An essential guide on tiling your kitchen floor for a flawless finish

Our striking Bassoon Wide Stripe and Midi Stripe design have been used together to tile a floor in this rustic kitchen. Combining different stripe widths adds dramatic impact to this floor and this colour-way brings sunshine vibes in to combat those January blues

A tiled floor is one of the most practical home improvement projects for a kitchen. And, now that Christmas and visits from friends and family seem like a distant memory, this is the perfect time to consider laying tiles to transform the heart of your home. This room is renowned as one of the busiest, so you'll need to pick floor tiles, which not only look great but are ultra durable, too. Then, when it comes to installation, this will require expert attention to detail from carefully prep to using the right techniques to achieve a professional-looking finish.

Our Marlborough Terracotta Parquet tiles add a classic aesthetic to this kitchen floor and can be used with underfloor heating making them the perfect addition if you're want to enjoy living in a cosy heart of the home this year

Step-by-step guide to laying tiles

Here, follow my expert step-by-step guide on how to tile a floor from finding the right tiles to make sure they're installed to achieve a flawless finish. Whatever your level of expertise, from being a novice to a DIY enthusiast, my practical advice will give you everything you need to know to tile a floor.

Preparing to tile a floor

Our Tree Soul Grey Chevron Matt porcelain tiles offer wood grain patterns in earthy tones in this heart of the home. This looks just like an authentic wooden floor with grout joints

Checking out your subfloor

Before you consider laying tiles, you need to make sure that your kitchen subfloor is level. This needs to be suitable before you start tiling and your subfloor needs to offer minimum movement before you begin. Floor tiles are inflexible and you may find you need to use a levelling compound on your subfloor first. This way, you can create a base, which is solid and flat. You can even pick up anti-fracture mats, which reduce movement between the substrate and surface tile. These tend to work particularly well with underfloor heating, for example, and they help to prevent cracking tiles.

Choosing the right underlayment

Underlayment is basically a solid layer, which sits below the tile and adhesive, and helps to stabilise it. This can be in the form of tile backer board, plywood for wooden floorboards or cement board. The type you'll choose will depend on the tile type you're using and you can follow manufacturer's instruction on how to install this.

Picking the right tile

Our Rialto Terrazzo Castello Honed tiles are perfect for a DIY project and they're eco-friendly too. Made from recycled and surplus marble, one tile is different to the next for a unique finish across your surface area. Why not consider this design for bathroom tiles, too?

Selecting your floor tiles for your kitchen

Think about the colour and pattern of your tile first to make sure it either blends or contrasts with key shades in your kitchen decor. You'll also want to pick tile materials, which are suitable for a kitchen floor - these could be porcelain, stone or encaustic, for example. Consider their size and shape, too, and whether you want these to blend with tiles in an adjoining room, or cover an entire open-plan area.

Laying floor tiles the right way

If you love natural stone tiles, then our Charterhouse Limestone Weathered Finish tiles could be perfect for your home. Chalk lines should help you to install these tiles starting from a centre line in the middle of your floor surface area. Don't forget to seal the floor before use

Laying tiles properly will be key if you want to create a kitchen floor, which looks beautiful and is functional, too. So, follow this process if you want your newly laid tiles to stand the test of time:

Where to begin

Always start tiling from the centre of the room. This way, you'll create a symmetrical finish on your kitchen floor. First measure the width and length of the room and divide the length and width each by half to create the midpoint. You can use chalk lines or a laser level to create a line across each, which will intersect at the centre of the room. Once you have started laying your first tile, use a spirit level to ensure you align the next tile then create your first line of tiles and continue in this way for the entire floor.

How to use tile spacers

You'll need to use a notched trowel to apply your tile adhesive to the floor, then spread it evenly. Then press the first tile into place and use tile spacers to create a level surface. Work your way outwards from the centre, continuing to use the tile spacers. This will give you consistent gaps in which to apply your grout and continue to work with spirit level to make sure all of your tiles are level.

How to make the tiles fit

Our new Frammento Multi porcelain tiles have been designed to look just like real terrazzo. These tiles require no sealing and will look just as good on a bathroom floor. These are statement tiles, which you can contrast with classic furniture to create a striking room design

When laying tiles, you'll need to use precision in order to tackle irregular shapes, tight edges, accommodate obstacles and awkward corners. So cutting your tiles exactly to tile a floor in the right way will be part of the process if you want to achieve a seamless finish. This way, you can alleviate any problems, such as gaps and uneven finishes, in your diy tiling project.

