One trend that’s coming back in a big way is black tile in your kitchen. Black kitchen tile may sound basic or boring, but that’s just not the case! With different finishes, materials, and shapes, black tiles are as unique as the kitchens in which they appear. This isn’t the black tile of the 80s. Today, black tile in kitchens can be sleek and modern or warm and rustic. No matter how you prefer it, incorporating black tile into your kitchen will make your home look effortlessly elegant and chic. Becoming familiar with the various styles can help you decide what black kitchen tile is for you. Let’s dive into the options and styles to inspire you to use black tile in your kitchen! MATERIALS, FINISHES, AND SHAPES Depending on your home and your taste, you may prefer super-shiny or moody matte finishes. Certain materials look better with certain finishes. For example, matte looks best with a texture, and glossy looks best when paired with a smooth surface. If you want to save time and money, the peel and stick black tiles is a good option for you.

WHEN TO USE GLOSSY TILE IN YOUR KITCHEN

If you don’t have a lot of natural light in your kitchen, you certainly don’t want to use dark colors that will absorb the light and make it even darker. Hearing that, you may assume you are forever relegated to using light finishes in your kitchen so it can remain somewhat bright. Not true! One way to use black tile in a darker kitchen is by using a tile with a glossy finish. The reflective surface will bounce any light that comes its way and brighten the space, even though it’s black. The tile itself could be ceramic with a shiny glaze, or glass mosaic tile. Glossy tile looks great paired with warm metal fixtures, including brass or, my favorite, gold hardware!

WHEN TO USE MATTE TILE IN YOUR KITCHEN

Matte black kitchen tiles make a quieter statement than glossy ones, but the message is still a strong one! One big benefit of matte tile is that it can easily hide dirt, especially when paired with grout that doesn’t provide a stark contrast (ie: not bright white). A matte black kitchen tile can make a room feel more minimalist or more rustic depending on the setting. If you don’t want to go all the way to the matter type of tile, I’d recommend using black marble tile in your kitchen. It will add some visual texture and warmth without taking away the moody feel that matte adds to a space. While marble tiles are typically polished, they aren’t as glossy as glazed ceramic or glass. Slate is another material that’s often used when you’re looking for darker or black tiles. Slate can be stain-resistant, which is an excellent choice for a kitchen. Slate is also a good choice for a kitchen because it’s fire-resistant! Slate tiles are typically used on walls and will have a more rustic feel than other materials mentioned above.

BLACK TILE SHAPES 

In addition to considering the finish of your tile, you also need to think about its shape. Of course, there are square, rectangle (subway), herringbone black kitchen tiles, but that’s only the beginning! Black tiles come in hexagonal or circle (penny) shapes. You can also give your room a modern Moroccan feel with black arabesque tiles. This decorative tile is a great way to highlight a specific area in your kitchen (like a niche).

WHERE TO PUT BLACK TILE IN YOUR KITCHEN 

Different tiles and finishes will look good in different areas. Now that you know all about the different finishes and some black tile shapes, it’s time to learn how to use them. Of course, when you think about tile in a kitchen, the first place your mind probably travels is to a backsplash. Just because it’s the most common place for tile in a kitchen doesn’t mean you have to use it commonly! Mix up your backsplash with black kitchen tiles. A herringbone pattern is one way to create a modern look on your kitchen backsplash. Make the pattern pop by using light-colored grout. Bright white can make the style look dated, so stick with a light gray-greige. This grout choice goes for any pattern you choose, not just herringbone, by the way. A visually interesting way to use black tile in your kitchen is to use highly glossy, reflective subway tiles and place them in a vertical stack pattern. Typically, this classically-shaped tile is placed horizontally and offset. Undoubtedly, you’ve seen pictures of this on Pinterest in various kitchens and baths. Mix it up by placing the tiles vertically instead of horizontally. There are so many pattern options and ways to vary the feel of the room based on the pattern you choose: vertical brickwork, vertical stack, or vertical offset. Either way, vertically-placed tiles have the same elongating effect on a room as stripes and move your eye around your kitchen in a new way.

COUNTERTOPS WITH BLACK TILE

I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention one of my favorite ways to use black tile: self-adhesive mosaic tiles! And it’s great in a kitchen because it’s man-made and therefore easy to clean and maintain. Clever Mosaics peel and stick comes in all shapes and colors, so you can create a countertop with a monochromatic look using terrazzo or add some color to your black tile countertop with bright chips placed in the terrazzo tile. Either way, you’ll get a look that’s unique to you and your kitchen!

BLACK-TILED WALLS

Black tile doesn’t have to stop at the end of the backsplash! One kitchen concept I’m seeing is a full wall of tile from the countertops up. It looks amazing behind open floating shelves (if you’re able to neatly store everyday essentials that way!). If you choose to have a fully-tiled wall in your kitchen like this, choose a more understated tile that will create a beautiful backdrop for the wall behind the stove. The key is not overpowering or competing with the minimalist look, rather plays harmoniously together. That’s the great thing about black kitchen tile: it can steal the show or be a supporting player depending on how you use it! Another dramatic way to use black tiles on the wall is to have the opposite wall full of white cabinets. A black and white kitchen makes a bold statement on its own, and there’s nothing bolder than one black wall and one white wall. If you’re concerned about the contrast being too stark for your space, balance the rest of the room by including black and white elements as well as wood tones to ground the space with an organic element.