Turn to tile for a high-impact finish that can offer design choices from traditional to modern. Tile trends for 2019 will appeal to those who like their home decor bold, dramatic and colorful or more subdued, timeless and classic.
“The tile world is in consistent evolution,” said Laura Grilli, senior product development manager at manufacturer Daltile. Innovation is the key not only from a design standpoint but in terms of technology and installation, she said.
Tile Uses and Colors
Durable and easy to clean, tile is great fit pretty much everywhere in the home, Grilli said. Tile also has the smallest carbon footprint of any floor surface and is free of chemicals such as volatile organic compounds, she said.
Most people think of featuring tile in backsplashes, flooring and, of course, bathrooms, but it’s also a great choice in laundry and mudrooms and even outside the home, she said.
People tiring of gray and white are choosing colors from bold to pastel, such as brilliant blues and berry reds, peaches and teals, Grilli said. Blue as an accent color “continues to be strong, but green is gaining in popularity,” she said.
One of the best-selling colors, gray, is getting warmer so that it’s more of a combination of gray and beige, or “greige,” Grilli said.
Different looks
Tile is a great imitator. Popular in the past, wood look continues to trend positively, Grilli said. Choices include tile that mimics sophisticated and warm hardwoods to aged and rustic reclaimed woods.
Marble-look tile, both in white and darker colors, is gaining fans who like the large-format tiles that offer marble’s appearance without its cost and maintenance, Grilli said. With options from rectangular to plank sizes and vein-cut options, marble look is versatile and compliments both classic and contemporary design.
Concrete-look tile is a hit for urban- or contemporary-style walls and floors and works with both warm and cool color palettes, Grilli said.
For a bold look, the combination of black and white marble-look tiles really pops, Grilli said. For something sexy and dramatic, opt for porcelain tiles embedded with metallic flecks, she said.
Larger-scale tile in marble, metallic and concrete looks pack a visual punch and are perfect for countertops, floors and backsplashes, Grilli said. Made of porcelain rather than natural stone, they won’t stain or scratch.
“Put one of these big panoramic slabs in your backsplash; it’s really like it’s stainless,” she said. “There is no grout. There is no break or interruption in the visible part, so it’s really like having a big slab of marble, but with all the advantages of the porcelain and the cost of the porcelain.”
For a calming and relaxing interior, a flowing travertine stone look with porcelain floor or wall tiles creates a spa-like atmosphere.
“The spa look inside the house is something that is very popular now because it contributes to the idea of comfort and elegance,” Grilli said.
When choosing what tile is right for a home, pick something that fits your personality but focus on the overall look that you want to achieve, Grilli said. Visit design galleries and studios and speak with designers who can show what’s available and how to create a specific look.
Sarasota Herald-Tribune May 2019