EFFECT PORCELAIN & CERAMIC LOOKING AHEAD


Katy Black, Marketing Director for tile distributor Verona, picks out some of the key trends influencing tile design this year.


Pattern Potential


Patterned tiles continue to take centre stage, with the trend especially popular in hallways, bathrooms, cloakrooms and kitchens, adding decoration and style to otherwise plain surfaces. Designs can vary from one end of the spectrum to the other, with intricate motifs and patterns on one side through to simple geometric shapes on the other. Black, white and grey monochrome tiles featuring Victorian-inspired patterns remain in demand as they are easier to style, but we’re seeing more bold colour choices being introduced too, including dark blues and pastel shades of pink and green.


Japandi


A cross between Scandi and Japanese styling, these tiles create a calm, spa-like feel and are perfect for turning the bathroom into a luxurious retreat. A delicate blend of warm neutral tones, soft matt finishes, elongated plank formats and subtle structured textures, there is something incredibly soothing about this style of tile, working effortlessly to create a relaxing space with plenty of ambience. While beige and sandy shades work well, greys are also central to the trend but with a warm undertone.


Rustic Vintage


This is all about tiles with a handmade, artisan feel. Rather than smooth clean lines, these tiles feature gently undulating surfaces, shaded glazes and aged, distressed features for a unique finish which is true to the style. These chic, rustic designs suit all manner of living spaces, from modern through to traditional interiors, delivering striking decorative visual effect.


Large Format


60x120cm and 90x90cm tiles in concrete and marble effects have grown in popularity and are increasingly in demand due to their ease of installation. They have the added benefit of creating fewer grout lines, which can make a space feel bigger, making them well-suited to small spaces like cloakrooms and utilities, as well as large, open- plan floors. In terms of finishes, polished and matt are both high in the style stakes, offering different looks depending on the style of the property or design scheme.


Seamless Living


One of the most rapidly growing trends we’ve noticed is seamless living. This is where flooring extends from indoors to out to connect the two spaces, making more use of patios and outdoor spaces as people invest within their homes with the addition of contemporary bifold doors and landscaped gardens. Co-ordinating 10mm indoor and 20mm outdoor porcelain tiles are an excellent option for helping consumers to achieve the look. Natural effects are preferred, providing a feeling of the great


— 20 —


outdoors, and a natural organic feel that connects the two spaces effortlessly.


Ideal for adding character and depth to walls and floors, stone-effect tiles deliver an inviting space with a fresh, clean colour palette. Inspired by nature, these tiles draw inspiration from textured materials such as slate, sandstone, travertine and limestone for a calming ambience.


Natural stone effects have a unique ability to be styled in a rustic way, or they can be used to create an industrial theme when paired with modern furnishings, hints of metallic and matt black accents.


Alternatively, wood-effect tiles create a homely space with the overall feeling of being closer to nature. There are many different colourways available to suit all manners of taste, from deep walnut colours, through to silver birch and warm ash. The popularity of timber designs means that distressed, reclaimed wood-effect tiles are currently top of the style stakes.


With their waterproof properties, porcelain tiles work particularly well in the garden, where natural timber is prone to damage, warping and can also be dangerous to walk on. Chose a tile with a high slip rating for added safety and peace of mind.


www.veronagroup.co.uk www.tomorrowstileandstone.co.uk


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32