You have probably heard this saying before: The kitchen is the heart of the home. It is where every party begins and ends, and the family gathers during the holidays.
Kitchen remodelling can feel quite overwhelming to every homeowner. Let’s face it: living without a functioning kitchen for some time can be frustrating, at the least.
Every kitchen remodel involves all sorts of decisions. Today, we are going to discuss the importance of kitchen floors and which style is best—classic or modern. We are also going to give some top ideas for tiling your kitchen so you have options and inspiration for every scenario.
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Is Classic or Modern Kitchen Flooring A Better Choice?
The style of kitchen flooring depends on many other decisions before that. What will be the overall style of the place, what will be the design of the kitchen cabinets, what is the colour scheme of the place, etc.? These are all important design questions before every kitchen remodel.
All of the above influence the type of kitchen floor you choose. The durability of the kitchen flooring is one factor that you have to combine with the style of the space.
Since the kitchen is one of the main rooms in every home, many people use it all the time. The floor has to be durable not only because of that but also because food, water, and other beverages are frequently spilt.
Kitchen floor tiles are the preferred choice because they are durable and easy to clean. There are all sorts of designs you can choose from, but there are two types: classic and modern. Both styles have pros and cons.
Classic flooring is often made with natural materials like natural stone. People tend to use handmade tiles with different designs and patterns.
The classic design has a timeless look, it’s warm, and inviting. The designs can be intricate and difficult to install, but they add huge property value to any home.
Classic tiles are most often crafted from stone or other natural materials. They are durable and very good conductors of heat. The main drawback of the classic style is that the tiles are hard to maintain.
Most of them have rough finishes and are hard to clean. The tiles need to be sealed to make them waterproof. Depending on the material, the grout is also really important to the overall strength of the whole floor.
Modern flooring, on the other hand, is really easy to maintain. Tiling, especially, is easy to clean. The tiles are produced in various styles and offer a very sleek and polished design for the space. There are even tiles that mimic the classic style but without all the setbacks.
One of the cons of modern-style kitchen flooring is that it doesn’t give any additional character to the space. Modern kitchen floors can sometimes be quite boring, even though they are easy to maintain.
One other major difference is the price of each style. Classic tiling can be very expensive, depending on how the tiles were made, what material was used, etc. Modern tiling can also be very expensive if you go with marble tiles, for example, but overall – the price tag is lower because of the manufacturing process.
If you are struggling with the choice, you should try and answer the following questions:
- Which one is more durable?
- Which one best suits the overall style of the kitchen?
- Which one fits the desired budget?
- Which one is easier to maintain without sacrificing style?
If you can answer all these questions, you’ll surely have one definitive winner for your situation.
Source: Unsplash
Tips on Choosing Kitchen Tiles
In this section, we will provide some important tips on how to choose the perfect kitchen tiles for both classic and modern styles.
Shape
The shape of the tiles can influence the overall feel of the space, not only that. The different shapes require different installation times.
For example, if you like classic mosaic floors for your kitchen, they are really difficult and time-consuming to install. This means that the whole kitchen remodel will take more time. Choosing odd-shaped tiles like hexagons, for example, will give the space huge appeal, but the time required for installation and applying grout is significantly longer.
Modern-shaped tiles, on the other hand, are easier to install. Most modern-style tiles are large and require less time and maintenance. They also have smooth edges, which makes it easier for the tilling expert to grout the whole surface faster.
Hand-made or machine-made
The manufacturing process influences not only the look of the tile but also the process of installation and price.
Hand-made tiles have rough edges, and no two tiles are the same. The pattern of the tiles is also not the same. This means that it will take a lot more time to install them than machine-made tiles. Hand-made tiles are also far more expensive.
Modern tiles are made in factories using different moulds. The styles are printed on top of the tile, so they are the same. This will cut the time for installation and give the space a much more uniform and cleaner look. Machine-made tiles are also far cheaper.
Source: Pexels
Bold or neutral colours
The choice of a colour scheme for your kitchen flooring depends on the style and colour of your cabinets. If you have grey or white cabinets, it’s easier to introduce colour to the space.
Most classic tiles have a natural feel. They are made with earthy tones or stone, which naturally gives the space a timeless feel. If you choose your pattern carefully, you can add appeal to the space solely on the shapes and contrast of the tiles without relying on bold colours.
Modern tiles, on the other hand, can come in every colour and pattern imaginable. If you are willing to do your floor with a bold colour, you have to seriously consider the colour of the grout lines. Also, some colours are easier to maintain than others. If you want a sleeker and cleaner look, you can choose modern white tiles, but you have to remember—they are very hard to maintain clean.
Material of the floor tile
The different materials are not only tied with the feel and design of the space but also with durability. For example, glass tiles may look awesome for the kitchen floor, but they are easy to break.
Clay tiles are a popular classic choice for the kitchen, but they are hard to maintain. Clay has to be impregnated to make it waterproof and prolong its lifespan. A porcelain tile can also be really easy to break, but if you choose terracotta or stone tiles for your classic kitchen, you get the best of both worlds.
