Look around your home. You’ll probably find ceramic or porcelain tile in at least one room. It’s among the most popular building materials in the world today and is commonly used in American kitchens, bathrooms, laundry rooms and entry foyers. (It’s used more widely around the house in other parts of the world.) These materials are durable and low maintenance, especially when installed with minimal grout lines or in oversized slabs, and make excellent surfaces for wellness design spaces.
If you’re thinking of starting a residential building or remodeling project this year, you’ll likely be choosing some tile to cover your floors, walls or both. Here are the top 10 tile trends for 2020 (in no particular order). Go with the ones that fit the rest of your design scheme so everything comes together beautifully.
Modernized Marble: Traditional-inspired ceramic materials, such as emulated marble, have been modernized to adapt to today’s contemporary and eclectic styles. They create a dramatic look without the dramatic price tag (or maintenance) of their natural counterparts.
It looks like exotic stone, but is more affordable and easier to live with.
Onice Fantastico, Del Conca – Tile Council of North America
Refined Wood Looks: Thanks to evolving digital printing technology and innovations in ink and fit technology, mimicking natural wood remains popular in 2020. The latest styles add texture and interesting patterns, and can go in wet spaces like shower stalls that real wood can’t.
Wood looks are getting more varied and realistic.
Timewood, Sant’Agostino – Ceramics of Italy
Mixed Geometrics: Trapezoid, rhombus and diamond-shaped tiles allow for more interesting layouts than simple grids and running bonds. These were hot in 2019 and are still trending for the new year. For those wanting a look beyond subway tile, this gives fresh options.
Interesting geometrics provide alternatives to traditional subway tile.
Cortina Rectified, Interceramic USA – Tile Council of North America
Counter Culture: The durability and stain resistance of porcelain make it an excellent countertop choice, which is why this type of gauged porcelain’s expanding applications will continue to be a 2020 favorite. Unlike most quartz tops – a leading kitchen surface – porcelain can extend from an indoor to an outdoor kitchen area. (It’s also being used as cabinet cladding for a fresh low maintenance option.)
Porcelain slab creates durable, low maintenance countertops.
Bravado, American Wonder Porcelain – Tile Council of North America
Psychedelic: Expect bright, psychedelic colors, playful geometries and trippy patterns this year! This look can appeal to both nostalgic Boomers and adventurous, home-buying Millennials.
Psychedelic tiles can create subtle or dramatic impact with pattern and color.
Oro di, Ce. Vi Ceramica Vietrese – Ceramics of Italy
Industrial Chic: Concrete- and stone-look tile options give a great, low maintenance, easily-installed alternative to the original materials. These are often popular for modern interiors and large, neo-traditional spaces.
Concrete and stone look tiles work beautifully in modern or neo-traditional spaces.
Karakter, Dune – Tile of Spain
Speckled Surfaces: This trend features technicolor dots and specks, and modern interpretations of terrazzo in 2020.Like psychedelic looks, it will appeal across generations, but makes less of a statement for design versatility. [Trend 9 Photo B]
Create a fun, creative work at home space with terrazzo-inspired tile.
Medley, Ergon – Ceramics of Italy
Large-Scale Patterns: We will see a shift towards ceramic tiles with big, bold patterns that instantly catch the eye this year. Expect biophilia inspirations like trees, leaves and flowers as part of this trend.
Large patterns — especially those inspired by nature — are trending this year.
Design Your Slab, Fiandre– Tile Council of North America America
Color Forms: Consumers are currently crazy for blues, blush pinks, sage green, and dusty orange hues for a calming look. You can combine one or more for a fresh take on traditional looks, or go with something fresh and unexpected for a fun powder room, for example.
People are playing more with color in their home spaces.
Rocket, Decoratori Bassanesi – Ceramics of Italy
Precious- and Gemstone-style Made Sustainable: From designs emulating rare marbles and semi-precious stones, such as onyx and agate, to tiles with an iridescent finish reminiscent of Akoya pearls, precious material styles will add drama and elegance to a feature wall, fireplace surround, countertop or backsplash without the upkeep of their natural inspirations. [Trend 3 Photo D]
Tile designs can add high style to a room without high cost.
Nolita, Vallelunga & Co. – Ceramics of Italy