The best wall and floor tiles for contemporary kitchens
From tidy trims to illustrative reliefs, the latest designs on the market cater to all styles
Small but highly impactful, the right tiles can give a kitchen its character, adding pattern to a pared-back scheme or sculptural interest where texture might be lacking. Here, we round up the designs that deserve a place on your walls (and floors).
‘SensiEtna’ tiles, Florim
Tiles don’t get much hotter than these. Made using real lavastone, they take colour cues from the ever-changing hues of Sicily’s Mount Etna – from pale, incandescent tones to the inky blacks of cooled rock. Created by Matteo Thun & Partners, the tile collection celebrates volcanic activity, drawing inspiration from its primordial strength. The richly textured porcelain surfaces come in three tactile finishes – ‘Bugnato’, ‘Rigatino’ and ‘Crosta’. From £400 per tile, florim.com
‘Flytte’ tiles, Two & A Half Dimensions
As its name suggests, studio Two & A Half Dimensions creates tiles that appear to hover between two and three dimensions. Its latest range is no exception – it makes kitchen and bathroom walls come alive. Comprised of relief options such as the playful ‘Hanoi’ and dynamic graphics exemplified in ‘Flytte’s’ brushstroke pattern (pictured), the tiles are cut, formed, glazed and fired by hand in Naples, where founder Piera Dencker-Rasmussen de Mascoli lives. From approx £6.50 per square m, 212dimensions.com
‘Ditsy Delft’ tiles, Devol
Delft tiles are enjoying an unexpected revival, praised for their ability to bring whimsical illustrations to hardworking spaces. Devol’s recently released selection turns the brand’s bestselling wallpaper designs into handcrafted porcelain stoneware. Available in classical blue and white or the tawny ‘Sepia’ hue, they’re ideal for kitchen splashbacks, adding ditsy decoration without overpowering a surface. From £7 per tile, devolkitchens.co.uk
‘The Finishing Touches’ tiles, Fired Earth
Interior designer Nina Campbell is encouraging people to embrace the power of the stripe with her latest collection for Fired Earth. The range of dados and trims builds on her longstanding partnership with the brand and comes in four neutral shades – ‘Eucalyptus’, ‘Taupe’, ‘Jet’ and ‘Ivory’ – that can be combined to create architectural patterns. From £2.50 for a short trim, firedearth.com
‘Jude’ tiles, Mandarin Stone
Sometimes the best design decisions are subtle ones. Mandarin Stone’s ‘Jude’ tiles quietly demand attention in this delicate ‘Bone’ finish. The ivory tone is a beautiful counterpoint to a natural palette and also draws the eye to the reflections created by the irregular glazed surface. From £50 per sq m, mandarinstone.com
‘Squarish on Four’ tiles, Bert & May
Following partnerships with Henry Holland and Cobblers Cove, tile specialist Bert & May has added Marrakech-based Popham Design to its roster of collaborators. The resulting range is handcrafted using Moroccan stone, celebrating a shared love of craftsmanship. From the playful geometry of ‘Squarish on Four’ to understated plain terrazzo, the collection is a great option for giving kitchen floors and walls a bold update. £168 per sq m, bertandmay.com
‘Kismet’, Otto Tiles
Otto Tiles has released ‘Kismet’, which pays homage to the symbols of Çatalhöyük – one of the world’s oldest civilisations. It’s designed by Turkish founder and creative director Damla Turgut, who wanted to bring the region’s rich graphics to a new audience. Three designs – the architectural ‘Patara’, figurative ‘Hittites’ and symmetrical ‘Amara’– make up the series. £145 per sq m, ottotiles.co.uk
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