Choosing a mosaic tile for decorating the kitchen

Modern kitchen design provides for the use of finishing material, which should be not only beautiful, but also reliable in operation. Therefore, many homeowners prefer to decorate this room with mosaics. It is characterized by high quality, goes well with any interior style and is easy to install.

Mosaic tiles are a unique building material that is ideal for cladding all types of surfaces. Mosaic tiles are especially often used for the kitchen, because, unlike wallpaper, it does not absorb odors and does not require constant restoration, as is the case with decorative plaster. In addition, a number of factors can be attributed to the advantages of the product.

• Huge selection of colors and textures. With a rich color palette and imitation of natural materials, such a finish can turn any surface in the kitchen into a real masterpiece. At the same time, it is not necessary to tiled the entire wall with a tile, it is enough to decorate individual fragments with decor. For example, small kitchen tiles, laid out in the form of a panel on the walls of the working area, look interesting. The mosaic fits well with both classic, antique and modern designs.
• High performance characteristics. The material is environmentally friendly, durable, fireproof, resistant to moisture and temperature extremes, which is very important for the kitchen. If all the technologies are correctly followed during the installation of tiles, then it will be able to serve for more than a dozen years without cracking and loss of color.
• Practicality. Small pieces laid out on the walls are easy to clean. They are easily cleaned of grease deposits and are not afraid of the negative effects of detergents. In addition, everyone can install mosaic tiles, as it is not particularly difficult.

As for the shortcomings, the material does not have them, the only exception is the high cost. To date, manufacturers produce mosaic tiles of various classes, so it can be easily selected at a price that matches financial capabilities.

Mosaic tiles for the kitchen are small in size, which can be from 10 × 10 mm to 10 × 10 cm.For facing aprons, fragments of 2 × 2 and 5 × 5 cm are usually used, for decorating countertops 5 × 5 and 10 × 10 cm. Smaller fragments are most often purchased for laying out panels with a certain artistic plot. As for the shapes, the products are produced in the form of rectangles, squares and hexagons. The latter are less common, they look unusual, but are difficult to install.

Mosaic tiles are sold for 1 m2, the price for some types may also be indicated for one stretch or one panel. Self-adhesive products are well suited for kitchens, they have dimensions from 24 × 24 to 32 × 32 cm and are available in the form of square panels.

Today, kitchen mosaics are presented on the market in a huge assortment, and each of its types may differ not only in operational characteristics, but also in the material of manufacture. Several varieties of mosaic tiles are very popular among designers.

• Glass. It is considered the ideal choice for cladding the work area in the kitchen.Its dimensions do not exceed 3 × 3 cm, and its thickness ranges from 3 to 4 mm. Depending on the manufacturing technology, glass can be matte, glossy, colored and transparent. Since most of these tiles are made from quartz glass, they are cheap. To improve the color effect, mother-of-pearl, aventurine and iridium are added to the products; these elements give the fragments a shimmer and delicate shine. Glass mosaics from foreign brands are in great demand in the market. Such brands as Imex Decor (Thailand), Chakmaks (Turkey), Ezarri (Italy) and Piranesi (China) have proven themselves well.
• Ceramic. It is an ordinary ceramic tile, only it differs in its small size, which varies from 1 × 1 to 10 × 10 cm. Its thickness is no more than 10 mm. In terms of cost, it is a budget option. As for other characteristics, they are similar to tiles. Tiled mosaic made by Radical Mosaic (China), Peronda (Spain), Jasba (Germany) and Marca Corona (Italy) looks beautiful in the interior.

• Porcelain stoneware. It is a novelty in the construction market. This small tile is produced using a special high-temperature firing technology. Unlike ceramic tiles, in which only the top layer is coated with glaze, porcelain stoneware products have a monolithic appearance and outwardly resemble natural stone. The material is highly durable and expensive. As for the manufacturers, the domestic brands Italon and Estima Ceramica received good reviews.
• Metallic. It differs from all previous types in the original design, the thickness of the fragments is 1 mm, there are also specimens with a thickness of 0.5 mm. This decorative coating belongs to the elite class, it goes well with any style. It looks especially beautiful in modern kitchens. The material is the most durable and durable. Since metal is expensive, not everyone can afford to purchase such a mosaic. Products from brands such as FK Mosaic (Turkey) and Architeza (China) received positive reviews.

Mosaic offers tremendous opportunities for creating beautiful designs in the kitchen. Stunning decor can be achieved by tiling a kitchen backsplash. Since the working area is a representative part of the room, when choosing a mosaic, you should pay special attention to color and texture. In addition, fragments of tiles should be in harmony with the colors of the rest of the decoration, furniture and textiles. Thanks to rich colors, the area above the sink and stove will fill the kitchen with coziness and an atmosphere of home warmth.

The dining area, faced with mosaic tiles, looks no less interesting. Most often, countertops are decorated with it. In order for the interior of the kitchen to acquire a uniform look, it is recommended to additionally lay out fragments on the walls. Such a finish on the countertop is characterized by durability, is not afraid of mechanical damage and lasts a long time.

Often, horizontal surfaces in the kitchen are decorated with mosaic tiles. An unusual solution is considered to be a mosaic on the floor; it can be used to lay out various configurations: circles, squares and rectangles. In this case, the installation of the material must be carried out according to a certain scheme, choosing the right colors and textures. The combination of ceramic mosaic with tiles looks beautiful, which is laid out in separate fragments and effectively complements large-format tiles.

In modern design, decor is very popular in which the floors are covered with ordinary tiles, and the walls and countertops are decorated with small fragments.

You will learn more about how to use mosaics in kitchen design in the following video.