It's too late now but I would not have done gray against the red laminate floors. You probably should have gone with a warmer color for the tile if changing out the laminate was not an option.

But that doesn't help your current situation. I don't think there's much to be done unless you want to replace the tile. Putting a glossy finish on them (which I'm not sure is even possible) won't fix the color issue.

@Sabrina Alfin Interiors, Thank you for replying. I am open to changing the tiles instead of struggling with them every day. I could replace them with tiles or SPC. Do you have a recommendation that will go with the red laminate in my dining room and the entire house?

The problem is that you've also got gray veining in your countertop. Maybe the solution is white tile that you could do in a pattern, e.g. herringbone or large hexes. I wouldn't do vinyl flooring next to laminate flooring. Will look off.

@Sabrina Alfin Interiors,

White Farmhouse Kitchen , Town & Country, MO · More Info

what do you think of tiles that have wood look but a lighter shade of the laminate I have in dining. Something like this Houzz picture

Lake Minnetonka Tailored White Kitchen · More Info

Nope. Wood look tile next to wood look laminate will also not work. Is the laminate flooring you have in the dining room still available? The color is not my favorite but it would provide some continuity if you also put it in the kitchen.

I do not have sufficient but I can buy a close match. But I did not want laminate in my kitchen (so as to not worry about water spills)

Welp, I think those are your options: white tile or continuing the laminate. Maybe others will have further suggestions. Good luck!

High gloss tile sealer? Floor wax?

Epoxy coating?

Epoxy coating may make it slippery

@cawaps@porkchop_z5b_MI do you think adding any gloss (if I am able to) will help with the look and contrast with my dining flooring?

Look into stenciling a pattern onto the gray. you could use mostly white with some reddish accents to complement the dining room floor. The gray would also show, keeping the connection with the countertop. You put a sealer over all so it wears well and is easy to clean.

https://www.hometalk.com/diy/paint/the-secret-is-out-how-to-stencil-a-tile-floor-31322417

I quite like the gray -- it's a soft look and ties in nicely with your counters and cabinetry. What does your backsplash look like?

I'd give it time before tearing it up or whatever. Put down a couple of rugs that bring colors used in nearby accents. Live in the space a bit.

Honestly, at this point it's done and it's not that bad. I would get some nice rugs for the kitchen and move on and chalk it up to a bad choice of tile.

Apparently you can stain unglazed tile floors? Perhaps a rich dark charcoal/black would appeal? https://www.hunker.com/12001186/how-to-stain-tile-floors? 

A tile sealer would add some lustre: https://www.builddirect.com/learning-center/flooring/different-ceramic-porcelain-tile-sealers/

I don't think I would have done much different considering the veining in the countertop. Possibly darker and with a more satin finish rather than dead matte, but not a great deal different than what you have.

I know it’s not what you envisioned, but I agree, it doesn’t look bad at all from here. Give it some time. Give yourself a break. I have beat myself up with the shoulda couldas too. The rug idea is a great one.

I would add a large rug to the kitchen area instead of the smaller rugs you have placed. The rug can pull together the colors of the kitchen and dining room.

I agree to give yourself some time to adjust and add a rug or two. It looks great to me, and I would prefer the matte to shiny. The matte contrasts the shiny countertops. But of course your opinion is the only one that matters.

Maybe add a runner that just barely covers the transition that bothers you between the wood and tile? I didn’t know what color and style you prefer, I just picked the first one I saw might tie the grey and wood color together. Sorry the rug is huge, but just imagine a runner size.

Adding to the choir of suggesting getting some rugs (maybe Ruggable, since they’re washable?). I actually like the matte look of the flooring, though I hear you that it bums you out. I’d put a runner or some kind of rug right at the transition from dining room to kitchen, and another one in front of the sink. I know that tile can be awfully hard to stand on, so maybe also look into those cushiony mats. I’m not sure if you could put one under a rug without the whole thing being a tripping hazard, but maybe they come in decent patterns and would be nice to have in front of the sink and stovetop.

I see others have made the rug suggestion.

In response to your question, I think adding a gloss finish only addresses the dull and lifeless issue but does nothing for the contrast issue. A runner, or a small rug at the transition zone, can soften the transition if it really bugs you.

Honestly, I like the color of the floor with the rest of your kitchen elements. The contrast with the wood floor doesn't bother me at all.

THank you, everybody. I will update what I end up doing.

How is it to clean? I had unglazed hex tile in a bathroom once and it was a nightmare. This might be a bonus for you because the same characteristic that makes dirt stick to it, might make it hold onto/absorb some sort of top finish.

Have you got extra tile to experiment on? I'd look at an enhancing sealer first, but I would try it on a sample.

Agree with the big rug suggestions. Long runners plus a big area rug maybe. In a strong color you love. Navy? Forest green?

