When it comes to renovating, extending or building a new kitchen, there are many decisions to make and things to consider. It is easy for consumers to feel overwhelmed with all the options and choices, even when it comes to flooring. To help reduce their stress, here are 10 kitchen tile trends forecasted for 2023 that every retailer should know.
Large Flagstone
For centuries, estates and country homes have used flagstone flooring (natural stone slabs), thanks to their hardwearing characteristics and classic appearance. Now more than ever, consumers are flocking to large format flagstone to create this timeless look in their kitchens. The ‘free length’ or ‘random length’ tile size is ideal, as it works in all kitchen sizes, providing maximum focus on the beauty of each tile. The widths are fixed (usually 20 or 24 inches), while the lengths vary to upwards of 40 inches.
Dijon Limestone
Dijon is a neutral-toned limestone tile that complements an array of colour schemes with its soft beige and light grey hues. The minerals, fossils and calcite veining make it a forgiving and classic choice. Dijon limestone is available in a variety of sizes and finishes, the most popular being ‘tumbled,’ ‘brushed’ and ‘seasoned.’
Buff Sandstone
Buff sandstone is the ultimate neutral with its soft pale wash tones and unique texture. Sandstone, like limestone, is a hardwearing and practical option for kitchen floors, and the texture offers extra grip underfoot. Buff coloured tiles complement the much-loved modern country look and also work with an array of different paint colours.
Grey Limestone
Grey has come and gone throughout the years, so it’s unsurprising the ‘colour’ is on-trend again for its ability to add depth and character to any kitchen space. Whether a soft pale or rich grey, the beauty of limestone is that no two tiles are the same given the variation between them.
Tumbled Effect Porcelain
Together with the character and variation from tile to tile, a soft tumbling effect lends itself to rustic and modern country-style kitchens. What’s more, many tumbled edge porcelains are hard to distinguish from natural limestone.
Beige Stone Effect Porcelain
Beige is back with the shift toward warmer tones. The beauty of beige stone effect porcelain is the variety of prints and tones on the market, from industrial-rustic to a creamy beige country kitchen floor, ensuring there is something for everyone.
Large Format Porcelain
With state-of-the-art machinery advancements, large format porcelain has become popular. Stone effect porcelain is most common in 36-inch by 24-inch and 32-inch by 32-inch sizes, but recently 48-inch by 24-inch supersize tiles have become available. Large format tile works in open plan kitchens and helps to minimize grout lines. It can be laid width or length-wise. For narrow spaces like galley kitchens, width-wise will make the room appear and feel wider. For shorter spaces, length-wise will make the kitchen appear longer.
Oak Wood-look
Wood effect porcelain tile is a more practical choice to solid wood flooring. And thanks to technological advancements, the prints and tones available mimic the look of real oak wood, offering both an authentic and warm look. Wood effect porcelain, unlike real wood, is also suitable for underfloor heating, an incredible asset to have in the heart of the home.
Herringbone and Chevron
Whether a smaller parquet wood tile or a larger wood effect tile, these alternative laying patterns add something special to a kitchen. The key distinction between the two is herringbone meets at a 90-degree angle for an effective zigzag look, while chevron fits neatly together at one point.
Whitewashed and Coastal Wood-look
Whitewashed and coastal wood-look tile goes a long way to creating a light and airy kitchen. Whether a distressed or driftwood pattern, the soft neutral tones invoke a sense of calm.
Rachel Prestwich is head of creative at Quorn Stone, a leading expert in the import and retail of natural stone and porcelain tiles. Established in 1995, the now second-generation family business has built its reputation on its high-quality stone flooring and exceptional customer service.