
The countertop occupies a fairly large area, so its design has a noticeable impact on the perception of the entire kitchen interior.
Tile makes it possible to create a variety of design options. Most often, the working surface of the table is tiled with the same tiles as kitchen apron. This technique allows you to create a single space and looks harmonious.
To summarize the story about which tiles are best for the kitchen, we must say the following. Sometimes consumers go to extremes: wanting to save money, they purchase cheap goods from dubious manufacturers or, in search of quality, overpay for a well-known brand. Both decisions can hardly be called reasonable. We advise you to pay attention to tiles in the mid-price category, from which you are guaranteed to be able to choose decent samples.