Kitchen wall tile ideas - designer ways to add extra depth and style

When it comes to kitchen wall tile ideas, this finishing touch is where you can make the biggest statement. The question is, how do you marry style and function, as wall tiles need to be able to withstand splatters of food and splashes of water. Or, if they're being placed behind above an oven, potentially high temperatures. So we’ve enlisted the help of experts and designers who all know a thing or two about kitchen tiling, to get your creativity flowing.

A hugely popular choice in kitchen design, tiles are beloved for their decorative possibilities and practical capabilities. But which should you choose? And where should you lay them? The sheer scale of options can be a little overwhelming. Thankfully, our experts are on hand with inspiring kitchen tile ideas and insider know-how to help you decide what will work best in your kitchen.

1. TILE UP TO THE CEILING

Tiles are typically used to be functional, confined to modern kitchen backsplash ideas. But this is by no means the extent of their potential. They can be a beautiful way to create interest across the entire wall.

Visually, tiling up to the ceiling can help to make a room feel taller and more spacious too. ‘It has the visual effect of drawing the eye up.

2. TILE AROUND A BACKSPLASH

If you already have backsplash that you love but also want to incorporate tiling into your kitchen, then this idea may be for you. ‘In this project, we had extremely high ceilings and slanted walls.

With every design decision comes the opportunity to enhance the feel of a room. If you’re opting to tile your kitchen wall, it’s worth taking time to consider the shape of tile and laying pattern that will work best for your space. ‘Good design is always about making things feel bigger.

3. EXPERIMENT WITH LAYING PATTERNS

The color, pattern and material of a tile are not the only things that will impact the overall look - the laying pattern too will have a huge impact on the final result’s visual appeal.

4. PLAY WITH SCALE

With so many tiles out there to choose from, beginning your search can be daunting. One way to narrow the parameters is to consider the size of tile you want to go for. This can be steered by the effect you wish to create.

In this kitchen, narrow dainty tiles marry black and white kitchen ideas perfectly. They serve to add visual interest to an architecturally simple room.

5. COMBINE TWO DIFFERENT TILE STYLES

You needn’t have to limit yourself to one design - in fact getting creative with combinations is actively encouraged! Being first and foremost practical spaces, kitchens can sometimes feel a little sterile or cold, but introducing color and pattern is a surefire way to make the space feel more inviting.