Are you remodeling this time of year? This will be my first Thanksgiving and Christmas in my finished kitchen. Last year a contractor was here on Christmas Eve installing our Dutch door, so I’m thrilled to finally have the space ready to use and decorate. I can’t wait to set up my holiday kitchen.
Before I start on the seasonal decor, I want to share details about our kitchen flooring. I don’t think I’d posted specifically about the herringbone tile before, and I’ve had several questions about it. I’ll also share cabinet and lighting posts later, but those may wait until January.
We debated for months about what to choose for the kitchen floor — and there were so many good options. Each choice had pros and cons, and we had to weigh cost, how the flooring would coordinate with adjoining rooms, and how it would work with an exterior door. It was a tough decision.
In the end we chose a neutral porcelain tile. I wanted a floor that could stand on its own when we don’t use rugs in the warmer months but also act as a subtle backdrop for seasonal rugs and runners. That flexibility was key: a floor that looks great alone yet complements a variety of textures, patterns, and colors.
The tile we selected has a beautiful, natural coloring and texture. Because our kitchen is a galley layout, we wanted flooring that contributes a sense of movement to help the narrow space feel wider. Laying the tile on the diagonal gives your eye a path to follow and can visually broaden the room. We decided on a herringbone pattern.
You don’t need a special “herringbone” tile to achieve this look. Our tiles are large, rectangular 12″ x 24″ pieces. At first we considered smaller tiles, but the larger format creates a bold, clean pattern that’s simple and easy on the eye.
The installer set each tile in the herringbone layout. In our kitchen the tile starts under the cabinets, though many installers can lay tile after cabinets are installed if you prefer — just be sure appliances can be pulled out if that’s necessary later.
When choosing the finish we had to pick between polished and unpolished. We initially thought we didn’t want anything shiny or slippery, but our contractor recommended the polished option. It has a very matte look — not glossy at all — and we’ve been extremely happy with it. The finish is easy to clean and does a great job at hiding dust and dirt between cleanings, which is ideal for a busy kitchen.
Are you remodeling a kitchen now or planning one soon?
If you need ideas or guidance, my kitchen remodel posts are linked below for inspiration and practical tips.
If you missed the kitchen reveal, you can find it in the original kitchen reveal post.
HERRINGBONE TILE FLOORING:
Daltile Imagica ig97 Haze ColorBody Porcelain (polished)
RUGS:
Jute runner rug
Black and white Dash & Albert rug
FULL KITCHEN SOURCE LIST:
Our galley kitchen remodel sources
KITCHEN REMODELING TIPS AND POSTS:
Shiplap walls behind stove & sink
Carrara Gioia quartz counters
Where we got the Dutch doors
Kitchen remodel: four design tips
How we chose our kitchen appliances
How we mixed and matched our kitchen hardware