The Mystic Ball: Predicting 2021’s Hottest Tile Trends

A new year has the symbolic effect of giving us all a fresh outlook, and that’s why today, we’re taking a look ahead to give you our expert predictions for next year’s hottest tile trends. We’re not claiming that we have the ‘gift’ of seeing into the future like Mystic Meg, but we do know a thing or two about tiles – and which interior trends might just have the biggest influence in 2021 as a result!  

Covering everything from bathroom tile trends to living rooms, we’ll be offering up our tile trend predictions to the powers that be, putting them out there for you all to see. We’ll also be sharing some expert tips on how you can be a trailblazer, incorporating the latest interior design trends into your home early. So, without further ado…

Knock on wood

Most likely due to an increased focus on wellbeing and us all being deprived of time outdoors amidst the pandemic, expect to see an increased lust for natural décor themes in our homes.

When it comes to tile trends, this is likely to manifest itself with even more popularity for wood-effect tiles, that add texture and depth to key areas of the home like kitchens and bathrooms. 

This is going to be a particularly important bathroom trend to keep an eye on. Homeowners are striving to bring the outside in to create calming, tranquil spaces in their own homes and escape the daily grind. 

While wood-effect tiles aren’t necessarily a new phenomenon for bathrooms, the latest take is to go bold with these features, making them the star of the show rather than a complementary element.

This means you can expect to see wood-effect tiles on walls rather than just floors, giving bathrooms an all-encompassing warm and sensory experience. 

In terms of hues, opting for more realistic wood-look finishes like oak, cherry and maple will go towards reinforcing the sense of nature in bathrooms, while darker hues will create even more impact. Paired with a light, neutral colour palette and modern-style suites, not to mention the addition of indoor plants, this will provide all the ingredients needed to create a bathroom that feels like a natural oasis and right on-trend. 

Moody kitchens

Kitchens have become an integral part of modern home design for some time now, but since COVID-19 many of us have been putting more focus on updating these areas from both a functional and fashionable point of view.

This has already resulted in many people moving away from the stark and clinical feel and embracing the darker side of the colour spectrum, using moody blues and dark greens to create a dramatic finish. However, this kitchen trend is definitely going to continue well into 2021.

As far as kitchen tile trends go, splashbacks offer the perfect canvas for injecting brooding colours without having to embark on a full kitchen remodel. For instance, if you have pale kitchen cabinetry, channel the moody vibe by pairing them with some dark blue wall tiles or bottle green metro tiles.

If you prefer to go down the route of upgrading kitchen cabinets in signature navy or pine green, offset their boldness with a tiled splashback in a pale shade like a soft cream or white with a matt finish to enhance the contrast and textures. 

Matt is back

Speaking of matt tiles, we’re also predicting that these are going to be a popular option throughout the home in the new year. With an understated, typically textured finish, matt tiles are the ideal option for delivering a contemporary look to kitchens, bathrooms and more.

While glossy tiles work to reflect light and give a polished finish to interiors, matt tiles generally evoke a softer, more subtle aesthetic – particularly when set against other high-gloss accents in glass and metal.

If you’re a fan of the popular Japandi interior design trend that’s tipped to continue being all the rage as we head into a new year, matt tiles are the ideal option. Combining the principles of Japanese minimalism with the neutral, organic elements of Scandi style, you can create an aesthetic that feels light, clean and simple, yet still packed with character.

This look slots effortlessly into so many rooms in your home, but why not go a little off the beaten track and apply it to your living room? Pick a light grey natural-stone look floor tile with a matt finish that will be your base. You can then build on this by adding other nature-inspired elements like pale timber furniture, plush woollen rugs, throws and cushions, and flourishes of greenery. The result will be a space that ticks all the boxes for 2021 living room trends as a haven of calm and tranquillity to unwind in after a long day. 

Hail the herringbone tile

For those of you who love classic interior trends but want to give it a more modern edge, embracing the nation’s latest love affair with herringbone tiles could be the way to go in 2021. Having already become a more prominent feature in interior design in 2020, this interior trend is likely to keep gaining momentum in the coming year. 

One of the most popular ways to use this attractive tile pattern in your home is with herringbone flooring that instantly adds an air of sophistication, particularly as a living room trend. Channel the traditional vibe with all the modern benefits of tiles by laying warm wood-look floor tiles in the iconic herringbone pattern. 

Interestingly, this pattern can work in small and large rooms alike – not only making your floors a standout feature, but also changing the perspective of the whole room. In the case of smaller areas, the zig-zag design helps to elongate the space and make it feel bigger, giving the whole room a more fluid feel. 

However, the latest take on herringbone tiles is set to go beyond the traditional parquet-style floors. In 2021, expect to see herringbone tiles making a big impact in the kitchen and bathroom trend arena, using small-format tiles to create striking feature walls.

From funky shower walls to eye-catching kitchens splashbacks, brick-style herringbone tiles are primed for bringing a sense of style and flair to practical areas of the home – all while offering a great alternative to traditional brick-lay patterns used with metro tiles. You can even get herringbone mosaic tiles in teal white, black and alternatives if you want more intricate detailing in specific areas.

Hygiene is king

The pandemic has also put more emphasis on hygiene in the home, especially in high-use areas like kitchens and bathrooms. As a result, we’re likely to see more people opting for materials in the home that are more hygienic and easy to clean. Cue the trusty tile! 

Whether you opt for porcelain, ceramic, glass or natural stone tiles, there’s no denying the practical benefits that they bring to the table from a cleanliness point of view. This makes them a solid choice for homes in 2021, where good hygiene is probably going to be just as much a priority as it has been this year, even as things begin to return to normal. 

With a hard glazed surface that boasts excellent scratch and stain resistance and is easy to wipe clean, tiles are ideal for promoting home hygiene without having to sacrifice on style. This is why we expect tiles in general to be a top choice for hygienic floors and walls! 

In terms of which tiles boast the best hygienic properties, you really can’t go wrong with any tile. However, you may want to skip stone tiles like travertine or textured 3D tiles that don’t have a completely smooth surface, as this can make cleaning a little harder.

Instead, polished or matt tiles with a glazed finish could be a more practical choice, as they’re easy to wipe clean with just water and a standard cleaning agent. But keep in mind the glossier the tile, the more polishing may be needed to banish water and smear marks. If you can’t face the extra effort to get a sparkling finish, matt tiles could be the more sensible option, ensuring just a quick wipe down leaves them looking as good as new. 

There’s no doubt that 2020 has been a strange year that no one could have predicted, but as we head into a new year, it’s time to look forward and focus on all the exciting interior trends 2021 may have in store.

Hopefully giving you plenty of food for thought when it comes to making meaningful updates to your home in the coming year, keeping these predictions in mind will ensure your home interiors are on-trend, functional and ultimately stylish. 

If you’re eager to get a head start on that herringbone kitchen splashback, why not head over to our kitchen tiles page? Or, if you want to hone the Japandi living room trend, our floor tiles range has plenty of ideas to help you get your desired look. And don’t forget to keep checking back on our blog to find home design inspiration and tips along the way!