Kitchen tiles are porcelain or ceramic tiles chosen for the three hard-working surfaces of a kitchen: the floor, the splashback and the wall behind the hob. Each zone needs something different. The floor needs grip and strength. The splashback needs to wipe clean. The wall behind the hob needs to shrug off heat and grease.
This guide takes the kitchen one zone at a time. It answers the questions people actually ask before they buy, from "how high should the splashback go?" to "what goes with sage green units?". It uses live data from the 251 kitchen tiles in the Tiles Paradise range, checked on 20 October 2026.
| Zone | Best material | Best finish | Popular sizes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Floor | Porcelain | Matt, R10–R11 | 60×60cm, 60×120cm |
| Splashback | Ceramic or porcelain | Gloss or polished | Metro (7.5×30cm), 30×60cm, 60×120cm |
| Behind the hob | Ceramic or porcelain | Gloss, with tight grout lines | Large tiles mean fewer greasy joints |
What are the best tiles for a kitchen?
Porcelain tiles are the best all-round choice for a kitchen, because one tile can cover the floor, the walls and the splashback. Porcelain absorbs 0.5% of its weight in water or less, so oil, wine and steam cannot soak in. Almost the whole Tiles Paradise kitchen range is porcelain: 248 of 251 tiles.
Ceramic still has a place. Glazed ceramic wall tiles are lighter, easier to cut around sockets, and come in shapes that porcelain rarely does, such as slim metro bricks. They suit splashbacks and walls, where nobody walks on them.
So the rule is simple: porcelain on the floor, and porcelain or ceramic on the walls. The rest of this guide is about choosing the right size, finish and colour for each zone.
Is porcelain or ceramic better for a kitchen?
Porcelain is better for kitchen floors, and both work on kitchen walls. The difference is density. Porcelain is pressed harder and fired hotter, so it resists chips from dropped pans and does not stain. Ceramic is softer and lighter, which makes it easier to cut and fix, and cheaper for walls.
| Question | Porcelain | Glazed ceramic |
|---|---|---|
| Kitchen floor? | Yes | Only if rated for floors |
| Splashback and walls? | Yes | Yes |
| Water absorption | 0.5% or less | Higher; the glaze seals the face |
| Cutting around sockets | Harder; needs a good cutter | Easier |
| Typical formats | 60×60cm, 60×120cm, 30×60cm | Metro bricks, 30×60cm wall tiles |
For a closer look at slim wall tiles in tight spaces, the guide to white glazed ceramic kitchen wall tiles covers sizes and grout widths.
What tiles are best for a kitchen floor?
The best kitchen floor tiles are matt porcelain tiles with a stated R10 or R11 slip rating. Kitchens get wet and greasy in the same spot, usually between the sink and the hob. A matt surface keeps its grip when a little oil or water lands on it.
In the Tiles Paradise kitchen range, 26 standard-thickness matt porcelain tiles state an R11 rating on the product page. Three that suit different looks are the Tanvi Grey Matt Textured 60×60cm tile at £22.99 per m², the Ucre Wood Effect matt 60×60cm tile at £29.99 per m², and the Alhambra Bianco 60×120cm matt anti-slip tile at £33.99 per m². The R10 vs R11 kitchen floor tile guide explains when the extra grip is worth it.
Gloss or matt kitchen floor tiles?
Matt is the safer choice for a busy family kitchen, and gloss suits a quieter kitchen where spills get wiped up straight away. A polished floor reflects light and makes a kitchen look bigger. It also shows footprints and gets slippery under a splash of water or oil.
If you love the gloss look, keep it to the walls and choose a matt version of a similar design for the floor. Many tile designs in our range come in both finishes.
Can kitchen floor tiles go over underfloor heating?
Yes. Porcelain is one of the best finishes over underfloor heating, because heat passes quickly through a thin, dense tile. Of the 251 kitchen tiles we sell, 239 are listed as suitable for underfloor heating. Use a flexible S1 adhesive. The kitchen floor tiles and underfloor heating guide walks through the build-up, and the electric underfloor heating range lists the mats.
Do you tile under kitchen units, or up to them?
Both methods work, and each has a trade-off. Tiling the whole floor before the units go in costs more tile, but it lets you move units later and keeps the floor level under appliances. Tiling up to the plinths saves tile, but the finished floor sits higher than the base under the units. Check that a built-in dishwasher can still slide out over the new tile height before you choose that route.
What tiles are best for a kitchen splashback?
The best splashback tiles are glazed ceramic or porcelain with a gloss or polished face, because grease and steam wipe off a smooth glaze. Slim metro tiles give a classic look. Large 60×120cm porcelain gives a near-seamless wall with very few grout lines to scrub.
Metro bricks are the most popular splashback format. In our range they come as the Marena White gloss ceramic metro tile (75×300mm, £24.99 per m²) and the Savela gloss metro (70×280mm, £22.99 per m²), each in several colours. The full metro tiles collection shows every shade.
