The principle is that the smaller the tile, the more grout lines you have, which ultimately increases how busy the design looks. So, the first thing to consider should be large format floor tiles. These large tiles trick the eye and make a room look bigger, less cluttered and make the room feel more seamless.
Installing directional flooring is a smart solution to make a cramped kitchen appear larger. Parquet tiles, for example, laid in a wide herringbone, chevron, or basketweave pattern, will immediately give the impression of a longer and wider space thanks to the way the lines draw the eye outwards.
Install a backsplash with strong horizontal lines, like shiplap or subway tile laid in a bond pattern. Those horizontal lines make the kitchen feel wider than it really is.
Use a striated backsplash to make the kitchen look bigger
You can even choose bigger or smaller tile cuts — the idea is to trick the eye into making the kitchen feel longer than it is.
2. Light tiles. The oldest style trick in the book, light shades are amazing for creating a sense of space. Lighter colours, such as white tiles help to reflect more light and make the kitchen look brighter and more open.
We now have numerous sizes of tile available up to 24″ and sometimes even larger. One easy way a homeowner can make their room appear larger is to select a larger format tile. A 16″ or 18″ tile will generally give a room a larger feeling than a 12″ tile.
If you're planning on keeping the design for a long time, we suggest sticking with a classic field tile size (such as a 3"x6" in a subway tile layout), which is timeless and always in fashion. However, if you want to add your own personality to your space, consider something beyond the square and rectangle.
The design should be used to balance out the light and dark shades of the other elements, so if you have light cabinets and countertops, you may want to choose a dark backsplash to bring more depth to the kitchen. If you have very dark cabinets or countertops, a light backsplash will help the kitchen feel fresh.
Ultimately, there is no hard and fast rule for whether to choose lighter or darker wood floors in relation to cabinets. It's important to consider the specific design goals you have for your space and choose a color that fits with your overall aesthetic.
A traditional tile floor can create a timeless foundation for the rest of your kitchen that won't go out of style and can fall back and let other elements like kitchen backsplash tiles to shine. Decorative floor tile can give a small kitchen presence or add personality to a minimalist space.
Limestone natural tiles offer the perfect solution to busy kitchens, making them a bonus in your home. Being durable allows them to stand the test of time and will provide your kitchen with beauty for many years. In addition, since their tones are very neutral, they can be paired with any style and colour.
Tiny floor tiles make your small kitchen feel busy and cramped. Large tiles make a kithen feel airier and larger. One reason for this is that with the large tiles, you're reducing the number of grout lines. You can use 12-inch by 12-inch tiles but larger.
Keeping it as simple as possible is always the best solution for creating more space. Lay rectangular tiles vertically down the length of a room to further trick the eye into seeing the space as more elongated. This is an excellent trick for tiny bathrooms and entryways.
Subway tile is the most enduring choice for a backsplash. Avoid bold, trendy colors, and instead look for white or neutrals. Keep it simple, and bring in color elsewhere in the kitchen, with more easily replaced items, such as dish towels, art, bowls of fruit and rugs.
Backsplashes need to line up with the upper cabinet.
It doesn't have to align with both although that would be nice! Usually the end of the backsplash tile, if aligned with the uppers, will die ON TOP OF the countertop below.
A glossy kitchen backsplash makes the kitchen looks wider, too. Also, this kitchen backsplash type is very easy to clean. Glossy kitchen backsplashes are the go-on to add shine to the cooking space whereas the matte kitchen backsplash is very popular for those who want to achieve a plain and elegant kitchen look.
SHOULD GROUT BE DARKER OR LIGHTER THAN THE TILE? This is somewhat a matter of taste, but if you have a variegated tile with several shades, you have several options to choose from for grout color. Choosing lighter colors blends your design together. Darker colors create a more dramatic effect.
If you want to create a spacious room or are craving that sleek modern look - large and extra format tiles are for you! But if you are after a more intimate feel or intricate design, smaller tiles might be for you!
Colors, patterns, and types of material are important — but if you're using wall tile, you can also choose a vertical or horizontal installation. It's traditionally installed horizontally, but “breaking the rules” by going vertical can produce amazing, unique results.
Whilst bold colours are modern and can help to create depth, it's often best to use them sparingly if you're trying to create the impression of increased space. We recommend choosing pale tile shades such as white, cream, beige or grey because they can make the room look lighter and brighter.
Larger Tiles Make Small Rooms Appear Bigger
Because grout lines are thinner and fewer as part of the layout, smaller rooms appear bigger when using larger tiles. Large-format tiles make floors look more streamlined – therefore, creating the illusion of more space.
The smooth and shiny finish of gloss tiles, such as those from our Marmi and Bookmatch collections, reflect light of their surface. As the light bounces from tile to tile, the room appears brighter and larger. We have a whole story dedicated to gloss tiles, which you can view here.