1. Choose Low-Maintenance Porcelain Tile

Whether your aesthetic leans luxurious, eclectic or minimalist, there’s a durable, low-maintenance porcelain tile to match your style. From sleek subway to patterns that pop, porcelain comes in virtually every format you can imagine—and this tough, nonporous material can handle the spills, splatters and foot traffic of a busy kitchen.

Here, the Arabian Niro White tile features a crisp white background and expressive gray veining for a chic marble look. Glass cabinet doors reduce dust buildup—and unnecessary door opens when you can’t remember where you put the glasses—making cleanup in this chic kitchen a cinch.

2. Make Wiping Away Spills a Breeze With Glass Tile

Spills and splashes are no match for glass. This nonporous tile not only resists stains but also reflects light, brightening your cooking space and making messes easier to spot. This gorgeous kitchen, designed by @riemerkitchens, features Winter Morning glass subway tile—its cool blue tones catch the light beautifully, enhancing the room’s airy feel.

Explore our vast selection of glass tile to find a design that ✨reflects✨ your style.

3. Minimize Grout Lines With Large Format Tile

The hardest part of your tile design to clean is often the grout joints, so choosing a tile that reduces the need for these crevices will instantly make kitchen maintenance easier. Large-format tile (available in sizes up to 48″ x 48″) covers more surface area with fewer grout lines. It can even mimic the look of a single stone slab, like the Calacata Evora marble featured on this kitchen backsplash.

Pro Tip: Choose a tile with a rectified edge to further minimize the appearance of grout joints.

4. Choose Wood-Look Tile for Your Floor

If you love the look of hardwood but worry about bacteria settling into the grain, durable, stylish wood-look porcelain could be the perfect kitchen flooring solution. Available in a variety of realistic styles, this scratch- and stain-resistant tile is ideal for kitchens with heavy foot—or paw—traffic, and most messes can be quickly swept or mopped away. This charming space, designed by At Home With Ashley, features the Baltimore Beige wood-look tile; its realistic detail makes it almost indistinguishable from real wood.

5. …Or Luxury Vinyl Planks

Another easy-to-clean, low-maintenance natural alternative to consider is luxury vinyl. Available in a wide variety of realistic wood, stone and cement looks, this ultra-durable, waterproof material is a great flooring solution for any area of your home. Extend your kitchen floor into your great room—as this Pinch Plate Party-designed space does—for a cohesive look that ties your living space together.

Shop our wide selection of luxury vinyl flooring to find the perfect style for you. 👉

6. Create a Tile Countertop

Tile needn’t be relegated to floors and walls; a tile countertop offers easy maintenance at a lower cost than solid quartz or granite. When properly sealed, marble or porcelain tile is spill-, stain- and heat-resistant. It’s also more economical to maintain—if a chip occurs, you can replace a single tile rather than the entire counter. This transitional kitchen features Firenze Carrara marble for an elegant, one-of-a-kind surface, but for superior stain resistance, you can opt for durable porcelain tile.

Pro Tip: Regularly seal your grout to keep your kitchen looking pristine.

7. Extend Your Tile to the Ceiling

Taking your tile design to the ceiling isn’t just a style trend—it also provides extra protection for your walls. This English country cottage kitchen showcases Laura Ashley Wexboard Midnight tile from countertop to ceiling, featuring a charming, wallpaper-like pattern that’s moisture- and stain-resistant. Even better, the cabinets also reach the ceiling, eliminating another hard-to-clean spot. Discover more inspiration for counter-to-ceiling kitchen tile designs here.

Make Your Kitchen Dreams a Reality

Updating your space is easier than you think! Shop our wide assortment of kitchen tiles to find your perfect style, and peruse our kitchen tile ideas for extra inspo. Need more assistance? Visit your local Tile Shop showroom, where you’ll find the tile, tools and expert advice you need to get started.

The post 7 Stylish Tile Ideas for an Easy-to-Clean Kitchen appeared first on The Tile Shop Blog.

Why Luxury Vinyl Flooring?

Luxury vinyl flooring is a compelling option for both homes and businesses for many reasons. Our newly expanded assortment of vinyl tiles and planks feature reinforced wear layers that provide the ultimate protection against splashes, scratches, messes and more. With incredible durability, luxury vinyl is ideal for high-traffic areas in commercial buildings, as well as residential spaces such as laundry rooms, home gyms, mudrooms and more.

Features and Benefits

So, what exactly are the features of luxury vinyl flooring that make it a top choice by homeowners and trade professionals alike? With wear layers ranging from 12 – 20 mil., all of our LVT planks are 100% waterproof and scratch-, stain- and dent-resistant, providing maximum durability and longevity. Beyond that, our vinyl planks and tiles offer DIY-friendly installation with a simple click-lock system, sound absorption, added underfoot comfort, and compatibility with radiant heated flooring systems for year-round warmth.

Authentic Appearance

Durability doesn’t mean compromising on good design. With a variety of wood- and stone-look planks, our selection of luxury vinyl flooring has beautiful options for every style and taste.

Love the appearance of classic hardwood? Find shades ranging from soft blonde to rich brown with realistic graining and knotting. Looking for something a little more luxurious? Vivid veining and smooth finishes bring marble- and stone-looks alive with opulence.

Once you’ve chosen your style, be sure to explore our extensive selection of coordinating luxury vinyl trim to give your floors a seamless, finished look.

How to Install Luxury Vinyl Flooring

Installation of luxury vinyl tile and luxury vinyl planks is straightforward for both DIYers and industry professionals. Cutting and fitting each piece is a relatively easy process as they simply snap, click, or lock together. For further assistance with installation, we recommend referencing the manufacturer’s product information for detailed installation instructions. With the right tools and materials, even first-time DIYers should be able to achieve a professional-looking finish.

Where to Install Luxury Vinyl Flooring

Luxury vinyl flooring is a highly versatile option that can be installed in virtually any space within residential and commercial buildings. Each waterproof plank is designed for maximum comfort and durability, featuring a thicker construction and reinforced wear layers that resist scratches, dents and stains. This makes luxury vinyl floors perfect for high-traffic areas that are prone to increased wear and tear, from kitchens, mudrooms and laundry rooms to gyms, office spaces and lobbies.

Materials to Use Underneath Luxury Vinyl Flooring

Most luxury vinyl flooring does not require underlayment. However, moisture barriers and foam padding are commonly used to offer added protection and comfort. We recommend consulting an installation expert at one of our showrooms and the manufacturer’s product information.

How to Clean Luxury Vinyl Flooring

Sweep or vacuum luxury vinyl floors to quickly remove dirt and prevent scratches from larger particles. Wipe down your vinyl planks or tiles with a damp cloth or mop and a gentle cleaning solution (E.G. A mild detergent mixed with hot water and white vinegar). Do not use harsh chemicals like bleach, ammonia or cleansers containing these ingredients.

Luxury Vinyl Flooring vs. Traditional Tile

Similar to apples and oranges, luxury vinyl flooring and traditional tile floors both come with their advantages. Both are comprised of long-lasting materials that offer timeless visual appeals. We recommend speaking with a tile expert at your local Tile Shop to determine which option is right for you.

Ready to start shopping for your new go-to flooring product? Explore our entire assortment of luxury vinyl tiles and planks today!

The post Your Guide to Luxury Vinyl Flooring appeared first on The Tile Shop Blog.