Tile Trend Forecast 2020

December 02, 2019

More texture, more variation, and more color to come!

2020 Trends

With the new year approaching, we're given an opportunity to reflect on the tile trends of 2019 and ponder those we think we'll see more of in 2020.

In 2019, we witnessed a shift from the all-white designs that dominated the decade. Home-owners and businesses alike sought designs that reflected their unique personalities or brands. We saw lots of deep greens and blues and bold patterns.

While we don't expect the expressive designs of 2019 to disappear, we gathered a few trends we expect to see more of in 2020.

2020 tile trend forecast

perfectly imperfect

Wider color variation ranges will continue to grow in popularity in 2020. Hand-made ceramics with size and shape variations are more desirable as people seek a personal connection to the materials in their homes.

Shown: ARTO Studio Field in sierra snow

textural surfaces

Texture is taking over in 2020. We'll continue to see more and more textured furniture like rattan chairs and velvet couches. Tiles with a textured surface and especially those with an imperfect hand-made quality will be the rage. Glazed bricks are the perfect addition to a neutral kitchen, pairing perfectly with natural wood cabinets and floors.

Shown: ARTO Brick Glazed Thin Brick in beach sand

RUSTIC DESIGNS

Rustic design and textural surfaces go hand-in-hand. Surfaces that evoke a cozy, inviting spirit like terracotta floors and timeworn looks are the name of the game.

Shown: ARTO Brick Artillo Hexagon in Creme Fraiche Vintage blend

eye-catching accents

Shower niches are becoming increasingly popular in bathroom design. For those who don't want to commit to a full feature mosaic or a maximalist space, use that niche to highlight a unique mosaic or match your floor tile.

Shown: Oceanside Glass & Tile

large format flooring

We're getting more large format porcelain tile requests. Larger tiles mean fewer grout lines and a clean look. Minimalists are drawn to a good large format tile.

Shown: Villeroy & Boch Atlanta

new classics

In 2020, we're going to see more contemporary interpretations of the classics. For example, stacking subway tiles vertically or horizonally instead of laid in a traditional offset pattern.

Shown: Marble Systems Bella Muro

terrazzo takeover

Terrazzo is taking over! It's all over- floors, walls, phone cases, graphic design! We're only going to see more of it in 2020.

Shown: Mosaique Surface Solo Terrazzo

floor to ceiling tile

A statement wall is easy to achieve by simply tiling the entire wall. This can mean taking the floor tile up the wall or just tiling the entire space behind a stove or range hood.

Shown: New Ravenna Studio Line Pembroke mosaic

dark & moody

Emerald greens and navy blues took over in 2019 and we don't expect their reign to end any time soon. Sherwin Williams named Naval the 2020 color of the year. We're anticipating more moody colors.

Shown: Encore Ceramics in midnight

back to the basics

On the other hand, our showroom designers are getting more requests for neutral basics again. Those who would rather avoid wild patterns but still want to add interest have plenty of options. Play with texture, shapes, and natural stone instead of color. We're going to see more subtle, soft tiles that compliment natural wood.

Shown: New Ravenna Studio Line Djinn

MAIN TAKE-AWAYS

We're anticipating two major trends in 2020. One is the continuation of bold colors and patterns that exploded in 2019. Expect plenty more colorful tiles and head-turning statements in the form of mosaics, ceramic tiles, and encaustics. The other is a return to neutrals and natural textures. This will include glazed brick, high-variation hand-made ceramics, natural stone, and terracotta floors.

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