Kitchen tile: 75 photos of floor tile and apron ideas
Ceramic tile is the most suitable, universal coating for the kitchen interior, classic facing material. It has a beautiful appearance, goes well with other finishes, fits both on the floor and on the walls. Modern tiles for the kitchen are available in various shapes, sizes, colors, textures - in the form of large stoves, small tiles, with a wood texture or “brick-like”, in the form of rhombuses or rectangular, plain or with a pattern.
Like any material used for interior decoration, ceramics have their pros and cons.
Benefits:
hygiene - floor, wall convenient, easy to wash;
moisture resistance - does not pass water, does not absorb extraneous odors, is not susceptible to mold, fungal infections;
environmental friendliness - only sand, various types of colored clay are a part;
strength - ceramic tiles made by hot pressing are not inferior to concrete in strength, it does not burn, does not melt at high temperature;
durability - with high-quality installation, proper care, the coating will last a long time, the protective layer prevents the surface from scratching, fading;
attractive appearance - a correctly selected design will create a unique design;
use with other materials - combinations with washable wallpaper, laminate, gypsum stone, decorative plaster, etc. look great.
Disadvantages:
the floor covering with ceramic tiles with a glossy texture slides strongly, which sometimes leads to injuries, therefore it is better to use a relief in damp rooms;
not all types are sufficiently resistant to physical damage, especially during transportation, the fall of metal objects;
the surface is very cold, therefore a “warm floor” is often mounted under it;
additional sound insulation is required;
difficult to lay on your own for a long time.
How to choose tiles for the kitchen
Ceramic tiles for the kitchen room will last not a year or two - if the coating is tired, it is quite difficult to change it. What to look for when choosing:
the material should fit the chosen style of the interior, look harmonious in it in color, pattern, texture;
it is advisable to purchase it by 7-10% more than it turns out when calculating the required amount - it can break during transportation, no one is safe from incorrect cutting;
upon purchase, acceptance, the goods must be inspected for cracks, chips, other defects - unscrupulous suppliers sometimes mix broken tiles with the whole, in the hope that they will not notice it;
for an apron, borders, a design of a suitable size is selected - different in width, height, color, flat or convex will also look different, which should be taken into account in advance;
the floor covering should be non-slip, and the wall, especially located in the washing area of the gas stove, should be resistant to strong chemicals, frequent moisture and grease.
Calculation of the number of tiles is best entrusted to a professional, if it is impossible - several times to count them yourself, referring to special literature.
For the floor
For flooring of a spacious kitchen, large tiles are purchased, preferably two to three tones darker than the wall. Preferred colors are non-marking, the surface is matte, shockproof, non-slip, especially if children, animals, elderly people live in the apartment. A stylish interior will create a hexagonal, diamond-shaped, asymmetric ceramic tile.
Ceramics for the floor are marked with a special trace icon - wall on the floor will last very little, it is marked with a palm symbol.
For walls
The dining room, work area is often decorated with different tiles; material with bulges is perfect. In a room with large dimensions, three-dimensional three-dimensional ceramics, contrasting with the headset, look interesting. Gloss is suitable for tighter rooms; ceramic tiles with beveled edges look beautiful.
If the walls are supposed to have sockets, switches, it is advisable to mount them in the center of the tiles so that the room looks aesthetically pleasing.
For apron
When the kitchenette is small, the material of the apron needs to be combined in color, texture with a countertop, floor. If the table is wooden, then the apron will repeat the pattern of wood, stone - granite or marble. Small mosaic elements are allowed. In a larger room, the apron is contrasted.
The height of the apron is approximately 45-75 cm, so the tile is selected in accordance with this parameter so that the pattern is not broken.Ceramic tile with a photo decorator is difficult to lay, but it looks great.
Types of Tiles
All ceramic tile materials are divided into five types according to the production method:
monocottura - is pressed, single firing, used to cover walls, floors. Frost-resistant varieties are used for outdoor applications. The material is resistant to aggressive household chemicals, durable, dense, does not absorb water;
bicotura - enameled ceramic tiles are produced using double firing, intended for interior decoration. The tile comes out porous, less durable than others, has a low weight, thickness, and a brown-red base. It is made by a series of several colors;
monoporosis - the method of single firing, pressing, glazing is used. It contains clay with a large amount of carbonates. The finished product usually has medium or large sizes, low strength, it is used exclusively for internal work. The texture is often an imitation of marble, less often - light wood;
clinker - it is burned once, it is made with or without enamel, with multi-colored bases. It has high resistance to temperature fluctuations, abrasion. It is used for laying floors in residential, office, factory, sports buildings, structures;
cotto - is produced with a porous red base formed during the extrusion process. The material comes out very resistant to abrasive agents, has a high bending and compression strength. It is used as a floor covering in rooms, facing of buildings, constructions. Also, decorative tiles are cast. In addition to ceramic, other types are widely used:
glass - completely transparent or opaque, smooth, embossed or with bubbles;
stone - completely natural, durable, suitable for designing expensive designer interiors;
metal - it looks very impressive, the material is very durable;
PVC - it can be cheap and expensive, it can imitate any texture - bricks, boards, stone, etc.
