11 Best Wall Tiles Designs For Your Kitchen in Singapore (& How To Select The Best One)
The kitchen is an important room of any house as it is the place where you prepare delicious meals for your family and which gives an opportunity for you and your family members to come together and make memories as you bake away your worries!
However, just like any other room of your house, the kitchen also requires careful planning and execution during its design and remodeling phase. You must ensure that whatever materials and architecture you choose for the kitchen not only helps in making it aesthetically beautiful but keeps it ultra functional to improve efficiency.
In a kitchen design, every element plays a crucial role and the wall tiles are no exception. A kitchen is a place which experiences heavy traffic in terms of oil, grease, smoke, heat, humidity, and spills. The wall tiles are in a constant way of these things and must therefore be chosen wisely.
The wall tiles also cover a large portion of the kitchen, hence they play a pivotal role in portraying a specific outlook or appearance of the space. Therefore, their appearance and practicality are important factors to consider while choosing wall tiles for the kitchen.
There are many different types of wall tiles available in Singapore. Let’s go through the factors which you must consider before choosing wall tiles for your kitchen followed by the various kinds of tiles and trending design ideas to help uplift your kitchen’s appearance and functionality.
Factors to consider before choosing your kitchen wall tiles
While choosing wall tiles for the kitchen, you may be tempted to choose style and appearance over functionality and durability. When you think about it, both these factors are equally important. So what are the most important factors that you must keep in mind while choosing kitchen wall tiles?
Material
The first and foremost factor to consider while choosing tiles is the type of material with which the tile is made. As discussed in the upcoming sections, kitchen tiles come in a wide variety of materials and types. Each material has its pros and cons. Some are very beautiful looking but may be harder to maintain. Others may be quite durable but not that aesthetically appealing. The cost of the tiles also varies based on the type of its construction material. So it is essential that you have a clear understanding of all the tile material types available so you can make an informed decision during selection.
Budget
Different types of tiles cost differently depending on the material of construction, their installation processes, and cutting and fitting. Some tile types may be quite expensive but they might boast extensive durability and easy maintenance. Alternatively, some tiles may be quite cheap but they won’t be as strong and sturdy as you would want them to be. So set out a budget for your kitchen and go through the various options that come in the budget before making your final decision.
Appearance
The appearance of the wall tiles is also an important factor to consider. If you have an industrial themed kitchen, you cannot choose glossy glass tiles for it as they would look completely out of place. Similarly, kitchen tiles do not have to look boring or traditional. In fact, now tiles come in a variety of colors, designs, patterns, shapes, and textures. Depending on the kind of outlook you want your kitchen to exhibit, you can even customize the wall tiles. So choose the kind of tiles that go with the rest of the interior design theme, appearance-wise.
Practicality and durability
Lastly, always pay special attention to how functional and durable the tiles are. If some tiles look super awesome but you have a really hard time cleaning them every day, what good are they to you? You have to consider those tiles that are practical and durable. They should be easy to clean and maintain. They should retain their original finish even after many years of usage with proper cleaning and maintenance. It’s not every day you remodel your kitchen, so you want to select those tiles that will last a long time and be easy to maintain.
Types of kitchen wall tiles and trending ideas
Wall tiles for kitchens are made from many different materials, each having its own distinctive properties, pros, and cons. Below, we discuss some of these most popular materials along with their advantages and disadvantages.
Ceramic
Probably the most common and frequently used tiles in homes are ceramic tiles. They are highly durable and do not lose their shine over the years, making them a popular choice for kitchen wall tiles. They are easy to clean, you just need a damp washcloth to wipe over it and almost all kinds of stains and residue can easily be removed.
Ceramic tiles can be glazed on unglazed. Unglazed tiles may give a rustic and artistic look but they are relatively harder to clean and cause more dirt and germs to gather on them. However, glazed ceramic tiles are glossy and prevent dust and allergens from settling on them.
Ceramic tiles come in a variety of shapes and sizes. They are arranged on the wall with clear grout lines between them visible. These grout lines tend to get dirty over time. Larger tiles mean that there will be fewer grout lines, so they will not appear that dirty. On the other hand, smaller tiles may look prettier but they will have more grout lines between them, and will produce a dirtier appearance over time.
