- Decide which area of your kitchen's walls you would like to tile. If you are putting tiles on the backsplash of the sink and stove area, it could influence your choices. On the backsplash, the best tiles to choose have smooth surfaces that wipe clean easily. These areas develop a buildup of grease and splatter from normal day-to-day use of your kitchen. A tile with a bumpy surface, like traditional brick, would be extremely difficult to clean, whereas coated ceramic tile is easy to scrub and wipe. If you are tiling other walls in the kitchen, such as seating areas, those surfaces will not take as much of a beating as areas where you cook and clean, so the type of tile surface isn't as much of a concern.
- Choose a color that you can live with not just now, but well into the future. You don't want to choose bright pink tiles unless you are sure you will love this hue not just in your current black-and-pink kitchen, but in your future kitchen. Tiling takes a good deal of time and money, so you want to invest in tile that will last. Unless you plan on remodeling your kitchen every decade or so, steer away from trendy tiles, and stick with classic patterns and colors.
- On the other hand, don't choose a plain white ceramic tile that you would be bored with for the next 10 years. Balance functionality, longevity and creativity to create your perfect space. Think about the ultimate "feel" that you want your kitchen to have. For a modern appearance, look to glass mosaic tiles. For a natural look, try a smooth finished 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 to a practical, long-term decorating approach. If you aren't sure what you like best, flip through several decorating magazines, and cut out pictures you like. Try to match those pictures with tiles you find in the store.
previous post