What grabs your attention first when you walk into a kitchen? For most people, it’s not the fridge, the cabinets, or even the lighting. It’s the centrepiece: the island, the splashback, or maybe a statement wall. These elements can completely shift the vibe of a kitchen. And if you’re aiming to create that instant wow factor, stone and tile are two of the most powerful materials you can work with.
Go Bold with the Island
The island is where the magic happens. It’s where people gather, where meals are prepped, and where design can truly shine.
Using natural stone like marble, granite or quartz for your island bench instantly elevates the space. The beauty of these materials from Stone and Tile Projects is that they’re not just beautiful; they’re durable and timeless. And when you extend the stone down the sides to create a waterfall edge, it takes the whole design up a notch.
Tile can be used here too, especially on the base. Tiling the island’s base or surrounding feature wall with handmade or patterned tiles creates a contrast against a smooth stone top. It can break up the visual weight and add interest without overwhelming the design.
You want your island to do more than serve a function. It should draw the eye, anchor the space, and add personality.
Statement Splashbacks That Work Hard
Splashbacks used to be an afterthought. Now? They’re design gold.
A tiled splashback lets you play with pattern, shape, and texture. You can go classic with a subway layout or get more adventurous with vertical stacking, herringbone, or curved fish scale tiles.
Natural stone splashbacks, on the other hand, offer drama in a more understated way. Veined marble or textured limestone can stretch from the countertop to the range hood for a seamless, high-end look. This works especially well if you want a more cohesive, calm palette that doesn’t fight for attention.
It’s worth thinking about lighting here too. Tiles with a glossy finish will bounce light around, brightening up darker corners. Stone, especially if honed or matte, creates a softer, more grounded feel. Both have their place; it depends on what kind of atmosphere you’re after.
Mix, Don’t Match
There’s this old idea that everything in a kitchen has to match perfectly. Countertops, splashbacks, flooring, cabinetry… it’s all got to align. But that’s not true anymore.
The best kitchens feel curated, not cookie-cutter.
You can pair a bold stone benchtop with understated tiled splashbacks, or flip it—let the splashback sing while keeping your countertops minimal. Using different materials gives the room depth. It stops it from feeling flat or one-dimensional.
What matters is balance. If one element has heavy veining or bold colour, the others should complement rather than compete. Think tone, texture, and proportion, not just matching colours.
Don’t Forget the Floor
Floors are often treated as background players in the kitchen. But with the right tile, they can help shape the entire mood of the room.
Large-format stone tiles, for example, create a seamless, luxurious foundation. They’re especially effective in open-plan spaces, making the kitchen feel connected to surrounding areas. Tiles with a natural, earthy finish also add warmth and texture underfoot.
If you want something more eye-catching, patterned encaustic tiles or mosaics can give a kitchen instant character. They work best in smaller kitchens where you want a splash of personality without overwhelming the senses.
And then there’s practicality. Both tile and stone are hard-wearing, easy to clean, and resistant to heat and spills; exactly what you need underfoot in a busy kitchen.
Feature Walls That Don’t Feel Over-the-Top
A tiled or stone feature wall might sound like a bold move. But when done right, it can be the perfect counterbalance to minimalist cabinetry or neutral tones.
One approach is to carry the splashback all the way up a full wall. Another is to use large-format tiles or natural stone slabs to create a sense of scale. This is especially effective behind open shelving, where the material can peek through and frame your everyday items.
Avoid going too busy here. Let the texture and material shine on their own. A simple stacked layout or horizontal lines can add rhythm without cluttering the space.
Create Contrast with Grout and Finish
Sometimes it’s the smallest details that make the biggest impact. Take grout, for example.
Choosing a darker grout against light tiles can add definition and a bit of edge. A lighter grout, on the other hand, gives a more blended, seamless look.
Finishes matter too. A matte tile brings a rustic, grounded feel, while a gloss or glazed finish adds shine and polish. For stone, a honed surface gives a soft, velvety touch, while polished stone reflects more light and feels more formal.
You don’t need to go overboard. One carefully considered contrast can be enough to add interest without tipping the whole design off balance.
Keep It Personal
There’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to using stone and tile in the kitchen. It really comes down to your style and how you want the space to feel.
Love earthy tones and raw finishes? Lean into limestone, terracotta tiles, and natural edges.
Prefer a more refined, minimal look? Crisp marble, clean lines, and monochrome palettes will be more your speed.
You’re not just picking materials. You’re shaping how the space feels every time you walk into it—calm, energised, grounded, bold.
Trust your instincts. Start with the element you’re most drawn to—maybe it’s a piece of stone you’ve had your eye on, or a tile pattern that just feels right. Build from there.
Give the Kitchen the Stage It Deserves
The kitchen isn’t just where we cook. It’s where we talk, gather, and connect. It deserves more than a safe design.
By using stone and tile strategically—choosing where to add texture, where to bring in contrast, and where to let the materials speak for themselves—you create a space that feels layered, personal, and alive.
Not everything needs to match. Not everything needs to be loud. But when the right elements are given the spotlight, the kitchen becomes more than functional. It becomes unforgettable.