Laying Large-Format Tile in the Kitchen: Backsplash, Floor and Walls

A large-format tile kitchen: functionality and aesthetics

The kitchen is the heart of every home, the place where tasty dishes are cooked, the family gathers and guests are received. It is a room with special requirements for finishing materials: resistance to moisture, grease and high temperatures, ease of cleaning and, of course, aesthetic appeal. Large-format tile meets all these requirements perfectly, turning the kitchen into a space worthy of a design magazine cover.

M-STONE is an expert in laying large-format tile, porcelain stoneware and natural stone in kitchens in Kyiv and Ukraine. We create kitchens that combine flawless functionality with refined beauty.

The food preparation area (the work zone)

This is the space between the base and wall cabinets where most of the cooking takes place.

Loads

• Splashes of grease and sauces
• Steam and condensation
• Temperature changes near the hob
• Mechanical impacts (knocks from dishes)
• Contact with acids (vinegar, lemon)

Requirements for the material

• Resistance to high temperatures
• Chemical inertness
• Easy to clean
• Hygiene
• No pores in which dirt can build up

The sink area

The space around the sink with constant contact with water.

Loads

• Constant humidity
• Splashes of water and cleaning products
• Contact with aggressive chemicals

Requirements

• Moisture resistance
• Resistance to chemicals
• Watertight joints

The floor area

The kitchen floor is under intense load.

Loads

• High traffic
• Falling objects
• Spilled liquids
• Moving furniture

Requirements

• Wear resistance (PEI IV-V)
• Slip resistance
• Impact resistance
• Ease of cleaning

The dining area

A space for eating: a table, chairs, perhaps a soft corner.

Loads

• Moderate foot traffic
• Falling crumbs and liquids
• Moving chairs

Requirements

• Aesthetics
• Comfort (the possibility of heating)
• Ease of care

The island (if there is one)

The central element of spacious kitchens.

Loads

• A combination of the work and dining zones
• Intensive use from all sides

Requirements

• Resistance to all kinds of impact
• Aesthetic perfection
• The possibility of seamless cladding

A large-format tile kitchen backsplash

The kitchen backsplash is the kitchen’s calling card and the most popular place to use large-format tile.

Advantages of a large-format backsplash

A minimum of joints A standard kitchen backsplash is 2-4 metres long and 50-80 cm high. With 10×10 cm tile that means hundreds of joints that collect grease and dirt. A single 120×60 cm slab covers 0.72 m² without a single joint.

Easy cleaning The smooth surface of a large slab is washed in seconds. Grease, sauces, splashes: everything is removed in one motion.

A seamless look A large-format backsplash imitates a solid surface of marble, onyx or concrete without the pattern being interrupted by joints.

Hygiene No joints means no places for bacteria to multiply. This is critically important for the food preparation area.

A stylish appearance A large-format backsplash looks modern, stylish and expensive. It is a sign of thoughtful design and attention to detail.

Optimal tile sizes for a backsplash

60×120 cm The most popular format. One slab covers a significant part of the backsplash. An optimal combination of practicality and aesthetics.

80×160 cm For long backsplashes. It minimises the number of joints even in large kitchens.

120×240 cm A premium solution. The possibility of making a backsplash without a single vertical joint.

120×278 cm The maximum format for backsplashes reaching the ceiling (without wall cabinets).

Popular backsplash designs

Marble-look

Calacatta

• A white background with golden-grey veining
• Luxury and elegance
• Ideal for white and light kitchens
• Goes with gold fittings

Statuario

• The whitest marble with contrasting veining
• Maximum expressiveness
• For minimalist interiors

Carrara

• Classic white with soft grey veining
• A universal option
• Suits any style

Nero Marquina

• Black with white veining
• A dramatic contrast
• For bold interiors

Concrete-look

• Industrial style
• Different shades of grey
• Combined with wood and metal
• Loft and minimalism

Metal-look

• Imitation of rusty metal, copper, bronze
• Hi-tech and industrial style
• A unique character

Monochrome

• White: purity and space
• Black: elegance and depth
• Grey: versatility
• Beige: warmth and cosiness

Wood-look

• Porcelain stoneware with a wood texture
• The warmth of a natural material
• The practicality of ceramics

Technology of installing a backsplash

1. Preparing the wall

• Levelling (differences of up to 2 mm over 2 m)
• Priming
• Marking the position of the slabs

2. Coordination with the kitchen furniture

• Exact backsplash dimensions from the furniture maker
• Allowing for the thickness of the countertop
• The position of sockets and switches

3. Cutting the slabs

• Cut-outs for sockets
• Finishing the edges
• Fitting around utilities

4. Installation

• A special adhesive for large formats
• Double application of adhesive
• Fixing with a levelling system until it hardens

5. Grouting

• Epoxy grout (resistant to grease and chemicals)
• Minimum joint width
• A colour matching the tile

6. Sealing

• Silicone at the junction with the countertop
• Sealing around sockets

A large-format tile kitchen floor

Requirements for a kitchen floor

Wear resistance The kitchen is a room with heavy foot traffic. The recommended wear-resistance class is PEI IV-V.

