Floor Decisions - Light or Dark

We have decided upon these tiles....on the left side of the picture is the darker tile. On the right side is the lighter tile. It will be one of the two and I am considering the darker tile. Everything is lighter in the kitchen now and I don't think a dark tile will darken the kitchen overly so. In addition, I feel that a darker tile may hide some dirt: cat litter, for example, and the dirt that we tend to bring into the kitchen from outside, no matter how much we wipe our shoes. I also think that the darker has more definition/detail to it than the lighter tile does.

It's hard to see the true color of the tiles; these pictures were taken with my cell phone with no flash. The tiles will be laid down on an angle and will be grouted.

In front of the pantry cabinet (you can see the fridge, but that will be gone this fall; we are replacing it with a stainless steel fridge)


In front of the stove.....


In front of the sink.....


At the entrance to the kitchen from the living room.....


Opinions or thoughts??

My vote is for the darker tile. It's not so dark that it will show dust, etc, but dark enough that it should hide some dirt.

I think I like the darker tile better as well. Both are very nice looking, though!

In the first pic I thought "oh, no, too dark!" Too dark and every little speck of dust and fur shows up. But in the other pics it looks not as dark. . .I do like the darker one better. So I think it's just the lighting in the first pic.

AbbysMom said:

My vote is for the darker tile.

It's not so dark that it will show dust, etc, but dark enough that it should hide some dirt.

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  I dont think you can go wrong with either! I almost like the lighter one more; but the darker one has a little more depth and hiding some day to day dirt is always a help!

Another vote for the darker color . It seems to more definition.

I vote for the darker one

Thanks guys! I really like the definition in the darker tile!

AbbysMom said:

My vote is for the darker tile. It's not so dark that it will show dust, etc, but dark enough that it should hide some dirt.

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DIRT!!!!! I don't think there is such a word in Pam's house. Hee-hee.

I agree, the dark for sure. Has much more character. Gosh, I wish I knew how to post pictures from my phone to the computer. Still need to take a lesson from hubby dearest.

Don't I wish! Sometimes it seems that there's dirt and dust everywhere!

I'm calling the tile weenies this morning to order the darker tile. I hope it comes quickly and they can get it installed yet this month sometime.

(The electrician is back and has been working on the under-cab lighting. He's also installing a new heating register in the kitchen and a new ceiling fan in our bedroom.)

I'm going for the lighter one 

Rosiemac said:

I'm going for the lighter one 

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 We did seriously consider the lighter one, but am worried that it will be too light with the lighter cabinets.

I like the darker one.  It looks smarter, somehow, and rich in texture.  I actually wouldn't have thought of it for a kitchen, but it works.

l can tell you first hand that the darker tile looks gorgeous when laid.

My parents got (what look like) those tiles put in their kitchen, eating area, foyer and downstairs bathroom. Theirs is laid diagonally as well. l wish l had seen this thread when l was out there on Monday, l could've taken pictures for you 

Their kitchen cabinets look like yours, and their counter top is pinkish. lt looks gorgeous! lt meets up with their dining room and stair carpets which are a clay-beige, and looks great with those too.

I personally prefer the light tiles because it opens up the space. Darker colours while pretty, tend to show the dirt more plus they make the space look smaller and closed in.
 

Dark for sure.  Even without seeing the rest of your kitchen, and in better light, I can tell that it picks up the cabinet tone much better than the lighter one.  It also works better with the color you have leading into the other room.

Spoken as one who has been working in the design field for far too many years