Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Property/DIY

Join our Property forum for renovation, DIY, and house selling advice.

Original poster

Kitchen tiles - like or not?

33 replies

CookieDoughKid · 07/01/2015 14:01

I have installed a white modern German kitchen. Handle-less, contemporary, sleek are words that would describe my kitchen. I have wooden floors in country oak.

I'm wanting a 'wow' factor splashback across two runs of kitchen walls (2.5m and 2.8 metres long - so it'll be a feature that will be prominent.

I want tiles that will have longetivity but I wouldn't mind something unusual too....

Do you like these tiles which are patterned

or these metallic brick shaped ones?

Any other suggestions are welcomed.

Many thanks!

OP posts:
Original poster
CookieDoughKid · 07/01/2015 14:03

Sorry here are the correct links - patterned ones I mentioned :
patterned

and the kitchen style I have
which is linear

OP posts:
SqueezyCheeseWeasel · 07/01/2015 14:06

First link took me to a front page with loads of tiles on it.

The metallic metro tiles will certainly stand out.

I'd probably stick with the sleek theme and go for a sandblasted glass splashback, if it were me, but I appreciate that wouldn't give you the stand out feature it sounds like you are looking for.

SqueezyCheeseWeasel · 07/01/2015 14:10

Out of the 2 you linked, I'd go with the plainer, metro style, myself. I like the encaustic look of the grey ones but if you are going for sleek then a busy, textured splashback might be overkill and detract from your scheme.

Blueskies80 · 07/01/2015 14:10

We have just gone for blue/grey metro tiles with a modern white kitchen ikea.. And solid wood worktop, Went with gut instinct and I Love them!

IssyStark · 07/01/2015 15:28

I'd probably go for the patterned because I rather like the mixing of very sleek with traditional patterns.

wowfudge · 07/01/2015 16:18

I think the patterned ones are a bit of a current fad - I've seen them in different finishes with a mix of colours in a few places and it's a bit busy. They will date quickly imo.

I quite like the metallic metro ones, but I wonder if they too will date. Are the units gloss finish? If so, that's a lot of shiny finishes and it might be bit much all together. We had a kitchen will matt white metro tiles - I loved them and would have them again. What about mixing the metallic metro tiles with non metallic ones, either randomly or as a border or a row across the middle of the area to be tiled?

minipie · 07/01/2015 17:16

I like the idea of patterned with a plain white kitchen, but I don't really like the ones you linked to if I'm honest, those "patchwork" style patterns are all over the place at the moment and are a bit of a temporary trend IMHO.

What about something like this? These are also rather stunning.

DrElizabethPlimpton · 07/01/2015 17:23

Have you considered a glass splash back? I have it in a new kitchen and it looks great.

lovingmatleave · 07/01/2015 21:09

Don't like either two you have linked. I think they both look a bit cheap and nasty and will bring your lovely sleek designer German kitchen down a notch. What colour/material are your worktops? Fired Earth definitley worth a look. I love the second Fired Earth tile linked above by minipie. Think if you are going for pattern then you need to go all out pattern ie bold colours or go for sleek subtle expensive looking texture like the FE one, or glass splashback.

PigletJohn · 07/01/2015 21:42

Patterned ones are too busy for me.

Buying "on trend" is OK if you are planning to pull them off in two years when they look unfashionable. I'd do for something pale and plain. Grey will do if it is not dominant in the room, and then your wood will stand out more.

321zerobaby · 07/01/2015 21:45

Glass is easier to clean, no grout to get all manky.

RandomMess · 07/01/2015 22:18

I have an aversion to grout, it's hideous stuff - anything but tiles and grout IMHO...

Sidge · 07/01/2015 22:22

We've just done our kitchen in high gloss White units and gone for glass rather than tiles. It looks amazing and you can use colour to make a feature of it.

Much easier to keep clean than tiles too!

TengoSueno · 08/01/2015 10:44

I prefer the metro tiles but I think Sidge has a point, glass would look lovely.

