Kitchen Tiles and Backsplashes: A Practical Buying Guide

By Udaipur Tiles editorial team. Updated 4 October 2026.

Choose kitchen tiles separately for the wall and floor, then coordinate them with cabinetry, worktops and light. Start with intended use and current cleaning guidance, not colour alone. A backsplash protects a different surface from a floor and should not be treated as the same product decision.

What should you decide first?

Bring a plan or measured sketch showing the hob, sink, cabinets, windows and electrical points. Mark the height and extent of the backsplash. For the floor, record the room dimensions and transitions into adjoining spaces. Include photos of cabinet fronts and the worktop, or samples if available.

Write down the look you want in a short sentence: a quiet backdrop for a busy countertop, a patterned feature behind the hob, or a coordinated light kitchen. This gives you a useful way to reduce the shortlist.

Wall designation and floor designation matter

Check the exact product’s application before using it on a floor or behind a cooking area. A coordinated colour name does not establish equal performance. The Johnson wall ranges include 30 × 60 and 30 × 45 cm concepts, but a matching floor option must still be confirmed as such.

For the floor, discuss the conditions of use and relevant product information. A kitchen can have splashes and spills, so a general dry-room assumption may be insufficient.

How do finishes affect the daily experience?

Look at the sample under more than one lighting angle. Reflections can make a glossy surface look very different beside a matt cabinet. Texture may alter the way the pattern reads and how cleaning needs to be approached. Ask for current manufacturer care instructions; do not assume that a finish tolerates every cleaner.

Compare several sample faces for a patterned collection. One small tile may not show the full variation, especially with a stone-inspired or decorative design.

What should you consider about grout?

Joints are part of the appearance and the installation system. A contrasting colour defines each tile; a closer colour can make the surface feel quieter. Ask the installer to review the grout product, width and maintenance alongside the tile. Do not leave joint planning until after the quantity is ordered.

A grout choice alone does not establish that the whole assembly is waterproof or maintenance-free. Substrate, fixing and exposure still need the correct system.

Plan visible cuts and corners

Review where the pattern begins and ends around cabinets, sockets, corners and windows. The nominal size is only a planning reference; actual dimensions and joints affect the cut layout. A slightly different format or starting point may avoid narrow strips in a prominent area.

For a feature behind the hob, think about how the design sits relative to the hood and surrounding cabinets. Ask your installer to check suitability around heat and the applicable installation details.

Prepare a kitchen quote brief

Send separate wall and floor requirements with dimensions, excluded openings, product code if selected, size, finish, approximate quantity, location and desired date. Include decor areas separately from the base tile. Review the final order against carton coverage, layout, cuts and spares, then confirm batches and availability.

Visit Udaipur Tiles for retail and wholesale enquiries, our best prices and a delivery plan for your selection. 90% of orders are delivered the same day or within 1–2 days.

Frequently asked questions

Can I use backsplash tiles on the kitchen floor?

Only if the exact product is designated for that floor application.

Should the backsplash match the floor exactly?

It does not have to. Compare undertones and patterns together so the combination is intentional.

Can a photo show the true finish?

It helps make a shortlist, but physical samples and the room’s lighting give a better comparison.

Continue your selection

Wall and kitchen products · Floor tile selection · Compare ceramic and vitrified options · Visit the showroom

Sources and scope

Johnson wall tile range information

Manufacturer range information does not establish local stock. Interior photographs are inspiration images, not showroom or stock photographs.