How to update old tiles in the bathroom and tiles in the kitchen with your own hands: practical methods

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Ceramic tiles are an attractive and easy-to-clean material that is considered an ideal option when it comes to kitchen design. But in order to choose the most suitable option, you need to understand what characteristics ceramic tiles for the kitchen should have and what properties you should pay special attention to when purchasing.

Bright tile backsplash in country style kitchen design

What should ceramic tiles be like for the kitchen: choosing material for the apron

The most common use of kitchen wall tiles is to create a kitchen backsplash, which is located directly above the work surface. It is worth choosing tiles for this purpose taking into account the following rules:

• Glossy tiles are an excellent solution if there is a need to visually expand the space, at the same time they are easy to clean. The only drawback of this solution is the fact that traces of water falling on the surface, as well as fat, are noticeable on its surface;

Ceramic tiles with an interesting pattern

• kitchen wall tiles should not be embossed. Considering the fact that all kitchen surfaces are susceptible to contamination, thoroughly cleaning smooth tiles will be much easier. Therefore, it is better to immediately abandon exquisite embossed finishing materials;

An interesting solution for laying ceramic tiles

• White tiles are an ideal tile option for a kitchen backsplash. Mosaics can be used to enliven the interior, but otherwise, decorating in light colors is a win-win option;
• If you want to bother with cleaning as little as possible, it is best to buy ceramic tiles for the kitchen in a beige or light brown shade. On such a surface, dirt and dried drops of water are least noticeable.

The main difficulty that one has to face when using tiled flooring in the kitchen is the seams between the tiles. It is in them that dirt usually accumulates, which makes the cladding unattractive. Therefore, before laying tiles in the kitchen, you need to purchase high-quality grout that is resistant to moisture and does not serve as a favorable environment for the growth of fungi and mold.

Black and white square tiles in the design of a kitchen apron

Helpful advice! As a solution to the problem of grout contamination, you can try laying rectified tiles. This means that the tiles have perfectly smooth edges and are laid almost flush together, so that the distance between the elements does not exceed 2 mm.

Covering the working surface of a kitchen unit

Ceramic tiles are a strong and durable material that is resistant to high temperatures, humidity, and the effects of almost any cleaning agents. You can place hot pots directly on the tile without worrying about possible damage.

An interesting solution is a work surface and a kitchen apron, tiled with harmonizing types of tiles. One surface smoothly transitions into another. At the same time, there is no need to arrange joints, which makes cleaning in the kitchen easier.

What to look for before buying tiles for a kitchen backsplash

When choosing ceramic tiles for a kitchen backsplash, you should pay attention to the presence of a special protective coating that prevents the destruction of the tiles as a result of exposure to active chemicals. This will allow you to clean faster, cleaning the surface using special products that effectively remove grease and dirt. Manufacturers designate such material by marking it with marks A or AA.

Bright ceramic tiles for decoration

Another important aspect that you may encounter unknowingly is the difference in shades of tiles of the same model, but in different batches. In some ways, this is considered acceptable since the color may become slightly lighter or darker during the firing process. And if you lay such material side by side, the difference will be noticeable, so before purchasing it is worth comparing the tiles from all the packages.

Another parameter that you need to know about in advance is the caliber. With its help, manufacturers indicate how much the actual size of the elements may differ from the declared one. Ideally, the caliber should be zero or, in extreme cases, not exceed 1.

Mosaic tiles for decorating an apron

Before purchasing, it is advisable to conduct a visual inspection of all the elements from the packaging to make sure that the glaze applied to them is even and smooth, and that the elements themselves have no damage - cracks, chips or abrasions.

Helpful advice! If after purchasing the material there is a need to store it for some time, then this should be done in a dry and well-ventilated area. Otherwise, after a few months the material may crack and become unusable.

