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Design Dilemma
aegan1021

Kitchen Tile

14 years ago
My husband and I are redoing our kitchen floors. We found a tile that we really like, but its 12X12. It has gray and tanish tones in it so I think it would fit in with the living room and kitchen. I personally think 13X13 tile makes a room look larger and more elegant, but I can’t really find what I am looking for in that size. Am I being crazy? Does anyone have any experience with what tile size looks best? I have attached a picture of the space. We recently got our floors refinished in the living room, up the steps and upstairs which is why we have to get rid of the pergo in the kitchen (because the living room is open to the kitchen). Also, what design do you think would look best? I am not a fan of tiles in a row so I was thinking either the diamond shape or the staggered look. Thoughts?
Featured Answer
  • 14 years ago
    I agree with pskimer, 12 x 12 and 13's are dated. I saw a nice herringbone pattern laid with rectangle tile, the tile was about 12 x 24 if my memory serves me and it looked great. Why cant the floors choices butt up to each other instead of using a threshold or worse a transition strip. Personally if I can be so frank, I'd remove the stub wall, call the hardwood guy back and get him to do the kitchen in hardwood as well. It's much softer underfoot and warmer too. I like your island dark, I wouldn't match it to the cabinets.

    Comments (16)

    • 14 years ago
      Ps- we are also planning on making the black island the same color as the cabinets
    • 14 years ago
      Go with large tiles 12x12 will be great! They make small spaces look bigger...plus there are less grout lines to keep clean. I'd also choose a darker grout that matches your tile. I have tiles in kitchen and bathrooms and find the the diamond pattern to be my favorite.

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    • PRO
      14 years ago
      You won't see a big difference between the 12" and 13" once installed. You could always do an 18" x 18" and definitely either a diamond pattern or a mix of sizes to break up the floor from the living room.
    • PRO
      14 years ago
      Also, Italian based manufacturers are more likely to offer 13" x 13". Here's a few lines that are nice quality you should be able to get where you live:
      http://mediterranea-usa.com/usa/mediterranean-stone/
      http://www.monocibec.it/eng/serie.asp?id=GRL
      http://www.marcacorona.it/eng/ceramic-tiles-faq/tiles-technical-features.html
    • 14 years ago
      I like the look of the island and would recommend to keep it the same. Interest and contrast. The lighter shade near your wood floor may not work. re: floor. Why not use large tiles. 16x16 in a Terrazzo.. I love that look, soften up the floor and work well with the tone in your hardwood.
      You have alot of seating for a smaller space. Do you use it all?

      Try this, use a Varsailles pattern on your floor, or a diagonal tile. Keep floor lighter, rather than darker. The table is the sticking point for me. I find it out of scale to the room.

      Just my humble opinion.
    • 14 years ago
      I would prefer not to go any larger that 13X13 for the tile size..I think 16X16 is too big for the space. The table is out from the wall in the picture, its normally pushed up against the wall but we were redoing the trim in there at the time the picture was taken. We do use all of the seating. we actually dont have enough when we have our family over haha!

      I am going to check all of those links as well, thank you!
    • PRO
      14 years ago
      I agree with ct--you will not really notice a difference between 12" x 12" and 13" x 13". Either will look great! If you really like the tile, do not allow a 1" size difference control your decision. Definately lay the tile on a diagonal, for it will look very attractive in contrast to the lines in your wood. Don't forget about installing a curb of some sort to seperate the two floor areas. Also, remember to pick a grout that matches your tile color the closest--you do not want it to be the focal point!
    • 14 years ago
      The guy who did our hardwood floors said that he would come back after the tile was done and put a threshold down that matches the hardwood, so I was happy about that!! Here is a picture of the two tiles that I am trying to decide between- I am leaning more towards the one on the right but I do like both. What color grout should be used? A tan or gray?
    • 14 years ago
      12 x 12 tiles are outdated, as well as 13's. Go with 16's / 18's / 20's or even non-square tiles. Surprisingly large tiles look great in small spaces. The are harder to cut, but it is SO worth it. I have installed 16 x 24 travertine tiles in my kitchen and it looks great. 12 x 12's in my opinion are over. I would never put them in my house.
    • 14 years ago
      I agree with pskimer, 12x12 are generally outdated, but also work better for smaller spaces.

      Here are a few links to some great tiles that might work in different sizes -
      http://tiledaily.com/2012/08/06/antico-series-travertine-porcelain-tile-2-shades/
      http://tiledaily.com/2012/06/11/classic-series-wood-porcelain-grey-and-brown/ - also available in a lighter shade
      http://tiledaily.com/2012/03/12/urban-matte-porcelain-series-light-grey/ - for a basic grey look, also available in a plain darker variety
      http://tiledaily.com/2011/12/19/quartz-vein-porcelain-tile-light-series/ - also available in some darker colors
    • 14 years ago
      last modified: 14 years ago
      I agree with those arguing for a larger tile than either 12x12 or 13x13, in either a rectangular shape or a staggered layout or varied tile sizes in a pattern (see below). I also think hardwood would look great as an alternative. I don't think the size of the kitchen is the issue. The larger tiles and/or varied patterns prevent your floor from looking like a standard builder's grade grid.
      A Designer's Home · More Info

      Old world elegance meets today's today's contemporary space requirements · More Info

      Woodside Guest House · More Info

      Kitchen Remodel · More Info
    • PRO
      14 years ago
      I agree that 12x12's are outdated and the make the room look small. Opt or larger tiles...12x24's are really popular now..adds design interest and less grout joints! 18x18, 20x20 and 24x24 are popular also!
      Lots of great Italian manufacturers......Rex, Casa, Marca Corona, Monocebic.
      Shop around and bring samples home to look at in the light in your kitchen.....colors change in different lighting.
      Good luck!
    • PRO
      14 years ago
      12x12 tiles are generally outdated in a kitchen space. If you turn them on a angle it will make the space look larger or wider/ There is no real difference between the 12x12 13x13 so I would look into an 18x18 12 x 24 or larger. if that is an option, which will really make the space look larger. Also, if there are other sizes in that 12x12 color you love maybe you can create a pattern with a 6x6 and a 12x12 called the duet pattern or pinwheel.
    • PRO
      14 years ago
      Or consider extending the hardwood into the kitchen.
    • 14 years ago
      last modified: 14 years ago
      I commented above...here is my kitchen. Good luck (each tile weighed 14 lbs)
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