Kitkat tiles: vertical elegance for your kitchen and bathroom

In the ever-evolving world of interior design, one trend stands out for its versatility and distinctive aesthetic – the finger tile, also known as kitkat tiles. These slim and elongated tiles have become a favorite among designers and homeowners alike, offering a myriad of possibilities to elevate any space.

In this article, we’ll show you some of our favorite examples of kitchens and bathrooms, featuring walls covered by finger tiles.

white kitkat tiles

What are kitkat tiles?

Finger tiles or kitkat tiles owe their name to their slender, finger-like shape, typically measuring around 1x4 inches but available in various other sizes as well. Due to the small size, the overall look shows many pieces of tiles, bringing a sense of elongation and fluidity to surfaces, creating a visually captivating effect. Unlike large tiles, finger tiles work well both in small areas and large wall areas as well.

The special aesthetic of kitkat tiles

The unique aesthetic of finger tiles goes beyond their shape. These tiles come in a variety of materials, including ceramic, porcelain, glass, and even natural stone, providing a wide range of textures and finishes to suit different preferences. From glossy and reflective surfaces that bounce light around a room to matte finishes that exude a subtle elegance, finger tiles allow for a personalized touch in every design project.

The vertical texture of kitkat tiles has a similar effect as fluted furniture. To learn more about its aesthetic, we recommend this article: Fluted furniture, why do we all love you?

kitkat tiles in different colors

Is it difficult to lay kitkat tiles?

At first glance, kitkat tiles seem really complicated to install, as there are many more pieces than in the case of regular tiles. However, most of these tiles have a mesh base that holds the little pieces together, to make installation easier. The flexible mesh has another advantage as well: it lets you lay kitkat tiles on curved surfaces.

curved kitkat tiles

10 great examples of kitkat tiles

If you are looking for simple bathroom ideas, kitkat tiles can contribute to a truly minimal look, but they also go well with classic / elegant interiors: 

minimalist bathroom

Though kitkat tiles are usually placed in vertical orientation, they look stunning horizontally as well - just like in this kitchen:

horizontal finger tiles

Creating accent walls using kitkat tiles is also a popular choice amongst designers. This bathroom, with the muted blue color is a great example.

blue finger tiles

Kitkat tiles, thanks to their small form, can adapt to surface shape changes easier. For example, built-in shelves can be covered entirely with these tiles:

built-in shower shelf

Matching the tile and grout color can result in a unified color tone, like in this beautiful dark tone bathroom:

dark green finger tiles

Bent surfaces, such as oval showers can be easily covered by kitkat tiles, as these tiles are usually connected by a mesh surface:

oval shower

Slightly larger tiles also work well as kitchen backsplash surfaces - these are not exactly finger tiles, but represent similar aesthetic:

kitchen backsplash kitkat tiles

Kitkat tiles do not always have one specific color - sometimes, they show exciting textures, creating a more natural look:

textured kitkat tiles

Bold and brave colors can be also achieved using finger tiles and special grout colors - like this yellow wall in this bathroom:

yellow finger tiles

The combination of kitkat tiles and fluted furniture (fürdőszobára irányítani!!) offers a great match and brings a harmonious look in your bathroom:

fluted bathroom vanity

Frequently asked questions

What are kitkat tiles?

Kitkat tiles — also called finger tiles — are slim, elongated tiles approximately 1×4 inches (2.5×10 cm) in size, named after their finger-like shape. They create a distinctive vertical texture on walls and are available in ceramic, porcelain, glass, and natural stone finishes. The name "kitkat" comes from their resemblance to the chocolate bar's finger-shaped pieces.

Are kitkat tiles hard to install?

Not particularly — most kitkat tiles come with a mesh backing that holds the individual pieces together, making installation similar to standard mosaic tiles. The flexible mesh also allows them to be laid on curved surfaces like oval showers or rounded walls, which would be impossible with larger tiles.

What goes well with kitkat tiles?

Kitkat tiles pair exceptionally well with fluted furniture — the parallel vertical lines of both create a harmonious, textured look. A fluted bathroom vanity next to a kitkat tile wall is a particularly popular combination in contemporary bathroom design.

Can kitkat tiles be used horizontally?

Yes — while the vertical orientation is most common, kitkat tiles work equally well laid horizontally, particularly as kitchen backsplash surfaces. The orientation changes the visual effect: vertical elongates the space, horizontal widens it.

What size are kitkat tiles?

The most common size is approximately 1×4 inches (2.5×10 cm), but they are available in various other sizes. Slightly larger versions — sometimes called finger tiles or strip tiles — create a similar aesthetic with a slightly bolder texture.

Do kitkat tiles work in small bathrooms?

Yes — unlike large format tiles, kitkat tiles work well in both small and large spaces. Their small size makes them adaptable to tight corners, curved surfaces, and built-in niches. For small bathrooms, choosing a light color with matching grout creates a seamless, airy look.

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