Black and white ceramic tiles for kitchen walls

How to calculate the required amount of tiles for a kitchen apron

In order to avoid having to purchase additional material, or, conversely, not to have too much surplus, before purchasing it is worth calculating how much tile you will actually need. If you plan to lay the tiles in the traditional way, then usually add another 5-10% to the required amount. For more complex patterns, the margin should be at least 15%.

It is important to understand that in addition to the mandatory trimming of some elements, which, one way or another, leads to an increase in the amount of material consumed, one has to deal with manufacturing defects. Typically, in a batch of tiles from a domestic manufacturer in the middle price category, defective products are about 5%.

Helpful advice! It is advisable that after installation you have several intact tiles left, which can be left in case individual sections of the coating need to be replaced.

Small tiles of original shape in the kitchen interior

Why do you need cosmetic repairs?

Tile is one of the most durable and wear-resistant materials. But even this needs updating regularly. How do you know when it's time to replace the cladding? It all depends on individual preferences. Some people love stability and change their environment once every 10 years, while others’ souls require changes every year. However, there are several general parameters by which you can judge that it is already necessary to update the coverage. These include:

1. General pollution. During operation, stains, drops of grease and water, smudges and deposits remain on the tiles in the kitchen and bathroom. Some stains cannot be removed even with cleaning solutions. In addition, due to household pollution, the color of the tile joints changes.
2. Outdated design. If this case is not applicable to plain tiles, then it is very relevant for tiles with a bright active pattern. Firstly, bright elements fade faster. Secondly, they just get boring and go out of fashion. If today a few years ago you liked floral patterns, today you have the right to replace them with strict geometry or an abstract pattern.
3. Change of style. Modern methods of cladding and surface renewal allow you to change romantic tones to colorful fusion. If necessary, you can, on the contrary, replace the bright coating with calm, pastel colors.
4. Change of interior. Installing new furniture in the kitchen or bathroom often requires removing the old backsplash. Otherwise, it will not be possible to create a harmonious environment.
5. Mechanical damage. The presence of scratches, chips and cracks on tiles in the bathroom or kitchen are cases when it is imperative to update the appearance of the coating.

You should not wait for the surface to completely wear out or for major renovations in the bathroom or kitchen. You can create a harmonious interior in a room in affordable ways, without resorting to the help of professional tilers.

Popular tile formats in the kitchen: laying a backsplash in various ways

When looking at photos of tiles on the kitchen wall, you need to understand that not every material that looks good on its own will look great as a backsplash. Therefore, it is worth considering in advance the most popular options that are best suited for this purpose:

• Ceramic tiles 10x10. In the photo catalog of tiles for the kitchen, this option occupies a leading position. Unlike larger format ones, it requires significantly less trimming, which means the consumption is significantly lower. This is an excellent option for a small room, since it can visually expand the space without overloading it. Another advantage of this solution is the ability to comfortably carry out cladding in hard-to-reach places. In addition, it goes well with any mosaics and interspersed with other elements. Among the disadvantages, it is worth noting that the installation procedure is relatively complex, which requires a certain amount of experience from the technician.

Apron made in beige tones

• Brick-like ceramic tiles. This option has gained popularity quite recently and is often called a “hog” because of the beveled edges. In shape, such elements are very similar to small bricks. Such tiles are perfect both for decorating a modern kitchen and for a strict classic interior. You can find such tiles on sale in different sizes, as well as shapes and colors. The standard size of such elements is considered to be 7.5x15 cm, although this is often said about tiles measuring 10x20.

Related article:

Kitchen renovation: design, photos of real interiors and choice of finishing materials

Tips for choosing materials, designing an apron. Design tricks for a small kitchen. Turnkey and cosmetic repairs.

• Typically, a “hog” is a single-color tile whose surface is smooth and glossy. Among the color solutions, calm tones, in particular white and brown, will become more popular. But at the same time, in photo catalogs of tiles for kitchen backsplashes you can find a large selection of shades and even elements with photo printing.