Slip resistance Water and grease may be spilled in the kitchen. The minimum slip-resistance class is R9, optimally R10.

Stain resistance Dropped food and spilled drinks: the floor must be easy to clean.

Impact resistance Falling dishes, pans and knives: the material must be strong.

Heat resistance If there is underfloor heating, compatibility with the heating system.

Optimal formats for a kitchen floor

60×60 cm

• A classic large format
• Suitable for kitchens from 8 m²
• An optimal combination of practicality and aesthetics

60×120 cm

• A rectangle visually stretches the space
• For kitchens from 10 m²
• A modern look

80×80 cm

• For spacious kitchens from 12 m²
• A minimum of joints
• A premium look

120×120 cm

• For large kitchens from 15 m²
• The maximum monolithic effect
• The premium segment

Recommended surface types

Matt (Matt)

• The most practical choice
• Slip resistance R10
• Scratches and marks are not visible
• Easy cleaning

Lappato (Lappato)

• A compromise between aesthetics and practicality
• A moderate shine
• Slip resistance R9-R10
• For kitchens with a moderate load

Structured (Strutturato)

• Maximum slip resistance R11
• An expressive texture
• For kitchens opening onto a terrace

Not recommended

• Polished (Lucido): slippery, scratches and marks are visible

Popular kitchen floor designs

Concrete-look

• Shades of grey from light to dark
• Industrial and minimalist style
• Practicality (dirt does not show)
• Combined with a marble backsplash

Wood-look

• Porcelain stoneware with the texture of oak, walnut, ash
• The warmth of a natural material
• The practicality of ceramics
• A cozy atmosphere

Stone-look

• Imitation of slate, granite, travertine
• Natural aesthetics
• For classic and rustic interiors

Terrazzo

• A mosaic pattern with stone chips
• A retro trend
• Hides dirt
• A unique character

Monochrome

• A plain surface
• Minimalism
• An accent on furniture and accessories

Technology of laying a kitchen floor

1. Substrate preparation

• Removing the old covering
• Levelling the screed (differences of up to 2 mm over 2 m)
• Waterproofing (if the screed is on the ground)
• Priming

2. Planning the layout

• Determining the laying direction
• Symmetry relative to the centre or the entrance
• Minimising waste
• Taking the furniture layout into account

3. Installing an underfloor heating system (if needed)

• Electric or water heating
• Testing the system before laying the tile

4. Laying the tile

• A special adhesive for large formats
• A flexible adhesive for underfloor heating
• Double application of adhesive
• A levelling system for alignment

5. Grouting the joints

• Epoxy or cement grout
• A matching or contrasting colour
• Joint width 2-3 mm

6. Expansion joints

• Flexible silicone around the perimeter
• Expansion joints for areas over 25 m²

Large-format tile kitchen walls

Besides the backsplash, large-format tile can be used to clad other walls of the kitchen.

An accent wall in the dining area

The concept: a single wall clad in striking large-format tile becomes the central element of a kitchen-dining room.

Popular solutions

• Book-match laying imitating Calacatta marble
• Travertine for a warm atmosphere
• Backlit onyx for a magical effect
• Concrete with backlit niches

Advantages

• A wow effect
• Practicality (easy to clean)
• Durability
• A unique character of the space

The wall behind the kitchen furniture

If there are no wall cabinets, the wall behind the work zone can be clad entirely in large-format tile from the countertop to the ceiling.

Advantages

• The visual height of the room
• Maximum hygiene
• Ease of cleaning
• A modern look

Cladding the kitchen island

An island clad with large-format tile becomes a sculptural element of the kitchen.

Options

• The same material as the backsplash: unity of style
• A contrasting material: an accent
• Lighting the base of the island

Marble in the kitchen

Application

• The backsplash (with a water-repellent treatment)
• The countertop (with care!)
• The island
• An accent wall
• The floor (not in the work zone)

Popular varieties

• Bianco Carrara: the classic
• Calacatta: luxury
• Crema Marfil: warmth
• Nero Marquina: contrast

Features

• Sensitivity to acids (lemon, vinegar, wine)
• The need for regular water-repellent treatment
• The possibility of stains
• The need for careful handling

M-STONE recommendations: marble in the kitchen is a luxury, but it needs special treatment. For those who value natural beauty and are ready to look after it, it is a wonderful choice. For practical homeowners we recommend marble-look porcelain stoneware.

