8 Stunning Tile Trends That Are Gaining Popularity

Tiles serve a functional purpose on our bathroom floor and kitchen backsplash, but they're are also an excuse to embellish the room with color and pattern. That's why you see tile on accent walls and fireplaces, where it's purely decorative. We love tile and how versatile it can be, so, of course, we have to stay up to date with the latest looks in style. We have eight stunning tile trends capturing the hottest finishes and colors in interior design, from large stoneware to textured tiles.

While there are tile trends our experts warn to avoid, these featured looks are perfect for elevating any room, and every trend can be tailored to your unique design preference. If you see a look you love, you can always use peel-and-stick tiles to try it out before fully committing to a remodel. It's a renter-friendly way to change things up, and especially convenient if you're always keeping up with what's in vogue.

Standard rectangular and square-shaped tile has run its course. Now, we're seeing more appreciation for creative-shaped tiles. Geometric styles like fish scale, hexagon, arabesque, and diamond are notably trending. These creative-shaped tiles offer a subtle way to add interest to your space. You can incorporate them in a large area, like the kitchen floor or laundry room wall, and they won't overwhelm the space, especially if you choose a neutral or earth-tone color. However, if you pair the unique tiles with vibrant colors and patterns, the layout can become a dynamic, layered focal point.

Tiles with a high-gloss finish have an elegant, luxurious look, so it's no surprise they're trending. Picture shiny zellige tiles (which are always a favorite) or sparkling glass ones. You can add a bit of luxury anywhere. Further, since the shiny finish helps the tiles reflect light, they can make your space feel brighter and more spacious. It's a win-win-win. However, because glossy tiles are slippery when wet, you might want to avoid them on the shower floor and instead feature them in places like the fireplace, kitchen island, or mudroom to zhuzh up the space.

A metallic finish is another tile look that's gaining popularity. The mirror-like design can brighten the room, and has a glamorous, playful vibe that suits a variety of areas. This tile finish offers a great way to layer designs by mixing metals in your home decor. Picture an accent wall of gold metallic tile complementing a gunmetal gray lamp or a silver picture frame. Anywhere you want a unique touch could benefit from the shimmering tile. Metallic accents are also in style, so even a simple row or border of these tiles can look fabulous and trendy.

If you want a modern look that's clean and cohesive, large tiles might be for you. The grand stones and narrow grout lines create an expansive, pristine look that's ideal for the outdoors and indoors. Functionally, tiles of this size can make the room appear bigger and require less maintenance than smaller ones. Another great thing about this trend is that you can find large tiles in any style. Selecting ones with colors or patterns is a surefire way to make a bold statement. However, large tiles are just as impactful in a solid, neutral shade.

Marble is a pricey material everyone loves, and you can imitate the luxurious stone with the cheaper, marble-look porcelain tile. It's stellar as a backsplash, accent wall, ceiling, or floor. Large marble-style tiles are best, as they most closely resemble the authentic stone. Although white marble with gray veining is the classic look, dark colors are also popping up in natural and imitation tiles. Consider the marble-style tile in rich browns, greens, or blacks. It doubles down on the elegant look of deep shapes and precious stone. 

Slowly but surely, more designers are breaking away from the neutral grays and whites. People want styles that showcase character and personality, and colorful tile is a great way to do so. Blue tile accent walls are currently having a moment, but every color of the rainbow is up for grabs. The style can be as simple as a pop-of-color shower niche or as bold as a bright checkerboard backsplash. You don't have to stick to one hue, either — there are ways to perfectly mix tile colors to make the entire design gorgeous and cohesive.

A step further into the trend of fun styles are patterned tiles. These tiles have beautiful prints stamped on, so your tile design is as dynamic as it can be. Any patterned display instantly draws attention, a quality you can use to create a focal point or even make the room feel large. Patterned tiles can seem daunting to work with, but you can ease your way in by using neutral colors that pair well with everything, like black and white. Or try a subtle design, like tile with quaint, decorative corners.

If you want to create visual interest without needing bold colors, unique shapes, or funky patterns, textured tile is the way to go. There are styles that add subtle detailing to the room and looks that create an eye-catching focal point. You can find textured tiles that mimic stone, wood, or even fabric. Simple ceramic tiles with concave or raised detailing fit the bill, too. It's a versatile aesthetic that looks stunning when done well. An accent wall is a great place for the tile because textured wall surfaces are also trending.