Remodeling your kitchen is perhaps the biggest change you’ll make to your home. Do it the right way and you can add value to your home when you go to resell. This means you want to pick something that both you and potential homebuyers love. Despite all of the different design elements that have cropped up over the last decade, tile still holds its own and has a place in the kitchen. When it’s time to start planning the design for your kitchen remodel and picking the design, here are four things to think about:
1. Location
Tile can be used in numerous ways in the kitchen. You can use them as flooring, on your countertop, the wall, and your backsplash. However, it’s important to note that not all tiles can be used interchangeably. For instance, glass tiles are not as durable as other materials. Therefore, glass tile is best used for walls and backsplashes.
Floors and countertops require tile that is durable and can withstand the wear and tear that comes with the territory. Natural stones like granite, marble, quartz, and travertine can all make great tiles for countertops and flooring, which Marble provides. If natural stone isn’t quite what you’re looking for, then you may want to consider using ceramic or porcelain tiles on your countertops.
2. Budget
The cost of tiles depends on many factors such as material, size, availability, design and color, installation, quantity, etc. Tiles that are from natural stone, such as granite, marble, travertine, quartz, etc. are often some of the most expensive tiles. However, they offer that timeless look (often at a much cheaper rate than with whole slabs). Man-made materials such as ceramic, porcelain, laminate, etc. are more cost-effective but may go out of style more quickly.
Determining your budget should be one of your first steps when looking at installing tile in your kitchen. There’s nothing worse than getting your heart set on a design, only to find out that the materials needed to recreate it are well out of your budget. First, figure out how much you’re willing to spend and then make a decision based on the material you can afford.
3. Maintenance
Another important thing to think about when choosing a material for kitchen tiles is how much maintenance you are comfortable with. While natural stone tiles are wildly popular, they do require more maintenance than other tile materials that can be vacuumed. For instance, marble and granite are easily prone to etching, staining, and patina, requiring careful sealing at regular intervals. Spilled acid (think lemon juice, tomato sauce, etc.) or even standing water can make a mark on natural stone tiles if they are not sealed and maintained properly.
On the other hand, maintenance on other materials such as porcelain, ceramic, or quartz tiles is relatively simple. You just wipe a spill and move on, no worries about etching, staining, etc. since they are non-porous materials. This means there is little to no maintenance required, which is perfect for homeowners that have a busy, chaotic lifestyle.
4. Size and Layout
You can get tile slabs in all different shapes and sizes. If you’re going with natural stone, you’ll likely want to stick with the square shape. Whereas if you’re going with glass, porcelain, or ceramic you may want to go with subway tiles, mosaic, hexagons, or arabesque (these styles work especially well with backsplashes). You want to be wary of using too small of tiles as the excessive grout-lines can make the space seem small. Likewise, using tiles that are too big can also make the space feel small.
In addition to size, you should also consider the layout of the tiles. One popular trend is to use a herringbone or chevron layout for another visual element in the space, as opposed to a more traditional layout. Each different layout can transform the look of your space, but can also affect the quantity required. So it’s important to carefully consider the size and layout that you desire before you make a purchase order.
Bonus: Habits
Another important thing to think about when choosing a kitchen tile material is your habits and the habits of your family. Think about how you tend to use your space. If you have a habit of setting hot pans down on the countertop, you want to make sure you pick a durable material such as a natural stone like marble or granite. Do you have a tendency to drop things? You may want to forego ceramic tiles then since they are known to easily crack and chip. Therefore, it’s important to think about how the space is going to be used so that the best material possible, within budget, can be selected. Chances are that once you remodel your kitchen you are going to be stuck with it for at least 10-15 years, so you want to get something you love and something that will withstand the daily wear and tear.