Apron in the form of a black and white mosaic

• Mosaic tiles for the kitchen. The price of such a solution will be slightly higher than in the case of previous options, but the result is undoubtedly worth it. The surface of this material imitates real mosaic, which adds special beauty to the finish. Of course, it will be somewhat more difficult to care for such an apron, but if you clean it regularly, it is quite possible to keep the surface clean.

Helpful advice! One of the best manufacturers offering high-quality kitchen backsplash tiles is Kerama Marazzi. In the catalog of this company you can find many options that meet any requirements. In addition, Kerama Marazzi kitchen tiles are a domestic product, which has a positive effect on its cost.

Finish options

To do this, you often have to work with a hammer drill, noisy and very dusty work takes several hours, you end up with several bags of heavy debris, and after that you will also have to re-level the wall, since it will be very prominent under the former tiles. Luckily, the tile itself can be a good base for new trim that is installed directly on top of it.

Let's look at the main options for exterior decor of tiles without removing them.

• Self-adhesive foil. This way to transform the design is both the simplest and the cheapest. In the worst case, such a pleasure costs several hundred rubles for a piece of about a square meter; the glue has already been applied to its inner side - all that remains is to carefully glue it to the wall, expelling all the air bubbles out along the way. To seal old tiles with it, they never call a professional - the work is done with your own hands in 10-15 minutes. The bonus is that the new finish is then quite easy to remove or seal with a new layer. Often colorful designs are also applied to the material, so with the right approach, the result looks very beautiful.

• Photo wallpaper. No, you shouldn’t glue them directly onto the tiles, but you can nail a thin sheet of plywood to the latter, and such a finish will fit perfectly on it. You don’t even have to spend money on an expensive variety of waterproof and non-flammable wallpaper if you can purchase a piece of plexiglass of the right size. However, there is still no place for such a design in the immediate vicinity of the slab.

• Panels. It is no secret that today many consumers prefer to order a kitchen apron in the form of a whole panel made of plexiglass or some other materials. Tiles in the kitchen are usually located in the area of ​​the apron, but even if it significantly extends beyond this area, this still does not prevent you from covering the old trim with such panels. If you ordered a product from a specialized store, there is no need to worry about its safety - such glass does not break from impact and does not melt from heat, and you can also apply bright designs to it. To properly install expensive glass, it makes sense to call a specialist, but if you are no stranger to working with profiles, you can do it yourself.

We invite you to familiarize yourself with DIY veil kitchen curtains

Replacing the grout between the seams is the easiest and most common way to update your tile flooring. Most often it is used in the bathroom. New grout gives the surface a renewed look and removes dirt, fungus, and mold from the seams. But the main thing is that it changes the design and mood of the room.

Grout can be updated by:

• local elimination of defects,
• complete replacement of the composition,
• changes in seam color,
• drawing patterns with colored mastic.

To update the tiles in your kitchen or bathroom using this method, you need to follow these steps:

• moisten the tile joints with water so that the grout softens a little;
• lightly cut it along the edges of the joints using a blade;
• remove the old mastic with a scraper or other similar tool;
• clean and treat the grooves between the tiles with an antiseptic solution;
• fill the grooves with new mass;
• remove excess mass;
• wait until completely dry.

Replacing the coating

If some cladding elements have become unusable, you can return them to normal condition with minor cosmetic repairs. At the same time, cracked, scratched or loose wall tiles are removed. To do this you need:

• clean the grout between the tiles on each side of the damaged fragment;
• moisten the formed grooves with water and let the solution soak;
• carefully pry off the tile with a screwdriver or spatula, and then carefully remove it without damaging adjacent areas;
• prepare and apply the solution to a new fragment;
• place the tile on the area you just treated and press it against the wall;
• align the sides;
• seal the seams;
• tap with a mallet;
• wait for the tile joints to dry completely.

Replacement can be done using plain or, conversely, contrasting tiles. You can select suitable materials in the catalog of the online store TILES FROM THE Kerama Marazzi FACTORY.

