When it comes to designing a functional and visually appealing kitchen, one often thinks about cabinets, countertops, and appliances. However, there’s one crucial element that shouldn’t be overlooked: the kitchen floor.
A well-chosen kitchen floor tile can transform the entire vibe of your culinary space, making it not just a functional area, but a captivating focal point. And what better way to make a lasting statement than with handcrafted tile?
Tile: 8” Hexagon Antique, 4x4 Calcite
Today we’re walking you through our most popular tile options for kitchen floors from classic to eclectic so you can step up your kitchen’s style game in the way that works best for you.
Ceramic Tile: The Versatile Do-It-All
From spills and splatters to heavy foot traffic, kitchen floors endure a lot–and our Ceramic Tile is more than up to the job. Our recycled clay body boasts an impressive breaking strength of 393 lbs per foot, making it stronger than average porcelain tile and an excellent choice against hardwood flooring, natural stone tiles, and other types of tile.
Another benefit of Ceramic Tile is the variety of colors available: we have over 120 lead-free glazes to choose from, ensuring that you’ll find the perfect shade to match your aesthetic. And if you can’t decide on just one, consider using two or three colors in a classic checkered pattern like this kitchenette.
Tile: 8x8 Feldspar, Basalt, Hunter Green | Design: Jenny Siegwart | Image: Handsome Salt | Installer: Noble + Proper
Ceramic’s smooth glazed surface is moisture-resistant, making it an ideal choice for kitchen tile floors since it’s easy to clean. Darker colored tiles, like our high-variation Antique shown below, can also stretch your time between cleanings as they hide dirt and debris better–especially when placed in an eye-bending pattern.
Tile: 3x9 Antique | Design: Bright Designlab | Image: Crosby Dove | Installer: Hawthorne Tile
For those who love a dash of drama, bold and vibrant kitchen floor tiles can make a lasting impression. Think deep blues, rich greens, or even fiery reds. If you’re intimidated by designing around a bold floor, keep your walls and kitchen cabinets neutral to let the floor steal the show.
Want your to kitchen stand out even further? Geometric patterned tile like hexagons, chevrons, and triangles can add a contemporary twist to your culinary space. We love the crisp lines and hexagonal shapes of our Hexite Tile in deep Blue Velvet, matched by a Handpainted Tile backsplash, in the kitchen below.
Tile: Hexite Blue Velvet, Maze in Warm Motif | Design: Elemental Green | Image: Jill Tiongco Photography
The size of your kitchen floor tiles can significantly impact the overall aesthetics of your space, so we encourage you to play with sizes to find the one that suits you best.
Large format tile can visually expand the kitchen space, as fewer grout lines create a more seamless look that exudes modernity. These sizes work especially well in open-concept kitchens.
Smaller sizes, like mosaic tiles that come sheeted for convenience of installation, add intricate detailing to your kitchen floor. They’re excellent for creating focal points, and with the endless possibilities that our custom mosaic murals present you’re able to achieve a truly one-of-a-kind look.
Standard sizes, from traditional subway tile to our fan-favorite 3x9 size, are versatile and can fit in virtually any kitchen style. These standard field tiles strike a balance between ease of installation and visual appeal.
Tile: 6x12 Gypsum | Brick: Olympic | Image: Monica Wang Photography | Installer: Studio McGee
Your kitchen floor is more than just a surface you walk on–it’s an integral part of your kitchen’s design. With a plethora of Ceramic Tile shapes, sizes, and colors available, you have the creative freedom to design a kitchen that truly reflects your style no matter how specific it may be.
For example, David Quarles IV’s inspiration was a midcentury modern Spanish and French-designed kitchen on the Ivory Coast with a goal of bringing the outdoors in through color, texture, pattern, and light–and we think he nailed it with that seamless sun-drenched hexagon floor.
Tile: 8” Hexagon Sunflower, 2x6 Palm Tree | Design: David Quarles IV | Image: Sarah Rossi, Michael Butler
Glazed Thin Brick: Texture Meets Rustic Charm
Blending the timeless appeal of brick with lead-free, stain-resistant glazes, our Glazed Thin Brick tiles bring a unique and captivating element to your culinary space. And although we often say that our Glazed Thin Brick adds a touch of rustic charm to spaces, don’t let that description fool you–Brick can’t be pigeonholed into one style.
Take the midcentury modern kitchen below, where our turquoise San Gabriel Brick is the star of the show sprawled across the floor. With over 35 hand-mixed colors to choose from, you’ll be able to craft a floor that harmonizes with your kitchen’s overall design scheme.
Brick: San Gabriel, Black Hills | Design: Design Bitches | Image: Yoshihiro Makino
What sets our Glazed Thin Brick apart is not just the color variety but also the rich texture and depth which imparts a tactile element that can’t be achieved with traditional smooth tiles. As light plays across the textured surface, it creates shadows and highlights that add a dynamic dimension to your kitchen floor.
Double the impact by installing brick in a herringbone pattern across your kitchen floor, demonstrated by the Joshua Tree House below. The end result will add the perfect balance of visual and textural interest.
Brick: Mojave | Design + Image: The Joshua Tree House, Sara + Rich Combs | Installer: The Joshua Tree House
Handpainted Tile: Artisanal Elegance
From classic to contemporary, the variety of our Handpainted Tile patterns makes it easy to find the perfect tile for your space. These tiles aren’t just floor coverings, they’re intricate works of art. By opting for Handpainted Tile on your kitchen floor, you’re inviting the essence of artistry into your daily life.
Each tile is meticulously handpainted by skilled artisans, resulting in a level of authenticity that’s hard to replicate. While the detailed nature of these tiles might make you think they’re delicate, our handpainted tiles are truly built to last. All patterns are made on our Recycled Clay Body, ensuring a durable, long-lasting tile that’s of heirloom quality.
Tile: Palmera in Custom Motif | Design: Angela Tafoya | Image: Erin Kunkel | Installer: Intelligent Tile
While many tend to focus on backsplashes and walls for Handpainted Tile, incorporating them into your kitchen floor adds an unexpected and enchanting twist. The floor immediately draws the eye, inviting admiration from every person who steps into your kitchen.
Take the craftsmanship a step further by opting for a custom colorway, as This House 5000 did below. With a motif uniquely chosen by you, you’re creating an immersive experience that reflects your taste and style.
Tile: Fallow in Custom Motif | Design + Image: Elena Lohse | Installer: This House 5000
Want Some (Free) Help? Ask A Tile Expert
From sample selection to realistic renderings, our tile experts are here for you every step of the way with free design assistance. Fill out the simple form below and a rep will reach out to help get your dream kitchen floor started.