12 new tile trends you need to know about
Tiles are having quite the moment right now, so much so that the fancy tiles in the brunch location are equally as Instagrammed as the matcha latte itself.
“Tiles are no longer just a backdrop. These days they’re becoming the focal point in any room,” explains Abbas Youssefi, managing director of independent tile experts Porcelain Superstore.
Abbas says tile trends have experienced a dynamic shift recently, with bold patterns, rich textures and playful shapes bringing life to all spaces.
“Therefore, there are endless possibilities for creating interiors that standout and reflect your personal style,” he adds.
Photographing beautifully patterned tiles in exotic destinations is one thing, but knowing how to use them in your own humble abode can be challenging.
Thankfully we’ve consulted the tile experts to find out the tile trends designers are loving and how to incorporate the looks into your own homes.
Art of Artisanal
Embracing imperfection, craftsmanship and a growing appreciation for the detail behind the design, this trend is brought to life through tiles that emulate hand-drawn designs.
“Think imperfect finishes and effects on tiles that are inspired by our travels to sunny shores,” explains Grazzie Wilson, Head of Creative at Ca’ Pietra.
Grazzie says the main colours for this trend are blues and greens.
“Think about a sun-soaked wander around a Greek or Italian village, with all the wonderful aged tiles on show, whether on the floor or walls,” she says. “The emotive feeling you get from wondering exploring is what you are wanting to try and recreate in your own home and makes a great trend for a bathroom renovation project.”
New tile classics
New classics is a continuation of the quiet luxury trend and is an investment in classic colours that anchor a space.
“Think coffee tones, terracotta and dark blues all wrapped up with a matt finish,” Grazzie says.
“Our favourite way to bring this trend to life is through terracotta tiles, whether they are being used in a kitchen, bathroom or another part of your home.
“The warmth and richness that comes from these tiles cannot be underestimated and they work in both contemporary and more traditional spaces, even working as a conduit to marry two periods in the same room.”
Grazzie advises studying the tile shapes on offer and either going traditional with a brick or getting creative with some alternative shapes or patterns.
Revival
A nod to designs of the past, this tile trend is all about appreciating the finer details from more traditional tiles and bringing them bang up to date in your own space.
“When it comes to what tiles to choose, look to checkerboard, octogens and cabochons shapes with aged effect tiles thrown in,” Grazzie advises. “If you are looking to bring checkerboard into 2024, consider looking at other colour combinations apart from black and white. Warm neutrals can be a great way of adding a different take on a classic combination.”
Japandi
Japandi is a fusion of Japanese minimalism and Scandi functionality, emphasising clean lines and neutral tones to create a serene and quiet aesthetic.
“In tiles, this manifests through muted tones, simple patterns and earthy textures that embody the calm and understated elegance of both design philosophies,” Abbas explains.
Abbas says this particular tile trend is inspired by a growing desire for slowing down, being mindful and connecting to nature.
“As people seek to create tranquil and clutter-free spaces in their homes, Japandi offers the perfect balance between style and serenity,” he explains.
“Japandi-style tiles are versatile and can be laid throughout your home. They’re ideal for creating spa-like bathrooms but will also bring a sense of calm and order to kitchens.”
To incorporate Japandi tiles into your home, Abbas suggests starting with a neutral palette – soft greys, beiges, and off-whites.
“Opt for tiles with natural textures, such as stone or wood-look tiles, to enhance the organic feel,” he adds. “Pair these tiles with minimalist furniture and incorporate natural materials like wood, bamboo, and linen to complete the look.”
Fluted tiles
The fluted tile trend is all about texture and dimension, with tiles featuring grooves or ridges which create a tactile, three-dimensional effect on walls.
“The fluted design can be subtle or bold, depending on the depth of the grooves and the finish of the tile, offering a sophisticated and architectural look that adds interest to any space,” Abbas explains.
