How to choose kitchen tiles
Which tiles are best for a kitchen?
Porcelain is the safest all-round choice: it is dense, absorbs very little water and wipes clean, so it suits kitchen floors, walls and splashbacks. Most of this range is porcelain (1,236 of 1,579 products). Glazed ceramic is lighter and easier to cut, but check that a ceramic tile is floor-rated before using it underfoot. Natural stone needs sealing and more care around spills, and glass mosaics (93 products) are best kept to walls and splashbacks.
Do I need floor tiles, wall tiles or a splashback?
Choose by the job each surface does. Kitchen floor tiles must be hard-wearing and grippy, kitchen wall tiles only need to wipe clean, and a splashback takes the splashes behind the sink and cooktop. Many tiles suit more than one surface, so check where each product can be used. For laying advice, read our splashback tiling guide.
What finish and slip rating should a kitchen floor have?
Choose a matt, honed or lightly textured finish, because gloss is slippery when wet. A P3 or higher rating adds grip near the sink, dishwasher and back door: 570 products in this range are rated P3 to P5, and the P-Rating filter finds them. Start with matt anti-slip tiles, and keep gloss tiles for walls and splashbacks.
Which look should I choose?
These looks suit a modern kitchen, and each has its own collection:
- Classic splashback: subway tiles are glazed, regular in size and easy to wipe clean (329 products in this range).
- Natural stone effect: stone look and marble look porcelain give the pattern of stone without the sealing natural stone needs.
- Speckled and forgiving: terrazzo look tiles are more forgiving of everyday marks than a plain tile.
- Pattern and texture: mosaic and patterned tiles suit feature walls and splashbacks.
What size should kitchen tiles be?
Larger tiles mean fewer grout lines, so a floor looks calmer and is quicker to clean. About 550 products here are 600 x 600 mm or larger, and large tiles are grouped together. Smaller formats such as subway tiles and mosaics are the usual choice for splashbacks. Choose the grout at the same time, because its colour changes the look of the whole wall.
Are these tiles suitable for a laundry?
Yes, this page also leads to laundry tiles. The same rules apply: a matt or honed porcelain floor rated P3 or higher, and wall tiles that wipe clean. Browse our laundry tile collection for laundry floors and walls, and laundry splashback tiles for the strip above the laundry sink and bench.
Which tile goes where
| Area | What to choose | Why |
|---|
| Kitchen floor | Porcelain, matt or honed, P3 or higher | Wet spills and heavy daily use |
| Kitchen wall | Porcelain or glazed ceramic, any finish that wipes clean | Splashes and steam, no foot traffic |
| Splashback | Subway, mosaic or glazed gloss tiles | Easy to wipe behind the sink and cooktop |
| Feature wall | Stone look, terrazzo look or patterned tiles | Adds pattern or texture to one wall |
| Laundry floor and walls | Matt porcelain floor, wipe-clean wall tiles | Wet floors, detergent splashes |
Kitchen tile FAQs
What colour tiles are best for a kitchen?
Light, neutral colours such as white and grey are the easiest to match with cabinets and benchtops, and they make a small kitchen feel brighter. For more contrast, choose green or black. Our kitchen tile colour guide compares more combinations.
Are subway tiles a good choice for a kitchen?
Yes, especially for splashbacks. Their small, regular size and glazed surface are easy to wipe down behind a sink or cooktop, and they suit both classic and modern kitchens. Browse subway tiles in white and colour, or read our guide to subway tiles.
How much do kitchen tiles cost?
Price depends on the material, size and finish, so use the price filter to narrow the range. Measure each floor, wall and splashback area in square metres, check the price unit on each product page, and allow extra for cuts and breakages before you order. If you are comparing finishes, order tile samples first.
Can I see kitchen tiles before I buy?
Yes. Order up to 5 tile samples online for $15 delivery, or compare full-size tiles at our showroom at 4-10 Fisher St, Silverwater NSW 2128. Check Contact Us for current opening hours. Samples are usually 100 x 100 mm, so view them next to your cabinet finish and grout colour.
