Paint tiles
A kitchen update needn’t mean splashing out on new tiles: chalk paint is suitable for almost any surface, including tiles, so you can easily create your own design, such as this striking check pattern.
You’ll need to seal it with either chalk paint wax or lacquer and avoid the area getting too wet.
Pictured: Tiles painted in Olive, Duck Egg, Antoinette and Athenian Black chalk paint, Annie Sloan
Combine patterns
Express your personality with patterned tiles, just like these floral designs. Mixing different motifs creates an eclectic look, but limit your palette to no more than three colours to keep things cohesive. The dark panelled wall in this kitchen allows the wall tiles to shine.
Pictured: Tiles, De Ferranti
Add green
Decorating with green can help to bring the benefits of the natural world into your kitchen. Green tiles needn’t be confined to floors and splashbacks though – inject more colour by tiling a breakfast bar or entire wall.
Pictured: Ludlow kitchen, Magnet
Don’t forget grout
It’s easy to overlook grouting, but opting for a contrasting colour, such as this terracotta, can instantly turn the plainest of white tiles into a design statement.
Pictured: Marylebone metro tiles and Terra di Siena tile grout, both Walls and Floors
Go Japandi
If you love calming schemes with a healthy dose of zen, you’ll love the Japandi kitchen trend. Kitchen tiles with organic shapes and a soothing, earthy palette are a smart way to incorporate this look into your kitchen.
Pictured: Kobi Khaki Gloss porcelain tiles, Mandarin Stone
Incorporate shelving
Make a design feature of shelving with the help of your kitchen tiles. The overlapping circles of this design add colour and interest without competing with the sharp angles of the quirky stepped shelf.
Pictured: Sunset Astro tiles, Porcelain Superstore
Lay herringbone
Simple rectangular wall tiles are endlessly versatile and can be transformed with different laying patterns. Herringbone is having a moment right now and will lend a hint of traditional grandeur – or for a more contemporary look, use a brick bond or chevron pattern.
Pictured: Aurelia Sage ceramic wall tiles, House Beautiful Collection at Homebase
Think big with a tile mural
For the ultimate maximalist statement with your kitchen tiles, pick a large mural design like this botanical motif. Pair with more streamline, pared-back units to avoid overwhelming the space.
Pictured: Natural History Museum tile collection, Surface View
Break up colours
For a more subtle nod to the colour-blocking trend, break up a single shade with a geometric pattern, like this square yellow and white design.
Pictured: Sanabria Sweet Yellow tiles, Bert & May
Let the floor do the talking
Consider a bold patterned kitchen floor tile. As well as making a design statement, it is also a practical choice as it won’t show scuffs or spillages. A geometric pattern can also be used to break up a monochrome or black and white kitchen.
Pictured: Belleville porcelain tiles, Ca’Pietra
Get the country look
For a healthy dose of rustic charm, emulate a traditional farmhouse kitchen with terracotta floor tiles. Furniture with sleek lines, like this mid-century-style dining set, will keep the look fresh.
Don’t forget that terracotta and other natural stone tiles will require sealing.
Pictured: Table and chairs, Ercol at Furniture Village
Fit in florals
Although kitchen tiles often lean more towards a more sleek or geometric look, it’s also possible to inject more whimsical floral designs into your scheme.
This delicate wildflower print was named Original Style’s Tile of the Year and it’s not hard to see why – it’s a subtle way to incorporate botanical motifs into any space.
Pictured: Wildflower Rose tile, Original Style
Mix up walls and floors
If opting for patterned kitchen floor tiles, keep wall tiles to plain colours so that they don’t compete.
Pictured: Sardinia Dragonetti tiles and Foundry Smeraldo tiles, both Ca’Pietra
Don’t be square
For a nod to the Moroccan look, consider a shaped kitchen tile like these gorgeous arabesque floor tiles from Ca’Pietra, which still fit into a pared-back, muted scheme, all while offering instant rustic charm.
Pictured: Marlborough terracotta tile, Ca’Pietra
Make a statement
Get creative when laying your kitchen tiles for a bold look. Many tiles come in diagonal designs, which can be configured to create patterns from checkerboard to chevron.
Pictured: Nostalgia anti-slip tiles, Baked Tile Co.