You've chosen the cabinets, worktops and flooring but there's one more vital element that can make or break your dream kitchen scheme. Available in a kaleidoscope of colourways and different designs, wall tiles both protect and personalise the hardest-working room in your home. From sophisticated styles to mosaics, hexagons and bold, geometric designs, these stylish ceramics are sure to inspire, plus they won't break the bank if you have a go at fitting them yourself.

Brighten up a small kitchen with a circle pattern splashback. These encaustic-style porcelain tiles draw their inspiration from Southern Spain, and the scaled-up motif leaves plenty of blank space so they don't feel too busy. The pattern creates a striking visual effect that will zone the kitchen in an open-plan space. 

Give your kitchen a rustic or industrial makeover with exposed brickwork tiles. Not all of us are lucky enough to own original brick walls, but the look is easy to achieve with specially manufactured tiles designed to create the colour, texture and appearance of a real clay brick wall. Interior stylist and writer Cassie Pryce injected glorious character into her new-build kitchen with brick slip tiled feature walls. Apply a matt sealer to your tiles to make them easier to clean.

Make your kitchen walls shimmer with glittering diamonds that stand out and catch the eye. The cutting-edge rhombus shape and glossy pink tones offer a jewel-like appearance. For an ultra-glam finish, pair with a pale Carrara marble worktop and brass fittings. 

Give your kitchen walls a metallic sheen with copper-effect wall tiles. We love this unusual combination of copper and jade that is offset by sleek black worktops. The clever, uplighting creates an opulent glow for a wow-factor finish. 

Thinking of going for a pastel-toned kitchen? Why not cook up a striking scene that's a little different from the norm, like this pretty, Miami-inspired setting? The pastel tones and curves tiles look sugary sweet and glamorous teamed with retro gold-trimmed bar stools and smooth rosy cabinets, and best of the tiles actually have straight edges meaning fewer cuts.

This elegant Georgian-inspired border pattern in muted dark grey tones has pre-scored lines which will make the tiles easier and quicker to fit while giving the impression of smaller tiles.

What's not to love about these decorative Scintilla tiles? Not only are they the ideal counterpoint to a white kitchen, but their star motif manages to be both charming and striking. The design is based on a traditional Spanish style and makes a striking feature with coordinating floor tiles.

The adorably named 'penny tiles' are timeless and eye-catching, so make a great longterm choice for the kitchen. The tiny circles look crisp and clean up close but merge into an interesting textured feature wall when viewed from further away. Depending on what finish you choose, they can brighten your worktop space, bring an industrial feel or add a pop of statement colour.

A strip of deep colour like this teal hue instantly lifts the rich wood grain of this retro-style kitchen. The combination of a matt and gloss finish with a striking crackled glaze, adds to the character and gives these tiles an antique, handmade look that is unique. With a false grout line to give the illusion of smaller tiles, you can complete the job in no time.

Hexagon tiles can be something of a shortcut to an effortlessly stylish kitchen. Mix and match tiles within a specific tonal palette to keep things smart and modern. Or, stick to one colour and lay them in a non-linear finish to show off the six-sided pattern. With a bold design like this it's ok to break the rules and cut the bottom tiles, to keep the top hexagon edge intact.

Execute a colourful kitchen scheme by pairing bold cabinetry with terrazzo-inspired tiles. With a minimal grout line, the on-trend pattern will look seamless installed around your worktops and cabinets as well as the floor. Just ensure you purchase a hard-wearing design, suitable for floors.

Monochrome decorating is on-trend right now and can be used with great effect in the kitchen, too. This chic black kitchen has been given added impact by matching matt kitchen wall tiles to black cabinetry. Be sure to balance dark kitchens with neutral tones and plenty of daylight to avoid making the space feel gloomy. 

White kitchen tiles are a fail-safe option but there is no need to go for a bland and basic look. Add subtle intermittent texture to add definition and interest. This contemporary chevron pattern creates the illusion of a wider space too. Do bear in mind that most tilers will charge more to fit tiles in a herringbone pattern, due to the extra cuts needed.

The hexagon lily pad style tile is still a huge kitchen trend running on Instagram and we can see why. The angular shape can be arranged in so many ways to create striking patterns. The gorgeous pastel shades are the perfect complement to contemporary dark kitchens. 

Bring the dated square kitchen tile back into fashion with a colour and finish upgrade. This glossy green splashback looks organic and lush tiled up against an exposed brick wall, black worktops and charcoal painted cabinets combo.  

Iridescent highlights set in amongst aqua tiles create shots of prism-effect thanks to this innovative holographic surface finish. Each piece features different gradients that create a variation of milky, pastel tones which alter in appearance based on the changing light and viewpoint. Offset and framed with black grouting, this tiling is bold and cutting edge.

