TILE TRENDS
‘... You want something that is not only gentle on the eyes but that will also be able to withstand your daily routine’
Whether you favour classic marble tiles, faux-wood ceramics or brilliant mosaic patterns, the options available in today’s flooring leave little to be desired. Due in large part to the endless possibilities provided by this variety, homeowners are investing a substantial amount of time and money in making design decisions about the flooring throughout their homes.
“When building or remodelling an existing home, the floor is not something that’s easy or practical to change, so people really take their time and invest in a quality product because they know that everything after that will come together,” said Joe LoBasso, president of Céramiques Pavigrès. “You want to feel comfortable and confident in your environment; you want something that is not only gentle on the eyes but that will also be able to withstand your everyday routine.”
Today’s trends include square and rectangular tiles, often in large formats such as 16x32, 24x48 and even 48x48 inches. “Some people might worry those sizes are too large for rooms like the kitchen, but it’s actually quite the contrary because large formats create an open feel because there are fewer joints,” LoBasso said. “You get the impression of a larger room.”
These formats are popular in both matte and glossy finishes, and tones of white and grey with a marbled effect, which creates a classic look that blends well with any decor.
“As far as colours go, we seem to still be in the 50-Shades-of-Grey era,” said Philip Kaleel, co-owner of WestEnd Properties. “White, grey, charcoal, black and everything in between, but we’re seeing them in very simple designs — either plain with one single colour, or subtly marbled.”
In addition to flooring, ceramics have made their way onto wall decor throughout the home, mainly visible in kitchens and bathrooms.
In fact, decorative wall tiles with a modern or contemporary look are trending heavily now.
“The classic subway tile is still a very popular choice and one we often use for most of our projects because of its elegance and simplicity, but we’re also seeing lots of oversized ceramic tiles making their way onto backsplashes as well,” Kaleel said. “A marbled oversized tile as a backsplash could really bring some punch in a kitchen.”
In bathrooms, mosaic tiles are making a big comeback — especially in showers. “A neat trend we really like is combining large tiles on bathroom floors with mosaic tiles on the bathtub or shower walls,” Kaleel said. “You can grab some of the colours from your bathroom floor tile and add some great nuance with a variety of similar shades in the mosaic.”
Homeowners are also getting creative and opting for unique and custom projects.
“Clients are being bolder when choosing a kitchen backsplash or bathroom wall tile and going with a more daring 6x6-inch three dimensional look such as our Artem series,” said Amanda LoBasso, buyer and commercial consultant, architectural and designer division at Céramiques Pavigrès. “It’s interesting to see tiles being used as a source of inspiration in an artistic way.”
For instance, some homeowners are creating fun focal walls using 3D wall tiles.
“Another trend gaining more popularity is the Marakesh look, which is a very vibrant colour combination of blue, orange, black and grey that creates a Moroccan flair in any room,” she added.
Clients are taking a larger role in designing their floor and wall tiling because they ’re starting to understand the value these elements bring to a home, Joe LoBasso said.
“Most definitely, clients are appreciating these products more — and aren’t being afraid to use them as they see fit with expert advice.
“Whether you’re building, buying or remodelling, we all should feel happy with the look and feel of the floor we’re walking on. I also believe an updated floor adds value to a home because it brings the look of the rest of the house to- gether and really makes it a home.”