Washable paints can be used as an alternative to tiles for people who are undertaking home improvement work among their flue accessories, it has been advised.
Thanks to the invention of the paints, wall tiles are no longer needed in kitchens, even though they can help to give areas an institutional feel, a representative from Jasperco.co.uk believes.
Tim Jasper, kitchen designer for the website, said: "When choosing floor and wall finishes, it's obviously important to consider the kitchen furniture and surfaces.
"For instance, I wouldn't recommend combining an oak kitchen with natural oak flooring, as the overall effect would become too woody."
Mr Jasper added that contrast between horizontal and vertical floor and surface finishes helps to introduce a feeling of space in homes.
Recently, the Association of Self Build Architects claimed that the costs associated with building sustainable homes have fallen in recent years.
Since more people are now looking to decrease their energy costs, the sustainability of homes is now becoming more important, the group believes.