8 Metal Tile Types To Try For A Touch Of Modern Luxury In Any Room
It's common knowledge that certain types of tile can add style and elegance to your kitchen, bathroom, or even your living room. Marble, granite, and terracotta are well known for their luxurious style, but there is another type of tile that has the same effect, and it's not stone. Metal tiles are the backsplash material you've been missing out on in your kitchen, but that's not the only way you can use them to add a touch of modern luxury to your home. Metal tiles can be used as wall, floor, or ceiling tiles, as well as accents. Most metal tiles come in the same size and shape options as their ceramic counterparts, including subway tile, mosaic, and penny tiles. In fact, using metallic tiles is one way to make subway backsplash tiling your own. However, they also have unique styles that create texture and depth to a design.
Several types of metal tiles can be used to create unique and beautiful ways to elevate your living space. Thin metals like aluminum and tin provide design versatility, with the option for customized, textured patterns. Warm colors like copper, brass, and bronze invite a sense of warmth into any room while still uplifting the design. Or you can go with common metal accents like gold or stainless steel, which will always convey sophistication when incorporated thoughtfully into the design.
Aluminum
When most people hear the word alumninum, luxury is not the first thing that comes to mind. When it comes to aluminum tiles, though, you may be surprised. Aluminum is corrosion-resistant, providing durability, especially in high-moisture environments. There are a variety of finish options, from reflective to anodized, that make this versatile, lightweight material ideal for accent work. Unfortunately, it can dent easily, so it may not be the best option for high-traffic areas or backsplashes. However, it is arelatively affordable material, which makes the luxurious style more attainable.
Brass
Brass provides a warm color tone that is commonly used as an affordable alternative to gold, as its color is similar to gold. While brushed brass is one of the most commonly used finishes, there are other options that can add a touch of modern luxury to your space. Polished brass provides a reflective, bright finish. On the other hand, aged brass offers a more artisanal look that blends well with a vintage modern design. Beyond style, brass is moisture-resistant and more durable than aluminum or tin, which makes it better suited for backsplashes or bathroom walls.
Bronze
Bronze is similar to brass, but it has a deeper, warmer hue that adds a sense of comfort to luxurious decor. It is also easier to shape into different designs, so it's commonly used for accents, detail work, or statement tile. In modern design, it is commonly used as an accent, such as a patterned backsplash, to add luxury to neutral color schemes. You can give your kitchen a new look with one of 2026's tile trends, according to Bilal Rehman, CEO and principal designer of Bilal Rehman Studio, who told House Digest that bronze accents will always add luxury to your space.
Copper
For something warm but not gold or brass, copper is a great choice. It is commonly used in kitchens to contrast with black or neutral colors, creating an earthy aesthetic. It is a softer metal, so it is more prone to denting than other options, making it better suited for low-traffic areas like walls rather than flooring. Copper comes in many finishes, from hammered to glossy, for a wide range of luxury styles that suit any home. If you choose to use copper in a bathroom, it will likely develop a patina and turn greenish over time.
Gold
Gold is most commonly associated with luxury, making it one of the most expensive tile options. While most designs do not use pure gold tiles, many incorporate gold to elevate the design. Gold leaf tiles use ceramic as the base with a layer of gold leaf metal applied over it. Many gold tiles are designed to be waterproof, and the ceramic base makes them much more durable than those made of softer metals. Other gold options include tiles with alternative metal accents.
Nickle
Most people incorporate nickel (the metal, not the coin) into their designs by adding brushed-nickel fixtures, but tiles can make a big impact in a luxury design. Nickel is a great way to add a silver color to the design, available in matte or glossy finishes. Nickel is commonly used for mosaic accent walls or flooring. Nickel is also corrosion- and fingerprint-resistant, making it an ideal alternative for high-traffic areas.
Stainless steel
Stainless steel is a durable metal tile commonly used in kitchen applications or outdoors because it is easy to clean. Brushed stainless steel is fingerprint-resistant, making it ideal for high-traffic areas and backsplashes. Mixing stainless steel with copper is a great way to create a sense of luxury in your space, and the two are commonly paired in mixed-metal mosaic patterns. The silver color and versatile finish options, combined with stainless steel's heat, water, and stain resistance, bring modern style and function together.
Tin
While you may think tin is a material that sounds cheap, its versatility makes it a great way to add texture to your space in an elegant way. It works as a metallic wallpaper alternative that brings the wow factor when you know where to use it. However, it is most commonly used for ceiling tiles. Tin is easily shaped into intricate designs, but it is also easily dented, so it is not suitable for high-traffic areas. But ceilings are the perfect place to incorporate tin tiles for a bold, luxurious style.