These are the top 10 tile trends to keep an eye on in 2017

Cersaie, the world’s largest exhibition of ceramic tile and bathroom furnishings, was held in Bologna, Italy this past September and, now, Ceramics of Italy has taken what they saw on display at the show and created a list of the top 10 tile trends to watch as we head into 2017. The diverse list includes a multitude of colors, textures, and finishes. Scroll down to view the complete list.

Against the grain

Pictured: Pastorelli - Komi

Wood continues to serve as a major muse for the tile industry, with companies adding their own twist and utilizing new production methods to create a whole new typology of floor and wall covering. Some are inspired by exotic woods, offering a beautiful, sustainable alternative to rare hardwoods such as Kauri while others recreate the warmth and imperfections of wood in 2cm outdoor pavers, large thin slabs, kaleidoscopic patterns and three-dimensional tiles that are virtually impossible to achieve with real timber.

Bits & Pieces

Many companies are introducing collections characterized by a random assortment of fragmented pieces, lending an eclectic and playful visual narrative to the surface. Some of the designs are inspired by natural stone with a conglomerate look such as Ceppo di Gré while others convey a sense of manual processing such as Venetian terrazzo and irregular stone mosaics.

Black & Blue

PIctured: Mirage - Reve

While black is always in style, intense blacks with matte finishes are making a strong statement this year. Meanwhile, blue – which has been popping up everywhere this year from fall fashion shows to hair color – is taking the tile industry by storm, expanding beyond last year’s marine palette to include dusty, vibrant, and sophisticated hues of blue.

Gritty Chic

Adding an edge to interiors, tile companies continue to experiment with plaster, concrete, metal and resin. Some designs are elegant interpretations of industrial surfaces, offering a kind of raw sophistication, while others are intentionally corroded and weathered, conjuring a romantic notion of the passage of time.

Mega Marble

Pictured: Supergres - Purity

For designers who love the brilliant look of marble but loathe the headaches associated with it, porcelain tile is a no-brainer. Digital printing has become so advanced that it’s hard to tell whether the material is calacatta or ceramic, even after touching the surface. Being stain, scratch and chemical resistant, it gives clients freedom from fear (especially of red wine) and provides a low maintenance and low cost alternative to the precious material. Companies are producing these wunder objekts in sizes up to 5.25’ x 10.5’ and thicknesses ranging from a typical tile thickness of 10mm for heavy traffic floors to super thin ceramics that can be used to cover doors, furnishings and walls.

Metallics

With metallics’ growing popularity, beyond product design and into the built environment, it's unsurprising that tile companies are adding more metallics to the mix than ever before. Bronze, platinum and gold are the key players, often acting as inserts or decorative accents, adding a bit of glamour to collections often inspired by natural materials.

Retro Revival

Great designers learn from history, borrowing elements from the past and infusing them with contemporary ideas to create something completely new. Retro is a trend that has been percolating for years, especially with the graphic appeal of cementine and maiolica, but now other historical movements have joined the fold, from the elegance of art deco to the bold shapes and hues of Memphis.

Rustic Modern

Adding a new twist to country style, wood, stone, brick and cotto are invigorated by modern laying schemes, hues and patterns. Antique stone with metallic accents, terracotta in quatrefoil shapes, and geometric patterns overlaid onto distressed wood planks are just a few of the ways tile companies are blending farmhouse charm with modern elegance.

Seamless

Pictured: Bardelli - Eve

With decorative surfaces undergoing a renaissance, tile offers the perfect solution to create a contemporary fresco, combining the tactile appeal of wallpaper with the durability of ceramic. From large, thin porcelain tile panels and mesh-mounted mosaics to patterns that traverse a single tile's dimensions, Italian manufacturers are giving designers the tools to create a beautifully seamless surface.

Warp & Weft

Texture is the defining character of this year’s tile collections, which complements the many new textile inspired lines. Designs range from lace, macramé, linen and madras to masculine suiting fabrics, leather, tweed and tartan. Whether woven, knitted, knotted, or layered, the designs add another tactile element to the hard surface.