skip to main content

Would kitchen floor tile 12x12 be too small?

12 years ago

I had the kitchen countertop replaced with peacock green granite. I am thinking of replacing the kitchen vinyl floor with tiles (Would tile kitchen floor be better?).

I went to some tile stores, and found one color matches well with my cabinet and granite colors, but the tile only comes with size of 12x12. My contractor told me it's better to have size 16x16 for kitchen floor -- less grout, easier to clean. Would size 12x12 still be good?

I'll also have my bathroom remodeled, and the bathroom tile would be 13x13. Would it be fine to have bathroom tile bigger than the kitchen's?

Thank you very much.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (6)

rocketmomkd
12 years ago
My current kitchen floor is 12x12 tile. My new floor will be 13x13. Both are very common and I think they look fine in a kichen. I'd go with bigger if I found one I liked that was bigger, but I would base it just on the look of the tile, not neccessarily on the size.
pricklypearcactus
12 years ago
Exactly what rocketmomkd said. Just about any tile size from 1" up to as large as tiles get can be used in a kitchen. It just depends on what look you want and what tile you like. Certainly less grout is probably easier to clean, but I wouldn't be worried about that with 12x12s. Seal your grout before you begin using the kitchen and that should help prevent staining. I also do not see a problem with having a bathroom with larger tile. And honestly, I imagine if the rooms aren't adjacent you won't even notice that the 13x13s are larger than the 12x12s.
Related Discussions
Honed or polished carrera tiles (12' x 12') for master bath floor
Q
Comments (13)
For our new house master I'm using a fantastic honed marble look-alike porcelain tile, 16x16, and I'll tell you why. Last house we did an extensive master bath remodel with three different kinds of white marble. It was amazing and the complements were off the charts. I loved how it looked but I *hated* how it lived. I had water etching all over the place, even after sealing three times. Honed will help with that I think, but I believe even honed will etch. Honed also isn't as stain resistant, so you have to think about that, too. And it was indeed slick and we had to have rugs everywhere. Honed might help with that. But the tile we're using is an amazing replication of a honed marble, and I'm picky (won't even consider the marble-look solid surface counters because they're not realistic). Or you could find a granite look-alike tile. As I'm out there looking for granite for the kitchen I keep seeing all this gorgeous marble and lots of different opinions from granite suppliers and fabricators on using it in a kitchen, mostly negative. It tempts me every time. I absolutely love the stuff. And I'll never use it for a practical application again.
...See More
Floor tile - 12x12 or 18x18
Q
Comments (6)
Bigger's better, but there are some technical considerations as you get up to those larger sizes. The requirements for flatness and deflection of the subfloor increase as the size of the tile increases. Make sure you get a tile guy who knows what he's doing so you don't end up with a bunch of lipped and cracked tiles.
...See More
What type of backsplash with Cream and Black 12x12 Check Floor?
Q
Comments (2)
Hi Lisa, Your kitchen is gonna be GORGEOUS!!!!!!!!!!! I think honed travertine is too mediterranean for the way it sounds like you're going with your kitchen. Also, I think the travertine would be a bit too busy with the roped cabs. My vote is for a cream (same or close to cream in floor) porcelain 4x4 set diagonally or a cream subway tile. Something simple to relate the cream in the floor to the rest of the kitchen. Your floor and cabs are going to be the stars, I'd keep the backsplash very simple to coordinate. Hope I helped!
...See More
12 X12 Black tile countertop for B&W Cottage Kitchen
Q
Comments (14)
To everyone: thanks so much again! Your contributions are so helpful to me. Living overseas and not close to places like HD (I miss my HD!) makes this project a little more challenging. Igloochic, Rosie and Madeyna: do you remember how much the granite tiles cost? I like the idea of granite tiles but I just assumed that they were still pretty expensive albeit not like the slabs. Laying them diagonally sounds interesting but would that look okay with the subway tile? Right now I can't play with the different sizes. Also, would inserting some kind of black accent tile into the subway tile (American Olean-Greenwich Village) make it more interesting or just leave it plain? Also, is this color of subway tile going to go with the white stove and cabs that is shown in Bill Vincent's photo? Is the Greenwich Village tile too bisque looking? I like the color but I'm not sure of the match. What do you all think? Bill: I just went "wow" when I saw your photo of the B&W kitchen you did. It looks just like mine in terms of the arrangement with the window and white stove on the right. Square footage will be a bit smaller but how cute is this!! I am soooo jazzed! Hope mine looks this good. My contractor can certainly do ceramic tile laying but is it just as easy to do using granite tiles? Would you recommend using black grout? Also, not sure about the cost between ceramic and granite. Do you know approx. the difference between the two? Granite would be nice but I just assumed that it would cost quite a bit more. TX Ccoombs1: yes, we will have some red accents!
...See More
plllog
12 years ago
My tile setter recommends the Hoover FloorMate SpinScrub Wet/Dry Vacuum Cleaner for tile. It's supposed to do a great job on grout.

