Traditional Tile and Stone Kitchen Ideas

Featured Image: CS-Calacatta Gris Honed Lotus Marble Kitchen Backsplash and Diamond Crystal Quartzite Countertops from Arizona Tile

If you’re looking to remodel your kitchen and create a comfortable, long-lasting space, traditional design can be the perfect place to find your inspiration. For a stylish yet functional kitchen that will stand the test of time, it’s all about choosing timeless materials for your kitchen project.

If you prefer not to take chances with the ever-changing trends of interior design, rest assured that a more traditional look can be beautiful, functional and one-of-a-kind. We’ve gathered some of our top ideas and inspiration for a timeless, traditional kitchen design. Let’s take a look at tile and slab ideas for traditional kitchen flooring, countertops, backsplashes and more.

What is Traditional Design?

A traditional kitchen is sure to feature plenty of classic detailing and ornamentation such as crown molding, corbels or ornate lighting, along with an abundance of rich wood elements and furniture that draws the eye. In a traditional space, it’s important to make sure the room’s basic design elements aren’t competing with these classic details. That’s why, when designing a traditional kitchen, we recommend sticking with simple materials, soft and neutral colors and limited patterns. These choices will make for a gorgeous traditional kitchen that won’t go out of style.

Image: Sav Wood Tortora 8 x 32 Porcelain Kitchen Floor Tile from Arizona Tile

Flooring

Choosing the right flooring is one of the most important choices you can make for your kitchen remodel. The perfect floor in a traditional kitchen should complement the room’s other features without overwhelming the eye. Avoid small, patterned tile and modern styles such as geometric tile. For a look that captures that traditional kitchen aesthetic, choose floor tile that’s simple and neutral.

Porcelain tile that looks like wood is one flooring option that epitomizes traditional design. Warm, rich, natural tones and a realistic woodgrain pattern make wood-look tile like Sav Wood an excellent choice for kitchen floors. The Sav Wood series offers five neutral color options that mimic the look of real wood for a timeless, classic quality. Plus, porcelain tile is one of the most durable flooring materials available, making it perfect for high-traffic kitchen floors that will last for years to come.

Image: Artemis Quartzite Kitchen Island Countertop from Arizona Tile

Countertops & Island

A traditional kitchen space is perfectly accented by luxury countertops. Countertops made from natural stone like granite or marble are one of the most popular options. Quartz is also a great choice for a traditional kitchen. Look for a stone or quartz slab that has a neutral color palette and a simple, subdued pattern. For example, consider:

• White and gray marble with a subtle, diffuse vein pattern, such as Carrara Extra.
• Classic granite with cream and earth tones, like White Springs.
• Quartz in a fairly solid color like white, sand or taupe, such as Bianco Pearl or Java Beige.

In any case, look for a countertop slab in a color that complements the tone and warmth of the kitchen’s cabinets, backsplash and floors. If your kitchen has an island, stick with the same countertop you chose elsewhere in the kitchen, or go for a wooden island countertop stained in a dark, rich color. To add an ornate touch in keeping with traditional design, consider a decorative edge profile on your countertop.

Image: Flash White 5 x 5 Ceramic Tile Kitchen Backsplash from Arizona Tile

Backsplash & Walls

When it comes to designing a traditional inspired backsplash, less is more. Stick with a simple, soft color palette and avoid trendy shapes and patterns.  Both porcelain and natural stone stack tile are an excellent choice for a more traditional backsplash.

If you plan to tile your kitchen walls, follow these same guidelines. Treat your traditional kitchen wall tile the same way you would approach choosing a paint color: go for a neutral color palette with limited pattern to let the room’s traditional features take center stage. Think sophisticated, but subtle. Here are a few ideas:

• Marble: It doesn’t get much more classic than a white and gray marble tile. Perfect for the backsplash in a traditional style kitchen, our CS-Calacatta Gris marble mesh mount brings the luxurious quality of marble to your kitchen’s backsplash.
• Porcelain: Glazed porcelain and ceramic backsplash tile is a great way to echo the glazed cabinets often used in traditional kitchens. Concerto is one glazed porcelain tile that can be used to beautiful effect in a traditional kitchen backsplash. This sleek, timeless tile is available in seven neutral colors ranging from white to black.
• Ceramic: Flash is a ceramic wall tile that features a glazed surface and eight color options, many of which are suitable for a gorgeous tiled wall in a traditional kitchen.

Do you need more help designing the perfect traditional kitchen? Our experts are always available for a consultation to help you find the best tile and stone for your classic kitchen design. Discover your favorite kitchen tile options in person at one of our locations, or explore our virtual design tools for more inspiration. Our Just Imagine Visualizer enables you to see how a product will look in your space before committing, while our Online Slab Yard lets you find the piece you need at the location near you.