I understand the reasons why you choose what you did but you’re right - it looks like a plain dull concrete floor. Time will help.

There are products to use to add shine to porcelain tile check them out just be prepared to redo from time to time.. I think at this stage to rip out and redo the flooring could add a whole other issue with damage to cabinets etc. I am not sure what your idea was when testing this tile next to the laminate but it is done now so IMO use the caoting and redo when neccessary

i agree with others…..rugs. Overstock has hundreds or thousands. Have fun picking a larger one. You can change it out from time to time. Honestly, it’s the floor, not the center of interest in your nice kitchen.

You can change it ”down the rroad” if you wish.

You all must be more graceful that I am (and neater) but a rug in a kitchen seems like a bad (tripping) idea and also something that takes an easy maintenance surface and turns it high maintenance.

@just_janniI completely agree with you. Rug in the kitchen is a complete no-no for me. The small mats I have are anti-fatigue mats, that I just wipe or wash.

I want to link this other discussion which is a similar problem like mine:

https://www.houzz.com/discussions/4666302/need-help-with-kitchen-flooring-and-existing-cherry-wood-floors

I have Spicher and Company vinyl floor cloth rugs in my kitchen and live them. They come in many sizes and a large(100+) choice of patterns and are very well priced. They are thin and lie completely flat. Tripping on one would be close to impossible. I’ve had one of mine for about 20 years and it looks as new as the one I purchased this year.

Flor.com is great for kitchens

I love the rug that ”Rebunky” suggested, with the grey and a little red. I think you made a good choice with the tile. It’s very basic, which means you can change everything around it as many times as you want! i think once you style the rest of the room you’ll like it. have you seen the thin brick tiles you can use on walls? i think that would look amazing with what you’ve already chosen and tie everything together. i’ll look for the link I’m envisioning.

I cant find the one that was my inspiration, but this one is good too. https://youtu.be/T3M0ApEebH4

Chinacatpeekin, Wow! I am in love with your kitchen! That cabinet color, the style with the little shelf under, the antique range, and that exact backsplash is my absolute dream kitchen.

I just looked up your floor cloth rug suggestion and found them at rugs-direct.com. Is that where you got yours? That same site is where I found the rug I posted above, but a non tripper rug and one that is easily cleanable is perfect for a kitchen. I have been on the hunt for something just like that for my kitchen. Thanks!

https://www.homedepot.com/c/ap/diy-brick-backsplash-with-german-schmear/9ba683603be9fa5395fab90182ca710a

found it. i did this! i didnt want to pay for the thin brick, so i bought a wet saw(tile saw) on Craigslist for 100$ and found a bunch of free brick someone wanted to get rid of and i sliced the thin bricks myself and then followed this tutorial lmk if you’re interested. it would look beautiful with your red floor and the grey tile. -and i like the rug idea- use Gorilla mounting tape to hold runners in place.

What is your countertop quartzite called? Calacatta? I have the same and looking for more of it!

Thank you for all the replies. Vinyl rugs are not something I was aware of. Good to know about them. However, they are not an inexpensive option. I am going to decorate my entire house back (put the pictures and decorations up) and see how I feel about the kitchen tiles. I did create a backup plan. I identified another tile and LVT that I like. I also found somebody who will demolish and replace my tiles for $1000. In Bay Area that is a good price. I will keep looking for a better deal and until then give the current tiles a chance.

In the hindsight, I would have chosen an absolutely plain countertop so that the Grey color was something I would need to factor in the floor. Also colors go-in and out of fashion. Learned an important lesson.

Rebunky- thanks so much! My kitchen was very recently completed, and I’m so happy with the finished outcome. I don’t recall if I purchased my Spicher and Company vinyl rug from Rugs. Com but they are sold on many sites, including their own. I did purchase another one on Garnet Hill. I think I just looked for a site offering a discount, as many do. They are all by Spicher and Company.

Any K- I know I paid in the mid $200s for my relatively long runner, and consider that a bargain for something functional and beautiful that will last for decades. I’m in the Bay Area too, and there are a few local stores that carry these in the smaller sizes if you want to see them in person; Flowerland on Solano in Albany is one.

Not a sole mentioned you are using a very blue florescent or led replacement in your overhead. it is flattening out the gray and not giving it any life. I would consider a slightly warmer bulb color and see if that helps. I can see it before in the yellow of the floor pulling almost a green tone. also looks like the lighting is uneven. Have you put any thought into that?

Not a sole mentioned you are using a very blue florescent or led replacement in your overhead. it is flattening out the gray and not giving it any life. I would consider a slightly warmer bulb color and see if that helps. I can see it before in the yellow of the floor pulling almost a green tone. also looks like the lighting is uneven. Have you put any thought into that?