15 kitchen tile ideas to add colour and personality

Decorating with green can help to bring the benefits of the natural world into your kitchen. Green tiles needn't be confined to floors and splashbacks though – inject more colour by tiling a breakfast bar or entire wall.

Pictured: Ludlow kitchen, Magnet

It's easy to overlook grouting, but opting for a contrasting colour, such as this terracotta, can instantly turn the plainest of white tiles into a design statement.

Pictured: Marylebone metro tiles and Terra di Siena tile grout, both Walls and Floors

If you love calming schemes with a healthy dose of zen, you'll love the Japandi kitchen trend. Kitchen tiles with organic shapes and a soothing, earthy palette are a smart way to incorporate this look into your kitchen.

Pictured: Kobi Khaki Gloss porcelain tiles, Mandarin Stone

Make a design feature of shelving with the help of your kitchen tiles. The overlapping circles of this design add colour and interest without competing with the sharp angles of the quirky stepped shelf.

Pictured: Sunset Astro tiles, Porcelain Superstore

Simple rectangular wall tiles are endlessly versatile and can be transformed with different laying patterns. Herringbone is having a moment right now and will lend a hint of traditional grandeur – or for a more contemporary look, use a brick bond or chevron pattern.

Pictured: Aurelia Sage ceramic wall tiles, House Beautiful Collection at Homebase

For the ultimate maximalist statement with your kitchen tiles, pick a large mural design like this botanical motif. Pair with more streamline, pared-back units to avoid overwhelming the space.

Pictured: Natural History Museum tile collection, Surface View

For a more subtle nod to the colour-blocking trend, break up a single shade with a geometric pattern, like this square yellow and white design.

Pictured: Sanabria Sweet Yellow tiles, Bert & May

Consider a bold patterned kitchen floor tile. As well as making a design statement, it is also a practical choice as it won't show scuffs or spillages. A geometric pattern can also be used to break up a monochrome or black and white kitchen.

Pictured: Belleville porcelain tiles, Ca'Pietra

For a healthy dose of rustic charm, emulate a traditional farmhouse kitchen with terracotta floor tiles. Furniture with sleek lines, like this mid-century-style dining set, will keep the look fresh.

Don't forget that terracotta and other natural stone tiles will require sealing.

Pictured: Table and chairs, Ercol at Furniture Village

Although kitchen tiles often lean more towards a more sleek or geometric look, it's also possible to inject more whimsical floral designs into your scheme.

This delicate wildflower print was named Original Style's Tile of the Year and it's not hard to see why – it's a subtle way to incorporate botanical motifs into any space.

Pictured: Wildflower Rose tile, Original Style

If opting for patterned kitchen floor tiles, keep wall tiles to plain colours so that they don't compete.

Pictured: Sardinia Dragonetti tiles and Foundry Smeraldo tiles, both Ca'Pietra

For a nod to the Moroccan look, consider a shaped kitchen tile like these gorgeous arabesque floor tiles from Ca'Pietra, which still fit into a pared-back, muted scheme, all while offering instant rustic charm.

Pictured: Marlborough terracotta tile, Ca'Pietra

Get creative when laying your kitchen tiles for a bold look. Many tiles come in diagonal designs, which can be configured to create patterns from checkerboard to chevron.

Pictured: Nostalgia anti-slip tiles, Baked Tile Co.