Tile for Your Open Concept Kitchen

Featured Image: Aequa Silva 12×48 Large-Format Wood-Look Porcelain Tile Kitchen Floor, & Pilar Quartz Kitchen Island Waterfall Countertop from Arizona Tile

If you have an open concept kitchen but are looking for new tile and slab ideas to punch it up a bit… you’ve come to the right place! Don’t have an open concept kitchen but are thinking about adopting this layout? You’ve also come to the right place!

When designing a kitchen, it makes sense to put a lot of thought into materials and appliances, but the general floor plan is paramount. If you already have an open concept floor plan, you’re privy to the benefits: blended rooms, better maneuverability, more time with family, hosting get-togethers, and more. If you’re designing an open concept floor plan through a remodel or a new home, you’ll love the spacious feeling and versatility it affords. Open concept kitchen ideas are plentiful, and with the right design, you’ll relish the space!

All About Open Concept Floor Plans

Traditionally speaking, homes were sectioned off room by room. There were dedicated kitchens, dining rooms, living rooms, family rooms, etc. However, through the late 20^th century, open concepts became more popular, as we spent more time in our homes. This structure allows a free-flowing layout throughout the kitchen, dining space, and living room that creates larger, brighter, and more functional spaces to emphasize togetherness.

Image: Tivoli Bianco 18×36 Large-Format Porcelain Tile Kitchen Floor, Flash White 3×12 Ceramic Tile Kitchen Backsplash, Black Mist Honed Granite Countertop, & Aravalli Polished Quartzite Kitchen Island Countertop Tile from Arizona Tile

Post 2020, there has been an uptick in recreating defined spaces as more people began working from home: dining rooms became offices, some walls and doors may have been added, but the general living space still focuses on openness. Given that the open concept kitchens trend isn’t expiring soon, if ever, revamping the kitchen you have has many benefits to enhance the enjoyment and value of your home.

Kitchen Tile on Floors and Walls

Flooring is your connection, or lack thereof, throughout a home. It can run seamlessly for consistency and offer a more expansive feel, or it could be separated by transitions. If you want to connect spaces, the same tile flooring through the general gathering area (and possibly the entire home) is the way to go. If you want some dividing factors between spaces, selecting unique tile for each area can add the variation you want.

Regardless of your preference, the Aequa and Tivoli series would be excellent options either together, or alone, running through the whole space. Aequa is a porcelain plank-style tile that emulates reclaimed wood, and our Tivoli series is a large-format porcelain tile that emulates travertine. Possibly try Tivoli in the kitchen and Aequa through the gathering room. Both of these porcelain series are incredibly durable, non-porous surfaces that require minimal maintenance and have extreme longevity.

Image: Faro Taupe Grey 24×48 Large-Format Porcelain Tile Kitchen Floor, CS-Skyline Honed Lotus Mesh Marble Tile Kitchen Backsplash, & Montreal Quartz Waterfall Kitchen Island from Arizona Tile

With variation in mind, having an open concept kitchen and floor plan doesn’t mean that each space must have the same look and feel. Adding different décor, wall features, wall tile, etc., can illuminate the space. For instance, a fireplace in the living room that is fashioned with Flash tile vs. CS-Skyline kitchen backsplash. CS-Skyline is a neutral marble of cream, taupe, and brown that offers elegance and sophistication in its colorings and patterns. Flash ceramic is more playful with gentle texture, soft glaze, and a variety of colors designed to emulate hand-crafted tile. While they differ, they would look beautiful in an open-concept space, highlighting different features.

Kitchen Countertops

Just like flooring, the countertops in an open concept kitchen need to be durable, especially since their accessible surface is great to set things on. Backpacks, purses, laptops, loose change… not to mention your normal kitchen gadgets. While your countertop may be a temporary “catch-all,” it is still a visually predominant feature, so you want it to be beautiful (and stay that way). That’s where quartz, granite, and quartzite enter the conversation. While this post may be titled “Tile for Your Open Concept Kitchen,” nothing pairs and accents the surrounding tile like stunning stone slabs.

Image: Aviana Quartz Island Countertop & Oxide Honed Quartz Perimeter Kitchen Countertop from Arizona Tile

Quartz Kitchen Countertops

Quartz is a well-known surface material that surged in popularity in the early 2000s. Because of its durability, non-porous nature, longevity, breadth of color and design, and ease of maintenance, it quickly became the “it” product. Here are some options to add some brightness to your open concept kitchen:

• Aviana is white with distinct grey veining, appearing as natural stone. If you have a large island, this “Super Jumbo” slab will cover a large space and reduce seams.
• Calacatta Jubilee is bright white with distinctive “veins” strewn throughout, also appearing as natural stone.

Oxide Honed has a warm grey tone, reminiscent of natural limestone or concrete.

Image: Calacatta Jubilee Quartz Kitchen Island Countertop & Black Mist Honed Granite Kitchen Countertop from Arizona Tile

Granite Kitchen Countertops

While quartz has gained popularity recently, granite has been a mainstay as a countertop option. Not only is granite extremely durable, but it’s a beautiful natural stone. Do you want to go with a dark surface in your open concept kitchen? Black Mist Honed will win you over.

Quartzite Kitchen Countertops

The last type of stone we want to highlight is Quartzite. Quartzite is one of the hardest surfaces available, known for its captivating beauty and exceptional durability. So, if you’re looking for a lower-maintenance countertop, but really love natural stone and the ambiance it presents, you’ll love quartzite. Aravalli is the perfect example: with a creamy white background and undertones of beige, thin to wide taupe grey veining, and the occasional fine black veining, this natural stone won’t disappoint.

How Will You Design Your Open Concept Kitchen?

Open concept kitchen ideas can offer much guidance in your design process, especially when there are so many directions to go. One helpful tool we offer is our Just Imagine Tile and Slab Visualizer, where you can select products you like and see them displayed in a life-like setting. To see our products in person and to learn more, please stop by an Arizona Tile showroom or slab yard—we look forward to working with you! If you have questions, don’t hesitate to send us a message.