9 Best Kitchen Floor Tile Ideas and Tips

9 Best Kitchen Floor Tile Ideas and Tips

by — Andra DelMonico
Published on June 28, 2021
Updated on March 24, 2025

“The kitchen is the heart of every home, for the most part. It evokes memories of your family history.” – Debi Mazar

You’re tired of the flooring in your kitchen and are ready to give it an upgrade. If you’re already planning a kitchen remodel, then it’s the perfect time to upgrade your kitchen’s flooring.

Tile is perfect for your kitchen flooring because it’s attractive and durable. This makes it the perfect choice for improving the look of your kitchen while also giving it longevity.

There are two options when considering kitchen floor tile ideas. Ceramic tile is beautiful but can be susceptible to cracking or chipping.

Porcelain tile is the better option because it is more durable, making it a smart choice for a high-traffic area like the kitchen. Consider these ideas when choosing new tile flooring for your kitchen.

1. Finding the Center and Creating Guidelines

If you have never laid tile before, this is not the project to learn with. Your kitchen is a high-traffic area, and your new tile flooring will get a lot of use. It’s also a central location in your home, so any mistakes or screw-ups will be readily seen by anyone that comes into your home.

Gray wood-look tile flooring adds a modern touch to this galley kitchen with white cabinets and dark backsplash tiles. — Source: @debteague34 via Instagram

Light wood-look floor tiles bring warmth to this modern white kitchen with gold fixtures and a contrasting dark island. — Source: @dreamdesigninteriors.co via Instagram

Dark wood-look tiles add rich contrast to this bright kitchen with white cabinetry and a sleek gray island centerpiece. — Source: @eandi_diy via Instagram

Some homeowners still want to attempt their own tile anyway. If you do, start by preparing your flooring so that you have a clean and smooth surface.

Find the kitchen’s center and snap chalk guidelines to help you stay straight with your tile lines. Next, apply the mortar and work in small sections.

2. Light Gray for a Soft and Bright Look

One of the most popular colors in interior design is gray. It’s a popular neutral because it can look beautiful with many other colors. Gray works well as your kitchen floor tile because it can set the mood for the room.

A light gray tile will look softer than pure white but will still look light and bright.

Textured gray floor tiles ground this airy white kitchen, adding depth and contrast to the modern farmhouse design. — Source: @stay_fit_to_fight via Instagram

Dark charcoal gray will give your kitchen a modern and sophisticated feel. The dark charcoal will ground your kitchen. You can then pair it with lighter-colored cabinets and walls. The dark color on the floor will help your kitchen to look bigger.

3. Blending Your Kitchen Tile with the Rest of Your Home

If your kitchen is large and the center of your home, then you should choose a tile that will fit the stately stature of your kitchen. A subtle textured tile will be perfect for your entire kitchen.

Choose a large tile that will fit the scale of the kitchen. This will help retain the room’s large feeling where a smaller tile would close the space in or become overwhelming.

Glossy white marble floor tiles with bold gray veining bring a luxurious, high-end feel to this sleek modern kitchen. — Source: @iqdes.ru via Instagram

Large white porcelain tiles with subtle gray veining reflect natural light, creating a clean and polished kitchen look. — Source: @the.home.of.grey via Instagram

Large rustic stone tiles add timeless character to this spacious kitchen, complementing the soft gray cabinets and dark island. — Source: @thehighlandhome via Instagram

Rustic wood-look tiles in varied tones enhance the farmhouse charm of this kitchen with natural wood cabinetry and island. — Source: @titanfactorydirect via Instagram

You should also consider transitioning your tile from the other areas of your home. This will help blend your kitchen into the rest of your home. That way, it looks cohesive, and your home flows from one room to the next.

4. The Appeal of Marble Tiles

Give your kitchen a modern feel by choosing a tile that’s considered modern. You could choose marble tile for an elegant feel. Be aware that marble takes a lot of maintenance and care. Granite tile is another option for an upscale look to your kitchen.

Glossy white floor tiles with subtle marble veining add a fresh, spacious feel to this sleek all-white modern kitchen. — Source: @the.home.of.grey via Instagram

Polished white tiles with soft gray veining add a sleek, modern feel to this glossy white minimalist kitchen. — Source: @a_s_interiors_ via Instagram

Glossy beige floor tiles bring warmth and elegance to this modern kitchen with sleek cabinetry and a spacious island. — Source: @cb_loves_interiors_20 via Instagram

Light green-toned wood-look tiles add a fresh, unique twist to this classic white kitchen with a central island and stainless steel appliances. — Source: @kromitex via Instagram

Large white tiles with soft gray veining bring a clean, polished finish to this sleek black-and-white galley kitchen. — Source: @violet_road17 via Instagram

Some modern kitchens take the exact opposite route and look minimalist or slightly industrial. You can create this look in your kitchen with cement tile.

This traditionally commercial building material will give your kitchen a cool edge. However, if you don’t want to stray too far from traditional tile, then stick with plain porcelain in a hexagon tile shape.

5. Achieving Visual Interest with Subway Tiles

Do yourself a favor, and don’t put a mosaic tile on your kitchen floor. These intricately patterned kitchen tiles are meant for your backsplash. Mosaic tiles on the floor will look busy and overwhelming. This limits what you do with the rest of the kitchen.