About the properties of the tiled material, its quality, places of application, you should ask the seller who releases this product.
A variety of shapes, sizes
The shape of the tile used to decorate the kitchen is usually a square, rectangle, rhombus, pentagon, hexagon, triangle, octagon. Other options are less common, often made to order in limited quantities.
In the kitchen room, two or three types of ceramic tiles are most often combined, highlighting various zones. The largest room is used for spacious rooms - patterns, broken lines, “checkerboard” are laid out from it to visually lengthen the wall, a border is made, a contrasting apron is allowed, which is sometimes decorated with suitable stickers. To increase the height of the ceiling, rectangular tiles are laid vertically. In cramped kitchens, mosaic is used, wall mirror tiles, light porcelain tiles are placed diagonally on the floor.
The most commonly used parameters are:
2.5x2.5 cm.;
5x15 cm.;
10x20 cm.;
15x15 cm.;
20x40 cm.;
40x40 cm.;
60 × 60 cm.
The smaller the tiles, the more seams between them, the more complicated the shape - the more time-consuming laying will be, which should be considered in advance.
Styling methods
Often from small ceramic tiles a whole panel is laid out, a colorful mosaic of combined materials. Laying on the floor in several ways:
traditional - even parallel rows, suitable for seamless ceramic tiles;
diagonal - requires a clear layout of the axes, looks beautiful using square elements, significantly expands the space;
"Herringbone" - laid according to the principle of parquet, "herringbone with an attachment" is complemented by mosaics or other colors;
with offset - well conceals minor defects, diversifies the lining;
modular grid - “enliven” a large room, but you need a drawing with all sizes. Wall is fastened in three ways - the usual, diagonally, with an imitation of brickwork (horizontal or vertical).
Regardless of which layout is chosen, the finishing material is first laid out on the floor, they are tried on to walls without glue to see how it looks.
Stylistic directions, color
Tile in one design or another is able to become an interior decoration of any style:
Provence - light colors are preferred - white, light yellow, beige, details of the kitchen apron are made out with thin lines of floral ornament;
classic - classic-style ceramics imitate genuine leather, real stone - usually granite, marble, has a layered pattern;
Scandinavian - the coating is “wood-like”, imitating parquet, boards of various species, in appearance it is very rough;
loft - slabs are made for brickwork, textured elements, “boar”, clinker are used;
minimalism - large monophonic ceramic plates, mostly light or “clean” colors, intricate patterns are unacceptable;
Japanese - predominantly bright, smooth elements, vegetable patterns, hieroglyphs on a kitchen apron, imitation of a bamboo cloth are acceptable;
Art Nouveau - monophonic tile of several colors, preferably contrasting with each other;
Arabic - a covering with patchwork elements is suitable - all tiles may be different or create such an impression;
Slavic - walls or only a kitchen apron are decorated with tiles, gzhel, tiles with Russian folk ornaments.
At the same time, it is recommended to use no more than two or three colors in the room; the walls are decorated in lighter colors than the floor. The most fashionable, popular:
ghostly white with sapphire;
blue with pink;
carrot red with creamy;
yellow with green;
linen with snow blue;
light green with silver;
light gray with black;
blue with snow-white;
mauve with sand;
beige with olive;
apricot with fuchsia;
coffee with milk;
dark eggplant with gray;
greenish brown graphite;
buffy with slate;
tea green with emerald;
amethyst with light carmine.
The color of the interior depends on the area of the room. In a cramped kitchenette, measuring five to six square meters, with a window to the north, north-west, a seamless coating of warm, light shades is preferred. In a more spacious, bright, with windows facing southeast, south, dark, bright colors are allowed.
