Kitchen Floor Tiling Ideas

Tile Mosaic

• Flip through art history books to be inspired by the grand, elaborate tile mosaics in mosques, churches and palaces around the world. While you may not desire such detail to cover your entire kitchen floor, consider incorporating small bands of geometric, mosaic shapes around the room's periphery, or to create a simple overall pattern. This is one way of using small amounts of special tiles you've collected during international travels, or can be an impetus to search for artisan tiles in local boutiques.

Clay Tile

• Clay tile adds warmth and a homey mood to a rustic kitchen design. Set tile on the diagonal for a casual but smartly designed space that avoids a monotonous or boxy feeling. Clay tile in a natural shade of terra cotta or brown-orange sets off vivid South American rugs and wall textiles beautifully. It also pairs well with neutrals such as handcrafted hardwood kitchen islands and walls painted shades of cream.

Subway Tile

• Subway tile may be popular in bathrooms, but it can also make small urban kitchens feel contemporary and hip. Install it on the floor, allowing it to creep up the wall into the backsplash for a retro-feeling, easy-to-maintain look. Use contrasting black and white tiles in a checkerboard pattern for a buoyant space. Or go with all-white tile for a sophisticated room that seems to glimmer in natural light.

Industrial Tile

• Industrial tile can be an exciting, modern, budget-friendly option when you use it creatively. For instance, acknowledge the school-hallway association and work with, not against it. Use mustard yellow and burgundy tiles placed in a random pattern, pairing them with an eat-in area containing an antique French locker room bench and one wall painted with chalkboard paint. Or splurge on artisan light fixtures and great cookware, then use all-black industrial tile to create a kitchen that feels so deliberate, nobody will guess that the flooring was inexpensive.