12x12 is a very normal size, as the others have said. I have a combination of sizes from 6x6 to 12x24 that breaks the grid. 12x12 isn't particularly stylish (bigger was very high and is now beginning to be over), but it's not particularly out (6x6 is less slippery, but no one much cares for it, too much grout and too little style). If anything can be said to be classic, it's foot square floor tiles.
mydreamhome
12 years ago
I second the hoover FloorMate recommendation! I'd get it at Costco, then if it dies (as ours did after 5 years), they will take it back and give you a refund or credit toward whichever model they are currently selling. I really, really liked mine especially when the kids would get a tummy virus--it took care of everything 1-2-3.
janesylvia
Original Author
12 years ago
Thank you very much for all the responses above and recommendation, which are very helpful.
angie_diy
12 years ago
(I tried to post this the other day, but I guess I never hit submit!)

I submitted a question to the group about tile sizes not long ago. I was trying to decide between 12x12 and something smaller, so the thread is not 100% relevant. Nonetheless, I got a lot of good information from it. Link is below:

Here is a link that might be useful: Tile size thread

Related Stories

SMALL KITCHENS 12 Genius Design Moves for Small Kitchens

By Natasha Saroca

These space-enhancing tricks can make compact cooking zones look and feel larger

KITCHEN DESIGN 12 Breakfast Bars With Coffee Shop Appeal

Give even a small kitchen a sociable vibe by inserting a stylish seating post

KITCHEN DESIGN 12 Inspiring Real-Life Vintage Kitchens

By Samantha Schoech

Beautiful doesn't have to mean slick and new. See how these older kitchens make the most of their vintage style

SMALL KITCHENS 12 Kitchenettes for Convenience and Compact Living

By Charmean Neithart Interiors

Keep drinks and noshes at the ready with a pared-down kitchen setup that works for homes of all sizes

KITCHEN DESIGN Kitchen of the Week: Small Kitchen, Big View

By Vanessa Brunner

New bay window and smart storage gives this 12-foot-wide Philadelphia kitchen breathing room

BATHROOM DESIGN 12 Designer Tips to Make a Small Bathroom Better

By Charmean Neithart Interiors

Ensure your small bathroom is comfortable, not cramped, by using every inch wisely

STORAGE 12 Built-In Storage Solutions for Small Spaces

By VORBILD Architecture

Check out an architect’s guide to some inspiring ways to build in extra cabinets, shelves and cubbyholes at the start of a project

KITCHEN DESIGN 12 Cozy Corner Banquettes for Kitchens Big and Small

By Charmean Neithart Interiors

Think about variations on this 1950s staple to create a casual dining spot in your home

KITCHEN DESIGN 12 Designer Details for Your Kitchen Cabinets and Island

Take your kitchen to the next level with these special touches

BATHROOM COLOR 12 Gorgeous Black and White Bathrooms

By Lisa Higgins

Luxurious materials, vintage touches and thoughtful color splashes make these chic spaces worth borrowing ideas from

Sponsored

More Discussions

kitchen design feedback

6

Does anyone have Medallion cabinets in Maple Biscotti?

7

Kith cabinets? They look great and well made?

4

Silver colored drawer pulls and faucet

0

cabinet overlay question

0