The short answer is no. Tiled floors fell out of favor for a few years, and all homeowners wanted was hardwood flooring throughout their home and in the kitchen. The poorly designed options seen in older homes turned people off of using tiled floors in the kitchen. These easily dated and unappealing styles will usually be ripped out as soon as possible. However, those aren’t the only options for tiled flooring in kitchens, and we’ll be going over the pros and cons and then looking at a few examples to spark some inspiration.
Pros of Using Tile Flooring in the Kitchen
The kitchen is the most used room in the home. We have our coffee, eat breakfast, pack school lunches, gather with friends and family, prepare holiday dinners, and cook weeknight meals. All this use means it’s vital that the flooring within the kitchen can handle this amount of traffic. While hardwood is durable, it’s susceptible to scratches, dents, and water damage. While washing the dishes, it’s easy to spill water and forget to clean it up. Over time, this abuse can ruin a hardwood floor, and eventually, it will need to be refinished or even replaced. Both are expensive options that require professional intervention.
Tile flooring is durable and water resistant. In a space that uses a lot of water, like a bathroom, tile flooring can be the perfect solution. Tile is also really affordable compared to hardwood. Of course, this depends on the specific tile and material, but there are plenty of options for those on a tighter budget. It’s also a fantastic option for those who desire a wide range of styles, shapes, colors, and patterns. There is no limit to the designs you can create with tiles.
Cons of Using Tile Flooring in the Kitchen
There are a lot of pros to choosing tile flooring in your kitchen, but nothing is perfect, and there are a few cons to keep in mind. For example, tile is a durable material. While this is great for withstanding the abuse the kitchen delivers, it also means that any dropped glasses or plates won’t stand a chance. They often will completely shatter when they land on tiles. This hard surface is also fatiguing on the feet when standing on it for long hours. You’ll need to purchase a support mat if you do a lot of food prep and cooking. These can protect your knees and feet from standing on such a hard surface.
Tile is also very noisy and reflects sound more than hardwood. Adding rugs can help, but it’s certainly something to keep in mind when shopping. And while tile is easy to clean, the grout must be sealed regularly to protect it from stains and from looking grimy over time.
Although it will not get ruined from consistent exposure to wet conditions, tiles are slippery when wet. There are slip-resistant options, but you’ll still want to practice caution when navigating them.
Examples of Stunning Tiled Kitchen Floors
None of the above information will matter if you don’t find a tile option that suits your aesthetic. Unfortunately, it’s also hard to get over past exposure to some of the hideous tile designs of the past and consider it an option. So here are some fantastic kitchens with tile flooring that might change your mind and inspire you to put tile in your own kitchen.
Simple Yet Elegant
Starting with a simplistic design, this tile is perfect for making the floor disappear. The gray color and simple shape allow the rest of the kitchen’s design to shine while still offering a durable and long-lasting surface for a busy home.
Unique Transitions and Shapes
Often it can be hard to imagine how you’ll be able to transition from hardwood to tile. Traditionally these transitions were awkward and boring. However, a design like this is organic and exciting to look at while allowing the tile to be in the area of the kitchen where water and other messes happen the most.
Room Separation with Color
With the trendy “open floor plan,” some homeowners struggle to distinguish between two spaces. One way to do that is with flooring. Here we can see the clear line where the kitchen stops and the dining room begins. It keeps the hardwood out of the space where it could get damaged and offers a beautiful design element within the kitchen. It’s also a soft pop of color in an overall white kitchen.
Stunning Color and Design
Seamlessly continue the fantastic design of your kitchen with patterned tiles like these. They incorporate color but bring more interest to the space with the intricate pattern. To ensure a look like this is achieved successfully, you’ll want to ensure the color of your tile and the cabinet color match by selecting the tile first and then choosing a custom paint color for the cabinets.
Hardwood and Tile Mixed
Can’t decide between tile and hardwood? Maybe this mixture of both is the right option for you. For a more authentic farmhouse design, this flooring option brings the warmth of hardwood but the durability of tile. It’s not for everyone, but it suits this space perfectly.
Black and White Geometric Tiles
A uniquely all-black kitchen could look pretty grim, but these black and white tiles bring light and interest to the space. The simple pattern isn’t too distracting, and the shape of the pattern suits the rest of the kitchen designs.
So while kitchen tile flooring may be considered outdated, how you use the tiles and design them will determine whether or not it looks dated. Be sure to enlist the help of a professional designer to pull this look off successfully. They’ll also be able to help you make the selections since the options for tiles are nearly endless.