Onyx has long been preferred for its veining, depth and luxury appeal, but the natural onyx material has its limitations. Onyx-look porcelain tile is a viable alternative for property owners, delivering a similar look with additional benefits, such as low maintenance, enhanced durability, and the versatility that modern-day interiors demand. It also fits well in various areas of your home, such as the kitchen and bathroom.
In this post, we’ll explore creative ways to incorporate onyx-look porcelain into your next project and share design inspiration for white, black and blue tile colours. Read on to learn more or contact Sarana Tile today.
What is Onyx-Look Porcelain Tile?
Simply put, onyx-look porcelain tile is a ceramic material that’s designed to mimic the look and feel of natural onyx stone. It offers a high-end look and feel, with good durability and easy maintenance. It’s commonly used on bathroom floors, shower walls, as kitchen backsplashes and for wall accent features.
Porcelain Versus Natural Onyx
Onyx-look porcelain tiles differ from natural onyx tiles in three main ways: durability, maintenance and cost. Here’s a closer look at these key differences:
- Durability: Porcelain-look onyx is durable, making it highly resistant to scratches, chipping and cracks. Conversely, natural onyx tends to chip and crack fairly easily.
- Maintenance: Porcelain-look onyx is non-porous and moisture-resistant. Unlike natural onyx, it does not need to be sealed. Natural onyx also needs to be cleaned more carefully, while porcelain-look onyx can be gently cleaned using mild soap.
- Cost: Porcelain-look onyx is also much more affordable than natural onyx and can be installed like standard tile. Natural onyx tends to be more expensive and requires more specialized installation, which can further increase the total project price.
Onyx Tile Design Inspiration
White Onyx Tile Design Ideas
If you’re aiming for luxury, onyx white tile is the way to go. These designs create a high-end, glowing look, especially if you’re using larger pieces. Some design ideas include
- A backlit shower wall
- White mosaic accents
- Bathroom wraps with larger tiles to minimize grout lines and create a more polished overall look.
Black Onyx Tile Design Ideas
Many property owners are scared off from using darker colours, but black can help create a dramatic and modern look and feel in the right places. Deep black tones can even create an elegant aesthetic when done right. Some black onyx porcelain tile ideas include:
- Using black as a statement piece within shower walls. This is especially true for large-format pieces, which help minimize grout lines and maximize a continuous, high-end look.
- As modern kitchen backsplashes. Black onyx pairs well with lighter colours or natural materials as a kitchen backsplash.
- To accent floors in the bathroom or foyer. The dark stone blends well with warm features and colours.
Blue Onyx Tile Design Ideas
While white and black onyx help create a luxurious and elegant vibe, respectively, onyx blue tile can help create a peaceful atmosphere in many of the same spaces. Some applications include:
- Shower walls and kitchen backsplashes
- The floor. More specifically, pairing blue onyx with neutral colours to truly craft a vibrant space.
Colour and Material Pairings
Onyx-look porcelain tiles specifically shine when they’re paired with the right colours and materials. Though we discussed some colour-specific ideas in the above section, here’s a closer look at colour pairings and material and finish pairings.
- White onyx pairs well with brass to build a bright overall aesthetic. The white tile bounces off the natural light, while the brass or polished features keep it from looking aged or dated.
- Green onyx pairs well with darker woods, creating a dynamic where the onyx and the wood complement each other’s elegance. Some ideal applications include kitchen islands, powder rooms or fireplace surrounds.
- Honey onyx meshes well with warm neutral colours, adding new depth and movement to the rooms where it’s installed. Some ideal applications include entryways and dining rooms.
Onyx Tile Applications and Considerations
While onyx-look porcelain is commonly used on bathroom floors, shower walls, kitchen backsplashes and for wall accent features, the material is versatile enough to span other applications. These may include feature walls and surrounds, wet rooms and even flooring in entryways or other areas of properties. Regardless of where you’re planning to install this material, there are other considerations that you’ll want to weigh. For instance:
- Safety: Highly polished onyx-look porcelain can become slippery when wet, posing a potential safety risk. If you are planning to install this material on shower floors or other flooring areas that may come into contact with moisture, consider a slip-resistant tile. Matte or textured options are also safer for floors.
- Patterning: Proper patterning is especially important for larger format onyx-look porcelain. These require careful layout planning to ensure proper flow.
- Installation complexity: While onyx-look porcelain is much easier to install than natural onyx, large-format slabs are likely to still require more specialized installation.
Explore Sarana Tile’s Onyx-Look Porcelain Tile Collections
Sarana Tile offers several onyx-style porcelain tile collections including EK Onyx Black, Onyx Lux, and Mono Onyx, engineered for high performance and effortless care.
For more information and onyx-look porcelain design inspiration, be sure you’re working with a trustworthy, reliable tile partner such as Sarana Tile. A good partner can help you get the most out of your next project and achieve the look and feel that you’re striving for. Learn more by contacting us today.