Tile Files: The season’s five key tile trends – December 2024

By Cristina Faedi

As 2024 draws to a close, the Italian ceramic and porcelain tile industry is revealing a spectrum of new trends that blend artistry with technical prowess and sustainable advancements. From an inspiring trip to Bologna, Italy for Cersaie, a prominent international expo of ceramic tile, to Boutique Design New York, a leading expo in the United States for hospitality design, we’re seeing Italian manufacturers bring a surge of fresh innovation to the global tile scene, creating new possibilities for flooring applications across sectors.

This season, mesmerizing oceanic blues, warm harvest tones, new takes on terrazzo and lots of lines are sweeping the industry. Additionally, strides in technology are continuing to drive a hyper-realistic “stone age” for manufacturers. Through a wide range of options that play with texture, color and form, these fall-winter collections invite design professionals to explore new ways of incorporating tile into diverse spaces, ranging from residential interiors to hospitality settings and large-scale commercial projects. Here is a closer look at the top five trends for fall and winter, as seen in some of the new releases from Ceramics of Italy member brands.

TERRAZZO TAKEOVER: A MODERN TWIST ON A CLASSIC MATERIAL
Terrazzo, a material with deep roots in Italy’s design history, is experiencing a revival. Originating in Venice in the 15th century, terrazzo has graced the floors of iconic buildings like St. Peter’s Basilica and the Doge’s Palace, along with the historic streetscapes of Bologna. This season, Italian tile manufacturers are reinterpreting terrazzo in fresh and exciting ways. In blending the old with the new, companies are using advanced technology to create stunning visual effects with a modern twist.

Brands like Cerdomus and Versace Ceramics are pushing the envelope with terrazzo designs in a kaleidoscope of colors, while Ceramica Sant’Agostino offers terrazzo with trendy pastel hues and floating fragments. This season’s terrazzo collections also showcase the material’s versatility and energy in large-format tiles that reduce grout lines and maximize the impact of the pattern.

The tactile nature of terrazzo is further enhanced with the use of 3D technologies, as seen in I Ciottoli by Ceramica Fioranese, which add a layer of texture and interest. This new take on terrazzo brings a vibrant yet timeless aesthetic into any space, from the floors of luxurious hotel lobbies to residential kitchens.

HARVEST: EMBRACING THE WARMTH OF MOTHER EARTH
As the seasons shift and nature begins its transformation, tile designs are embracing the rich, organic tones of autumn. Inspired by the essence of fall, this season’s earthy color palettes evoke the feeling of gathering, renewal and the natural beauty found in the harvest. As such, tiles are being increasingly designed in deep browns, golden yellows, rustic oranges and rich burgundies, creating a grounded base for floor applications that bring an inviting warmth into any space.

Tiles in collections such as Arketipo by Cotto d’Este, Porta Nuova by CIR Ceramiche and Granata by Ceramica Vogue reflect the organic tones of the earth, with colors that evoke the changing leaves and the richness of fall. Raw materials like clay, wood and stone are also prominently featured, creating a natural aesthetic that’s both timeless and contemporary. The warm harvest hues pair beautifully with rustic textures, with collections like Eik by Ceramiche Refin, Native by Ceramica del Conca and Petite by Ceramica Fioranese embodying the deep mahoganies, chocolate browns and cozy beiges that bring the harvest spirit indoors and evoke a mood of comfort and abundance.

WATERWORLD: A DIVE INTO AQUATIC HUES AND FLUID FORMS
This season, the influence of water is also taking center stage, with soft aquas and deep ocean blues making a dramatic splash in Italian ceramic collections. Through technical innovations, ceramic and porcelain tiles are being transformed to mimic the movement of waves, flowing water and depths of the ocean, as seen in Alabastri by Casalgrande Padana and Capri by Antiche Fornaci D’Agostino. Collections like Eden by Appiani and Deep Stone by La Fabbrica AVA offer vibrant shades and fluid textures that can be mixed and matched for a custom look, along with brushstroke designs and shading effects, as seen in Poetry NET by ABK and Paola Navone OTTO Studio, to add dimension. If one thing is certain, the use of sophisticated finishes delivers tiles that feel as dynamic as the ocean itself, transforming spaces into fluid canvases that recall the serenity of the sea.

LINES, LINES, LINES
Linear designs are making a strong statement in the world of ceramics. From subtle stripes to bold geometric patterns, along with a rise in checkerboard looks, tiles are embracing the power of visual lines to create drama and intrigue across floor applications.

But, of course, this trend isn’t just about lines, it’s about creating moments of movement. Tiles such as Geometrie d’Ombi by Francesco de Maio use thick stripes and geometric patterns to create bespoke, high-impact floor areas in both residential and commercial interiors. Reinterpretations of checkerboard patterns are also creating a contrasting floor pop, as seen in Tarsia by Versace Ceramics, The Blend by Ceramica Fioranese, Tabula and I Pigmenti Milk Mud by Gardenia Orchidea and Azure by Isla Tiles.

Advances in technologies have also allowed manufacturers to push the boundaries of what’s possible, transforming simple lines into captivating three-dimensional surfaces. These linear patterns work to provide a sense of light and shadow, with surfaces that change depending on the angle, enhancing the depth of a space. When paired with contrasting materials or colors, the looks add a rich sense of volume and visual interest. Whether applied as flooring or as full surface treatments, these patterns enhance the depth of any space, offering a sophisticated yet playful take on contemporary tile design.

STONE AGE
While stone-looks may not be necessarily new to the Italian tile design scene, significant advancements in the research and development of the most sophisticated decorative techniques have allowed the reproduction of stone to reach a higher level of expression. From replicating the travertine of ancient Rome in shades from sage to hazelnut to recreating South American and Middle Eastern marbles of dove grey, aqua green and pearl veining, the increased attention to mineral details and intensity of colors is bringing a true sense of authenticity to the ceramic and porcelain tile stage.

With large chromatic spectrums for flooring applications, collections like Marmi from Emilgroup’s Level exude warm tones from stone grey to gold passing through rust, while colder stone looks like Calcis by Italgraniti, Noblesse from Lea Ceramiche, Imperial Stone by Cerdomus and Medicea by Ceramiche Coem bring a sophisticated, more modern feel into a space. On the other side, dramatic veining, as seen in The Room by Cooperativa Ceramica d’Imola and Supreme Hedonism by Flaviker, puts maximalism center stage, giving interiors a strong personality from the ground up.

Copyright 2024 Floor Focus 

Related Topics:CERSAIE , CERAMICS OF ITALY