Brighten up a small dark kitchen with an uplifting tiled splashback that is full of colour and pattern. It's the perfect spot to showcase an artful statement to uplift your kitchen scheme. Choose a colourway that will pick out the tones of your kitchen cabinets to marry the look together. 

Add pretty colour and interesting shape to your kitchen walls with textured pink metro tiles laid in a herringbone pattern. This layout uses up fewer tiles than a layered brickwork sequence, and so is a cost-effective way to create a stand-out design feature, if you're looking to have a go yourself. 

If your kitchen is on the small side or enjoys very little natural light, use mirrored tiles as a splashback. It'll make the room feel much deeper and more spacious than it actually is. Mirrored tiles will also reflect and maximise what light there is in the space, which will help your kitchen appear a whole lot brighter too.

Here's a clever trick for making your kitchen look effortlessly chic: match your kitchen wall tiles up to your chosen cabinet colour. It looks divine in soothing muted tones set against brass fittings. Enhance the timeless canvas with accessories in the same shades for a take on the monotone trend.

Mottled inky blue tiles can evoke the calming rush of the ocean and impart drama to your culinary space. A contrasting strip of vertical tiles in muted pebble tones breaks up the dark design and enhances the soft pink kitchen cabinets below perfectly. 

Looking for a farmhouse kitchen look with a twist? The nation is in love with green interiors right now and these slim ochre tiles with a high gloss finish will get your kitchen seen. The handcrafted and textured finish gives them a vintage edge that looks the part twinned with period-style taps and sinks. 

Polished marble is a luxurious material that exudes luxury so used in abundance on kitchen walls and floors means no expense has been spared. Of course, we don't all have a bottomless budget so marble-effect tiles can create just as much drama for a lot less. Continue the bold look with statement lighting and cocktail lounge bar stools. 

You don't have to stick to just the splashback area when tiling the kitchen. Tiling right up to the ceiling will protect all surfaces and make more of an impact. We love the all-over rosy tones of this warm pink kitchen.

Pink is a fun colour choice for the kitchen and can be made to pop with shimmering black metro tiles. The striking contrast is glamorous, girly and glossy.

We've seen this popular Victorian-inspired tile pattern on many statement floors but it looks just as striking on kitchen walls. The trellis diamond design creates a striking monochrome focal point to all-white kitchens that's timeless. 

For a new take on the classic metro tile, create a bold design with three alternating colours. Here, contrasting stripes create vintage bistro vibes, while the horizontal lines will elongate the space to make small kitchens appear larger. If your feeling daring, you could take this look one step further and graduate your tile colours as you move up the wall to create an on-trend ombre effect.

Kitchen wall tiles make an effective addition to the undersides of breakfast bars and  kitchen islands too. As well as creating a protective barrier against spills, they can impart an extra decorative dimension and a sense of cohesion across your scheme –  these black hexagon tiles echo the geometric wall tiles throughout this monochrome space.

Just when you thought you'd seen every variation on the hexagon tile, someone comes up with a whole new way to use them. This small-scale splashback uses green and white striped units –  some of which have been cut in half –  to create a unique and beguiling pattern. 

There is no need to take a splashback all the way up the wall. The area most prone to marks is the lower half of the wall above the worktop. To save money on tiling and create an interesting feature at the same time, run a small border of tiles along the top of your worktops and sink. We love how the basketweave pattern meets the open shelves.

Just like in a luxury bathroom, large format wall tiles can be time-saving and budget-friendly in the kitchen too. This soothing neutral design creates a timeless backdrop for navy cabinetry and a warm wood countertop. 

Balance bold colours and graphic motifs by embracing monochrome patterned wall tiles. This vertical diamond design brings an informal touch to the splashback, thanks to the illustrative feel of the design. Keeping a neutral band in the mid-section of the wall allows you to go to town with vibrant colour on the walls and kitchen cabinetry.

Triangle-print metro tiles in colourful hues create a glorious feature wall in this modern kitchen. Soft pastel shades warm up the white scheme, while the unusual tessellated design adds a creative new twist on standard geometric tile patterns.

Contrasting chevron tiles make a dynamic addition to a large, expansive wall space. Forest green is a hot kitchen colour trend right now – use it in bands with an alternating clean white metro tile to create a graphic pattern on a feature wall. 

Large hexagon tiles look striking and glamorous in dark and dramatic tones. Pairing new and old aesthetics, the smooth marble-effect finish with realistic veining has been designed to evoke the iconic French Art Nouveau style of the late 1800s. 

Pretty ornate tiling in a blue floral pattern evokes a subtle Mediterranean feel in this bright white kitchen. Their delicate detailing and neutral hue are just enough to enhance an understated farmhouse-style scheme without losing that crisp, clean finish. 

Metro or subway tiles have been a firm tile favourite in both kitchens and bathrooms for a couple of decades at least, so these elongated versions make a refreshing update. The overall effect is more refined than standard sizes and is particularly striking when laid in a herringbone design with contrasting grout.

