Cotto, stone, marble and granite are natural materials that must be treated using water-repellent products because they tend to stain. Wood gives the kitchen a homely atmosphere but only if it is finished with natural varnishes that set off its original texture. Care must be taken to avoid wetting it continuously because humidity makes it swell. It is important to appreciate the "worn" look because even if a resistant wood such as oak is used, sharp object, sauces, wine and coffee will take their toll and leave their mark.

As an alternative to natural materials, single-fired tiles can be used which are very resistant because the material mix and the enamel are fired simultaneously at a very high temperature. Double-fired tiles are more refined but also more delicate, they chip easily and end up looking unkempt. If you are planning a flooring with a design, for example a Venetian-style flooring with a different coloured border, it is important to know the exact size of the furniture and where it will be placed to avoid covering the design or obtaining results that differ from those planned.

For cost reasons and because this would prevent the wall from transpiring properly, it isn’t necessary to tile the whole wall behind the kitchen elements. The tiled surface must be calculated according to the height of the base units and the position of the wall units.

The height of the tiles (K) is obtained by subtracting the height of the worktop (Y1) from the height of the lower edge of the wall units (Y2) from the floor. Dut to the fact that the height of the worktop can vary, for safety’s sake it is a good idea to tile about 10cm below the worktop. In the hob area, it is preferable to tile up to the lower edge of the hood. To determine the height, it is necessary to have already chosen the hood you will use. For most hoods, the distance from the worktop is 68cm.

If decor tiles are applied, these should be placed at the centre of the visible tiles.

Before tiling the wall, install an electric socket above the worktop respecting a minimum distance of 60cm from the hob and from the sink.