Choosing a Tile Pattern for Your Kitchen Renovation
While the type of splashback tile you choose for your kitchen renovation will play a large role in the overall look and feel of your space, it’s crucial not to overlook the importance of tile patterns in kitchen design as well.
Depending on whether you want your splashback to function as an accent feature, or you’d prefer it to blend into its surrounds, the layout options for your tiles (along with colour, shape and texture) are multiple and can help you to achieve the look you’re after.
Before opting for the standard straight-laid tile, read through our guide to kitchen tiling patterns for some options you may not have considered for your kitchen renovation.
Herringbone
An easy and effective way to add a dynamic element to your kitchen with an otherwise plain tile, the herringbone pattern involves laying the tile at a 45 degree angle to your benchtop for an intricate and striking design.
This pattern is flexible both in the style of tile you can use, and the design styles it can be applied to.
Use small, thin tiles for a mosaic effect or choose a larger tile to enhance the feeling of space within your kitchen.
Choose a similar coloured tile to your benchtop for a subtle look, or choose a brighter tile with white grout (or a white tile with dark, contrasting grout) for more of a statement.
Subway
Mimicking a bricklayer’s pattern, subway tiling is named for the pattern that adorns the subway system in New York City.
As long as each row of tiles is offset from the one directly above and below it, you can interpret and execute the subway pattern in your kitchen renovation in a number of ways.
This style of tiling can work with brick-sized tiles, square tiles or longer rectangular tiles – again, a colour that reflects your cabinetry or benchtop material or one that’s darker will push the tiling backwards to the eye, while a contrasting or lighter colour will generally pull it forwards and draw attention.
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Chevron
Sharing DNA with the herringbone pattern, chevron tiling creates a similar zig-zagging effect; the primary difference being the way that the tiles interlock.
In herringbone tiling, the ends of each tile are left at 90 degrees; in a chevron pattern, the ends of each tile are angled at 45 degrees to create an unbroken pattern across the backsplash.
Chevron tilling can look quite striking when created with a range of different, complementary tiles. A stone-look or marble tile with unique characteristics on each individual piece will create an interesting end-product; this can also be a good way to play with colour without being too bold.
Basketweave
Utilising uniform tiles, the basketweave pattern is a good option for kitchen renovation projects with a smaller budget.
This tiling pattern involves laying pairs of tiles perpendicular to the next; so the pairs of tiles will alternate between lying horizontal to your benchtop, and sitting vertically in line with your cabinetry.
This pattern isn’t as intricate as herringbone or chevron and can be implemented as a DIY project if you are only looking to make aesthetic updates to your existing space.
Harlequin
Most well-known in its black and white iteration, harlequin tiles take a classic checkerboard pattern and rotate it by 45 degrees so the tiles sit on an angle to the lines of your kitchen.
A larger tile works best for this pattern, with contrasting colours a defining feature of the harlequin style. While black and white is the most common palette, a terracotta and off-white pairing or dynamic shades of grey would work well in a more modern space.
If you’re still unsure which tiling pattern to use in your upcoming kitchen renovation, let our team of design experts help guide you to the best option for your space. Get in touch with us for a no-obligation consultation.