Both terracotta and stone are durable, very easy to maintain and have a long lifespan. They are great heat conductors and really suitable for underfloor heating and offer a natural feel when you step on them.
Most homeowners choose marble or concrete for modern designs. Both have very good durability characteristics but are hard to maintain. The positive side is that modern tiles from every material can come in huge tile sizes, so installation time will be significantly less.
Considering all of the tips above, we will give you some top ideas for kitchen floors – classic and modern.
5 Tile Ideas For a Classic Kitchen Floor
Classic tile work is sometimes the best option. It can give the space a timeless effect, and you can easily combine it with different cabinets, colours, and accessories.
Source: Unsplash
1. Herringbone tiles
Oftentimes called parquet pattern, herringbone pattern tiles are timeless, beautiful, and very durable. You can achieve this pattern with any classic rectangular tile.
We suggest using clay or terracotta tiles for the best effect.
The pros are that the floor will look fantastic. The cons are that they’re hard to install, and you will probably need professional help from a tile expert.
Source: Pexels
2. Checkerboard tiles
Classic checkerboard pattern flooring is very easy to install. You just need white and black tiles to achieve it, but you can also do it with colours.
This very contrasting style can add huge appeal to any space. It’s easy and fast to install.
The con is that you have to consider all the other style elements in the space to make it more balanced and not overly decorative.
Source: Pexels
3. Farmhouse-style stone tiles
The farmhouse style has become very popular in recent years. One major advantage is that it incorporates many natural materials. Using stone as tiles will add a rustic feeling to any space.
Stone is probably the most durable material. However, stone tiles are expensive and hard to maintain, and they can get stained easily if not appropriately impregnated.
Source: Pexels
4. Hexagon tiles
Hexagon tiles can instantly transform any space. They are very beautiful, and their shape complements almost every style. They can also be produced from natural materials.
The pros are that hexagon tiles have a huge design impact, even in neutral colours. The cons are that they are hard to install.
Source: Pexels
5. Mosaic tiles
Any kind of mosaic pattern can immediately change the feel of your kitchen. When done right, mosaics elevate the space and make it look more expensive than it is. Mosaics are probably one of the best choices for classic kitchen floors.
The pros are that it’s timeless and beautiful.
The major con is that it’s notoriously hard to install and will take a lot of time and effort.
5 Tile Ideas For a Modern Kitchen Floor
If you like the sleek and clean look of modern kitchen floors, the next five styles are for you. Tiles with a contemporary twist are durable, cheap, and easy to maintain.
Source: Unsplash
1. Marble tiles
Marble is the preferred material for any modern look. It’s great both for bathroom and kitchen spaces.
Marble tiles come in a wide variety of colours. They can be really big and easy to install.
One pro of marble tiles is that the space looks cleaner. The major con is that it is really easy to see when the tiles get dirty.
Source: Pexels
2. Concrete tiles
Concrete tiles have risen in popularity with the emergence of the viral industrial style. Concrete will give any space a more modern look.
The pros of concrete tiles include durability and a higher heat conducting rate.
The cons are that concrete tiles can be hard to maintain and that, if not impregnated properly, concrete can have very stubborn stains.
Source: Pexels
3. Large format tiles
Modern tiles come in all sizes, but most homeowners choose large-format ones. They are easier and faster to install and come in a variety of colours.
The pros are that large tiles give the space a more uniform look. The cons are that, depending on the material, large-format tiles can be really expensive.
Source: Pexels
4. Faux wood flooring
One major benefit of modern tiles is that they can mimic any sort of material. Tiles that mimic wood are a very good choice for any modern kitchen. They have a more classic feel, but still have the durability of tiles.
The pros are that wood effect tiles are more durable when in contact with water. The cons are that the pattern of the wood is the same on every tile, and it doesn’t have the natural feel of wood.
Source: Pexels
5. Minimalist style tiles
Most homeowners consider the kitchen a space that has to look and feel clean all the time. One way to add to that feeling is by choosing white tiles. They are often seen in the modern minimalist style.
The pros are that they are easily replaced with new ones because you don’t have to look for a specific colour. The cons are that white tiles are hard to maintain clean—the colour will visually enhance any dirt or residue on them.
How to Ensure Your Tiles Match Your Kitchen Style?
Even after carefully considering every tile option on the market for your kitchen remodel, you can sometimes make mistakes with the style.
To ensure your tiles match your kitchen style, you have to consider the following:
- Define the style of the space.
- Consider the colour scheme.
- Choose the best material for the style you want.
- Decide on the tile placement.
- Balance out the different design elements in the space.
- Collect samples from tile selection and test them before doing anything.
If the kitchen remodel is stressful, you can always enlist the help of a professional tiling expert.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are classic tiles harder to maintain than modern ones?
Yes, classic tiles are often harder to maintain because of the materials used, the patterns, and the finishes.
Which tiles are cheaper – modern or classic ones?
Depending on what you are looking for, modern tiles are cheaper because of the manufacturing process.
Can I combine both classic and modern styles?
Yes, you can! Sometimes, a combination of both is the best option for the space.
