How do I identify good wall tiles for the kitchen?

Mosaics come in a myriad of colors, patterns, styles, and materials. Choosing the right tiles for your kitchen can seem like a daunting task, but it can be easy if you consider the area you plan to lay out and its uses. By choosing tiles that are practical, while trusting your own sense of style, you can have a kitchen wall you’ll admire and your neighbors envy for years to come.

To lease

Decide which area of ​​your kitchen walls you would like to tile. If you’re tiling the sink and stove area backsplash, it could influence your choices. In the backsplash, the best tiles to choose have smooth surfaces that are easily cleaned. These areas develop a buildup of grease and splatter from normal daily use of your kitchen. A tile with a rough surface, such as traditional brick, would be extremely difficult to clean, while coated ceramic tile is easy to scrub and clean. If you’re tiling other walls in the kitchen, such as seating areas, those surfaces won’t take as much of a beating as the areas where you cook and clean, so the type of tile surface isn’t as much of a concern.

Color

Choose a color that you can live with not only now, but also in the future. You don’t want to choose bright pink tiles unless you’re sure you’ll love this shade not only in your current black and pink kitchen, but in your future kitchen as well. Laying tiles requires a great deal of time and money, so you want to invest in tiles that will last. Unless you plan to remodel your kitchen every decade or so, steer clear of trendy tiles and stick with classic patterns and colors.

Style

On the other hand, don’t choose a plain white ceramic tile that you’d be bored with for the next 10 years. Balance functionality, longevity, and creativity to create your perfect space. Think about the ultimate “feel” you want your kitchen to have. For a modern look, look for glass mosaic tiles. For a natural look, try a smooth finishing rock. You can even use tin tiles to add a touch of old world charm. The overall goal should be to match your personal taste with a practical, long-term decorating approach. If you’re not sure what you like best, flip through various decorating magazines and cut out pictures that you like. Try to match those images with the tiles you find in the store.