Mini mosaic tiles look intricate and ornate, plus they're incredibly simple to apply. The collage of small tiles come pre-backed on a mesh, so you can mount and grout them quickly and easily. Neutral shades are warm yet elegant and allow the subtle texture to shine through.

Take inspiration from a French country kitchen and add some cute characters to your wall tiles. This delicate woodland range consists of a stag, robin, rabbit and owl drawings in a clean monochrome palette, so you can add a touch of rustic charm without introducing clashing colours.

Add modern texture with split-face tiles in a clean yet warming ivory shade. Made up of narrow strips of slate and marble, they have different depths and angles to create a rustic, multifaceted surface. The overall effect is natural and pared-back, especially when teamed with oak cabinets and neutral walls. 

Move beyond the mainstream with these amazing tiles designed by Monica Förster Design Studio. They create the illusion of a 3D space thanks to concentric squares that graduate inwards from white to grey. The effect is a soft-focus geometric feature wall that will add depth to the recess. We could look at them all day!

For a professional finish and a touch of refinement add a trim to half-tiled walls. Whether it's a contrasting metal or a soft ceramic frame, integral edging adds a polish that's simply not achievable from bare tile edges. 

With its glossy finish and Art Deco-inspired shape, this versatile fish-scale shape tile manages to be both retro and totally modern while bringing the glam factor to any kitchen. Arrange them with the widest part at the top for a fan design, flip them over for a Moroccan-style teardrop or go horizontal to get the mermaid effect. 

Inject a touch of subtle sheen into your kitchen scheme with a skinny brick-shaped tile with a textured finish that adds a bit of rough with the smooth. Glossy surfaces in three muted shades of moss green and grey look soothing yet stylish laid in a diagonal herringbone pattern.

Monochrome tiling will never go out of style and looks striking in a diamond repeat. Soften the look by choosing grey and blue shades rather than the classic black and white. 

A soft textured tile pattern that combines different engraved geometric prints will create a calming yet modern aesthetic. Complement the effect with a soothing colourway like watery Eau de Nil which will lift pale kitchen surfaces. 

Keeping it simple can sometimes be the best choice when it comes to designing a kitchen that won't date. White bevelled metro tiles are usually budget-friendly and look good with almost any style of kitchen, but lay them with dark grouting to keep the look current.

Nothing says country like an Aga stove and bright and beautiful tiling. Take the scheme a step further with a two-tone design in uplifting whites and blues. Placing the deeper colour at the bottom of the room opens the space up and out, so it's a great way to make a small kitchen feel bigger.

Patchwork pattern tiles that fit together like a jigsaw are guaranteed to look breathtaking whatever the combination. This rustic feature wall is made up of coordinating designs in almond tones for a subtle take on the trend. Industrial-style copper companions add to the Mediterranean character. 

It's common to see the traditional herringbone tile pattern used on kitchen floors. For a more modern, edgy look apply this arrangement to kitchen walls, either as a splashback, on a chimney breast alcove or as a statement wall to zone a kitchen-diner eating area. 

These calm tiles create a subtle optical illusion thanks to a tiny dark square that looks like the holes in an open-weave basket. Great for an elegant traditional kitchen, use these to add texture without upsetting the balance of a neutral scheme.

These 3D textured tiles are a huge interior design trend, as traditional flat finishes are replaced with sculptural forms that stand out from the wall. Part of their allure is the shadow they cast, making white the obvious choice to make the most of their unique depth. 

A simple tile in two or more colours can be arranged to create a pleasing decorative pattern. Here a mix of off-white, moss green and pistachio tiles beautifully offset the traditional cream-coloured kitchen units. For a more contemporary look, use contrasting colours paired with a neutral – for example, indigo and burnt orange with white, teal, cerise and ivory or mustard, white and grey.

Navy kitchens are having a moment and as orange is on the opposite side of the colour wheel to blue the bold hue adds a welcome and contrasting burst of colour. Wide, white grout lines, created by using wide spacers, look funky and fresh in the scheme too.  

Dark and moody kitchens are an enduring trend so black tiles are the way to go to make a statement. Instead of a gloss, look for a matt black texture for a more up-to-date finish and continue the dramatic statement with matching black worktops. 

If you're on a tight budget, it's only really necessary to protect the wall behind your sink and hob from splashes. This small splashback area can be shielded relatively cheaply with a few rows of hardwearing tiling. In a small space, like this compact IKEA kitchen, opt for plain light-coloured tiles that blend in with the surrounding wall colour. This will help to tie the whole interior scheme together and also make the room feel a little larger.

Sometimes it only takes one element to lift a kitchen design from so-so to sublime. These glass tiles in antique gold create a lustrous splashback and a warm counterpoint to the functional white units and countertop.

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