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Porcelain
Porcelain tiles are somewhat similar to ceramic tiles with a few key distinctions. Porcelain is made from clay and other materials that are burnt together in the furnace to create a highly strong and non-porous material. Porcelain tiles are denser and less porous as compared to ceramic tiles. This means that they are more moisture-resistant and harder than ceramic tiles. Because of the high temperature in which it is produced, porcelain is highly heat resistant. Hence, porcelain tiles are most suitable for those areas that experience heavy traffic, heat, and more spills and splashes.
Porcelain tiles can easily be cleaned and maintained. They come in many different colors and stunning styles to match any particular interior design theme. Some are glossy, some are textured; thus you get beauty and durability at the same time.
However, there are certain disadvantages of porcelain. Porcelain tiles are much heavier than ceramic ones and more difficult to install. Because of their amazing properties, porcelain tiles are expensive.
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Marble
Marble can be considered one of the most refined and exquisite materials of choice when it comes to tiles. When chosen as wall tiles for the kitchen, marble can instantly add a touch of elegance and beauty to your kitchen. It comes in varying patterns and designs that make a statement. It adds an element of luxury to the space, so it is a good choice for kitchen wall tiles if the overall theme of your house is luxury and elegance.
Marble is, however, quite expensive. It is a porous material, thus must be cleaned instantly to avoid stains from getting permanent. It is prone to scratching and breakage, so requires careful usage. It also requires regular sealing to ensure that it doesn’t get damaged permanently. Its cutting and installation require professional craftsmanship that incurs an extra cost.
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Quartz
Quartz is a relatively cheaper alternative to marble but gives an almost similar appearance as that of marble. It is a heat-resistant material that comes at a lower cost than marble. It is quite strong and sturdy, making it a good option to be chosen for kitchen wall tiles.
Quartz is made from natural quartz and resins that create its distinctive patterns and colors. Its patterns include veins and granulated designs that come in many different hues. Most importantly, quartz is non porous which makes it resistant to staining. It is easy to clean and maintain. Because of its sturdy nature, you do not have to worry about it being cracked or broken in case of any forceful impact.
One disadvantage of quartz is that it is highly sensitive to acidic or alkaline chemicals. Therefore, it requires cleaning with those solutions that have a neutral PH. In case an acidic or highly alkaline solution comes in contact with quartz, it will cause discoloration.
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Cement
Cement tiles were basically used in the 19th century but since the last few years, have become increasingly popular because of their versatile nature. As more people tend to create a mid-century modern interior design theme in their homes, they look for cement tiles for their kitchens and bathrooms. They are available in many designs, colors, and patterns.
However, there are a few drawbacks of cement tiles. Cement is an extremely porous material, so its tiles must be sealed every month to ensure that they maintain their appearance. Their installation is also a difficult endeavor that requires professional help.
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Terracotta
Another raw and rustic material for wall tiles is terra cotta. Imagine those old farmhouses or your grandma’s place and the kind of nostalgic vibes you got in them, terracotta tiles can help you relive those nostalgic memories. These tiles are strong and sturdy and can last a lifetime. They have a distinctive red color that reminds you of the olden days. Nowadays, you can even get terracotta tiles in any color of your choice. Although terracotta tiles come in a variety of shapes, the honeycomb design is ever so popular.
These tiles are water resistant and are very low maintenance. With regular cleaning, they can last a lifetime. However, their installation is a tedious process. Also, if the tiles get damaged, it is very difficult to repair them and you may end up completely replacing a good number of tiles. Terracotta tiles are porous in nature if they are not glazed and are prone to attract a lot of dust and dirt.
Granite
Granite is a type of natural stone that has a grandeur and exquisiteness of its own. When compared with marble, granite is miles ahead in terms of the durability and beauty that it offers. It is available in a huge variety of styles, colors, patterns, and grains. Whether you are fond of dark tiles or light ones, you can surely find a particular style of your choice in granite. There are also several finishes for granite including matte, brushed, textured, or glossy finish.
It is more durable than marble and is resistant to scratches and cracks. It is heat resistant so even in the hot and humid environment of the kitchen, granite tiles will not lose their beautiful appearance. It is very easy to clean.