Hexagon mosaic tiles create a playful transition from wood flooring in this bright kitchen with bold blue cabinets. — Source: @ckl_kitchens via Instagram

Bold mosaic floor tiles with geometric patterns energize this modern black kitchen in a market setting with wood accents. — Source: @elitimo_home via Instagram

Classic black and white mosaic tiles bring a timeless, patterned touch to this cozy white kitchen with dark countertops. — Source: @samanfamoz via Instagram

Colorful mosaic tiles in mixed patterns give this kitchen a lively, eclectic vibe, pairing beautifully with wood countertops. — Source: @the_klat_schak via Instagram

Star-patterned mosaic tiles add charm and texture to this minimalist white kitchen with clean lines and open shelving. — Source: @tilemall_au via Instagram

Elegant patterned mosaic tiles in soft gray and white add charm to this compact kitchen with marble counters and dark cabinets. — Source: @twouptwodowling via Instagram

If you want to create a pattern on the floor, try a subway tile. These simple rectangular tiles don’t have patterns on them, but you can create a pattern with the tile by laying them in a chevron or herringbone pattern.

6. Natural Tones for Depth and Texture

The smartest choice you can make for your kitchen is to stick with a neutral tile. Travertine tile is a perfect example of this type of tile. It comes in a wide variety of neutral shades, from darker brown to light beige.

Glossy beige square tiles offer a clean, neutral base for this modern black-and-white kitchen with minimalist accents. — Source: @foreverhome6a via Instagram

Light gray wood-look tiles bring a soft, neutral warmth to this cozy kitchen with white cabinets and under-cabinet lighting. — Source: @ourhappycheshirehome via Instagram

When choosing a neutral-colored tile, look for one that embraces natural tones. This will create variety, texture, and visual interest. Do not choose a plain beige tile. This will look dirty and dated.

You could also choose a gray tile with varying shades of gray that range from dark charcoal to almost white.

7. Transforming Your Kitchen with Rustic Tiles

Give your kitchen a rustic appeal with rustic tile. This is perfect for a farmhouse-inspired kitchen where you don’t want to have wood floors. The rustic tiles will not be perfectly square. Some could have dents or chips. The edges will be uneven, and the tiles could be different sizes.

Checkerboard beige and cream tiles add timeless charm to this bright kitchen with white cabinets and a rustic wood island. — Source: @bountiful_flooring via Instagram

You could use natural stone tile, terracotta tile, or stone tile. You can buy these tiles in handmade designs. This will give them a varied and rustic appeal.

Just be careful when laying these tiles. You want them to be varied, but not too uneven. The floor shouldn’t be so uneven that it can be dangerous to walk on.

8. Vinyl Tiles for Quick Upgrades

If you can’t do a complete remodel on your kitchen, then consider using vinyl tiles. These are peel and stick tiles that you will adhere to your existing flooring. For some people, this means putting them over your existing tile floor. Or you could put them on your roll-out vinyl flooring.

Beige vinyl floor tiles with a wood-look finish add warmth and durability to this traditional kitchen with stainless steel appliances. — Source: @absoluteflooring_yorktown via Instagram

Herringbone vinyl flooring adds elegance and warmth to this chic kitchen with leather barstools and white marble accents. — Source: @brunnerlass via Instagram

Be careful when choosing your vinyl tiles. You don’t want to try and use wall tiles on the floor. They aren’t durable enough and will begin to peel up. Be sure to thoroughly clean and prep your flooring before applying the tiles. This will ensure they securely stick.

9. The Investment Value of Wood-Look Tiles

A modern trend in tile is to make it look and feel like a hardwood floor. This gives you the look of a wood floor without the maintenance and vulnerability of real wood.

When choosing wood look tile, consider the size, color, and texture. Some wood tiles have a slight texture, while others are heavily textured. The tile also comes in a wide range of wood types, from dark to light. There are also some that have a more rustic look for an aged appeal.

Glossy medium-brown floor tiles with a wood-grain finish add warmth to this sleek galley kitchen with gray cabinets and black countertops. — Source: @anishamadaan4 via Instagram

Light brown herringbone floor tiles add warmth and pattern to this contemporary kitchen with dark cabinetry and sleek finishes. — Source: @kentishflooringcentre via Instagram

Herringbone wood-look floor tiles add texture and warmth to this modern kitchen with navy cabinetry and soft gray walls. — Source: @1930s_forever_home via Instagram

Warm-toned hardwood flooring adds natural charm to this bright white kitchen with a central island and modern black accents. — Source: @thefarmersdaughterdesigns via Instagram

Gray herringbone wood-look tiles bring a modern, textured foundation to this white kitchen with stainless steel appliances. — Source: @vaskotileco via Instagram

This type of tile can be expensive. However, it’s well worth the investment for beautiful neutral flooring that will stand the test of time.

Be sure to work with someone who has experience laying this type of flooring. They need to randomize the tiles to ensure your floor looks like a real wood floor and not a patterned tile.

What is the best tile for a kitchen floor?

The best tile for your kitchen is porcelain. It’s strong, durable, and looks great. These tiles are made by mixing clay and sand together and then treating them with heat and pressure. The result is a dense and less porous tile.

Are tiles in a kitchen a good idea?

Tile is a great idea for your kitchen because it’s durable and practical. It’s impervious to water, making it easy to clean. Tile comes in a variety of shapes, colors, and sizes so that you can give your kitchen a custom look.

What color tile is easiest to keep clean?

The easiest tile to keep clean is polished porcelain tile. You can use almost any type of soap and water on it. However, you want to be careful not to choose a smooth polished tile. It can get dangerously slippery when wet. White will show all of the dirt right away.

A natural stone with a variety of brown, beige, and tan will hide the most dirt, oil, and grime. However, you want your kitchen to be clean, so a tile that can hide the dirt will be harder to ensure your kitchen is sanitary.