The Latest Trends in Stone & Tile for Your Home
Stone and tile trends are constantly shifting, but one thing’s for certain – these accents can set the tone for your entire home. Whether you’re looking for a new floor for your bathroom or a stunning backsplash for your kitchen, read on to see our experts’ top picks.
Pattern and color are back! Thanks to the popularity of encaustic cement tiles like Lili Cement Tiles, colorful patterned floors are the new statement wall. Some designers describe it as the fifth wall of a room. There are a variety of ways to achieve a colorful patterned floor. There are printed porcelain tiles from Soho Studios made to look like cement with the durability and low maintenance of porcelain. My new favorite is a mixture of different colored marble tiles in triangle and trapezoid shapes by Altura Stone that can be put together in multiple patterns. And for the other four walls of the room, Walker Zanger has introduced lines like Pietta Donovan and Harper with vibrant and rich colorways and different playful shapes. I am hearing more clients say they want to have fun with their spaces.
Anna Baker, Stone Source, Inc.
White quartzite still reigns
as the hottest countertop for kitchens and baths. Quartzite is a natural stone similar to marble but with interesting veining and a surface that is stronger. Don’t forget the sealer, though, as it does need that. The white and gray color palette continues to dominate for kitchens, and quartzites (and stones in that family) have the most beautiful gray swirls and crystals that you just can’t find in granite, marble, or man-made quartz products. Working with stone for seven years, I have to say it is my favorite, and pairing a tile backsplash has never been easier, regardless if it’s with a porcelain subway tile or even a white quartzite tile. Of course, you can always go with the full-height stone backsplash so that the veins travel up the wall – a truly beautiful finished look.
Kelley Carrin, Chattanooga Granite & Marble
On a virtual trip down the aisles of Coverings last week, I found myself in awe of the expansive ways tile will be incorporated in 2020. Riding a wave of new thought, individuals long to express interpretations of divine living, and they are shifting their focus from what has been to blazing a trail of meaningful spaces. This year, the neutral color palette is notably warm. Individuals are also incorporating hues of blue, earthy sage, and restful moss, touting hints of bold brights to liven the mood. Twinkling terrazzo and textural influences create large-scale patterns for industrial chic design. Thoughtful use of unusual mosaics – trapezoid and mixed geometrics – frame tile designs with the unexpected. Porcelain countertops in a menagerie of stone visuals offer stain and heat resistance – a welcome alternative for the end user. From aged metal and emulated marble to limestone and warm refined wood, tile has become a homeowner’s sustainable choice.
Bethe Motlow, Louisville Tile
A material becoming popular for countertops is dolomite. Dolomite gives you the beauty of marble but is much more durable. Dolomite is also harder to etch than marble, despite being similar in terms of appearance. When it comes to performance, dolomite slabs are quite resistant to wear and tear, and they can be thought of as a more resilient form of marble. Dolomite is also relatively affordable, which is always nice!
Jessica Hurst, The Tile Store
Whites and grays have been a classic and timeless look for many years. Now, we are seeing the blue tones come in, ranging from a soft blue-gray to a deep navy blue. Bringing a splash of color to an island or the lower cabinets is a refreshing and inviting look that adds richness to any room. With this exciting new demand, a couple of quartz manufacturers have started incorporating navy tones in many of their new designs. In the past, the leathered, brushed, and antique finishes were reserved for granite. Now, you can find quartz available in matte, suede, and leathered finishes as well! Don’t be afraid to mix colors or finishes.
Sherrie Ward, Webco, Inc.
The clean and fresh look of grays and whites is in this year. These warm neutrals create the perfect backdrop for champagne bronze and brushed brass fixtures. These soothing aesthetics are complemented by utilizing a herringbone pattern or a vertical stack for an even more clean and refined finish. We’re seeing customers lean toward medium to large size tile options such as 12-by-24 inch and 4-by-16 inch, creating an open and welcoming space. Trending installation methods include the use of Ditra or Dural CI++ underlayments, which provide for an exceptionally reliable base. Additionally, Level Lock systems for rectified edge tiles ensure a flawless installation.
Richard Wilkerson, Wilkerson Tile Co., LLC
