Kitchen Tiles: Floor and Backsplash Choices for Indian Cooking

An Indian kitchen sees oil, steam, turmeric, spilled dal and daily mopping. The tiles on the floor and backsplash need to be tough on stains and simple to clean, without making the floor slippery. A little planning here saves years of scrubbing.

What the kitchen demands

• Oil and grease. Tadka and frying throw fine oil droplets onto walls. Over time this collects on rough or porous surfaces.
• Stains. Turmeric, tea and tamarind can mark light grout and some textured tiles.
• Wet floors. Water near the sink and spilled oil near the stove are a slip risk.
• Heat near the hob. Normal domestic cooking heat is fine for ceramic and vitrified tiles, but the tile must be fixed properly so it does not loosen.
• Weight and dropped vessels. A heavy pressure cooker dropped on the floor can chip a thin glaze, so harder bodies help.

Backsplash tiles

The backsplash is the wall between the counter and the upper cabinets. Most homes tile it from counter level up to the bottom of the cabinets, about 2 feet, and some tile up to the ceiling.

• Subway tiles in white or soft colours are a classic, easy-to-clean choice. Laid in a brick pattern, they look neat in both modern and traditional kitchens.
• Glossy or satin wall tiles in 300x600 mm give fewer joints and a cleaner look.
• Mosaic tiles or highlighter tiles can work as a strip behind the stove, but more grout lines mean more cleaning.

For more design ideas, read kitchen backsplash tile ideas.

Floor tiles

Vitrified tiles are well suited to kitchen floors because of their low water absorption and stain resistance.

600x600 mm is the most practical size for most kitchens. It fits around platforms with less wastage than very large formats. Open kitchens that flow into the dining area can use the same tile as the living spaces, as long as it is not highly polished.

Layout and colour tips

• Plan backsplash height with your carpenter before tiling, so the tile ends neatly behind the cabinets.
• Mid-tone floors in grey, beige or wood look hide everyday spills better than pure white or black.
• Keep the backsplash light if your kitchen has little natural light. It bounces light onto the counter.
• Contrast with the counter. A black granite counter pairs well with white or light grey backsplash tiles.

Mistakes to avoid

• Deeply textured or rustic tiles on the backsplash. Grease collects in the texture and is hard to clean.
• Light cement grout behind the stove. It discolours quickly. Choose a darker or epoxy grout.
• Polished or high gloss tiles on a kitchen floor, especially near the sink.
• Not leaving spare tiles. Kitchens get modified more than any other room, so keep a few pieces for later repairs.

Our guide on how to clean and maintain tiles explains how to deal with oil and stain build-up.

Choose with your kitchen layout in hand

Bring a simple sketch of your kitchen with platform length and wall heights, and visit the shop to compare backsplash and floor tiles together. Call ahead if you want to check current designs.