Whether it's subway or Moroccan, kitchen tile is nothing new. Usually seen applied as a backsplash, or perhaps as a countertop, these three examples prove that having both creates an unfussy, streamlined look.
This look seems to be most common with white tiles, which makes sense. A darker or patterned tile could be too visually overwhelming, whereas white keeps the aesthetic very light and clean.
What do you think? Would you like to have a tiled countertop with a matching backsplash?
Related: Encaustic Tile for the Kitchen Floor and Wall
(Images: 1. Trine Thorsen for Elle Decoration via This Is; 2. House to Home; 3. Benita Larsson via The Kitchn)
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Unless the grout is dark, it's a bear to keep the grout clean and gunk likes to collect between the tiles. I'd rather have solid surface of any kind.
I agree Verily. Cleaning tile is a nightmare.
I agree too. We have tile counters in our kitchen and they are a nightmare to clean (the grout). I'd rather have ANY solid surface.
That said, our tiled backsplash doesn't get gross so it could stay.
No way Jose. Agree with the other commenters - I'm the kind of gal that likes to spend about triple the amount of time making the kitchen messy...tile would be SO annoying and time consuming to scrub down.
Plus I'm having a pretentious moment and can't take that first photo seriously because of that ridiculous handset attached the iPhone on the table...for real? Just get an actual phone, ya dirty hipster...;)
Having lived in my share of rentals, the worst ever was the one with a tile counter.
But I like the owl potholder in the first pic.
Agreeing with the other posters: backsplash, yes; counters, no. More trouble than it's worth to keep the counters looking clean. I prefer solid surface counters.
I also have to agree that tile is awful, awful, awful to keep clean. My dad put it in, in my parents' kitchen, as a stopgap, until they could afford better, and I think it might be a toss-up whether my mom was happier the day they tore it out or the day the new counter was installed!
Looks great but still can't help me overcome my aversion to grout. I had a tiled countertop in a kitchen and it was impossible - never again!
I have a white tiled kitchen counter/backsplash. It is not new, it is old and impossible to get really clean. Even if it were new it would be a bear to try and clean. I would never, ever have a tiled counter unless I was so destitute that was all I could afford. Which, given the size of my kitchen and the cost involved, is the case for now. If you must have tile, at least get 12" tiles to minimize the amount of grout.
I'd choose ANY solid surface over tile. Especially gross painted-over tile.
Tile on a counter ALWAYS looks cheap.
I respectfully disagree with the first comment. I have a whole kitchen filled with white subway tiles and white grout to match and I've never had a problem keeping it sparkling clean. It looks the same way as the day it was installed. I just use a white colored mild abraisive cleanser like Kleen King or Bon Ami. If there's ever any kind of stain (like that time I knocked over a fresh pot of coffee, yikes!) I just use a cleanser with bleach, let it sit and then clean up as normal.
@Juiau - "ALWAYS cheap"? Nah. What a silly thing to say!
I love tile, but was discouraged against using it since I heard repeatedly how difficult it was to keep clean. It was pricey too. White looks nice in the pics, but I think it much to sterile for the bright sunlight that floods my kitchen. I opted for solid surface since I cook alot.
Love the window in the first pic and also the ceiling.
The key to keeping grout lines clear are EPOXY grout in a darker shade and regular, 6-month applications of sealant. Epoxy grout is way less absorbent than regular grout and resists stain, and the sealant does wonders for stain resistance too. I have had tile stone counters for a number of years, and despite the messiness of family life, our counters still look great!
I agree with almost everyone here, I have tile countertops in my apartment and they are extremely gross. I can't get past the feeling that there's 30 years of past renter's grime in the grout. I've had the cheapest of solid countertops in all of my other apartments, and they were SO much easier to keep clean.
I hate my tile counters. I know everyone has already mentioned the cleaning problem. Even the two people defending it sound like their methods for keeping it clean are a pain in the butt compared to any solid surface.
What hasn't been mentioned is the inconvenience of tile for actual cooking. Every time I make bread or roll out a large pie crust I am resentful of those darned grout lines that make it impossible to have a good surface to work on. Even the cheapest veneer style counters can be scrubbed and sprinkled with flour.
glad others have had positive experiences with epoxy grout, but my own was very disappointing. 2-3x the cost of the regular stuff, and it got just as dirty. Loathe it. But I love my new(-ish) granite counters, especially for baking!
anyone who doesn't mind the grout has obviously never spilled oil on it. stains are one thing - oils are another. there's also the question of grout 'settling' in many instances. sometimes, not always, there can be the slightest shifting of the cabinets (like when my new fridge was delivered and they bumped the cabinet) and that's enough to leave minute crevices between the grout and the ceramic. for myself? been there, done that. i have that same pure white look, but with smooth white countertops this time.
I like tile and find it easy to keep clean. Clorox or comet gel poured directly on the counter and a wet scrubber, then wipe with a dry rag.