Metro tiles can run as a straight brick bond, a vertical stack or a herringbone. Herringbone uses about 15% extra tile for cuts, against 10% for a brick bond. The herringbone kitchen splashback ideas show angles and grout colours, and the mosaic splashback guide covers smaller formats.
How high should kitchen splashback tiles go?
Kitchen splashback tiles usually run from the worktop up to the underside of the wall units, and behind the hob up to the extractor hood. In many UK fitted kitchens, the gap between worktop and wall units is about 450–500mm, but measure your own kitchen. Without wall units, tile at least to the height of the hood, or finish at a clean line such as the top of a window.
A single row of tiles along the worktop, called a tiled upstand, is the minimum. It protects the wall from wiping but not from frying splashes. Plan the rows so that a full tile, not a thin sliver, sits under the wall units.
Are kitchen tiles heat resistant behind a hob?
Yes. Fired ceramic and porcelain tiles are heat resistant, which is why they are the traditional finish behind a cooker. The weak points are the adhesive, the grout and the clearances. Use cementitious adhesive and grout, keep the side and rear clearances given in your hob manual, and choose large tiles behind the hob so there are fewer joints to collect grease. Our guide to porcelain splashback tiles and heat covers gas and induction set-ups.
Tiles or a glass splashback?
Tiles cost less per square metre, repair one piece at a time, and give texture and pattern. Toughened glass gives one seamless panel with no grout, but it is made to measure and cannot be patched. A large-format porcelain tile sits between the two: very few joints, at tile prices.
What size kitchen tiles should you choose?
Choose 60×60cm or 60×120cm tiles for kitchen floors, and metro bricks, 30×60cm or 60×120cm tiles for kitchen walls. Our kitchen range reflects that balance: 133 tiles come in 60×120cm, 83 in 60×60cm and 16 in 30×60cm.
| Size | Best place | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Metro 7.5×30cm / 7×28cm | Splashbacks | Classic look; cuts neatly around sockets |
| 30×60cm | Walls, small kitchen floors | Light to handle; suits narrow galley kitchens |
| 60×60cm | Most kitchen floors | Forgiving on slightly uneven floors |
| 60×120cm | Open-plan floors, feature walls | Fewer grout lines; needs a very flat base |
Large tiles often suit small kitchens, because fewer grout lines make the room read as one surface. The guide to small kitchen tiles shows layouts for galley and L-shaped rooms, and kitchen wall tile colour and layout ideas covers wall patterns.
Gloss or matt kitchen tiles: which is easier to clean?
Gloss tiles are easier to clean on walls, and matt tiles are easier to live with on floors. Grease and sauce slide off a glazed wall tile with a damp cloth. On a floor, a matt face hides water spots, footprints and the fine grit that marks polished tiles.
Texture matters as much as shine. A deeply textured floor tile grips well but holds grease in its pores, so choose a fine, even texture for a kitchen. The comparison in gloss vs matt sage green kitchen tiles shows the same colour in both finishes.
Which kitchen tiles go with your cabinets and worktop?
Pick kitchen tiles by contrast with your cabinets: light units suit a veined or warm-toned tile, and dark units suit a light tile that bounces light around the room. Then match the tile's undertone to the worktop, so warm wood sits with warm creams and cool quartz sits with cool greys and whites.
| Cabinets | Floor that works | Splashback that works |
|---|---|---|
| White or off-white | Grey-veined marble effect, warm wood effect | Coloured metro, herringbone, or a bold marble |
| Sage or olive green | Cream stone effect, warm wood effect | White or cream gloss metro |
| Light or mid grey | Light grey marble effect, concrete effect | White gloss, blue or green metro |
| Navy or dark blue | White marble effect with gold or grey veins | White gloss, brass-toned accents |
| Black or charcoal | Light marble or warm wood effect | White or cream, or black-and-gold for drama |
| Wood (oak, walnut) | Cream or beige stone effect | Green, blue or white metro |
Each colour has its own deeper guide. Green kitchens are covered by the sage green comparison above. For blue, read navy and cobalt kitchen wall tiles with white, grey and wood cabinets. Darker schemes are covered in black kitchen tile ideas, and cooler schemes in the grey kitchen tile guide. For warmer kitchens, try cream gloss splashback tiles or the best wood effect porcelain tiles for kitchens. If you want a stone look, marble effect kitchen tiles compares veining styles.
Two finishing touches complete the look. A floor like the Icon Gold white polished 60×120cm tile brings warmth to a navy or walnut kitchen. Patterned encaustic-style tiles add character to a plain room; see patterned kitchen tiles before you commit to a busy floor.
How much do kitchen tiles cost in the UK?
