We love a good moody moment here at Fireclay, but black tile doesn’t have to be equated with dark and dramatic installs. In fact, with the right choice, black tile can actually make your kitchen feel lighter and more open. How, you ask? We pulled in some experts to explain.
Designers Jordan and Barry of the Brownstone Boys have mastered the use of dark tile in their portfolio of historic brownstone remodels–spaces that are notorious for their limited natural light. The couple, whose new book For the Love of Renovating was released earlier this year, is more than up to the challenge. They’ve embraced dark tile to maximize design impact while staying mindful of light limitations.
“Black tiles can bring a kitchen to life by offering a striking contrast to lighter cabinetry,” the Brownstone Boys shared with us. “They create depth and add a modern edge while also making other colors pop.” Jordan and Barry demonstrated this in the modern kitchen below, deftly pairing a matte black tile backsplash with walnut cabinetry interspersed with vibrant green accents.
Tile: 2x8 Raven Matte | Design: Brownstone Boys | Image: Nick Glimenakis
“Surprisingly, black tiles can brighten the kitchen by reflecting light and giving the space a sleek, polished look,” they continue. The finish on the black glaze has a big impact on how much light bounces off your tile. Glossy sheens reflect much more light than a satin or matte sheen and are a great choice if you want to strategically bring more brightness to your space. Satin and matte sheens offer a more understated, subdued reflection of light that casts more of a sumptuous glow.
Aside from finish, factor in shade, shape and color variation when choosing your perfect black tiles. Barry and Jordan recommend Raven Matte in an elongated subway tile size because they love all the variation that’s visible in the color.
More Kitchens With Black Tile
Add organic texture to your kitchen backsplash with Glazed Thin Brick in a soft black shade. Although brick may seem slightly daunting to keep clean, Fireclay brick is actually a breeze thanks to the hand-applied glaze coating the surface.
Brick: Norman Absaroka | Design: Jessica Davis | Image: Emily Followill
If you want to take the bold hue a step further, increase visual interest with an intricate pattern courtesy of our Handpainted Tile. We love how the kitchen below created a stunning focal point with Handpainted Sintra Tile behind the stove framed by complementary black subway tile.
Tile: 8x8 Sintra Dark Motif, 2x6 Carbon | Design: Magali Sonterre | Image: Erin Feinblatt
Beyond backsplashes, black tile makes a beautiful kitchen accent wall. The midcentury modern home below chose an era-appropriate grid of black squares to accent a central wall visible from several rooms in the open space.
Tile: 4x4 Raven Matte | Design + Image: Mango Street
Black tiles really pop when outlined in white grout. If you choose one of our handmade specialty shapes, like the interlocking Chaine Homme tiles shown below, contrasting the black glaze with white grout puts all eyes on the beautiful shape.
Tile: Chaine Homme Raven Matte | Design: Maureen Stevens | Image: Kayla Stark
On the other hand, choosing a tonal grout for your black tiles creates an ultra-sophisticated modern look that emphasizes the tile’s color–so if you’ve found a black shade that you’re completely in love with, matching grout will make that color the star of the show in your kitchen.
Brick: Black Hills | Design: Nicole Roe Design | Image: Daniel Barcelo
Finally, don’t discount black tiles on your kitchen floor! With our matte, slip-resistant glazes like Raven Matte and Magnetite, putting dark tile underfoot creates a foundation for your kitchen that’s both stylish and practical.
Tile: 8x8 Magnetite, Brick: Elk | Design: Taylor and Taylor | Image: Tiffany G Studio | Installer: Two Red Bowls