Painting

Another interesting way to decorate tiles in the bathroom or kitchen is by applying paint. It is best to use waterproof acrylic compounds for this purpose, which will protect the tiles from exposure to water.

To do this you need:

• clean and degrease the surface;
• sand it and treat it with a primer (in case the tile is completely covered with paint);
• apply paint with a roller or brush if you want the wall to become textured;
• Apply several layers of paint and let it dry.

To prevent paint from staining furniture or adjacent areas, mark the boundaries using masking tape. If you want to decorate the tiles in the bathroom or kitchen with an ornament or design, stick on a stencil.

You can effectively update your apron in the kitchen or bathroom using an adhesive-backed polyvinyl chloride film or self-adhesive. Ready-made vinyl stickers with color prints, ornaments and plain compositions are available for sale. They can cover the entire apron or cut out individual elements from them.

To fix the PVC film on the tiles, follow these steps:

1. Level and degrease the area.
2. Cut the sticker into the desired size.
3. Remove the image from the paper backing.
4. Place the sticker on the corner of the tile.
5. Apply the decal to the area, smoothing the top with a rubber spatula to prevent bubbles from forming.

If you want to update relief or volumetric tiles in the kitchen or bathroom, fix the sticker with a hairdryer. For this:

1. Wet the tiles with water.
2. Apply a sticker to it and adjust its position.
3. Turn on the hair dryer and direct the air stream to the relief area.
4. Once the sticker has taken the shape of the base, remove excess water and trim the sticker.

To avoid overheating the PVC film, try to keep the hairdryer at a considerable distance. Reduce the heating temperature to prevent the sticker from melting.

Another type of finishing materials with which you can update your apron is voluminous decor (shells, rhinestones, beads, coffee beans, small glass, buttons, etc.). It not only decorates the tiles, but also masks small chips and defects. To attach beads or shells you will need acrylic varnish, thermal or superglue.

With this decor you can decorate small areas, zone the apron and add the appropriate mood to a marine, romantic or rustic interior. The options for using it are limited only by your imagination.

Using all the methods described, you can update the tiles in the kitchen, bathroom or sauna. At the same time, they help to improve the style and appearance of the interior and create a completely new atmosphere in it at minimal cost and without extra effort. All you need is your own imagination, a little free time and a minimum of available tools.

The tile goes well with forged elements.

A dining table, the top of which is decorated with tiles, will become a real decoration of the living room or kitchen. You don't have to use a whole tile. From small fragments of tiles remaining after repairs, you can lay out a picturesque mosaic panel. If there are no remaining tiles left, you can buy them at the nearest hardware store for almost nothing or even take them for free.

Tiles are also suitable for decorating garden furniture.

The tiles are glued to the cleaned surface of the countertop with latex glue, and the seams are filled with tile grout. After the grout has completely dried, the table is ready for use! In a similar way, you can decorate an old bench or chair, or the doors of hanging cabinets.

How to diversify a kitchen backsplash made of tiles: photo designs

To prevent tiling from looking boring and monotonous, you can combine materials to create the most unusual combinations. Here are some interesting ideas that will allow you to make a kitchen tile splashback the main decoration of your kitchen:

• kitchen tiles go well with flat inserts decorated with a pattern. In this case, the installation can be spot-based (elements are evenly scattered over all surface areas) or in the form of a separate panel;

Ceramic tiles in the kitchen with the image of fruits

• using decorative panels is another way to decorate the surface. This method is often used for interiors in Provence or country style. The size of the insert can be almost any, but it is advisable to place it symmetrically to indicate the center. The most common subjects for such panels are beautiful views of small towns with cute houses or food (cheese, fruit, berries, etc.). As examples, you can consider numerous photos of ceramic tiles for the kitchen with such images.
• frieze or border tiles are another element used for decoration. They are small rectangular elements that are laid out as a border at the top or bottom of the apron. Although sometimes such a strip is placed in the very center.

