Home improvement: Faux wood tile leads hot new trends in flooring

ake and faux are far apart. Fake is meant to deceive, but faux is intended as a tribute or a toast to something great or beautiful.

Faux wood tile is one of the hottest trends in home remodeling and home decorating. Paying tribute to beautiful hardwood flooring, faux wood tile is a ceramic tile that combines the rich, textured finishes and warmth of real wood with the durability, functionality and design flexibility of tile. And, it costs a fraction of what real hardwood flooring costs.

“The strong trend toward faux wood tile is due to its contemporary, sophisticated look and durability,” says Kirsty Froelich, design director with The Tile Shop, the nation’s leading retailer of high-quality, premium manufactured and natural stone tiles from all over the world. “That’s one of the reasons why you’re noticing it in upscale boutique hotels. The other reason is more practical. Because it’s waterresistant, you can use faux wood in parts of the home where moisture and water make real wood impractical, such as bathrooms, kitchens and foyers.”

The price per square foot is a fraction of what a homeowner would pay for real hardwood flooring, a point that has undoubtedly added to its appeal and rise in popularity.

Beyond faux wood, Froelich points to other hot tile trends, including:

Commercial style: Large-size tiles, typically seen in commercial or industrial settings, are all the rage in upscale homes. Large 12-by-24-inch tiles and extra large 16-by-24inch tiles give rooms a big, spacious look. Instead of paint or wallpaper, consider using 10-by-30-inch long wall tiles to add rich texture and color to your living room or great room.

Glass, stone mosaics: Many homeowners are mixing little mosaic tiles consisting of different shades of natural stone with glass tiles in square, round and rectangular shapes to give their kitchens and baths a distinct, high-end touch of class.

Reclaimed wood tile: Homeowners love the look and feel of reclaimed wood — like the wood from an old barn, an old wooden ship or antique furniture. But reclaimed wood can be quite expensive. Now homeowners can add that reclaimed wood style with wall tiles made of ceramic or natural stone that offer a natural, authentic weathered look.

More texture: Homeowners are shifting away from shiny polished stone and moving toward more marble with a smooth or lightly textured finish. Homeowners are also mixing and matching different styles of tiles to create more contrast and a more layered, textured feel in their spaces.

Spa feel: The bathroom is still a place where a person can experience some peace and quiet in our busy, high-tech lives. That’s why the trend of turning your bathroom into a European spa still continues strong with the use of natural stones and soothing glass tiles.

Timeless feel: For some homeowners, especially those who own an older or historical home, vintage subway tile or arabesque tiles deliver a classic, yet contemporary look that will never go out of fashion.