Your kitchen worktop is a focal point of the space and you can really bring out different design elements of it by pairing certain tiles with it. Whether you prefer a seamless blend, a striking contrast or a bold statement with a matching splashback, finding the tile that makes your ideal combination can take a little time.
Complementary tiles
If your kitchen is all about harmony and balance, you’ll probably opt for tiles that complement the colour and texture of your worktop. For example, neutral worktops like 543 Marenstone – with its ivory and beige granules and mottled highlights – pair beautifully with soft grey, cream or pastel tiles, both materials working together to enhance a sophisticated, timeless look.
Veined worktops benefit from tiles that pick up on the crackles or undertones of the surface, creating a naturally cohesive feel – golden or coppery tiles would help to bring out the lively and earthy veins of 508 Isobellia. Similarly, 5310 Brillianza, with its crystalline translucencies and frosty white veins, would glimmer even more brilliantly when paired with cool white tiles.
4011 Fresh Concrete in a retro family kitchen
In this Cotswolds kitchen, the family has combined 4001 Fresh Concrete with a splashback of soft grey tiles arranged in a beautiful chevron pattern. The greys work beautifully together and provide their own interest alongside the bolder pops of colour used in the cabinetry and accessories.
Contrasting tiles
If you want to make more of a dramatic statement with your design, contrasting your worktop and tiles can make for a striking design feature in your kitchen. The key to success is choosing complementary contrasts that enhance rather than clash. Light worktops, such as the clean and refreshing white base of 2141 Snow or 5121 Layalite’s soft greys and ochres, stand out against deep navy, charcoal or black tiles, giving a contemporary edge to the space.
Green tiles combine with the soft warm white of 581 Lucillia to create a contrasting yet cohesive look in natural tones.
Conversely, dark worktops in rich hues like deep grey, such as the natural granite captured in 6313 Turbine Grey or the slate and clay interpretation that is 220 Magnate, can be beautifully contrasted with white or light-toned tiles to create a bright, dynamic effect.
The same approach can be taken with bold black worktops like 5810 Black Tempal, with its reflections of a starry midnight, or the luxurious ebony base and creamy vanilla veins of 5100 Vanilla Noir. If your worktop is a solid colour, like 3100 Jet Black or 110 Whitenna, either patterned or textured tiles can be used to enhance the visual interest and personality.
5121 Layalite in a light and airy galley kitchen, paired with white and green tiles
Alternatively, you can contrast your tiles with themselves, like this couple did in their London home. To emphasise their light and airy, garden-facing galley kitchen, they ran green tiles through the length of their white tiles, leading the eye towards the garden greenery. They also colour-drenched the cooking area with the green tile, and dotted indoor plants and botanical-inspired accessories throughout.
Matching splashback
For a different look altogether, you can extend your worktop material onto the walls by using it as a splashback, creating a continuous flow in your design and minimising the visual clutter. Extending materials such as quartz or porcelain onto the walls can create an upscale, designer feel.
A worktop-matching splashback also eliminates the grout lines that inherently come with tiles, making cleaning easier. As well as this, Caesarstone surfaces are non-porous and resistant to stains, making them an excellent choice for high-use kitchen areas.
5810 Black Tempal used to envelop a holiday kitchenette
The owners of this holiday retreat in Whitstable matched their entire surround, including the splashback and additional shelf, to their 5810 Black Tempal worktop, making for an impactful statement in this Kentish home from home.
Bringing it all together
Picking tiles to match your worktop is all about striking the right balance between style, function and personal preference. Whether you choose to coordinate, contrast or extend your worktop as a splashback, it’s good to see how your materials work together. Order a sample of your potential new worktop to see how it fits with your tiles and other kitchen elements, or book a studio visit and see our worktops in large format slabs.
