Tiles are starting to play a stronger role in creating the style of a house and becoming the focal point of a room. 2017 is an exciting time for tiles; printing technology is rapidly developing and the introduction of new tile types is giving designers more options than ever before. In this blog, we will take a look at some of the advances in tile design and what’s popular now.
Trending in 2017
Designers love simple Scandinavian wood styles and this is the most popular tile category at the moment. Short and narrow planks of larch (for contemporary styles) and oak (for traditional styles) are trending, and tile technology has developed to the point that it can now authentically replicate this wood.
Metal and textile looks are also gaining in popularity; they are starting to appear in more colours and finishes and look great in concrete and stone mashups.
Indoor-outdoor transitional living is still trending and tiles now offer more varieties to accommodate this type of design. Pavers (about twice as thick as a regular tile) are commonly being used for both the kitchen and the patio.
Innovations in design
The blurring of the boundaries between contemporary and traditional styles continues in 2017. For example, while white marble has always been an option for any application, colored marbles are now becoming popular and designers are starting to mix different colours together. Placing a darker colored tile on your fireplace surround and a lighter polished marble tile on the floor can create a stunning upscale appearance.
Wall tile is still modern with its bold colours and textures; however, new 3D tiles can transforms walls and floors into amazing works of art. Don’t be afraid to embrace this new technology and experiment with the possibilities as it can allow for extraordinary style combinations of old and new.
Contemporary backsplashes
Backsplashes are beginning to see some significant changes in how they are used in interior design. Glazed ceramic tiles work well but open your mind to other materials, such as glass, stone or brick, to transform your backsplash into the centrepiece of the room.
Backsplashes can even be extended to cover the entire wall, enlarging the room and providing a durable, easy-to-clean finish. If you prefer the look of a regular wall, you can still get all the benefits a backsplash offers by choosing tiles other than traditional backsplash tiles. With the huge amount of tile types now available, you have lots to choose from.
If you have experimented with new tiles in your designs, we’d love to hear from you!