DIY styling rules
Decorate the walls and floor with a homogeneous tiled material, making a mix of several, easily with your own hands. How to step by step lining the kitchen yourself: first you need some tools:
iron tape measure, square;
a simple pencil;
level, rule;
glass cutter;
mixer or drill with a nozzle;
tile cutter;
tile cutters;
file;
Master OK;
notched trowel, plain, rubber;
rubber mallet;
sponge, rag, bucket;
work gloves, knee pads.
Necessary materials:
tile;
appropriate glue;
crosses for marking;
primer;
grouting suitable color.
First, you need to prepare the base, which it is decided to revet. It is cleaned of contaminants, leveled, laid on concrete, the old layer of tiles, chipboard, etc. When there are irregularities of more than five to six millimeters, the surface is poured with a leveling compound so that there are no sharp transitions, they are waiting for drying, the old coating is sanded, primed.
After they draw the markup - immediately after drying. It is desirable to lay out so that there is no need to cut a lot of tiles, clipping was barely noticeable.The lines are marked with a laser level or cord, the angles must be straight, tiles are laid using crosses. Glue is bred according to the instructions, applied to where the beginning of the very first row was marked, leveled with a spatula with teeth. If the parts are very large, they are also coated with glue. The tile is pressed to the floor, slightly tapping with a mallet. A row is aligned using a rule, a level, crosses are inserted into the corners. After the cut tile is laid, it is cut off taking into account the seam using a tile cutter or grinder. If you want to make a curved cut, masking tape is glued to the tile, drilled in the right places to get a smooth line, cut the excess with wire cutters, and grind it.
When the coating is laid, wait a day and begin to grout the seams - they are moistened with water, after which the grout mixture is applied with a rubber spatula. After thirty to forty minutes, the excess is removed with a sponge dipped in water, after an hour the floor is washed with a soapy solution. After a week, the seams are treated with sealant.
Wall ceramic tiles are placed on drywall, plaster. The walls are leveled, primed. Laying is carried out from the bottom up - the space behind the kitchen set is usually not tiled to save. The bottom row is mounted directly above the skirting board or a metal bar nailed at the level of the countertop - if we are talking about a kitchen apron. Cut pieces are attached in inconspicuous places, corners, slopes are made out of plastic corners. Over the gas, electric stove, the apron is laid until the hood.
If the floor is warm, it is heated one to two days before and three to four days after installation. It is recommended not to walk on the finished floor for the first three to seven days.
How to care
Care is completely uncomplicated, but it is carried out regularly. To clean from various types of contaminants you will need:
ordinary soap solution;
limescale detergent;
tile fat splitter;
antifungal medication if traces of mold appear;
a solution of vinegar, alcohol;
steam cleaner;
latex gloves;
sponge for dishes;
textile napkins;
toothbrush for cleaning joints.
Abrasive powders are not recommended - on some surfaces they leave noticeable scratches. Before washing, the floor is vacuumed, sweeping, the wall covering is regularly cleaned of grease, wiped from dust.
Conclusion
Laying tiles with your own hands in the presence of certain skills is very easy to do, relatively cheap, practical. Sometimes not only a stylish kitchen, but also an entrance hall, a living room, a bathroom, a whole studio apartment, remade from a small “Khrushchev”, are decorated with different types of decorative tiles. When it comes to more extensive spaces, here you can not do without an assistant or even a whole team of professional craftsmen-finishers. On sale there is a wide range of diverse ceramic tiles - from economy class to luxury, with an original texture, photo printing.
Ceramic tile is the most suitable, universal coating for the kitchen interior, classic facing material. It has a beautiful appearance, goes well with other finishes, fits both on the floor and on the walls. Modern tiles for the kitchen are available in various shapes, sizes, colors, textures - in the form of large stoves, small tiles, with a wood texture or “brick-like”, in the form of rhombuses or rectangular, plain or with a pattern.
Content
Pros and cons of ceramic coating
Like any material used for interior decoration, ceramics have their pros and cons.
Benefits:
Disadvantages:
How to choose tiles for the kitchen
Ceramic tiles for the kitchen room will last not a year or two - if the coating is tired, it is quite difficult to change it. What to look for when choosing:
For the floor
For flooring of a spacious kitchen, large tiles are purchased, preferably two to three tones darker than the wall. Preferred colors are non-marking, the surface is matte, shockproof, non-slip, especially if children, animals, elderly people live in the apartment. A stylish interior will create a hexagonal, diamond-shaped, asymmetric ceramic tile.