“Fluted tiles draw inspiration from classic architectural elements, such as Roman and Greek columns – they’re a move away from flat minimalist surfaces. The trend follows the movement towards incorporating texture in interiors, to create a more personal and dynamic space.”
Abbas says fluted tiles work beautifully in areas where you want to make a statement.
“They are particularly effective as feature walls in bathrooms or behind kitchen backsplashes,” he continues. “You can also use them to clad areas such as kitchen islands or feature walls – the tactile nature will always draw attention.”
When incorporating fluted tiles, Abbas advises considering the scale of the room and the impact you want to achieve.
“In smaller spaces, opt for fluted tiles with shallow grooves to avoid overwhelming the area, while in larger spaces, deeper fluting can add drama and interest,” he continues.
“While fluted tiles pair well with simple colour schemes, they can be combined with contrasting materials such as marble and brushed metals, to create a space that feels richly layered.”
Earthenware colours
Rich and warm, this year’s tile colour palette focuses on introducing the earthy colours inspired by the natural world, both indoors and outdoors.
“From olive and moss greens to terracotta and clay, Spanish manufacturers have created a diverse selection of tile sizes, finishes and colours; from on-trend terrazzo to three-dimensional brick tiles and distressed large format floor tiles,” explains María D Arráez, director of Tile of Spain UK.
“The result is an inviting space that will stand the test of time.”
Large format tiles
Large format tiles have seen an increase in popularity – not only for outdoors but indoors too.
“Replicating an array of materials, from concrete to marble, the versatile nature of ceramic and porcelain means customers have an incredibly broad range of matt, gloss and relief tiles to choose from,” Maria explains.
“To add to this, homeowners are using large format to create an indoor-outdoor look, taking it from their living room or kitchen onto their patio. Often paired with minimalist decor for the large tiles to stand-out and be a feature.”
Go distressed
From urban chic to modern farmhouse, Maria says there has been a rise in popularity of distressed ceramic tiles amongst designers in a range of designs for floors and walls in a variety of finishes and colours.
“Distressed tiles lend an age of authenticity to your décor, whilst offering the amenities of a modern ceramic tile which can keep up with the demands of everyday life,” she adds.
Mix and match
Whether pairing slender linear tiles with square tiles in the same finish or incorporating a tile design which includes both a matt and gloss finish, mixing tiles together has become popular among manufacturers.
“Adding new dimension and structure to spaces, the diverse tile combinations, surfaces and designs naturally draw the eye in and beautifully catch the light in different ways adding intrigue and interest to homes,” Maria adds.
Micro mosaics
A trend designers are seeing across bathrooms and interiors is micro mosaic tiles, specifically ‘Kit Kat’ tiles which are being used as a unique wall covering, offering an impactful and decorative look.
“Kit Kat tiles, otherwise known as stick tiles or finger mosaics are small rectangular tiles in a grid format,” explains Isabel Fernandez from Quorn Stone.
“Micro mosaics are usually on a sheet or one larger tile which can be grouted to achieve a seamless finish.”
Isabel recommends a grout colour lighter than the tiles to create contrast and show the individual pieces.
Peach hues
Since Pantone announced its 2024 colour of the year as ‘peach fuzz’, this colour way has risen in popularity, with people wanting to create a retro feel but with a softness and warmth.
Isabel suggests opting for Quorn Stone Kiki Décor Peach and Kiki Base Peach tiles suitable for bathroom walls and kitchen splashbacks.
“In a small square format, these tiles add a pop of colour without being overwhelmingly bright,” she adds.
Stripes
Striped tiles are the latest interiors trend hitting our feeds, adding a fun and whimsical yet chic touch to your bathroom and shower tiles.
“They’re the perfect bridge between adding a playful pattern or colour but still keeping your design scheme timeless and pared-back,” Isabel explains.
“The Pastello Pistachio and Pastello Cotton metro tiles fit this trend wonderfully, embracing the ‘retro luxe’ style.”