Kitchen Tiles

A kitchen floor takes more abuse than any other surface in the house. Dropped pans, spilled oil, chairs dragged across it, and in most homes a dog or two.

Porcelain handles all of it. It's harder than natural stone, needs no sealing, and wipes clean rather than absorbing whatever lands on it. That last point matters more in a kitchen than anywhere else — a sealed limestone floor looks wonderful until someone spills red wine on it.

For floors, check the slip rating. R10 is sensible near a sink or a back door where water gets walked in. For splashbacks none of that applies and you can choose on looks alone; polished and gloss finishes wipe down easily behind a hob.

Wood-effect planks are the usual choice for an open-plan kitchen that runs into a dining area, because they give the warmth of timber without worrying about what happens when the dishwasher leaks. Concrete and stone looks suit a more utilitarian scheme, and marble effects work well on a splashback where they catch the light.

If the kitchen opens onto a terrace, several ranges here come in a matching 20mm outdoor version so the floor can continue through the doors.