Kitchen Guides
Are These the Most Gorgeous Wall Tiles You Have Ever Seen?
More shapely than metros but their equal in appeal, fish scale tiles are winning hearts with their scalloped shape
Even the biggest fans of metro tiles might have their heads turned by these curvaceous numbers. Fish scale – or scallop, if you prefer – tiles can create a gorgeous surface that’s as eye-catching and lovely as the metro, but with the softness of curves and a more dynamic effect. Sound good? Take a look.
Go curve up
Which way to hang fish scale tiles? This kitchen contrasts with the first by featuring the curve uppermost in the pattern. While the first approach feels more piscine, the curve-up variation tips the look towards the ornamentation of Art Deco fan shapes.
Try a backsplash like this if you like the gloss and block colour of metro tiles, but don’t want to introduce industrial elements into your kitchen. In this scheme, the decorative tiles are the perfect partner for the retro-style cabinetry and warming wood elements.
Check out these top tile types for kitchen backsplashes
Which way to hang fish scale tiles? This kitchen contrasts with the first by featuring the curve uppermost in the pattern. While the first approach feels more piscine, the curve-up variation tips the look towards the ornamentation of Art Deco fan shapes.
Try a backsplash like this if you like the gloss and block colour of metro tiles, but don’t want to introduce industrial elements into your kitchen. In this scheme, the decorative tiles are the perfect partner for the retro-style cabinetry and warming wood elements.
Check out these top tile types for kitchen backsplashes
Dwell on detail
The colour of fish scale tiles you choose can also make the look more or less evocative of oceans – and what lies within them. Go for black or deep navy, as in this smart kitchen, and the effect is definitely on the ‘less’ side of the equation.
Using small tiles like these makes a space feel highly decorated, and even if the tiles themselves are dark, a high-gloss surface will bounce light around to keep your room bright.
The colour of fish scale tiles you choose can also make the look more or less evocative of oceans – and what lies within them. Go for black or deep navy, as in this smart kitchen, and the effect is definitely on the ‘less’ side of the equation.
Using small tiles like these makes a space feel highly decorated, and even if the tiles themselves are dark, a high-gloss surface will bounce light around to keep your room bright.
Blend similar tones
A scallop tile backsplash in this room proves the shape is equally at home in a bathroom as in a kitchen.
If you opt for a large expanse of tiling, follow this room’s example with a range of tones – here, sea-inspired blues and greens – to create gentle variety. Teamed with the room’s wooden built-in cabinetry and display areas, the tiles ensure the atmosphere is far from clinical.
Built-in feature lighting for the nooks is another aspect that make this space far from functional.
A scallop tile backsplash in this room proves the shape is equally at home in a bathroom as in a kitchen.
If you opt for a large expanse of tiling, follow this room’s example with a range of tones – here, sea-inspired blues and greens – to create gentle variety. Teamed with the room’s wooden built-in cabinetry and display areas, the tiles ensure the atmosphere is far from clinical.
Built-in feature lighting for the nooks is another aspect that make this space far from functional.
Calm down
The delicate grey-green of celadon-coloured fish scale tiles makes this guest bathroom a calming space. Note how using a larger tile here also contributes towards the relaxed feel of the room, avoiding the busyness of smaller versions.
The delicate grey-green of celadon-coloured fish scale tiles makes this guest bathroom a calming space. Note how using a larger tile here also contributes towards the relaxed feel of the room, avoiding the busyness of smaller versions.
Check out, too, the wallpaper on the adjoining wall, which continues the harmonious colour palette in shades of blue. Looking at a colour wheel when planning decorating projects can inspire you to use adjoining shades like these to enhance a restful ambience.
Take a look at these extraordinary wallpaper looks
Take a look at these extraordinary wallpaper looks
Double up
Team a fish-scale-tiled backsplash with a reflective work surface and you can enjoy your choice twice. There isn’t much wall space available to make a feature in this kitchen, so it’s a clever way to boost the level of decorative detail when there’s little opportunity.
With no wall units above, the tops of the tiles haven’t been cut level here, making for a pretty, lace-edge finish.
Team a fish-scale-tiled backsplash with a reflective work surface and you can enjoy your choice twice. There isn’t much wall space available to make a feature in this kitchen, so it’s a clever way to boost the level of decorative detail when there’s little opportunity.
With no wall units above, the tops of the tiles haven’t been cut level here, making for a pretty, lace-edge finish.
Cook out
Fish scale tiles turn this outdoor kitchen into a space that’s as striking as an indoor room.
In gorgeous green, these tiles link the exterior kitchen-diner with the planting. For something a little quieter but still striking, a soft shade of blue is a great alternative to complement the greens of the garden.
Fish scale tiles turn this outdoor kitchen into a space that’s as striking as an indoor room.
In gorgeous green, these tiles link the exterior kitchen-diner with the planting. For something a little quieter but still striking, a soft shade of blue is a great alternative to complement the greens of the garden.
Swim in the waves
This bathroom has a fairytale quality, with mermaid-style tiling. Follow its example by using downlighting if you want tiles that really shine.
The brilliant colour is used to define the bathing space, zoning the room. To avoid an overdose of colour, why not borrow the idea of tiling along the top and edge of the bath and leaving the side panel neutral?
Wondering which tiles are perfect for your kitchen and bathroom?
This bathroom has a fairytale quality, with mermaid-style tiling. Follow its example by using downlighting if you want tiles that really shine.
The brilliant colour is used to define the bathing space, zoning the room. To avoid an overdose of colour, why not borrow the idea of tiling along the top and edge of the bath and leaving the side panel neutral?
Wondering which tiles are perfect for your kitchen and bathroom?
Use white on white
If you want to create a contrast with units without deviating from a white palette, be inspired by this kitchen.
The textural finish of the fish scale design distinguishes it from the flat-fronted, handleless cabinets without employing colour to do the job. Setting the shine of tiles against matt lacquer units makes the surfaces distinct, too.
Consider grout colour as well as tile style. Here, using a darker shade emphasises the outline of the tiles, so their interesting shape isn’t lost.
Read more:
Tile Talk: An Alphabetical Guide to Tile Terms
Tell us:
Have you used fish scale tiles in your home? Do any of these ideas tempt you? Let us know in the Comments below.
If you want to create a contrast with units without deviating from a white palette, be inspired by this kitchen.
The textural finish of the fish scale design distinguishes it from the flat-fronted, handleless cabinets without employing colour to do the job. Setting the shine of tiles against matt lacquer units makes the surfaces distinct, too.
Consider grout colour as well as tile style. Here, using a darker shade emphasises the outline of the tiles, so their interesting shape isn’t lost.
Read more:
Tile Talk: An Alphabetical Guide to Tile Terms
Tell us:
Have you used fish scale tiles in your home? Do any of these ideas tempt you? Let us know in the Comments below.
This kitchen has the most authentic of modern credentials. Slick handleless units. Tick. Wraparound surface for the peninsular unit. Yes. Pale grey finish for the cabinetry and walls. Yep. And then there’s the lovely backsplash of fish-scale-shaped tiles that draws the eye with its tonal colours set against the neutral backdrop.
Repeating the look? Echo the curve of the tiles in bar stools and pendant lights to soften a contemporary kitchen, and keep the finish fresh by mixing white tiles in with the colours as part of your selection.