When planning a custom kitchen, there are a lot of moving parts—from the initial design to the final installation. But it’s the finishing elements that truly pull everything together. Tile, countertop stone, flooring, backsplashes, and hardware are what give a kitchen its personality. They add warmth, texture, and cohesion—turning a well-designed space into one that feels complete and beautifully lived in. At Showcase Kitchens and Showcase Tile and Stone, we help guide you through these choices with a curated selection of materials and finishes, making sure every detail works together seamlessly to bring your vision to life!

TILE FOR YOUR CUSTOM KITCHEN DESIGN

There are dozens of tile you can choose from for your custom kitchen design. Below are some of our favorites.

Porcelain tile. As the most popular material, porcelain is perhaps one of the most beautiful types of tile you can have installed in your custom kitchen or bath. But don’t let the name porcelain implant in your mind that porcelain tile is delicate and can break, like your porcelain dishes. The porcelain name for tiles stems from its beauty, not its durability, though it certainly is hardwearing. Porcelain is made from sand and other materials and fired at a higher temperature than ceramic, yielding a harder substance.
Ceramic tile. Made from a combination of water, clay, and other minerals that are fired at high temperatures to harden, ceramic kitchen tiles come in glazed or unglazed forms. Glazed tiles adds an extra protective coating to them to help make them scratch-resistant and stain-resistant. Almost any pattern and color combination is available with ceramic.
Glass tile. Like the name implies, glass tiles are made up of tiny pieces of glass. The tiles can vary widely in size, 2x8, 3x6 and 4x12, being the most popular - or mosaic: whole tile pieces or broken up to form mosaic patterns. Due to the fact that if you drop something heavy on glass kitchen tiles they can break, glass tiles are mainly used for the back splash in your kitchen. Glass tiles go well with other types of tiles, so Showcase Kitchens in Long Island usually recommends that you choose a different type of tile for your custom kitchen floor.
Natural stone. Perhaps one of the most versatile and a very aesthetically pleasing choice, stone tiles - or slabs are made from a variety of stone. Popular stones for stone tile include granite, slate, marble, onyx, travertine, and any other type of stone you desire. As a natural substance, no two stones will be the same, part of what people love about them. You can have a complete custom kitchen floor or backsplash by choosing natural stone.

kitchen tile and countertops on Long Island

POPULAR SURFACE MATERIALS FOR YOUR CUSTOM KITCHEN DESIGN

We mentioned above the types of stone for your surfaces. Below, we’ll expound a bit more on your natural stone countertop and flooring choices.

Granite. Granite remains a durable, high-performing natural stone, making it a strong choice for both indoor use and outdoor kitchen countertops. While heavily patterned styles have become less popular, today’s preference leans toward darker, more uniform slabs with subtle movement. At Showcase Kitchens and Showcase Tile and Stone, we focus on more than just appearance—guiding clients on durability, resistance to etching, scratching, and staining, as well as overall maintenance.
Quartzite. Quartzite is one of the hardest minerals on earth (only the diamond, sapphire, and topaz are harder) and it is extremely abundant in the earth. Quartzite can be compared to marble and granite in terms of strength and durability; however, many consider it to be superior to other natural stones because of its reduced porous nature.
Marble. Marble is prized for its natural beauty and timeless elegance, especially for countertops. Each slab is unique, bringing a softness and movement that’s difficult to replicate with other materials. It’s important to note that marble is a softer, more porous stone. It can etch, stain, and scratch, and does require ongoing care. Some varieties are denser than others, but all benefit from thoughtful use and maintenance. For clients who love the look but want added protection, we offer solutions like protective coatings (such as TuffSkin) that help guard against etching and staining while preserving the natural appearance.
Quartz. Quartz is a manmade surface engineered from natural quartz combined with resins, making it one of the most popular choices for today’s homeowners. It offers a consistent look, excellent durability, and strong resistance to staining, scratching, and bacteria—without the need for sealing. Low-maintenance and versatile, quartz is ideal for kitchens and baths, with a wide range of colors and patterns, including styles that mimic natural stone. Showcase Kitchens and Showcase Tile and Stone carry many common brands you may have heard of include Caesarstone and Silestone.
Limestone. Limestone offers a soft, natural look with an inherently rustic, old-world appeal—often suited to more traditional or relaxed interiors. However, like marble, it is a highly porous material that can stain, etch, and wear over time, which makes it less ideal for high-traffic kitchens. For this reason, we typically guide clients toward materials like travertine (a form of limestone) or other natural and engineered surfaces can achieve a similar warmth and texture with greater durability and ease of maintenance.
Travertine. Travertine, a form of limestone, is a naturally warm, earthy stone often recognized for its marble-like appearance. Its neutral tones and subtle texture have made it a timeless material used since Roman times. While it is more forgiving than many natural stones, travertine is still porous and requires proper sealing and maintenance. It’s best suited for areas where a more relaxed look is desired, such as flooring, backsplashes, and bathrooms, where it remains popular.
Onyx. Onyx is a rare, striking, translucent stone known for its dramatic veining and ability to be backlit, creating a soft, luminous glow. While visually stunning, onyx is extremely delicate. It scratches, chips, and stains easily, making it unsuitable for high-use surfaces like kitchen countertops or flooring. At Showcase Kitchens, we recommend using onyx as a statement accent—such as a backlit feature wall, bar area, or decorative backdrop—where it can be appreciated without the wear of daily use.

Tile and stone are durable, versatile, and ideal for busy households. They stand up well to foot traffic, pets, and everyday spills, and are naturally resistant to mold, bacteria, and allergens—making them easy to clean with simple soap and water. Natural stone, however, does require ongoing care. To maintain its beauty and performance, it should be sealed regularly (typically once a year) and may need professional refinishing over time, depending on the material and level of use. For those seeking a lower-maintenance option, porcelain offers the look of natural stone with little to no upkeep. At Showcase Kitchens, we help you choose materials that align not only with your design vision, but with how you live—balancing beauty, durability, and maintenance from the start.

WHY SHOWCASE KITCHENS FOR YOUR CUSTOM KITCHEN REMODEL

Showcase Kitchens stresses the importance of tile and stonework in your custom kitchen design. We carry tile and stone for kitchens and baths for countertops, backsplashes and flooring. Our tile specialist can show you the latest unique quartzite, marble, glass, ceramic, porcelain, travertine, onyx, and limestone tile in polished, honed, brushed, raked, and leather finishes.

Showcase Kitchens in Long Island offers the best for custom kitchen design. We work extensively with builders, contractors, architects, interior designers, and art consultants to bring you a kitchen you will cherish for years. After all, a kitchen is where memories are made, and Showcase Kitchens in Long Island takes pride in helping you create memories in a comfortable setting. For over nine decades, our family-owned and operated custom kitchen remodeling business has been bringing the best appliances, custom kitchen islands and cabinets, and complete interior design of your kitchen. Our experience and longevity speak to our high quality work and craftsmanship. To speak to one of our amazing custom kitchen designers and set up a complementary consultation, give us a call today!