16 Kitchens that Will Make You Want to Retile Yours

Though we'll never tire of hardwood floors, there's something about tile kitchen floors that makes us swoon every time. But can you blame us? Just take a look at this stunning, European-inspired kitchen with limestone tile floors. Plus, not only are tile floors aesthetically pleasing, but they're also practical (i.e. stain-resistant and easy-to-clean) and timeless—in fact, they get better with age.

"The right tile floors in a kitchen will patina over time like leather, and while the first spills and nicks may feel tragic, the effect with time is a floor that is beautifully imperfect," interior designer Jonathan Taylor of Taylor and Taylor tells MyDomaine. "The goal is not perfection, but beauty through imperfection—embracing the variations in color and texture that are found in nature and handmade objects. There is nowhere in the home that this is more relevant than a tile floor."

Inspired to retile your kitchen? Here, we've rounded up 16 beautiful kitchens where tile floors are the main event. See for yourself.

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Hexagon Terracotta Tiles

Rustic terracotta tiles impart an old-world charm to a kitchen, as this space by interior designer Heidi Caillier of Heidi Caillier Design demonstrates. Terracotta tiles are available in a number of shapes and sizes, including traditional square, but the large hexagon format seen here skews more modern.

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Calacatta Viola Marble Tiles

Marble shouldn't be limited to just kitchen countertops. Gain inspiration to tile your floors in the stunning material from this well-appointed kitchen designed by Steven Gambrel. Here, violet-veined Calacatta Viola marble tile floors make a striking statement.

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Black-and-White Marble Tiles

Black-and-white tiles will always be a kitchen classic. Take style notes from interior designer Sarah Winchester of Sarah Winchester Interiors, who puts a luxurious spin on the high-contrast checkerboard motif with black-and-white marble tile floors in this space.

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Quartzite Tiles

Durable and easy to maintain, quartzite tiles are an excellent choice for a highly trafficked area like the kitchen. In this space by interior designer Kristina Crestin of Kristina Crestin Design, quartzite tile floors look especially chic complemented by blue-gray cabinets.

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Hand-Painted Tiles

Not for the risk-averse, hand-painted tiles are a surefire way to make a bold statement. In this kitchen by interior design duo Jess and Jonathan Taylor of Taylor and Taylor, the floor—comprised of hand-painted tiles, of course—is the undisputed star of the space.

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Limestone Tiles

If you want your kitchen to exude rustic farmhouse vibes, follow the lead of interior designer Amber Lewis of Amber Interiors and opt for limestone tile floors. The timeless stone pairs well with a number of design styles, including the French country-inspired aesthetic seen here.

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Geometric Stone Tiles

Rather than opting for standard square or rectangular-shaped stone tiles, gain inspiration from this kitchen designed by Jess and Jonathan Taylor of Taylor and Taylor and select geometric stone tiles instead. Dark-hued stone tiles are ideal for those seeking an understatedly sophisticated kitchen floor.

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Graphic Encaustic Cement Tiles

Since encaustic cement tiles tend to be more expensive than other types of tiles, smaller kitchens are perfect for such a bold application. Allow this kitchen designed by Shea McGee of Studio McGee to demonstrate the transformative power of bold, graphic floors in a space with limited square footage.

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Blue Granite Tiles

Move aside, marble. Resilient and easy to clean, granite tiles are another popular choice for kitchen floors. In this space designed by Disc Interiors, dark blue granite tile floors make a dramatic statement when juxtaposed with oak cabinets and whitewashed walls.

Avoid using abrasive cleaners like bleach or rough cleaning tools when taking care of granite flooring. These can scratch and damage the tiles.

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Granite Tiles

Another case for granite tile floors, this galley-style kitchen designed by Arent & Pyke cofounder Juliette Arent Squadrito features a lighter variation of the material. Complete with Shaker-style cabinetry painted in a rich, jewel-tone shade of green, this art deco kitchen is about as swoon-worthy as they come.

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Geometric Cement Tiles

Allow this space designed by Park & Oak to convince you to do something rather controversial—base your tile selection entirely on a kitchen appliance. Here, a floor comprised of geometric cement tiles boasting star patterns perfectly complement an icy blue, French-style oven in an otherwise all-white kitchen.

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Penny Round Tiles

Until relatively recently, penny round tiles were considered passé—but this kitchen, designed by Leanne and Steve Ford of Restored by the Fords, is proof that the classic tile style is making a major comeback. When in doubt, you can never go wrong with a timeless black-and-white color palette, as exemplified by this space.

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Tumbled Travertine and Terracotta Tiles

Tumbled travertine and terracotta make for great kitchen tile floor options on their own, but the checkerboard-patterned tile floor in this kitchen designed by Victoria Hagan of Victoria Hagan Interiors makes a compelling case for incorporating both into your space instead of choosing just one.

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Encaustic Cement Tiles

In case you need another beautiful kitchen to convince you to give encaustic cement tile floors a chance, behold this stunning blue kitchen designed by Emily Henderson alum Ginny Macdonald. When it comes to color in the kitchen, sometimes more is more.

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Rectangular Terracotta Floors

Though hexagon format terracotta tiles impart a modern look to a kitchen, rectangular terracotta tiles shouldn't be overlooked. Case in point: this kitchen designed by DeVOL Kitchens, in which rectangular terracotta tiles are arranged in a timeless herringbone pattern.

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Self-Adhesive Vinyl Tiles

Temporary and relatively inexpensive, peel-and-stick vinyl tiles are the ideal solution for renters or budget-conscious homeowners. As this kitchen designed by Brady Tolbert demonstrates, you shouldn't let the fear of losing your security deposit prevent you from improving a leased space.

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