Ceramic tiles with ornaments

In the catalogs of ceramic tiles for the kitchen you can find a huge number of options for facing materials, as well as elements used as decorative inserts. So before you lay tiles of the same color in your kitchen, it’s worth considering all sorts of options to make the surface not only practical, but also beautiful.

Rectangular ceramic tiles milky color

Replacing tiles

If some tiles are noticeably damaged, you can try to partially replace them. To do this, you need to think through the future design and select companion tiles so that the apron looks decorative and harmonious. It should not appear that any attempt has been made to repair it. It is best to choose a tile that contrasts with the main color. If the main tile is plain, then you can choose decorative tiles with a pattern.

Important : When selecting a new tile, you must ensure that it completely matches the dimensions of the old one.

Replacement is simple - the old tiles are carefully separated from the wall, making sure that they do not damage adjacent elements. First, the seams between them are removed. Then a new one is glued in place of the old tile. Finally, new grout is applied to the entire surface of the apron. This allows you to combine all the tiles together and create the illusion of a new backsplash.

How to choose floor tiles for the kitchen: parameters and criteria

An equally difficult task is choosing and laying floor tiles in the kitchen. In this case, in order to choose the appropriate option, it is worth paying attention to a number of characteristics that are important specifically for this material:

• high level of wear resistance of the coating. This is of great importance, since traffic in the kitchen is high and over time, low-quality tiles can be subject to wear;

Tiled kitchen floor

• the tile must be thick enough to withstand the loads to which it will be exposed as a result of installing furniture and large household appliances (refrigerator, gas stove, etc.);
• floor tiles for the kitchen and hallway must be resistant to active chemical compounds and not deteriorate as a result of constant exposure to steam and water.

Helpful advice! The weakest point of the tile covering is the seams between the tiles. They are the ones most prone to absorbing moisture and getting dirty. Therefore, it is worth purchasing high-quality grout, which is intended directly for flooring.

Laying tiles in the form of a checkerboard

Advantages and disadvantages of using ceramic tiles for kitchen floors

In addition to tiles, there are other finishing materials that are used as flooring in the kitchen. Let's look at what advantages this option has, and also pay attention to some of the disadvantages that you will have to face.

Color combination of floor tiles and splashback

Pros of using tiles for kitchen flooring:

• the floor, for the finishing of which tiles were used, looks great and is at the same time easy to clean and hygienic;
• high-quality material is characterized by high strength and resistance to abrasion as a result of exposure to external factors;
• the tile is characterized by high resistance to moisture and chemicals;
• the tile is not subject to deformation and there is no risk that it will bend over time;

Matte black kitchen floor tiles

• the material is completely resistant to ultraviolet rays and does not fade in the sun;
• We can also talk about the maximum level of environmental cleanliness and safety for human health and the environment.

Important! Tile does not support combustion and in the event of a fire it is one of the safest materials because it does not emit any harmful substances.

Harmonious combination of tile colors in the kitchen interior

Among the few shortcomings that were noted with this solution, it is worth noting:

• in comparison with some other finishing materials, tiles are expensive and require a slightly more complex installation procedure;
• During operation, users often note that walking on tiles in the cold season is quite uncomfortable if floor heating is not provided;

Heated tile floors

• Anything that falls on the tiles is likely to break, so if they fall, glass and ceramic dishes have an extremely low chance of surviving.

This modest list of shortcomings is fully compensated by the positive qualities that the owner receives by choosing tiles. The main thing is to choose the highest quality material, the characteristics of which meet the requirements and will allow it to serve properly for many years.

Beige-brown tiles on the floor

Decoration

You can update the tiles by applying decorative elements to them. You can decorate the surface with vinyl stickers. Today there is a large selection of a wide variety of stickers on various themes, so you can decorate your kitchen in any style. Vinyl stickers stick well, last for years and are not afraid of water and detergents.

With the help of vinyl stickers and other decorative elements, you can quickly transform your kitchen without spending a lot of time and money. Even a child can cope with such work.

