Tile Trends for 2017

Emser's Alchemy glazed porcelain tile in Copper (photo credit: Emser)

Today’s tile is rising to new heights with variations in style, textures, shapes, and more. While traditional tile looks like travertine remain popular, hardwood looks, metals, and many other materials are emerging. Let's take a look at some classic tile designs and some of the trends for 2017.

Wood-look tile is taking over the tile market. Darker, rich looks remain popular to get the look of hardwood without the maintenance, but a whitewashed look has also made its way onto the design scene. The whitewashed look is very versatile. It goes perfectly with streamlined, contemporary designs for a clean, fresh look, but it’s also great for coastal and even rustic motifs. If you’re working with a smaller space, lighter colors and clean lines will make your space feel more open.

Wood-look tile has also taken over the bathroom, allowing you to have the look of wood with the durability of tile in areas with high moisture exposure. Long plank wood-look tile that continues to a tub surround or into the walk-in shower makes for a clean, flowing design. Take your décor up a notch by pairing wood-look tile with other materials such as glass or marble.
Designers still love the clean, simple look of Scandinavian style wood floors, and a popular wood-look that tile will take on this year is larch wood—a lighter wood look popular in the United Kingdom. Gray wood-look continues in popularity. It comes in many different tones or mixed with browns and beiges, matching well with many styles.

Tiles are also coming in many different shapes and sizes now. Daltile is introducing a 4” x 28” size tile that's perfect for a herringbone pattern. Daltile even has larger tiles, some 60 inches long. Hexagonal subway tile floors have reemerged in bathrooms, and the black and white patterns still make for a clean, open look. However, if you have a large bathroom, you may want to avoid using smaller patterned tiles that cover the whole floor. This can cause the space to feel busy and take away from the look of your bathroom.

In 2016, brick and subway tiles became all the rage for focal walls, backsplashes, and bathrooms, and they are still popular today. For brick walls, you don't have to have actual bricks to get the look you want. Tile can be found in brick styles and brick-shaped subway tiles. If you’re looking for an industrial, modern style, try a brick-look tile backsplash or focal wall with concrete and metal-look tile floors. Metal-look tile comes in more color options than just stainless, such as gun metal and pewter. Metal-look tile is more authentic but also offers styles you can't get anywhere else, like metal-influenced concrete looks. Pairing brick and metal tiles is a great way to accomplish an industrial, rustic style.
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This year is shaping up beautifully for tile lovers. Brands such as Emser, Daltile, Marazzi, American Olean, and more continue to roll out new styles and designs. Stop by our showroom to browse our selection of in-stock and special-order tile and imagine the possibilities!