Sidge · 08/01/2015 10:56

This is very similar to the look we have.

Kitchen tiles - like or not?
escarpment · 08/01/2015 11:14

I see what you're getting at with the patchwork pattern, I like a contrast between a sleek kitchen and patterned tiles. Glass is a bit clinical for me (and as a splashback will also date)

But I agree that if you want to make a bold impression don't do it with cheap tiles, maybe have a hunt for some handmade Moroccan, Victorian or Delft-style.

mandy214 · 08/01/2015 14:32

Your kitchen sounds very similar to mine - white handle-less, we have solid bamboo flooring. I don't like tiles at all, I agree with a previous poster that they would bring down the contemporary feel of your kitchen. I think they are a bit old fashioned, irrespective of design (just my opinion). We have gone with quite a lot of floor to ceiling cupboards so we don't have much wall space needing a splashback so we have just gone with an upstand (matching the worktops). I think it looks very minimalist / contemporary.

I agree with the suggestion of glass if you want a splashback, much more modern than tiles.

mandy214 · 08/01/2015 14:37

Your kitchen sounds very similar to mine - white handle-less, we have solid bamboo flooring. I don't like tiles at all, I agree with a previous poster that they would bring down the contemporary feel of your kitchen. I think they are a bit old fashioned, irrespective of design (just my opinion). We have gone with quite a lot of floor to ceiling cupboards so we don't have much wall space needing a splashback so we have just gone with an upstand (matching the worktops). I think it looks very minimalist / contemporary.

I agree with the suggestion of glass if you want a splashback, much more modern than tiles.

A bit like this

Kitchen tiles - like or not?
Original poster
CookieDoughKid · 08/01/2015 19:35

Thanks everyone for the feedback and suggestions. I have considered glass but need in excess of 5m of it for my wall and I've had quotes for £900+vat. It's something outside my budget unfortunately.

I like glass alot - it's so practical but feel I need more character added to my home (I'm in a new build). My kitchen is a slight off-white, worktops are white too. I'm now considering flat (not bevelled) glass metro tiles and also bold patterns from fired-earth.

I'll let you know what I come up with and will post a pic when done!!

mandy214 lovely kitchen and windows!!

OP posts:
RandomMess · 08/01/2015 19:54

We just had a small upstand and used kitchen paint... worked really well tbh!

mandy214 · 08/01/2015 21:22

Its not my kitchen, just got something similar Smile

Original poster
CookieDoughKid · 14/01/2015 22:07

OK folks. Just want to guage your opinion on these tiles! I'm somewhat drawn to pattern!! Here is an actual pic of my kitchen. As you can see, it's small but I've got potential to put some wow factor in there. I need the whole wall behind the hob and also the wall where the window is, which is just as long. About 4sqm worth!

I've just discovered these tiles (unfortunately it's about £100 per sqm but cheaper than Fired Earth!!

Version 1
Version 2
www.marrakechdesign.se/collection.html?app=2&product=voltaire---gravit-15x15-58108 Version 3]]

Or I might do a different take and use cheap and plain white/taupe metro tiles but put in a herringbone fashion.

Thoughts? Any preferences? I'm a bit stuck!!

Kitchen tiles - like or not?
OP posts:
minipie · 14/01/2015 22:13

Ooh nice tiles. I think I like the second or third ones best for a kitchen, prob the third.

Herringbone tiles would also be good, bit of a trend at the moment but if you choose a plain/neutral colour it should last pretty well. I would pick white or taupe, probably white, not mix the two.

fluffygreentail · 14/01/2015 22:22

They are gorgeous tiles. I think patterned tiles would be much more stylish than herringbone metro as i think they would put a date on it - sorry, just my opinion. Love number three best for the low key tone/shade but still very interesting. Lucky you!

RandomMess · 14/01/2015 22:33

I like No. 2 best, simple yet decorative...