Travertine in the kitchen

Application

• The floor (antiqued finish)
• Walls and accents
• The island

Advantages

• A warm natural look
• An antique character
• A unique texture

Features

• A porous structure needs protection
• Regular water-repellent treatment
• Sensitivity to acids

Onyx in the kitchen

Application

• A backlit backsplash: an exclusive!
• A bar counter with lighting
• Decorative niches
• An island with lighting

The effect: onyx with LED backlighting turns the kitchen into an art space. The magical glow of the stone creates a unique atmosphere.

Combining materials in the kitchen

Backsplash + floor

Classic combinations

• Calacatta marble (backsplash) + grey concrete (floor)
• White marble (backsplash) + wood (floor)
• Concrete (backsplash) + terrazzo (floor)
• Black marble (backsplash) + light wood (floor)

Principles of combining

• Contrast or tone on tone
• A single colour scheme
• A balance of warm and cool shades
• Taking the colour of the furniture into account

Backsplash + countertop

Options

• The same material: a monolithic look
• Contrasting materials: expressiveness
• Tile + natural stone
• Tile + quartz agglomerate

Tile + other materials

Tile + wood

• The warmth of wood + the practicality of tile
• Wooden fronts + a ceramic backsplash
• A wooden floor in the dining area + tile in the work area

Tile + metal

• A modern industrial style
• Metal fronts + a marble backsplash
• Copper accents + concrete-look tile

Tile + glass

• Glass fronts + a ceramic backsplash
• Glass shelves on the tile
• A glass table on a ceramic floor

Lighting systems in the kitchen

LED lighting of the backsplash

Options

• Lighting under the wall cabinets: functional lighting of the work zone
• Contour lighting: a decorative effect
• Lighting an onyx backsplash: the magic of light

Lighting niches

Niches in the backsplash or walls with LED lighting:

• Functional storage
• A decorative effect
• Displaying decor

Lighting the island

• An LED strip around the perimeter of the base: a ‘floating’ island
• Lighting the countertop from below
• Pendant lights over the island

Lighting the plinth

An LED strip in the plinth of the kitchen furniture:

• The effect of a ‘floating’ kitchen
• Night lighting
• Visually lightening the furniture

What the cost of cladding a kitchen with large-format tile depends on

The price depends on:

• The cladding area
• The type and size of the tile
• The material (porcelain stoneware, marble, onyx)
• The complexity of the project
• The number of cut-outs (sockets, utilities)
• The condition of the substrate
• The presence of backlighting
• The type of laying

For an exact calculation contact M-STONE!

Stages of working with M-STONE in the kitchen

• Consultation: discussing the design, materials and budget
• Measurements: exact measurements of the kitchen and coordination with the furniture maker
• Design: the tile layout and planning of cut-outs
• Selecting materials: help choosing the tile and accessories
• Purchasing: delivering the materials to the site
• Preparation: dismantling, levelling, priming
• Installation: laying the tile according to the technology
• Grouting: epoxy grout for the joints
• Installing accessories: sockets, switches, rails
• Handover: cleaning, quality inspection, a guarantee

Contact information

M-STONE: ideal kitchens of large-format tile

📞 Phones: +38 068 100 27 96, +38 050 914 18 99 📧 Email: [email protected] 🌐 Website: https://mstone.ua/

Social media

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mstone_kiev/
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• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@M-Stone_Kyiv/

Districts of Kyiv

All districts: Pechersk, Obolon, Pozniaky, Holosiiv, Podil, Sviatoshyn, Darnytsia, Troieshchyna, Vynohradar, Borshchahivka, Teremky, Solomianka

Kyiv region: Brovary, Irpin, Bucha, Vyshhorod, Vyshneve, Boyarka, Kozyn, Koncha-Zaspa, Ukrainka, Obukhiv

M-STONE advantages for the kitchen

✅ Experience cladding kitchens: we know all the nuances ✅ Coordination with furniture makers: exact dimensions and fitting ✅ Large formats: a minimum of joints on the backsplash ✅ Natural stone: marble, travertine, onyx ✅ Lighting systems: LED solutions for the kitchen ✅ Cut-outs for utilities: precise work ✅ A quality guarantee: on all work

The current cost of work for your project can be calculated in the online calculators or confirmed by the manager: it depends on the material, the slab format and the condition of the substrate. The consultation is free.