The Best Kitchen Tiles for Walls, Floors and Backsplashes

Tile is a natural choice for the kitchen. It’s durable, water-resistant, and impervious to stains (depending on the material used). On the floor, it holds up to heavy foot traffic. It can visually tie a kitchen together or make a bold statement on the wall or as a backsplash. We’re fans of using kitchen tiles in all those places.

But choosing the best tile for your kitchen’s floors and walls isn’t easy, especially given the wide range of materials and colors available today. To help, we’ve compiled the guide to the best kitchen tile materials, colors, sizes and prices.

Tile for kitchen floors

Kitchen tile for floors falls into three major categories: ceramic, porcelain and stone. Ceramic tile comes in a wide variety of colors and is easy to clean. It is also inexpensive and relatively durable. Because it is not as hard as other tiles, it is somewhat more porous. Over time, it can stain and develop scratches. While you can purchase glazed ceramic tile, which is harder and more stain-resistant, the glaze can make it slippery when wet.

Porcelain tile is a type of ceramic tile fired at a higher temperature, making it harder and less porous. As a result, it resists stains better than other options and is easy to clean. However, it can be difficult to install. You’ll need to hire a professional.

Travertine, slate, granite, limestone and marble are all examples of stone tile. Although they look impressive in a kitchen, they usually come with a hefty price and require regular maintenance, including resealing every 10 years.

What type of tile is best for kitchen floors?

The best tile for your kitchen floor will depend on several factors, including how tolerant you are of slick surfaces. It can also depend on the size of your kitchen. Because dark colors can make a kitchen look smaller, slate would probably not be the best choice for a small kitchen. When trying to decide which tile would be best for your kitchen floor, think about these considerations:

• Hardness: The harder a tile is, the more resistant it is to scratches and dents. On the other hand, the harder the tile is, the more likely dishes and glasses are to shatter when dropped. Also, hard tile can cause your feet to hurt if you stand on it for a long time.
• Water resistance: Kitchens are prone to liquid messes from dropped ice cubes and glasses of orange juice to dribbled spaghetti sauce. A porous option, like ceramic tile, will absorb the liquid and potentially stain. If you cook a lot or have kids, the best tile for you may be one that is less water-resistant.
• Slip resistance: Small kids and pets may struggle with a slick surface, like porcelain. If you have either, you might consider a tile with more texture. Bear in mind that texture will make it harder to clean, though.
• Maintenance: Some tiles require regular maintenance. For example, stone tiles need to be sealed when installed. They need to be sealed again every 10 years after that. Consider how much effort you are willing to put into your floors when deciding on the best kitchen floor tile for your kitchen.
• Installation: Most do-it-yourselfers can install ceramic tile, but other types, including porcelain, require professional installation. If you need to hire someone to install your kitchen floor, don’t forget to factor that expense into your budget.
• Budget: Before you start shopping, determine how much you have to spend on tile and installation. Then, let it guide your flooring decision. Ceramic tile remains the least expensive choice, while stone options like marble will be more expensive.

If you are shopping for ceramic tile, you’ll also want to consider its PEI rating. Established by the Porcelain Enamel Institute (PEI), this rating measures a tile’s durability. Look for a PEI rating of 3 (moderate traffic) or 4 (moderate to heavy traffic) for kitchen floors. Anything below a 3 is best for walls.

Remember that the PEI rating is only for ceramic and porcelain products. And since there is no central database, you’ll have to look at the product’s specification sheet to learn its rating. To complicate things even more, not all companies publish their PEI ratings, but if the rating is available, it’s another factor to consider in determining the best choice for your kitchen.

What color is best for kitchen floor tiles?

The best floor tile color for your kitchen is the one that complements the rest of the room. If you have a smaller kitchen, go with lighter colors like white, beige and tan for the floor. Light colors will make the room appear larger. Conversely, dark colors like black and grey will make the kitchen look smaller (although they better hide spots and dirt).

You don’t have to stick to neutrals. Bold colors like navy and green are popular even for the kitchen floor. Or you can spruce things up with patterned tiles. Home improvement stores stock grey-and-white patterned floor tiles on their shelves, but you’ll find colorful Moroccan-style tiles online and at specialty tile outlets. Before you invest in these bolder colors and patterns, realize that they may look dated in a relatively short period. That will make your home less appealing to buyers. Or you could grow tired of these bold patterns and colors sooner than you would a more neutral tile.

How much do kitchen floor tiles cost?

Kitchen floor tiles can cost anywhere from $2 to $100 per square foot, according to RemodelingCalculator.org. Ceramic tile is typically the cheapest, costing approximately $3.80 to $4 per square foot for 14 x 14 to 24 x 24 tiles. Porcelain is slightly more expensive for the same size, averaging $4 to $4.50. Stone options are more expensive. On average, you’ll pay $5.10 to $6.40 per square foot for marble tile, $5.30 to $6.70 for slate and $5.45 to $7 for granite.

Home Depot estimates that the average cost to install floor tile in one room is $1,000 to $1,500 when you purchase a tile that costs $2 per square foot. In addition to tile costs, this amount covers material costs of $1.37 per square foot and installation costs of $6.50 per square foot. You can save money by installing it yourself but take into account any specialized tools, such as tile cutters, you may need to rent to complete the job.

