As someone with a tiny kitchen, you know all too well the struggle of trying to make it look stylish while also maximizing all available space. You've probably scoured the internet for small kitchen ideas to no avail. Well, good news — we have some tips that are specifically designed to help you craft the perfect look for your small kitchen.
The center of any stylish kitchen is the tile. But when you're limited on space, where do you start? Well, there are a few things to consider before purchasing your perfect tiles. In this article, we'll break down what you need to know about choosing tiles for your small kitchen so that you can create a look that's both stylish and practical.
Consider Durability When Picking Kitchen Tile
When deciding what tile to use in your small kitchen, be sure to consider its durability. Kitchen tiles have to face a lot of wear and tear from spills, food scraps, and more. So when choosing tile for your kitchen, select a material that won't chip or crack easily.
Ceramic and porcelain are both excellent options for kitchen tiles. They’re strong enough to withstand typical cooking messes and water splashes yet still look great over time. These materials often come in glossy or matte finishes, and some can even mimic the look of stone or wood without their hefty price tag.
For added protection against spills, consider using tiles with a textured finish. A textured tile can help protect against slipping hazards and makes spills easier to clean up. Finally, since your kitchen will likely bear the brunt of all your cooking activities, pick tiles that can stand up to heat or acidic foods so you don't have to replace them anytime soon.
Embrace Patterns and Colorful Tiles
When you have a small kitchen, it can feel a bit tricky when choosing tiles—you don't want to overpower the room and make it feel even smaller. But you also want to make it look stylish and unique. The solution? Invest in patterned, colorful tiles!
Patterned tiles will add vibrancy and playfulness to your kitchen while taking up fewer visual resources than block colors. With the right balance of colors, you can ensure that your small kitchen's tile design is elegant and unique at the same time. You'll also be able to create borders and patterns to give the space more depth, which will instantly make the space look bigger!
Another tip is to opt for glossy tiles instead of matt ones. Glossy tiles are great for reflecting light, so they'll open up even the smallest of spaces! Plus, using vibrant colors like blue or green will give off a Mediterranean vibe that's perfect for summer days indoors.
Highlight Your Kitchen With Feature Tiles
One of the best ways to make the most out of your small kitchen is to use feature tiles. Feature tiles are a great way to add a bit of personality to your kitchen decor. Plus, the contrast between different colors and textures will create a unique design that will have everyone impressed.
Variety is key
When it comes to feature tiles, variety is key; it’s important to combine both large and small tiles in your design. While smaller tiles create more visual space, larger ones will give more contrast for that wow-factor. Additionally, pick up colors from the rest of your kitchen furniture and textiles for a unified look.
It’s all about placement
When finding which tile works best for you, consider where you want it placed—this may be behind the stove top or sink area; either way, you’ll need to make sure that regular maintenance won't be an issue. Go for more durable material if this is an area where water or steam is going to be present.
The best thing about adding feature tiles to your small kitchen is that they can be added around other elements as well; choose wisely in terms of size and shape when it comes to pairing with existing cabinets or countertops. If done right, this mix-and-match style will add life to your otherwise cramped space!
Get Creative With Textured Surfaces
Adding texture to your small kitchen can really help to maximize the space. Textured surfaces can create an illusion of depth and make the space seem larger than it actually is. Plus, since these tiles come in so many different designs and materials, you're sure to find a texture that fits your style.
Texture also helps break up the look of plain walls and floors, which can give the kitchen a much needed visual boost. Here are some textured surfaces you could consider for your small kitchen:
Floor Tiles:
The right floor tiles can make any room look bigger and brighter. You could go for classic ceramic tiles with a glossy finish or choose textured stone tiles for an extra layer of texture. You could even opt for vinyl tile or luxury vinyl tile if you want something that's easy to clean and maintain.
Wall Tiles:
Textured wall tiles add interest to a wall while still being subtle enough not to overwhelm the space. From handmade cement tiles to geometric shapes, there's an endless selection of small kitchen ideas when it comes wall tiles!
No matter which textured surface you choose for your small kitchen, make sure it's durable enough for everyday use—and don't forget the grout! Sealing the grout after installation will help prevent any moisture from seeping in and causing damage down the line.
Combine Different Tile Sizes and Shapes
Mixing and matching different tile sizes and shapes is a great way to add visual interest to your small kitchen. Small squares, rectangles, mosaics, hexagons—all of these create unique and eye-catching patterns that give your kitchen a more spacious feel.
The key is to use larger tiles as the background, which helps to make the space feel bigger by drawing the eye upwards. Then, you can layer on different shapes and sizes in sections around the room to create an interesting visual effect. For a fun and modern look, try combining geometric tiles with textured tiles or glass tiles. This combination creates a subtle play of light and shadow that will bring an extra dimension to your small kitchen space.
Another advantage of using multiple tile sizes is that it gives you more flexibility when it comes to installation. You can create custom designs without having to cut and adjust each individual tile, which can be time-consuming if you’re working with small spaces.
So don't be afraid to let your imagination run wild! By combining different tile sizes and styles, you can achieve a surprisingly bold look while making the most out of a small kitchen space.
Go Large-Scale to Open Up the Space
If you want to open up the space in your small kitchen even more, then go large-scale with your tiles. This means, choosing large format tiles that are also light in color. You could also go for larger format patterned or textured tiles. Don’t forget that it isn’t only about the color or design of the tile, but also its shape. Bigger tiles will create a ‘larger’ appearance to the room and help to make it feel more spacious and inviting.
Large-scale tiles can help:
- Streamline the walls and floors, creating an illusion of more space
- Open up the area with fewer grout lines
- Make a small kitchen look bigger
Another great idea is to mix large format tiles and smaller mosaic tiles, which may help to leave an interesting texture across walls and floors, while still feeling spacious. Have fun experimenting and exploring different options.
Conclusion
The bottom line is, when it comes to choosing the best kitchen tiles for your small kitchen, you need to think about the size, texture, and style to make the most of your available space. Consider mixing and matching different tiles, using a tile with an interesting design or pattern to inject some personality, and making sure you stick to light and neutral tones to really open up the space.
Creating the perfect kitchen tiles in a small space can be a challenge, but with a little bit of creative thought and clever design, you can easily find the right tiles to maximize your space and give your kitchen the look you’ve been dreaming of.