Choosing kitchen splashback tiles

Choosing wall tiles for your kitchen backsplash

Tiles for your kitchen backsplash are completely back in style. For a long time, many other materials were used for kitchens. Think of stainless steel backsplashes, glass backsplashes, painted stucco, or natural stone like granite. Nowadays, choosing wall tiles for a backsplash is very much in vogue again. In this blog, you can read more about tiles for kitchen walls.

Wall tiles for atmosphere in the kitchen

Unlike some of the material choices mentioned above for a kitchen wall, tiles allow you to create the exact atmosphere you desire. Wall tiles come in all sorts of colors, sizes, types, and even with trendy prints or patterns. There is a suitable solution for every living style. From handmade Delft blue tiles for a rustic or farmhouse style to glazed wall tiles for a modern design.

What should you consider when choosing kitchen tiles?

1# Style and design

When choosing tiles for your kitchen backsplash, consider the style and existing elements in the room.

Creating contrast

For example, place small wall tiles in combination with large-format floor tiles. Install trendy ceramic Portuguese tiles with a busy print when the rest of the kitchen exudes more tranquility. Create contrasts to maintain overview, but ensure that everything matches well.

A cohesive look

Ensure your tiles fit well with your living style and then complement the materials and colors of your kitchen. Consider the color of your kitchen cabinets, the countertop, and for instance, the tiled floor. Choose colors that don't clash and materials that harmonize well. Incidentally, you can also always choose to change the color scheme of your kitchen with kitchen wrapping.

2# Tiles that are suitable for getting wet and dirty

Besides the appearance of the tiles and the character they lend to your kitchen, they must be functional. The backsplash of your kitchen often gets wet and dirty. Therefore, you need tiles that are not porous. Dirt and moisture should not penetrate the tiles and damage them. Preferably choose ceramic tiles or glazed wall tiles. Cement tiles, for example, are porous and less suitable for the kitchen. If you do choose a tile that is not inherently waterproof, make sure it is treated very well.

3# Choose tiles that are easy to clean

Especially behind the sink or stove, kitchen wall tiles often get dirty. When cooking and washing dishes, it's impossible to prevent stains and splatters from ending up on the tiles. Food residues can cling, and grease stains can form.

Ceramic kitchen tiles

To easily remove all these stains, we recommend choosing smooth or glossy tiles. Matte ceramic tiles, for example, are often rough and not easy to clean with a cloth. Glossy ceramic tiles, on the other hand, are suitable.

Glazed porcelain tiles

Glazed porcelain tiles are also a suitable option. The tiles are fired at a very high temperature, making them waterproof. The glaze layer ensures that the tiles are smooth and therefore very easy to clean.

Portuguese cement tiles

Cement tiles are generally not suitable for the kitchen. Cement tiles are not waterproof. The porous tiles absorb dirt and moisture, leading to stains. If you do want to choose Portuguese tiles, opt for the imitation ceramic version. Or have your cement tiles treated/impregnated very well.

Mosaic tiles

Mosaic tiles are either ceramic or glazed tiles, like Moroccan Zelliges, for example. Ceramic mosaic tiles are well-suited for the kitchen. Handmade mosaics like Zelliges are often not suitable. These tiles can be used if you treat them properly.