Come scegliere le piastrelle per la cucina

How to choose the best tiles for your kitchen space? In this article we will provide you with important tips and suggestions for choosing kitchen tiles that can enhance and give great identity and personality to your spaces.

As you continue reading, you will also discover how to match kitchen tiles and where to put tiles in your kitchen depending on the stylistic effect you are going to achieve. Here's everything you need to know on the subject!

Tile ideas for a modern kitchen

In order to create a modern kitchen that is in step with the times, you will want to make the choice of tiles that are capable of giving your rooms a fresh and modern feel. Here are some examples of perfect ideas for this purpose:

  • double-fired tiles
  • laminate panels
  • use of resin: you can cover the old tiles of your kitchen decidedly old-fashioned and outdated in style, with a covering enamel
  • self-adhesive tiles
  • porcelain stoneware: simple solution but with great visual impact, thanks to the development of new technologies

Some tips for laying tiles in the kitchen

The kitchen is undoubtedly one of the most used and loved rooms in a house: in recent years this space has become particularly versatile and in some ways multipurpose: the evolution of this room of the house has in fact transformed it from a space mainly used for the preparation and consumption of meals, to a place of meeting, dialogue and social sharing.

The kitchen is no longer simply a place to dabble in the preparation of interesting and sophisticated recipes, but over the years it has become a place to relax in the company of one's partner or family, enjoying a coffee, breakfast or an aperitif.

Precisely because the kitchen has become a more lived-in space, the furnishings and, in this case, the tiles must also be able to adapt to these new requirements: in this regard, we can say that a modern and efficient solution in terms of kitchen tiling is certainly represented by porcelain stoneware: porcelain stoneware tiles, due to their technical characteristics, are waterproof and do not absorb liquids in any way; the material of which the tiles are composed is also antibacterial and extremely easy to clean and sanitize. Thanks to a wide variety of products available on the market today, there is a great choice of possible combinations of porcelain stoneware tiles, also thanks to the availability of slabs specifically designed and created for covering countertops.

Having said that, we can certainly say that porcelain stoneware is a particularly popular solution for the cladding of modern kitchens.

In order for a porcelain stoneware wall tile to reach its full potential, great attention must be paid to the laying phase. In order to understand how to lay tiles in the kitchen in a workmanlike manner, it is necessary to first carry out an accurate planning phase. In this operation, for each type of laying (from the top to the kitchen floor) it is advisable to be supported by a specialized technician, with great experience and professionalism in the laying of porcelain stoneware.

Having the help of a qualified professional will help you to understand what will be the final result of the work. Comparing yourself to the person who will be installing the tiles in your kitchen will also help you to prevent and avoid any kind of problem. By following this modus operandi, you will be able to create a result of installation that is homogeneous and easy to keep clean and intact over time.

Kitchen tiles: main trends 2021

Here are some indications to follow the main trends that will characterize the new year in terms of tiles and wall tiles for kitchens: in this way you will not be able to go wrong, going to use a modern and up-to-date wall tile.

We can say with full knowledge of the facts that for this year tiles with a glossy surface will certainly be a trend. As for the colors, for 2021 will still prevail light and cheerful colors, which are expressed in particularly eccentric and sophisticated patterns. When choosing the most suitable covering for your needs and requirements, you must never forget that it must be able to enhance the room, without becoming the real protagonist of it. The kitchen of 2021 must be smart, minimal and at the same time comfortable and welcoming, so as to encourage us to spend more time in it.

One of the main trends of last year was certainly represented by the use of the color black, combined with the concept of modern kitchen. In case you decide to opt for this predominant color in the kitchen space, our advice is in this case to choose light and warm colored walls and flooring, so as to achieve a contrast that is expressed in an interesting visual effect, without breaking the harmony of the tones of your kitchen.

Kitchen tiles: the main materials

To have a modern kitchen and in step with the times it is also necessary to investigate and learn about the main materials with which tiles are now made for this space of the house. Characteristics of these materials, in addition to the design should be the originality, refinement and not least the functionality.

Among the materials most commonly used for the realization of coatings for modern kitchens are: laminate panels, double-fired tiles, epoxy resin, and even porcelain stoneware and self-adhesive tiles.

Laminate is an extremely durable material that can give kitchen spaces a minimalist feel. Laminate is also a material that can be washed with extreme ease, particularly suitable for the realization of the coating of professional kitchens. Double-fired tiles are available on the market in white-gloss or matt color: this covering solution is often combined with wood, thus evoking retro vintage atmospheres (link retro style article February 18). One of the main disadvantages that characterize the double-fired tiles, however, is represented by the possible infiltration of water.

