The Changing Face of Tile-Innovation and Trends by Houzz.com
Last month a lot of fairs and exhibitions took place in various countries for Ceramic industries.
The International Exhibition of Ceramic Tile and Bathroom Furnishings, held in September in Bologna, Italy.
An explosion of color, tactile surfaces and innovation in ceramic products was on display at Cersaie.
The common denominator among new products was the goal of making homes more comfortable, with delicate shades that inspire relaxation and earth tones that emphasize a connection to nature. The fair also made room for highly textured surfaces that stimulate the senses and create a sense of belonging.
Tiles for interiors were displayed in a variety of formats, especially on the smaller side, while wood- and marble-look styles continued to be popular.
The most popular, however, were tiles that mimic wallpaper or metallics.
We also saw many technical innovations as the sector continues seek out ways to reduce energy consumption, combat indoor pollution and reduce waste.
Another trade fair took place in Maison & Objet in Paris.
Some trends presented are the following:
6. Metallic Inspiration
There were also several tiles on display that managed to reproduce both the colors and textures of metal. For example, an aged-metal surface that resembles decades-old iron or Cor-Ten steel. Others offered contrasting glossy finishes.
7. Small Sizes
Possibly linked to the difficulty in securing raw materials, this year’s fair displayed far more small formats than last year.
Smaller styles have, however, opened up to many creative interpretations, like geometric patterns. Seletti 4 Ceramica Bardelli’s Escher-inspired design is one example. “I made a 2D capsule collection with 3D aesthetics to speak to the world of architecture in an original language,” Gianmaria Bardelli said during the company’s seminar at the fair. “The common goal? To twist the logic of modern decoration and composition and go beyond the mold.”
8. Brick-Like
One popular look for small-format tiles was vertical or horizontal stacked tile, creating a brick-wall effect. The shape and size of these tiles makes it easy to arrange them in a variety of ways, allowing for lots of different combinations of colors and finishes.
9. Sustainability and Technical Innovation
At this year’s fair we saw a renewed commitment to sustainability, with products made in fewer processing phases or without finishes or glazes. These styles also reduce the amount of waste and shortened the production chain.
Another continuing trend is tiling with antibacterial finishes that continue to promote wellness inside the home.