You do, however, have to seal granite periodically to help maintain its distinctive appearance. One of the greatest drawbacks of choosing granite tiles for the kitchen is its price. They are highly expensive and quite difficult to install. But once bought and installed, they can last for years with a little proper care.
Glass
A type of wall tiles that are becoming quite popular among homeowners in Singapore are glass tiles. Glass tiles offer unmatched beauty in the kitchen owing to their translucency and the fact that they can be customized in any color and pattern of your choice. They are extremely easy to clean; with just a swipe of damp cloth, you can easily get rid of all the grime and stains. Glass is an impermeable material so it is water resistant. And its biggest advantage is that it is an eco-friendly material. So if you are a strong advocate of going green and making eco-friendly choices, then glass tiles are the ones for you!
When it comes to the disadvantages of glass tiles, they are quite expensive. Glass tile installation requires care and professional expertise since the adhesive used for installing the glass can easily be visible through the translucent material if not applied on professionally. This can create an unpleasant sight.
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Stone/slate
Slate is a type of natural stone that is considered a good choice for wall tiles and flooring. It is quite versatile and comes in many colors and patterns. Moreover, as compared to other natural stones like marble or granite, slate is quite affordable. Slate or stone tiles are durable and can give a beautiful raw and rugged appearance to your kitchen. These tiles are water and stain resistant so they are quite easily maintained.
Since it is a natural material, these tiles can become quite porous if not sealed regularly. Also, in case of damage to a tile, it is very difficult to repair that tile without causing any further damage to the surrounding tiles. Unfortunately, these tiles are not scratch resistant.
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Limestone
Limestone is another option for kitchen wall tiles. Since limestone is a sedimentary rock that is quite porous, its tiles offer medium-range durability. It costs much less than other natural stone tiles and offers a unique beauty in the form of an earthly appearance. These tiles can be cut in any shape or size, thus you have the option of choosing a particular style based on your preferences. Limestone is a non-flammable material, thus making it a good choice to be used in the kitchen. It is an environment-friendly option to be used for kitchen tiles.
Now coming to the disadvantages, although limestone is cheaper than other natural elements, it is still a bit expensive than synthetic materials. It requires regular sealing and cleaning to ensure its longevity.
Vinyl
Vinyl is a synthetic material that can be considered an excellent choice for kitchen tiles. It comes in an unimaginable variety of designs, colors, and textures. You have the option of choosing from styles that mimic pure wood, ceramic tiles, marble, granite, and even other stone finishes. And the best part is that they are available at extremely affordable rates. They are non-porous, water-proof, and stain resistant. They can easily be installed as a DIY project; however, installation does require some care to ensure that the adhesive is applied on properly and the vinyl tiles are arranged in the right manner.
The choice of adhesive also plays a crucial role in the durability of these tiles. If using a strong adhesive, it will be quite difficult to pull off the tile without damaging it. Use a less stronger adhesive and the tile will come off from time to time, requiring you to re-glue it again.
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Wood
Wood wall tiles are an option for the kitchen if you want to create a timeless appearance in the space. Wood, in whatever color, texture, or grain it is used, can do wonders in uplifting any room’s appearance. Therefore, when used as the kitchen wall tiles, wood tiles look beautiful and elegant. Wood is a strong and durable material but it is not that resistant to water or heat. It needs to be sealed regularly to ensure that moisture does not damage it. Moreover, it is prone to termite infestation and mold and mildew growth for which it needs to be treated regularly.
One alternative to wooden wall tiles could be laminate tiles that mimic the wooden appearance but because of their synthetic nature, are much more durable and water and heat resistant. Wood tiles are expensive where laminate tiles are quite affordable. Laminate can even be considered a better option than vinyl as they are much more durable and long-lasting.
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As discussed above, kitchen wall tiles come in a wide variety of styles and materials giving you a plethora of options to choose from. Depending on all the factors discussed and your personal preferences you can choose a style and material of kitchen wall tiles that will look beautiful and be practical as well. For more inspirational ideas, advice, and suggestions for your home interior design in Singapore, contact Swiss Interior, one of the best interior design firms in Singapore.