Epoxy resins represent a very trendy and commercially successful kitchen covering solution: the main reason of their great success is probably represented by the minimal and clean style of the resins. Critical point of this covering solution is the possibility of formation of cracks: in fact, these tend to develop in conditions of installation on surfaces that are not completely flat.

Another covering solution for the kitchen is represented by the above-mentioned porcelain stoneware: the latter is undoubtedly one of the most popular materials for the realization of flooring and wall coverings of the kitchen space. In particular, this material is used in the format of large slabs, allowing for particularly elegant and functional covering solutions. Modern porcelain stoneware slabs are made and laid with the absence of joints (possible especially in large formats).

Lastly, a very popular solution for covering the kitchen in recent years is represented by self-adhesive tiles: these products are characterized by great ease of installation and an extremely versatile choice. For these reasons, self-adhesive tiles are suitable for different types of wall and floor coverings. The main disadvantage of this solution, however, is represented by a shorter duration in time.

As far as prices for kitchen tiles are concerned, it should be pointed out that all the different solutions listed are characterized by different price ranges: the cost range develops respectively starting from economic solutions, up to the most exclusive and sophisticated coverings.

Other ideas for choosing tiles for the kitchen

Lovers of classic and traditional solutions can opt for the choice of majolica tiles for the kitchen wall covering: it is an extremely classic solution, but characterized by freshness, innovation and modernity: in fact, a wide range of majolica tiles is available on the market today, capable of responding concretely to every need and stylistic taste.

It should also be pointed out that the majolica effect of porcelain stoneware is a perfect solution for giving vent to your imagination and creativity, opting for particularly creative and artistic solutions. Thanks to this solution you can create an extremely original space with great style and personality. This particular effect of stoneware certainly represents the most contemporary solution for those who decide to opt for the purchase of classic and traditional tiles.

In some ways, majolica effect tiles represent the right compromise between classicism and innovation. This solution is characterized by a remarkable shine that will make your environments of great visual impact and trend.

An alternative to majolica or majolica-effect tiles is represented by porcelain stoneware tiles: this solution is the best in terms of a perfect combination of simplicity and great choice of different styles: you can choose, for example, floral motifs, geometric patterns or even the most varied effects (wood effect, cement effect, stone effect, paper effect, metal effect, brick effect and many other effects).

And you can also decide to choose and arrange in your kitchen a coating made with the help of marble: in terms of design, marble represents an extremely elegant and in some ways unique cover. Marble is one of the most classy, noble and durable materials, able to embellish any environment and give it an unparalleled elegance. With the use of marble the floor of your kitchen will be enriched by a unique visual impact. The decorative finishes of marble are always characterized by great elegance and sophistication, creating a feeling of finesse, essentiality and at the same time nobility. With marble the design of your kitchen will be configured in a classic and precious soul, enriched by the great brightness of this material.

You can also opt for the choice of a covering made of marble-effect porcelain stoneware: this is a decidedly cheaper solution than marble and is very similar to it. Marble-effect porcelain stoneware is the perfect solution for all those who love this type of covering and its natural brightness and elegance.

Lastly, you can opt for a texture covering: these are special three-dimensional coverings capable of defining and giving great personality to surfaces, thanks to particular light and dark effects. The textures used today as coverings for the kitchen are characterized by geometric shapes, abstract motifs, optical and in general capable of giving the kitchen a great energy thanks to the characteristic of three-dimensionality.

How to clean kitchen tiles

Lastly we would like to give you some tips and advice on how to clean the tiles that make up the covering of your kitchen properly, preserving the materials for a long time. Ordinary cleaning operations should begin with the removal of dust accumulated on the surfaces, for this operation you can use a soft cloth.

Once the dust has been removed, proceed by preparing a solution of boiling water to which you will add a glass of white vinegar and a tablespoon of bicarbonate. Customize the solution with a few drops of your favorite fragrance to give a nice scent to the kitchen environment. Wipe the solution over the surfaces with a cloth. Vinegar is a well-known natural antibacterial agent and baking soda is able to remove even the most stubborn dirt from surfaces.

A not always simple operation is represented by the cleaning of the joints between the tiles: also in this case the vinegar and bicarbonate solution is the most effective way for a deep cleaning. For this type of cleaning it could also be useful to use a powerful degreaser, capable of acting on the most intense dirt. Apply the vinegar and bicarbonate solution or the degreaser using a toothbrush, so as to reach the smallest spaces.