Tile for kitchen walls and backsplashes

Tile intended for kitchen walls and backsplashes is not as durable as tile on the floor. That opens the door to a lot of different materials. While you can still tile kitchen walls with ceramic, porcelain or stone, materials like glass, metal and shell are also options.

Depending on the project’s scope, installing tile on your kitchen wall is a project most do-it-yourselfers can tackle. This is especially the case if you use tile attached to mesh backing. However, if you intend to tile your entire kitchen wall from counter to ceiling—which is the current trend—versus a small space behind your stovetop, you may want to hire a professional.

What tile is best for kitchen walls?

Each type of tile has pros and cons, and the best one for your kitchen depends on your circumstances. Just as it is for your floor, ceramic is a good choice for anyone on a budget. Along with porcelain, ceramic tile is also durable and easy to clean, and you’ll even find options today that replicate wood, marble or other stone materials.

• Stone: Stone looks incredible on your kitchen wall, but it costs more per square foot. It also can be difficult to install. As such, you’ll probably need to hire a professional to install it, especially if you choose to install marble, travertine or granite. It would help to consider how much time you spend cooking in your kitchen before installing stone tile since it’s porous and stains easily. The only way to prevent stains is to seal it as frequently as once a year.
• Glass: Glass tile for a kitchen wall or backsplash is extremely popular right now. Unlike stone, it is nonporous, meaning it won’t soak up liquids or stain. However, it does streak when you wipe it, and glass scratches easily, even more than ceramic. As long as you aren’t too rough on your kitchen walls, scratching shouldn’t be a problem, but it’s something to consider if you do a lot of cooking in your kitchen.
• Hybrid Products: Hybrid products often combine multiple tile types on a mesh backing. Think stone accented by glass or metal. Because they come on a mesh backing, these products are usually easy to install. However, they can be difficult to seal if only certain materials, like stone, need sealing while others, like glass, don’t.
• Shell: Surprisingly, shell is another good choice for kitchen walls and backsplashes. Not only is it unique, but shell tiles, which are cut from real seashells, are durable and easy to install. Shell also comes in various colors, ranging from white to light blue and pink. Because they are made of natural material, they can stain and may not be suited to a regularly used kitchen for extravagant meals.

What tile color is best for kitchen walls and backsplashes?

There really is no “best color” for kitchen tiles. As with floors, it’s good to remember that darker colors will make the kitchen look smaller. Lighter colors will make it look larger, but don’t limit yourself to neutral tones. Kitchen tile for walls and backsplashes comes in almost any color you can imagine. A backsplash is a good place to introduce a welcome pop of color like yellow or red.

Usually, most homeowners go with white, gray or beige backsplashes. Keep in mind these colors will show spots and dirt. Dark colors like black or charcoal grey convey a sense of luxury, while a blue wall or backsplash gives the kitchen a homey feel. You can get creative with backsplashes, too, combining more than one color or introducing patterned tiles.

Tile color isn’t the only color to consider. Grout color affects how that tile looks at eye level once installed. For example, a grout color similar to the tile emphasizes the tile. Conversely, a contrasting grout color highlights its shape. Grout a few shades lighter or darker than your tile color does both. It lets the tile shine but also draws attention to its shape.

How much does it cost to tile a kitchen wall?

The cost of tiles for the kitchen walls or backsplash is similar to those for the floor. Expect to pay anywhere from $2 to $100 per square foot. Again, ceramic will be the cheapest option at $4.30 to $4.70 per square foot for a 14 x 14 to 24 x 24 tile, according to RemodelingCalculator.com. Porcelain is slightly more expensive. It costs on average $4.45 to $5 per square foot, with natural stone more expensive yet. You can budget $5.70 to $7.40 per square foot for marble, $6 to $7.75 for slate and $6.25 to $8 for granite.

Mesh-mounted options vary wildly in pricing. Currently, Home Depot sells a tumbled slate mosaic tile for $13.69 per square foot. A glossy glass mesh-mounted mosaic tile costs $17.99 per square foot. There’s even patterned mesh-mounted tile available at Home Depot for $25.29 per case. But you can also find a hybrid glass and metal mesh-mounted mosaic tile for just $5.99 per square foot.

Home Depot lists the average cost to tile a wall at $1,000 to $1,500, with tile costs at $2 per square foot. If you purchase a more expensive tile, you’ll pay much more. In addition, expect to pay $1.37 per square foot for materials and $8 per square foot for installation. Angie’s List indicates you can expect to pay a minimum fee of $160 for labor on a backsplash installation. For larger jobs, estimate $10 per square foot. Installers may also quote labor by the hour. A rate of $40 to $60 per hour is typical.

Keep in mind that elaborate kitchen tile designs such as herringbone patterns will take more time, so you can expect to pay much more for labor. If you’re on a budget, stick to simple applications to save money. Or install the tile yourself. Search for videos to show you how to tackle the project step-by-step.

Is there a move in your future?

Whether you’re updating your home before selling it or dreaming about the renovations you’ll make to a future home, consider hiring professionals to do the heavy work. Hiring professionals leaves you more time to focus on renovations and home improvement projects like adding tile to your kitchen floors and walls.

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