The latest lookbook features a kitchen island in a striking oxblood colour with child-friendly curved counters, putting the spotlight on eight tiled worktops.
Tiled worktops not only add to the appeal of your kitchen whilst being functional, able to withstand hot pans and food stains, but they also create an opportunity for decoration.
The examples in the lookbook range from tiled worktops designed to be a focal point to more practical counters that blend into the surrounding walls, showcasing the potential of tile in the kitchen and proving that tile isn't just limited to splashbacks and flooring.
This is the latest in Dezeen's lookbook series, which offers visual inspiration from the archives. Other updates include wine storage solutions, bedrooms with desk space and Mediterranean lifestyle decor.
![British Fruit Box Tiled Worktop by Nimtim Architects](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2021/04/fruit-box-nimtim-architects-london-residential-extensions-houses_dezeen_2364_col_16-852x1278.jpg)
Fruit Box, UK, Nimtim Architects
London studio Nimtim Architects chose bright white tiles to cover the worktops in this kitchen, pairing them with plywood cupboards, shelves and drawers for a purposefully simple look.
Some tiles have curved edges to create a seamless transition between the counter and splashback, while also eliminating sharp corners to create a safer space for your client's children.
Learn more about Fruit Boxes ›
![East Village Apartment Kitchen, USA, by GRT Architects](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2022/10/east-village-apartment_grt-architects_dezeen_2364_col_3-852x1193.jpg)
East Village Apartments (USA) designed by GRT Architects
The centerpiece of this kitchen in an East Village apartment is an island covered in oxblood-colored tiles that stands out against the backdrop of white oak cabinets with oversized handles.
This rich, jewel-toned finish is complemented by checkerboard mosaic tiles that run throughout the floor and polished brass feet that flank the edge of the kitchen counter.
Learn more about East Village Apartments ›
![Tiled worktops by Brave New Eco at West Bend House, Australia](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2022/11/west-bend-house-interiors-melbourne-brave-new-eco_dezeen_1704_col_8-852x568.jpg)
West Bend House, Brave New Eco, Australia
Duck egg blue tiles adorn the surfaces of this galley kitchen by studio Brave New Eco at Melbourne's West Bend House.
It has a central island with square tiles for the work surface and strip tiles to the sides, which are combined with wooden fittings and strip bar stools.
Learn more about West Bend House ›
![Kitchen interior for De Sijs apartment building by Officeu Architects](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2022/09/de-sijs-cohousing-officeu-architects-belgium_dezeen_2364_col_11-852x1065.jpg)
De Sijs, Belgium, by Officeu Architects
Officeu Architects decorated the worktop of this kitchen in the De Sijs apartment project in Leuven with a mix of pastel-coloured square tiles.
The muted colours of the surfaces are complemented by the combination of fern green and wooden cabinetry, drawing attention to playful furniture and fixtures, such as the hanging lights and bright red pots.
Find out more about De Sijs ›
![Bright pink and green kitchen island by Mariana de Deras for Palma Hideaway](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2019/11/palma-hideaway-mallorca-apartment-interiors-mariana-de-delas_dezeen_2364_col_7-852x1290.jpg)
“Palma Hideaway” by Mariana de Deras, Spain
Green tiles are used throughout to create a focal point in this high-rise apartment building hidden away in a former motorcycle factory in Palma de Mallorca by architect Mariana de Deras.
The kitchen is no exception, with its dramatic island supported by chunky pink legs and tiled throughout – a watermelon-like colour combination that stands out against the concrete floors and wooden cabinetry.
Find out more about Palma Hideaway ›
![Inside the Screenhouse by Ben Allen](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2016/11/screen-house-residential-apartment-flat-interior-design-partitions-studio-ben-allen-north-london-uk_dezeen_2364_col_13-852x682.jpg)
Screen House, UK, Studio Ben Allen
This minimalist kitchen is located inside Screen House, a north London apartment that has been modernised and reconfigured by Studio Ben Allen.
To suit a strict budget, the kitchen is fitted out with practical fixtures and combines simple wooden fittings with white tiled surfaces, the tiles at the ends of which are curved to form smooth edges for the countertops.
Learn more about Screenhouse ›
![Tiled worktop in the kitchen of Dawn Ridge House, USA (by Field Architecture)](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2020/08/dawnridge-field-architecture-los-altos-hills-house-california_dezeen_2364_col_28-852x1136.jpg)
Dawn Ridge House, USA, Field Architecture
Large grey tiles are used as countertops in this wooden kitchen designed by Field Architecture in a California home.
These form part of a natural-looking material palette used throughout the home, with the studio drawing inspiration from the surrounding Los Altos Hills landscape, which includes streams and large oak trees.
Learn more about Dawn Ridge House ›
![Industrial kitchen in Bismarck House by Andrew Burges Architects in Bondi, Sydney](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2020/09/bismarck-house-adnrew-burges-architects-bondi-sydney_dezeen_2364_col_6-852x1278.jpg)
Bismarck House, Australia, designed by Andrew Burgess Architects
At Bismarck House in Bondi, Andrew Burgess Architects used a palette of what they call “outdoor materials” across the entire first floor.
This practical palette includes exposed brick, concrete and steel elements, as well as a tiled kitchen worktop, and is intended to blur the boundary between the home's interior and its solid exterior.
Find out more about Bismarck House ›
This is the latest in Dezeen's lookbook series, which offers visual inspiration from the archives. Other updates include wine storage solutions, bedrooms with desk space and Mediterranean lifestyle decor.