Kitchen tiles at Tiles Paradise start at £17.99 per m², and most porcelain kitchen tiles sit between about £25 and £30 per m². Ceramic metro splashback tiles cost £22.99–£24.99 per m². All prices include VAT and were checked on 20 October 2026; the product page always shows today's price.
| Tile type | From | Typical (median) |
|---|---|---|
| 60×60cm porcelain, polished | £17.99 | £24.99 |
| 60×60cm porcelain, matt | £19.95 | £28.99 |
| 60×120cm porcelain, polished | £19.99 | £28.99 |
| 60×120cm porcelain, matt | £19.99 | £29.99 |
| 30×60cm porcelain, polished | £21.99 | £24.95 |
| Ceramic metro (7×28cm, 7.5×30cm) | £22.99 | £24.99 |
Standard pallet delivery is free on orders over £499 to the UK mainland and costs £39.99 for orders between £100 and £499, usually within 2–4 working days. Fitting is a separate cost. Ask your tiler for a written quote that includes wall and floor preparation.
How many kitchen tiles do you need?
Measure each wall and floor area in m², add 10% for cuts (15% for herringbone or diagonal layouts), and round up to whole boxes. The tile calculator adds the 10% for you.
Here is a worked floor example. A 3.6m × 3.0m kitchen floor is 10.8m². Add 10% and it becomes 11.88m². Most 60×60cm and 60×120cm tiles in our range come 1.44m² to a box, so you need 8.25 boxes, which rounds up to 9 boxes (12.96m²). At £22.99 per m², the Tanvi Grey Matt Textured tile comes to £297.95, with £39.99 delivery. Always confirm the box size on the product page before you order.
For a splashback, multiply the run of the worktop by the tiling height. A 3m run at 0.5m high is 1.5m², or 1.65m² with 10% added. Remember the strip behind the hob if it runs higher.
What grout should you use for kitchen tiles?
Use a mid-grey grout on kitchen floors, and white or a colour matched to the tile on splashbacks. Grey hides the daily dirt that turns white floor grout beige. Behind the sink and hob, a stain-resistant or epoxy grout wipes clean far more easily than standard cement grout.
Seal cement-based grout on floors and behind the hob to slow staining. Glazed tiles and porcelain themselves do not need sealing. For mixing, joint width and finishing, follow the guide on how to grout tiles.
Can you tile over old kitchen tiles?
Yes, you can often tile over old kitchen tiles if they are firmly bonded, flat and clean. Tap each tile: a hollow sound means it is loose and must come off. Remove grease with a strong degreaser, key the glaze, and use a primer made for tiling over tiles. The guide to tiling over existing tiles lists the checks.
Take care with very old floors. Vinyl and thermoplastic floor tiles in UK homes built or refurbished before 2000 can contain asbestos. Do not sand or break them up; have a sample tested, or tile over them if they are sound.
Are kitchen tiles out of fashion?
No. Tiles remain the standard finish for kitchen floors and splashbacks, because nothing else matches their mix of heat, water and stain resistance at the price. What changes is the style. Large-format porcelain, handmade-look gloss metro tiles, herringbone layouts and wood-effect floors are the looks most UK buyers ask us about today.
Kitchen tile questions, answered fast
Do you tile a kitchen before or after fitting the units?
Wall tiles go on after the units and worktop are fitted. Floor tiles can go down before the units or after them, up to the plinths. Check appliance heights either way.
Do you need a splashback in a kitchen?
Yes, behind the sink and hob at least. Painted plaster stains and blisters from steam, grease and heat.
How many rows of tiles should a kitchen splashback have?
Fill the full gap between worktop and wall units. With 7.5×30cm metro tiles in a 450mm gap, that is about six rows.
Do kitchen tiles need edge trims?
Trims are optional. They neatly finish exposed tile edges at the ends of a splashback and around window reveals.
Are kitchen tiles waterproof?
Glazed ceramic and porcelain tiles are waterproof. The grout lines are not, so seal grout in splash zones.
Can floor tiles be used on kitchen walls?
Yes, if the wall can carry the weight. Most of our kitchen tiles are rated for both: 239 of 251 list floor and wall use.
What is the easiest kitchen tile to keep clean?
A large-format gloss or polished porcelain wall tile with narrow, sealed grout lines. On the floor, a fine-textured matt porcelain tile.
How long do kitchen tiles last?
Well-fixed porcelain kitchen tiles can last for decades. Grout usually needs refreshing long before the tiles do.
Can you use kitchen wall tiles outside?
No. Wall ceramics are not made for frost. Outdoor areas need 20mm outdoor porcelain.
What to Remember Before You Order Kitchen Tiles
Kitchen tiles work best when each zone gets the tile it needs. Lay matt porcelain with a stated R10 or R11 rating on the floor. Use glazed ceramic or porcelain that wipes clean on the splashback, from the worktop to the wall units. Choose a heat-proof tile with few joints behind the hob. Match colours to your cabinets by contrast and to your worktop by undertone. Order every box from one batch, with 10% extra. Every tile in this guide is in the kitchen tiles collection, and the matt, slip-rated options sit together in the non-slip floor tiles range.