Cutting your tiles to the right size

You will need a high-quality tile cutter to cut some of your new tiles - I always advise you should measure your tile twice to make sure you know exactly where to cut. You will have to cut some of the your tiles into smaller pieces, regardless, to fit them into your kitchen floor seamlessly.

Cut tiles to fit around obstacles

You will probably find you need to tile around certain objects, such as pipework, or fit tiles into corners, which is where a paper template can come in handy. Simply place paper over the area and, using a pencil, trace the outline of the obstacle or corner onto the paper. This needs to be done accurately then, using scissors, cut along the traced lines. This creates a paper outline of the shape you'll need to cut on the tile. Make a precise outline with a pencil then cut tiles using your tile-cutting tool. Don't forget to smooth the edges of the cut tiles with a tile file or use fine grade sandpaper.

How to apply grout and the finishing touches 

Our Sculpture Grande Porcelain Oro tiles feature a contemporary brushed finish with the look of real marble for a sophisticated kitchen design. These large format tiles can be used on walls and floors

Grouting is an important part when you come to tile a floor, as this is what sets the tiles and creates a professional-style finish. If it's not done properly, gaps between the tiles could result in movement of the tiles and they will look unsightly. You'll also need to clean the tile surface with a damp cloth and with the right technique your tile grout application will look perfect.

How to prepare your grout for the tile joints

Once you've chosen the right mixture, which is suitable for your tiles and grout joint width, I always suggest reading the instructions provided by the manufacturer so you can follow their recommendations.

Mix it up

If your grout is not ready mixed, you'll need to mix it with fresh water in a bucket. Then use a tiling trowel or paddle mixer attached to a drill to mix the grout. The key is to create a good consistency - it needs to look like peanut butter - and don't over mix or there'll be air bubbles. Sanded grout is easier to apply to grout lines, which may be a good choice if this is the first time you've tried this process.

Cleaning the surface of the tile

Always use a damp cloth to remove any adhesive on the tiles. I find a damp sponges works well if you want to remove excess grout and clean the full tiles. This should prevent grout haze, which can dull the shine of your tile surface. Grout haze can also make them harder to clean and can stop them from sealing properly.

Things to consider

Our Rhine Porcelain Blanc tiles look like natural stone but are ultra durable as they are made from porcelain. Featuring an elegant satin finish, these large format tiles are ideal for a minimalist kitchen scheme

Before you start to choose, let alone lay, floor tiles for your kitchen project, you should think about the costs involved. This should cover working out the correct amount of tiles you'll need plus all of the extras, such as whether you've already got a level concrete floor, tile adhesive, equipment to cut tiles, tile grout and so on.

How to calculate tiles for your kitchen floor

Calculating how many whole tiles you'll need for your kitchen project is vital then you'll need to add another 10% to allow for any wastage and cutting some of your new tiles. Simply divide the square footage of the space by the area of the tile. You also need to allow for extra if you want to follow a pattern.

Costs associated with tiling

Prices vary according to the tile material you choose. Ceramic tiles tend to be less expensive than porcelain tiles, for example, which are more durable. The latter makes sense for a kitchen floor, which may experience heavy foot traffic. Also, it will depend on the number of whole tiles you will need to tile a floor in the space you have, plus the extra.

Get tooled up

Don't forget to factor in the tools such as a tiling towel or perhaps a rubber mallet that will level the tile without damaging it. If you're planning to use large format tiles for your floor, a dual suction pad will make lifting and carrying easier.

Equipment required to tile a floor

General household tools will also help you to complete your project, although tile-specific objects, such as the notched trowel, will be essential. You can also hire tools from your local hire centre - this is a cost-effective method if you don't plan to tile a floor any time soon once this project is complete.

Think about safety precautions

When you lay floor tiles, you'll want to protect your hands when you come to remove old tiling. Heavy-duty gloves are ideal and don't forget to wear safety goggles and a dust mask. When knocking out old tiles or cutting new tiles, you'll need to protect yourself against flying tile shards.

Your kitchen flooring transformation

If you've dreamed of having a sleek, level concrete floor in your kitchen for an ultra contemporary finish but you need a cost-effective alternative our F514 Sea Salt Small luxury vinyl tiles will give you the loo at a fraction of the price. Installation is easy with a click system and you'll benefit from a uniform, subtle edge finish

Your kitchen is one of those high traffic areas, which can benefit from a DIY project which you'll find rewarding as long as you create an accurate fit across the whole room and you have the right tools needed. If you follow the steps I've provided, you should find you can achieve a flawless result and, with careful planning, the whole process will be easier. This way, you'll create a beautiful, ultra-durable tiled kitchen floor that will last for years to come.