For walls
The dining room, work area is often decorated with different tiles; material with bulges is perfect. In a room with large dimensions, three-dimensional three-dimensional ceramics, contrasting with the headset, look interesting. Gloss is suitable for tighter rooms; ceramic tiles with beveled edges look beautiful.
For apron
When the kitchenette is small, the material of the apron needs to be combined in color, texture with a countertop, floor. If the table is wooden, then the apron will repeat the pattern of wood, stone - granite or marble. Small mosaic elements are allowed. In a larger room, the apron is contrasted.
The height of the apron is approximately 45-75 cm, so the tile is selected in accordance with this parameter so that the pattern is not broken.Ceramic tile with a photo decorator is difficult to lay, but it looks great.
Types of Tiles
All ceramic tile materials are divided into five types according to the production method:
Also, decorative tiles are cast. In addition to ceramic, other types are widely used:
A variety of shapes, sizes
The shape of the tile used to decorate the kitchen is usually a square, rectangle, rhombus, pentagon, hexagon, triangle, octagon. Other options are less common, often made to order in limited quantities.
In the kitchen room, two or three types of ceramic tiles are most often combined, highlighting various zones. The largest room is used for spacious rooms - patterns, broken lines, “checkerboard” are laid out from it to visually lengthen the wall, a border is made, a contrasting apron is allowed, which is sometimes decorated with suitable stickers. To increase the height of the ceiling, rectangular tiles are laid vertically. In cramped kitchens, mosaic is used, wall mirror tiles, light porcelain tiles are placed diagonally on the floor.
The most commonly used parameters are:
Styling methods
Often from small ceramic tiles a whole panel is laid out, a colorful mosaic of combined materials. Laying on the floor in several ways:
Wall is fastened in three ways - the usual, diagonally, with an imitation of brickwork (horizontal or vertical).
Stylistic directions, color
Tile in one design or another is able to become an interior decoration of any style:
At the same time, it is recommended to use no more than two or three colors in the room; the walls are decorated in lighter colors than the floor. The most fashionable, popular:
DIY styling rules
Decorate the walls and floor with a homogeneous tiled material, making a mix of several, easily with your own hands. How to step by step lining the kitchen yourself: first you need some tools:
Necessary materials:
First, you need to prepare the base, which it is decided to revet. It is cleaned of contaminants, leveled, laid on concrete, the old layer of tiles, chipboard, etc. When there are irregularities of more than five to six millimeters, the surface is poured with a leveling compound so that there are no sharp transitions, they are waiting for drying, the old coating is sanded, primed.
After they draw the markup - immediately after drying. It is desirable to lay out so that there is no need to cut a lot of tiles, clipping was barely noticeable.The lines are marked with a laser level or cord, the angles must be straight, tiles are laid using crosses. Glue is bred according to the instructions, applied to where the beginning of the very first row was marked, leveled with a spatula with teeth. If the parts are very large, they are also coated with glue. The tile is pressed to the floor, slightly tapping with a mallet. A row is aligned using a rule, a level, crosses are inserted into the corners. After the cut tile is laid, it is cut off taking into account the seam using a tile cutter or grinder. If you want to make a curved cut, masking tape is glued to the tile, drilled in the right places to get a smooth line, cut the excess with wire cutters, and grind it.
When the coating is laid, wait a day and begin to grout the seams - they are moistened with water, after which the grout mixture is applied with a rubber spatula. After thirty to forty minutes, the excess is removed with a sponge dipped in water, after an hour the floor is washed with a soapy solution. After a week, the seams are treated with sealant.
Wall ceramic tiles are placed on drywall, plaster. The walls are leveled, primed. Laying is carried out from the bottom up - the space behind the kitchen set is usually not tiled to save. The bottom row is mounted directly above the skirting board or a metal bar nailed at the level of the countertop - if we are talking about a kitchen apron. Cut pieces are attached in inconspicuous places, corners, slopes are made out of plastic corners. Over the gas, electric stove, the apron is laid until the hood.
How to care
Care is completely uncomplicated, but it is carried out regularly. To clean from various types of contaminants you will need:
Conclusion
Laying tiles with your own hands in the presence of certain skills is very easy to do, relatively cheap, practical. Sometimes not only a stylish kitchen, but also an entrance hall, a living room, a bathroom, a whole studio apartment, remade from a small “Khrushchev”, are decorated with different types of decorative tiles. When it comes to more extensive spaces, here you can not do without an assistant or even a whole team of professional craftsmen-finishers. On sale there is a wide range of diverse ceramic tiles - from economy class to luxury, with an original texture, photo printing.