Kit Kat tiles are fast emerging as one of the top tile trends in recent times.
With their slim, finger-shaped profile, Kit Kat tiles add instant texture and visual rhythm to any surface without overwhelming a space. The uniform stacked layout creates a clean, ordered aesthetic that photographs exceptionally well, which has undoubtedly fuelled their popularity through interior design platforms and social media.
Practical as well as stylish, the mesh-backed format makes installation straightforward, and the narrow grout lines give a sleek, contemporary finish that appeals to both homeowners and trade specifiers alike.
At Parkside, we stock various tile ranges that reflect the Kit Kat style. In this post, we’re here to explain more about Kit Kat tiles and provide you with some visual inspiration for your next tiling project.
Kit Kat Tiles: An Overview
Kit Kat tiles are slim rectangular tiles that are installed in distinctive laying patterns. The ‘Kit Kat’ name comes from the visual resemblance to the chocolate bar's individual fingers. For this reason, you’ll often find this style referred to as finger mosaic tiles. However, it’s good to note that the Kit Kat or ‘Kit’ terms are purely stylistic, rather than an official industry classification.
Kit Kat tiles are defined as small, rectangular tiles arranged in a distinctive pattern. Usually, they are installed in a uniform stacked (straight joint) pattern, all running in the same direction, either horizontally or vertically. The vertical orientation, in particular, is extremely popular within contemporary tiling projects.
One of the reasons why Kit Kat tiles are being increasingly chosen for tiling projects is due to their extreme versatility. That’s because Kit Kat tiles can work just as well as a full wall covering, just as they can as a smaller design feature within the room.
Alternative names for Kit Kat style tiles:
- Bar tiles
- Column mosaic tile
- Finger mosaic tiles
- Finger tiles
- Linear mosaic tiles
- Stacked mosaic tiles
- Stave tiles
- Strip mosaic tiles
Kit Kat (Mosaic Tiles) Origins
The origins of finger shaped tiles are a blend of historical tile making traditions and modern design trends. Roman and Byzantine mosaic traditions used small, elongated tesserae in similar proportions, laid in uniform rows. Much later on, mid-century Scandinavian and European design embraced finger-format tiles in bathrooms and kitchens as a clean, modernist alternative to large-format slabs.
The current revival of the ‘Kit Kat’ format as it's recognised today (thin, finger-shaped, mesh-mounted tiles) emerged as a distinct product category in the 2010s. Its resurgence was largely driven by Australian and Scandinavian interior design trends, as well as the rise of social media and design blogs, which popularised textured and tactile surfaces.
Mini Kit Kat Tiles
Mini Kit Kat tiles are simply a smaller format version of the standard Kit Kat tile. While standard Kit Kat tiles are typically around 23mm x 98mm, Mini Kit Kat tiles are generally in the region of 12mm x 48mm to 15mm x 60mm, which is roughly half the size. However, the dimensions vary by manufacturer and there's no fixed industry standard for the ‘mini’ designation, since as we've just touched on, 'Kit Kat' in itself is a colloquial term rather than a formal tile specification.
A smaller finger mosaic tile is often chosen for compact spaces where the standard Kit Kats can look oversized. With the smaller size there are also more grout lines. The increased number of joints adds finer texture and more visual detail. Likewise, the smaller format is more forgiving on curved walls and column wraps.
How Kit Kat Tiles Are Used
So long as Kit Kat tiles are correctly specified for their intended environment, they can be used in many different settings:
- Bathroom walls and shower enclosures
- Kitchen splashbacks
- Feature walls and niches
- Basin surrounds
- Retail and hospitality interiors
The uniform stacked layout creates a clean, ordered aesthetic which has undoubtedly fuelled their popularity through interior design platforms and social media.
Available in porcelain, ceramic, glass and natural stone across a wide range of finishes and colours, Kit Kat tiles are also highly versatile. That’s because they work as a full wall covering, a shower niche insert or a subtle feature behind a basin. Practical as well as stylish, the mesh-backed format makes installation straightforward, and the narrow grout lines give a sleek, contemporary finish that appeals to both homeowners and trade specifiers alike.
P.S. Are you in search of Kit Kat style tiles for a commercial project? Please contact our tile specification team for advice on choosing tiles which match your project requirements.
How To Lay Kit Kat Tiles
The most popular way to lay Kit Kat Tiles is in a uniform stacked (straight joint) pattern, meaning all of the tiles run in the same direction. This can involve laying the tiles horizontally or vertically.
Kit Kat Tile Design Ideas
Slim profile tiles can now be found in many formats, including those not necessarily marketed as ‘Kit Kat’ tiles. That’s because using slim tiles is a contemporary way to add visual interest to walls as well as standalone features, especially within hospitality environments.
Bathroom Shower Surround
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Hospitality Bar Areas
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Reception Or Hallway Wall Tiles
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Wood Effect Bathroom Decor
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3D Tile For Statement Room Features
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Shop Kit Kat Tiles At Parkside
Parkside supplies tiles to architects and designers across the UK, including wall and floor tiles which embody the Kit Kat style.
On our website, you’ll find all of our tiles for commercial projects, including details of how to order sample tiles.
For any help or advice, please contact us or give us a call on 0116 276 2532.
We also invite you to visit us in person at any of our studios located in Glasgow, Leicester, London and Manchester.
