Urban subway tiles can give the sense of opening up the most miniscule area. The thick black lines between the subway tiles give the illusion that the kitchen is bigger. If you can't afford to change your kitchen tiles, a geometric floor runner can provide the same visual effect.
Stone floor tiles are usually available in large sizes. These are easy to install, and in a tiny kitchen, these add a big dollop of design and a space-enhancing illusion. Ideally, if you're choosing big tiles, ensure you choose light-toned ones, as super large and super dark colors will have the opposite effect.
Simple but very effective, white kitchen ideas will always be the top choice to make a space appear bigger and brighter. 'Despite bolder colors becoming more popular in the kitchen over the last few years, white has never gone out of style. It reflects the light, and adds endless possibilities for personalisation.
Parquet flooring tiles
One of the most popular kitchen floor tile ideas, parquet flooring tiles help elongate kitchen space and create the illusion of more depth. This geometric design of small tiles laid going across the width of a room also makes it feel wider.
These large tiles trick the eye and make a room look bigger, less cluttered and make the room feel more seamless. Maximise this trick of the eye with a complementary or matching coloured grout, rather than a contrasting one, as this will help grout lines blend in with the tiles rather than frame them.
Tricks with tiles to make a small kitchen look bigger
Choosing lighter colours, such as white or cream, for your kitchen tiles will help reflect more light than darker colours would.
Keep Floor Tile Large and Light
Tiny floor tiles make your small kitchen feel busy and cramped. Large tiles make a kithen feel airier and larger. One reason for this is that with the large tiles, you're reducing the number of grout lines. You can use 12-inch by 12-inch tiles but larger.
A big kitchen flooring trend for 2023 is buff sandstone tiles - offering the ultimate neutral with soft pale wash tones and unique texture. Sandstone, like limestone, is a hardwearing and practical option ideal for kitchen tiles, the texture also provides grip underfoot.
Paint It White
White is your best friend in a small kitchen. It reflects light, enhancing the sense of space and making the walls recede. When you include white on cabinetry, countertops, walls, and the ceiling, you create a seamless space without edges or boundaries.
Dark tiles will retain heat making the room feel warmer – whilst this might seem like a benefit in the UK, during the summer this can be uncomfortable underfoot especially if there is direct sunlight on the tiles. Lighter tiles, by comparison will be cooler.
Glass panelling is an easy and foolproof method for creating the illusion of space. A glass panel as a backsplash for kitchen will make your space look bigger by reflecting plenty of light. This idea works well for both light or dark colours.
"Generally, going with neutral colors like shades of white, beige, taupe, and grays lead to a faster sale," she shares. "Neutral colors are also more appealing to potential buyers because many want the creative freedom of a blank canvas to add their personal touches to when looking for a new place to call home.
Ultimately, there is no hard and fast rule for whether to choose lighter or darker wood floors in relation to cabinets. It's important to consider the specific design goals you have for your space and choose a color that fits with your overall aesthetic.
A traditional tile floor can create a timeless foundation for the rest of your kitchen that won't go out of style and can fall back and let other elements like kitchen backsplash tiles to shine. Decorative floor tile can give a small kitchen presence or add personality to a minimalist space.
There is absolutely no need to change flooring from room to room. We often work with homeowners who feel the urge to pick a different flooring for every room of their home, but there is absolutely no need to do this. Your home will look best if you create one consistent look that travels from room to room.
Choose a light color palette: Light colors can help make a small kitchen feel more open and spacious. Consider using whites, pastels, or light neutrals for your cabinets, walls, and backsplash.
Keeping the fridge in a corner allows you to grab what you need, then move into the center of the kitchen for prep and cooking. Make sure to leave enough room to fully open doors if placing one side against the wall. Near a countertop or bench.
White kitchens are very trendy right now, but they offer more benefits than just being beautiful. Light colors are more reflective than dark colors and they will make your kitchen appear bigger as well as more open and airy.
1. Lighter, Brighter Wood Finishes. Wood flooring with character-rich, lighter stains shows no sign of waning in popularity, says Margaret Donaldson, founder of Margaret Donaldson Interiors. “Homeowners are primarily using white oak, but walnut is starting to surface more, especially with lighter finishes,” she says.
#4: Light Neutral Colors
Another top flooring trend in 2023? Light and neutral flooring. Modern grey wood flooring continues to be popular, as are light floor colors like blonde and beige. A great way to add these lighter flooring shades to your home or business is to use bamboo flooring.
Neutral colours like white and cream give natural wood space to shine; stick to pale wood for small or narrow kitchens where dark corners are a risk, or create contrast in a larger kitchen with white units and dark wood floors.
Paler shades of wall and floor tiles reflect light which will visually open up a space, whereas darker tones absorb light which will make the room feel smaller. Glazed tiles will also bounce light back, making the room feel larger, whilst entirely matt tiles absorb light.
Choose an irregular design including a unique shape or pattern. The shape of tiles can greatly improve a rooms appearance when it comes to size. For example, diagonal tiles are a sure way to make a narrow room appear wider.