Kitchen tiles are more than just a decorative element. Of course, this building material performs this aesthetic function and makes a simple tiled wall cease to be so monotonous and boring.

If you are looking for white kitchen tiles that will bring a touch of distinction to this vital part of the house, but also protect the walls from splashes, we invite you to continue reading this guide. We explain everything you need to know about kitchen tiles with good decoration ideas according to your style, your needs, and also adapted to your budget.

Before starting to unpack the decorating ideas that white kitchen tiles can give us, it is important to know the characteristics of these tiles and their current possibilities. This knowledge will give us even more ideas on how we can use them.

Azulejos for white kitchens: ideas for decorating

Ceramic stoneware tiles are flat pieces or with subtle reliefs, of low thickness, and of multiple dimensions, made mainly with clays, silica, fluxes and dyes, as well as other raw materials which give them a more or less intense hardness. The tiles are also covered with a vitreous coating that we call ceramic enamel , which has a double function: to give a specific finish in terms of texture and tone to the tile, and to ensure impermeability .of the basic structure of the tile. This quality, in the case of kitchens, is of great importance. It is not in vain that kitchens, like bathrooms, accumulate a lot of humidity which is transmitted and condenses on the tiles.

Types of tiles for white kitchens

Choose a large tile or a small one? Tiles with rounded edges or not? Glossy or matt tile finish? Currently the market offers us a wide variety of ceramic tiles for white kitchens, so it is normal that you feel overwhelmed. Wondering which is the best option? Choosing the wrong tile to lay can cost you dearly in the long run. That’s why we propose to advise you and show you all the types of tiles you can choose from and their most important characteristics, so that you can buy the tiles for your kitchen with confidence and with the certainty of an adequate choice.

Large-format porcelain and ceramic tiles

Current decorating trends call for tiling kitchen walls with larger tiles . The explanation is simpler than you think: reducing the number of visible joints creates a feeling of harmony in the wall. This has the effect of making the kitchen appear larger. Another reason large tiles are often chosen for white kitchens is that the end result is sleeker and cleaner. Nevertheless, they are preferably recommended for large kitchens.

Large format XL tiles go very well with modern and contemporary kitchens, and less well with rustic styles. From a practical point of view , laying large-format tiles reduces installation time, as obviously fewer slabs are needed to be laid. Large formats are more hygienic, there are fewer joints where grease can accumulate, while being easier to clean.

Small tiles

What about smaller tiles? Are they outdated? Get that idea out of your head! Unlike large XL tiles, small tiles bring more room for decorating play . If the kitchen wall has pronounced irregularities or roughness, the small ceramic tiles will allow us a safer installation that minimizes problems during installation and throughout the years.

Small tiles for white kitchens have the advantage of a lower cost, a major advantage sought after by some of you. They offer a greater variety of designs and decorative games, and a versatility of formats that make them attractive for most styles. Projecting your kitchen on a smaller tile size also gives you an immense amount of possible combinations with formats, colors and decorations, drawing inspiration from the roots of ceramics and returning to the origins of decoration with cobblestones of yesteryear in the kitchens.

Laying the tiles

When you install your tiles for a white kitchen, you should know that there are several styles of laying the tiles, beyond the laying with straight horizontal joints. How to lay the tile? Below we tell you about each of the installation possibilities available to you.

Laying straight seam tiles

This is the most common method of laying tiles. It consists of laying the tiles aligned horizontally one after the other . Positioned in this way, the whole conveys order, space and harmony.

Staggered laying of tiles or with contrasting joints

This is a variation of the previous straight seam method, in which linearity is broken: the seams do not coincide . You can play with the symmetry of the pieces . The joints can be exactly in the middle of the slab, like brick walls or subway walls, or you can bet on the asymmetry of the laying, by staggering the tiles .

Laying tiles in a cross line

If you prefer to break the symmetry, a very interesting option is to lay the tiles in a cross line. Two horizontal slabs are laid, followed by two vertical ones. You may have seen this layout on the floor of your grandparents’ house, as it was a very common layout in the sixties and earlier decades.

Herringbone tile laying

When the tile chosen for the white kitchen is rectangular, it allows a herringbone pattern that adds dynamism and personality to the coating. Its effect is fascinating, but it is true that it is one of the most difficult to implement and which requires preparation of the ground before laying the tiles.