Kitchen tiles, the return of the 50's style

For the last couple of years, we have noticed an increase in tile requests in our kitchen projects, with more and more of our clients asking for a modern space with a twist of classic or retro.
Being an extremely versatile material to work with, we love incorporating tile designs into our projects. Not only do they have multiple applications, but they also come in multiple formats, shapes and colours, creating compelling spaces. 
Let's look at why this 50's style is back, stronger than ever.

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Variety of styles
Starting with the diversity of tile styles at our disposal, we have Subway, Mosaic Tiles and Slabs.
Subway tiles are probably the most popular, coming in a rectangular, traditional 3” x 6” shape, and giving your space a fresh yet classic look. 
Mosaics are another popular option, with geometric shapes that come in a wide range of styles to create eye-catchy and original patterns. It's often used as a backsplash due to the small-scale tiles and colour/shape heterogeneity. 
Another popular trend to opt for is larger individual slabs or pieces of stone, like marble. These tiles are minimal, easy and quick to apply, and offer a slightly different texture to your walls and floors.

Application on multiple surfaces
You can use tiles on several surfaces in your kitchen, with the most popular placements being flooring and splashback walls. Both usually become a focal point in a kitchen, highlighted with pops of colour, patterns or textures. 

Versatility in Materials
Tiles are manufactured in a multitude of materials. You can have them in glass, marble, ceramic, porcelain or terracotta, adding stunning pops of colour, texture and shapes to your kitchen. The choice depends entirely on the look you are thinking of for your space.
Here are three frequent examples:

Mosaic/ Penny Tiles 
Mosaic or penny tiles add a touch of texture and a distinct look to any kitchen. Previously used in bars and restaurants, they tend to have a chic feel and are great for an affordable and creative application (with multiple options for colours and patterns). Here are the three top examples:

Brick Tiles
Brick tiles are a great touch to give any space an instant rustic touch. Not only do they offer a beautiful texture, but they also create an incredibly warming and inviting plasticity that is durable and versatile.

Zellige Tiles
These tiles are full of texture, usually handcrafted, and popular for their irregularity in finish, shape, and glaze, which packs any kitchen with character.

Slab sizes and shapes
Nowadays, you can create pretty much any design when applying tiles in your kitchen. From thin rectangles, which can offer a nice repetitive pattern, to larger slabs for a clean look, hexagonal repetition for a retro aesthetic, or squares for a minimal textured style.


Tile design examples:

Our final thoughts
If you are looking for a material that breaks the monotony of a traditional floor or wall, tiles are your best bet. As an overall view of the positives of using this design, you have:

• Versatility in materials, colours and patterns
• Easy installation
• Easy long-term maintenance 
• An option to have heated floor tiles for an even cosier environment
• A multitude of styles that will give you a focal point in your space

From our side, we couldn't recommend it more!