Need Help with Kitchen Floor Tile

8 years ago

last modified: 8 years ago

I have a small, galley-like kitchen (c. 100 sqft). It has 1 small window, a windowed backdoor, and doesn’t get much light until late in the day. So I want the kitchen to feel as big and light as possible. I decided to look for a warm light to medium-colored tile that was not a boring beige or white that had variation. After some searching, I ended up finding Daltile’s Ayers Rock color Golden Ground thanks to the Home Depot site. Went to the official Daltile studio, received a sample, and tried it on my floor. I thought I made my choice.

I decided to try a box of the HD version since it’s $2 per sqft less than the Studio’s version. Didn’t care for it, so I’m sending the HD tile back. But I’m also not “feeling” the initial choice any longer. Can anyone help? I’m open to other brands if it’s thought they’re better.

Thank you!

What I saw in a HD review:

The sample I got (9:45a, rain):

Tried it on this floor (3:30p, sunny):

HD tile and Sample together on new subfloor:

Overcast 5:30p w/ recessed lighting on

Overcast 5:30p w/ recessed lighting off

Sunny, 2:45p, natural light only

See? They look more gray and dreary than I expected. They're not looking anything like this :o(

And yes, those will remain the cabinets and the stove for the time being. I plan on changing them out (particularly the cabinets) down the road, so the tile will be laid underneath them.

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PRO

JAN MOYER

8 years ago

last modified: 8 years ago

I wouldn't choose tile , any tile, if your plan is to change cabinetry up the road. Nobody can see the entire kitchen, yours probably needs more lighting.

Beyond that, go to a good tile store near you, and bring home more samples. Tile can't be chosen from websites for the best result. All porcelain tiles will have a range of color within any selection. A good tile store can usually show you the range you can expect. In other words, in person, not the internet. But I would simply wait for the fuller renovation.

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Comments (7)

I'm Nicety
Original Author
8 years ago
I should've mentioned that I found this tile after going to several tile stores - hence looking online. F&D, HD, Lowe's, The Tile Shop, Avalon Flooring - none really had anything I was strongly interested in or liked. I also mentioned I went to the Daltile studio itself to see this tile and others in person. This wasn't the only sample I got from there.

The rest of my floors will be refinished hardwood, and it was suggested not to go with any faux wood product since it will look really fake (of course). Porcelain tile was chosen for waterproof abilities, durability, and mostly, maintenance. Haven't read anything that says tile is a no-no if you're going to change cabinets later.

Good point on the lighting. The bulbs came with the house, and I liked the lighting, so didn't consider changing them. Now I might.
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User
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
New floors will not cure the kitchen blues. Just as Jan mentioned, you have to look at the whole, and how it interacts together. You cannot just pick a choice in a vacuum and have it work.

Hire a KD who can help you think and see holistically.
I'm Nicety thanked User
PRO
JAN MOYER
8 years ago
Lighten the cabinetry..........keep the hardwood that is in the rest of your home going right into the kitchen. Get a KD!!! a budget , a plan to explore options for function , style all of it. Just as Sophie said. As a whole. and also part of the whole of your home..
I'm Nicety thanked JAN MOYER
I'm Nicety
Original Author
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
Sophie - I wasn't looking for a choice - I was looking for ideas to consider that I might have overlooked. But I do agree. I have started to consider hiring a consultant.

The floor change was a necessity. It was too high (BIG trip hazard). It was a floor on top of a floor (with orig. floor having 4 layers of flooring on it to be exact, the pic had 2 on top of the TOP floor that sat on the other stuff), Replaced joist and subfloor, so now I'm here. Wouldn't have changed anything (for awhile) if it wasn't for that.
I'm Nicety
Original Author
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
Thanks again, Jan. I was looking to change the wall colors as well, so as much as I wasn't looking to do this, I may do as you guys suggest.

Actual hardwood in the kitchen? Hmm, not sure about that one. All of the water sources are there outside of the bathroom. Hot water heater, washer (& dryer), dishwasher & sink (obviously). I have a crawlspace - no basement.
PRO
Anglophilia
8 years ago
I've had hardwood floors in my kitchen for the past 15 years. DD has had hers now for 19 years. Mine have survived multiple dogs. Hers have survived a SAHH, two boys and 3 cats and the occasional Golden Retriever owned by her father when he visits. All look great. In such a small space, I'd continue the hardwood into the kitchen.
I'm Nicety thanked Anglophilia