Tile countertops were a hot trend in the '70s and '80s and now they're making a major comeback, bringing high impact color, pattern and flair to kitchens and bathrooms worldwide. The best news is that tiling a countertop is absolutely a remodel project you can complete with just a little expert know-how.
Tiled countertops are making a comeback and, before you conjure images of a dated kitchen with florescent overhead lighting, rest assured this iteration of the trend is taking shape in a decidedly different way than eras past.
Tile took off in popularity in the 1970s and 80s but remains a viable countertop option with few drawbacks. Tile can come as fired tile, ceramic or porcelain as well as stone tile, slate, travertine, granite and even glass tile. Weigh the pros and cons of tile before making your decision.
Set the tone of your kitchen design with the right countertop. While many homeowners reserve tile for floors and backsplashes, tile countertops can be an excellent—and affordable—option. Ceramic tile is impervious to heat and water, and when properly glazed, it won't stain.
Predominantly popular in the 1970s and '80s, the tile countertop trend has laid dormant over the past few decades — homeowners typically opting for sleek sheets of granite, marble, or rustic wood as their chosen countertop material.
The Continued Demand for Quartz Countertops
Quartz countertops have been a popular choice for the past decade, and this trend is set to continue in 2023. Quartz is a man-made material that is composed of natural quartz, resin, and pigments. The result is a surface that is durable, scratch-resistant, and non-porous.
White marble will always be an elegant choice for kitchen countertops, but if the maintenance and potential for staining has you worrying about its longevity, consider butcher block. The go-to choice for farmhouse kitchens, butcher block will wear beautifully over the years, and you can prepare food directly on it.
You can set hot pans right on the tile surface without fear of damage. Homeowners have an endless array of custom design options, based on a wide selection of colors, sizes, shapes, and the types of tile that are available.
And for this choice it is important. Granite slabs are among the most expensive options for granite countertops, running close to $200 per square foot on the high end. On the other hand, granite tiles run far cheaper usually maxing out below $50 per square foot.
Porcelain withstands heat well and is unaffected by direct sunlight, while quartz surfaces can warp or become discolored over time. Both materials are slip-resistant, which makes them good options for flooring. Quartz, however, is best used indoors while many porcelain tiles can be used inside or outdoors.
First, classic tiles such as ceramic and porcelain tiles are looked at in 2023 as beauties that are timeless and never go out of style. Affordable and easy to install, these tiles are perfect for backsplash and they can feature a distinct color, unusual pattern, or anything else you desire.
As a countertop material, stainless steel is as low-maintenance as it gets. No sealing or refinishing is ever required, and cleaning is easy with mild soap products. These countertops work very well in the kitchen or bath since they won't be stained by food, juice, facial cleansers, etc.
There is some debate around recouping the money you spend on upgrading kitchen countertops. But as a general rule, you should not bet on this happening. Instead, if you do choose to go through with the upgrade, consider it an investment towards selling the property faster.
Tile used for countertops ranges in size from about 1-inch square to 12 inches square or more. Rectangles from 1”x2” to 6”x10” are also popular for countertops and backsplashes.
The cost to install a ceramic tile countertop is around $15 a square foot, or $450 for a 30 sq. ft. countertop. You may tile an existing laminate countertop, but more commonly, the countertop is built using cement backer board.
Wedi, HydroBlok, and Schluter all make a 2” thick waterproof board that can be used for countertops. Easy to cut and install, with added water protection. Both cement board and tile mats will work, but they require some sort of subtop, such as a 3/4” layer of plywood.
Consider if you need a new kitchen or just the current kitchen to be given a little TLC. A spot of painting or tiling can add value to your house without costing vast sums. On the other hand, if your kitchen is dated, worn out or damaged then a refurb is worth it. The secret, though, is don't overspend.
Ceramic tile kitchen countertops are available in different colours, shapes, materials and even sizes. With a wide variety of choices, you can lay out your ceramic tiles creatively to customize the look and create decorative designs on your countertops.
Pick Classic, Neutral Colors
Quartz can be a single consistent color or feature the looks of beloved white marble and other soft natural stone patterns. When choosing a quartz countertop that's designed to last through the decades, stick with neutrals like beiges, grays, off-whites, and bright whites.
Interior designer Rudolph Diesel expects granite to fall out of favor when designing kitchens in 2023. "The standard for the last 30 years, granite is finally falling out of favor for more unconventional finishes such as quartzite and porcelain that are set to take kitchen design by storm in 2023," Diesel said.
Everything from white granite and black granite countertops to granite slabs has fallen out of style. The second reason granite countertops have lost their appeal is that the preference for light, simple kitchens has replaced the trend of dark, warm kitchens. Designers quit wanting “movement” and instead wanted peace.