You can decorate and update tiles quickly and inexpensively thanks to modern decorative and finishing elements. In this matter, only accuracy in work and concept are important. And then the updated interior will not look handicraft.

We also recommend that you watch a video on how to decorate tiles with your own hands:

Which tile to choose for the kitchen floor: classification of material

The huge assortment that is offered to customers today can easily confuse the buyer with its diversity. All options differ from each other in size, shape, design, as well as technical characteristics.

Helpful advice! If you are not familiar with the material and its characteristics, then it is best to make a purchase in a specialized store, where a sales consultant will be able to answer all your questions and recommend the best option.

Durable kitchen floor tiles

The first thing you should pay attention to before buying kitchen floor tiles is the labeling. Material intended for use as flooring must be marked with a special icon, which depicts a footprint. In addition, floor tiles have a special classification, which is officially adopted in European countries and the USA. Thus, the following types of tiles are distinguished:

• PEI 1 - tiles for wall cladding, which cannot be used as flooring;
• PEI 2 is a tile that can be used as a floor covering for rooms with low traffic - bathrooms or bedrooms, although this type of covering is used quite rarely in living rooms;

Patterned floor tiles

• PEI 3 - floor tiles designed for medium loads, which can be used to decorate any room in the house, with the exception of the hallway;
• PEI 4 is a durable material that can withstand severe loads that it is subjected to as a result of operation on staircases, hallways, etc.;
• PEI 5 is a tile with the highest strength and wear resistance, which is suitable for use in areas with the highest traffic.

Stone-effect floor tiles in the kitchen interior

It is best to buy PEI 3 or PEI 4 class tiles for the kitchen floor, since this is the only way you won’t have to worry about the safety of the coating.

Another important parameter for classifying tiles is its level of safety. This is also an extremely important indicator that you should pay attention to when purchasing. So, the division is made as follows:

• if the coefficient is higher than 0.75, then such tiles are considered safe;
• an indicator from 0.39 to 0.74 is considered a fairly safe material;
• within the range of 0.19-0.39 there is a tile that can be dangerous;

An interesting way to lay ceramic tiles on the floor

• anything below 0.19 indicates an extremely dangerous tile.

Helpful advice! Usually, after washing, tiles become very slippery and can pose a real threat to people's safety. Therefore, it is worth paying attention in advance to such an indicator as slip resistance.

best tiles for kitchen

kitchen floor tiles gray Luxury Vinyl Tile Flooring

Decorate tiles without changing them

Paint is one of the oldest ways to restore a fresh look to many things, and although tiles are not painted very often, in fact it is also possible. Even if you don’t succeed at all, you can always use any of the methods described above. There are two ways to solve the problem: by painting without completely hiding the original design, or simply painting over everything in a monochromatic manner.

The option with painting will certainly appeal to creative people who are ready to paint on any surface. Ideal drawing skills are desirable, but not required - no one forces you to depict charming landscapes, you can limit yourself to simple geometry, as long as the old finish looks a little newer.

We invite you to familiarize yourself with Artificial flowers in the kitchen interior

Painting is completely appropriate if the original appearance of the tiles has deteriorated - the pictures have been erased, and the color has become uneven. Restoration should begin by thoroughly washing the tiles with soapy water, then wipe them with a solution of vinegar or alcohol - this will help effectively remove grease. After this, the old finish should also be sanded using fine-grained sandpaper, and then both the tile itself and the seams, which are usually the first to deteriorate, should be primed. If done correctly, painted tiles will look fresh for several years.

The primer should be given at least a day to dry thoroughly, after which it is recommended to sand it a little more - this will ensure perfect adhesion. Before application, paint for ceramics is thoroughly mixed; it must be used quickly - in the fresh air after 6 hours it will begin to thicken excessively.

After 12 hours, you can apply a second layer, which is usually enough, unless you decide to radically change the shade of the finish. Once the job is complete, you can re-grout or putty the joints, and although the work may take several days, the result will be impressive, and most of the time will be spent waiting.