Travertine Kitchen Tile: Backsplash, Floor and Care
Quick answerTravertine kitchen tiles work on backsplashes and floors, bringing warm, earthy character. Choose a honed, tumbled or filled finish, seal the stone, wipe up oil and acidic spills quickly, and order samples first.
Travertine kitchen tiles bring warm, earthy character to a backsplash or floor, and they age gracefully. Whether you are planning a travertine tile kitchen floor or a backsplash behind the stove, this guide covers where travertine works, which finish to pick, and how to seal and care for it. It is part of our natural stone kitchen tile series. To shop, browse kitchen tile, travertine and backsplash tile.
Why Choose Travertine Tile for a Kitchen?
Travertine is a natural stone with soft cream, gold and brown tones and a gentle, textured look. It pairs well with wood cabinets, white cabinets and warm metals. It is softer than granite, so it needs sealing and a little care, but many owners love the way it develops a lived-in feel. Not sure about the stone? Read what is travertine, travertine vs marble and travertine tile design ideas.
Travertine Kitchen Backsplash
A travertine tile kitchen backsplash is the easiest place to start. Subway, brick, herringbone and mosaic layouts all work. Mosaic sheets are quick to set and forgiving on uneven walls. Look at the travertine backsplash tile guide, subway travertine tile guide, travertine mosaic tile guide, travertine mosaic tile and brick mosaics. Cooking splatter is the main concern, so seal the stone and wipe oil soon. If you have white cabinets, see backsplash tile for white cabinets, and for help choosing, read how to choose a kitchen backsplash.
Travertine Kitchen Floor Tile
Travertine floors suit kitchens that want warmth underfoot and a classic look. Large squares and rectangles make a calm floor, while a mixed-size Versailles pattern gives an old-world feel. Honed or tumbled surfaces are less slippery and hide wear better than polished. Browse travertine floor tile, natural stone floor tile, Versailles pattern tile and the natural stone floor tile guide. Check stone tile layout for pattern ideas.
Choosing the Right Finish and Color
Tumbled, Honed or Filled
Tumbled has soft edges and an aged look. Honed is flat and matte. Filled travertine has its natural holes filled for a smoother surface, which is easier to wipe clean in a kitchen. Read tumbled travertine tile, filled vs unfilled travertine and stone tile finishes. Browse filled honed travertine and honed travertine.
Color Families
Light kitchens pair with Ivory Light or Durango Cream. Warmer kitchens suit Noce, Walnut or Gold/Yellow. For a cooler look, see Silver Pewter Blend and silver travertine tile. Use the natural stone color codes to coordinate.
Sealing and Care in the Kitchen
Travertine is porous, so seal it before use and reseal as your sealer instructs. Wipe up oil, wine, juice and acidic spills quickly, because acids can dull the surface. Clean with a stone-safe cleaner and avoid vinegar or harsh products. Grout lines need sealing too. See the travertine sealing guide, travertine care, travertine stains guide and natural stone care. If damage happens, read the travertine repair guide.
Pairing Travertine With Cabinets and Counters
Travertine reads warm, so it flatters wood, white and cream cabinets and brass or bronze hardware. With dark cabinets, a lighter travertine brightens the room. Keep grout color close to the stone for a calm look, or go a shade darker to outline each piece. Hold samples next to your counter and cabinet door in daylight and in evening light before you decide. See natural stone wall tile and travertine wall tile for wall ideas beyond the backsplash, and travertine vs marble if you are still comparing stones.
Everyday Habits for a Travertine Kitchen
Use mats at the sink and stove, lift rather than drag heavy pots, and wipe up spills soon. Sweep or vacuum grit, because it scratches soft stone over time. Reseal when water stops beading on the surface. These small habits keep travertine looking soft and warm for years.
Installing Travertine in a Kitchen
Use a flat, stable base and a setting material your installer recommends for natural stone. Plan around cabinets, appliances and outlets before you start. Read the installation guide, mortar and thinset guide and grout guide. Need a pro? Find a natural stone contractor.
Plan Your Kitchen Order
Travertine varies in color from piece to piece, so sample first. Any 5 samples are $25 and ship free, so order sample tiles and view them next to your cabinets and counters. Use the tile calculator, the project planning guide and the travertine tile cost guide to see what affects cost. See the same lot guarantee. Local? Try Anaheim pickup, or request a quote. For more ideas, browse the tile inspiration gallery.
Common questions
Is travertine good for kitchen tile?
Yes, on backsplashes and floors. It is warm and attractive, but it is a softer natural stone, so it needs sealing and prompt cleanup of spills.
Can I use travertine tile for a kitchen backsplash?
Yes, it is a popular choice. Subway, brick, herringbone and mosaic layouts all work. Seal it and wipe cooking splatter soon.
Is travertine good for a kitchen floor?
Yes, in a honed or tumbled finish, which feels less slippery and hides wear. Seal the floor and wipe up spills quickly.
Which travertine finish is best for kitchens?
Honed and tumbled are the usual picks. Filled travertine has a smoother surface that is easier to wipe clean.
Does travertine stain in a kitchen?
It can if left unsealed. Oil, wine and juice can mark it. Sealing and quick cleanup lower the risk. See the stains guide for removal tips.
Does acid damage travertine?
Yes. Lemon, vinegar and tomato can dull the surface, which is called etching. Wipe them up quickly and use a stone-safe cleaner.
How do I seal travertine in a kitchen?
Apply a stone sealer made for natural stone to clean, dry tile and grout, following the product directions. Reseal as the sealer instructs.
How do I clean travertine kitchen tile?
Use a gentle, stone-safe cleaner and a soft mop or cloth. Avoid vinegar, bleach and abrasive products.
What color travertine is best for a kitchen?
Ivory and cream feel bright, Noce and Walnut feel warm, and Silver Pewter feels cooler. Order samples to compare against cabinets.
Should I choose subway or mosaic travertine for a backsplash?
Subway-style brick is clean and simple. Mosaic sheets add pattern and set quickly. Both work, so choose by how busy you want the wall.
Can I order travertine kitchen tile samples?
Yes. Any 5 samples are $25 and ship free. View them next to your cabinets and counters.
How do I keep a travertine kitchen floor looking good?
Sweep grit often, use mats at the sink and stove, wipe spills quickly and reseal when water stops beading. Use a stone-safe cleaner.