Tile is one of the most visible materials in any kitchen. Whether it is behind the range, underfoot, or both, the tile you choose is something you interact with every single day. At BNG Remodel, our skilled renovation crew handles tile as part of premium home remodeling in Nashville, TN, Hendersonville, and Smyrna, and the homeowners who are happiest with their kitchens tend to be the ones who spent real time on tile selection rather than treating it as an afterthought.
Why Custom Tile Selection Matters for a Nashville Kitchen
Builder-grade tile packages get the job done, but custom tile selection means choosing the specific material, format, color, grout color, and pattern for your kitchen specifically. The result fits your home rather than a generic renovation aesthetic.
Nashville houses vary widely. A 1950s craftsman bungalow in East Nashville has a different character than a newer build in Bellevue or Franklin. The tile that looks right in one home does not necessarily work in another. A contractor who walks you through material selection with that in mind will deliver a better result than one who hands you a catalog and sends you home to figure it out.
Starting with the Backsplash
For most kitchen remodels, the backsplash is where tile planning begins, and that makes sense. The area between the countertop and the upper cabinets is visible from nearly every angle of the kitchen. It is also where a distinct tile choice has the most impact without committing to a bold pattern across the entire floor.
Classic subway tile remains one of the most requested backsplash options in Nashville kitchens because it works across nearly every cabinet and countertop combination and holds up well over time. In 2026, we are also seeing homeowners choose large-format slabs, handmade-look tile with color variation, and patterned cement-look tile for a more personal result.
Tile Flooring in Nashville Kitchens
Kitchen floors take real punishment. Dropped dishes, cooking spills, daily foot traffic, and occasional standing water all happen here more than anywhere else in the home. Tile handles all of that better than most alternatives.
Porcelain tile is the most practical choice for Nashville kitchen floors. It is dense, highly resistant to staining, does not require sealing the way natural stone does, and comes in a wide range of formats and finishes that suit both traditional and modern kitchens. Large-format porcelain in warm stone-look finishes is one of the most common combinations we install in Nashville kitchen remodels right now.
The condition of the subfloor matters significantly when laying tile. Older Nashville homes sometimes have flex or damage in the subfloor from old leaks or aging structural materials. We assess the subfloor during the initial consultation and address any issues before tile goes down, because tile installed over a compromised substrate will not hold.
Combining Floor and Backsplash Tile Without Overmatching
One approach that works well in Nashville kitchens is using different tile types for the floor and backsplash rather than matching them exactly. A neutral floor tile paired with a more expressive backsplash, or a patterned floor paired with a clean, minimal backsplash, both read well as long as the tones and materials complement rather than compete with each other.
Getting this right is harder than it sounds when you are working from samples on a table. We walk clients through this kind of material pairing during the design phase so that what looks good separately also works as a finished whole once it is on the walls and floor together.
What to Expect from the Tile Installation Process
Custom tile work takes more time than a straight flooring swap, and the timeline depends on the materials chosen. Specialty tile and natural stone materials can have lead times of two to four weeks from the time of order. We build material lead times into the project schedule from the start so the kitchen timeline stays on track.
During installation, our team handles layout planning, substrate preparation, tile setting, grouting, and sealing. Brittney Reader coordinates the full process from material arrival through final inspection. You can see the full scope of what we coordinate on our kitchen remodeling page.
If you are planning a kitchen tile project in Nashville or the surrounding Middle Tennessee area, we would be glad to walk through the options with you.
Related Topics:
- Tile Trends for 2026: What’s Hot in Nashville Home Remodeling
- Why Tile Is the Best Choice for Nashville Bathroom Remodels