What’s New in Tile for 2023
Five trends in new tile collections were spotted at the recent International Surface Event 2023 trade show in Las Vegas
After several years of cool neutrals and bright whites in tile design, warmer tones and bolder colors are making headway. That was clear from new tile collections on display at the recent TISE trade show in Las Vegas. While colors are trending bolder, they’re sophisticated and not overly bright, expressing restrained exuberance after several quiet years. The International Surface Event 2023 also showcased new and interesting tile shapes and plenty of gloss and glam.
“The overarching trend is this warming of the palette,†says Emily Holle of surfaces company MSI. The warmth is showing up in the tile world as well as in interior design, she says. “We’re seeing a shift from all gray and white to these blonde, warm, earthy tones, the palette warming up with spicy tones, things like terra cotta and blush tones, kind of a global influence.â€
Many tile displays at TISE included multiple neutral and bold colors — as well as shapes and textures — within the same collection. “We’re really focusing on introducing more color, a very popular trend, but also having full collections of tiles that coordinate with one other, kind of making the design side of it easier,†says Kathy Greene of Emser Tile.
Here are highlights from the Jan. 31-Feb. 2 trade show for the tile, stone and floor coverings industries. The new tile collections will be rolling out throughout 2023.
“The overarching trend is this warming of the palette,†says Emily Holle of surfaces company MSI. The warmth is showing up in the tile world as well as in interior design, she says. “We’re seeing a shift from all gray and white to these blonde, warm, earthy tones, the palette warming up with spicy tones, things like terra cotta and blush tones, kind of a global influence.â€
Many tile displays at TISE included multiple neutral and bold colors — as well as shapes and textures — within the same collection. “We’re really focusing on introducing more color, a very popular trend, but also having full collections of tiles that coordinate with one other, kind of making the design side of it easier,†says Kathy Greene of Emser Tile.
Here are highlights from the Jan. 31-Feb. 2 trade show for the tile, stone and floor coverings industries. The new tile collections will be rolling out throughout 2023.
Farrier has a biophilic, imperfect feel to it, Corley says. “The theme is very cocoon-y, with a lot of nature-inspired colors, a lot of natural materials, handcrafted-look tiles so you have a lot of undulation. It’s a subdued color palette, but you’ll see Mediterranean color palettes playing in,†she says.
The new earthy color palette seen everywhere at the show was embodied in Emser Tile’s new Exhale collection of glazed porcelain tiles. The 6-by-12-inch tiles come in five colors.
On display here is Emser’s Exhale in Gris, shown along with Legati wood-look tile, a new collection of 8-by-47-inch planks in five colors.
On display here is Emser’s Exhale in Gris, shown along with Legati wood-look tile, a new collection of 8-by-47-inch planks in five colors.
Here’s another look at Emser’s new Exhale tile. The color behind the stovetop is Blanco, with Cielo on the adjoining wall.
“With Exhale, each tile is unique, so you’ll get patterns, solids and edges that have a handmade look, and they’re designed to color-coordinate,†Greene says, adding that the terra-cotta-like Marron option for Exhale was one of the company’s most popular colors at the show.
Sister to Exhale, Emser’s new Inhale collection continues the glimmery yet rustic feeling. “It definitely has more texture to it. There’s a process we use in the glazing so you have areas where you see that texture. What’s nice is it can be a brand-new installation and it looks weathered,†Greene says. Shown here is Inhale in Azul.
A collection of bold yet muted colors was on display at Surface Art.
Emser Tile’s new Estasi glazed ceramic wall tiles come in blue, green and neutral colors, with glossy or matte and peaked or flat surfaces. They were on display at the show along with Heksa hexagonal tiles, which have the same colors to easily coordinate the two collections.
Here’s a look at Emser’s new Estasi flat surface in Forest.
A display from Surface Art’s concrete-look Oasis collection exemplifies the proliferation of new neutrals.
This display from Tesoro Tiles includes several of the trends seen at the show, from updated neutrals and watery blues to handmade looks and terrazzo imitations.
2. Textured and Tactile
Tiles with raised, grooved and textured surfaces are getting more popular and were attention-grabbers at the show. Providing dimension and movement on a wall or backsplash, they’re becoming even more touchable. Three-dimensional sculptural tiles like Emser’s new Tubage collection, seen here, also encompass other current trends of curvy shapes and glossy, handmade-looking surfaces.
“What’s interesting about Tubage is we’re seeing a resurgence of people wanting handmade looks,†Greene says. “What’s nice is all the pieces are slightly different. They work well together, so visually the colors [within one color choice] aren’t different but there’s slight mottling and imperfections, so you have almost a patina that comes in, which is intended to give it a handmade look.â€
Tiles with raised, grooved and textured surfaces are getting more popular and were attention-grabbers at the show. Providing dimension and movement on a wall or backsplash, they’re becoming even more touchable. Three-dimensional sculptural tiles like Emser’s new Tubage collection, seen here, also encompass other current trends of curvy shapes and glossy, handmade-looking surfaces.
“What’s interesting about Tubage is we’re seeing a resurgence of people wanting handmade looks,†Greene says. “What’s nice is all the pieces are slightly different. They work well together, so visually the colors [within one color choice] aren’t different but there’s slight mottling and imperfections, so you have almost a patina that comes in, which is intended to give it a handmade look.â€
Emser’s Tubage works vertically or horizontally. The tile also can be installed on a curve or corner and comes in six shades. Shown here is Tubage in White.
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Marazzi’s new Inyo porcelain tiles have a crackled surface that gives them a rustic look. The 2-by-8-inch tiles seen here are in Indigo and Ember. Other colors are Olive, Crema and Ink, and other shapes include 8-inch hexagons, 1-by-6-inch mosaics and penny rounds.
Daltile’s new Stencil collection includes a raised half moon surface, shown here in Blush and Grey. The 4-by-12-inch tiles also come in flat and linear surfaces in a variety of muted colors.
This photo shows Daltile’s Stencil linear surface tiles on the wall in the foreground and the half moon version on the background wall. Calm colors and touchable textures are appealing to the senses, says Michelle Corley of Daltile. “This is an example of how interior design is a multisensory experience. We’re not just looking at color; we’re not just looking at design; people are expecting a multisensory experience,†she says.
Emser Tile’s Newtro ceramic wall tile, shown here in Green, has a unique brushed surface with a shimmery textured look in eight neutral and bold colors. Introduced in 2022, the collection has new colors for this season. “It has that handmade look and is a 12-by-12-inch mosaic so it’s easier to install,†Greene says.
Here’s a closer look at Emser’s Newtro tile, in the Ocean color. “When it first came out, people were afraid it would be hard to clean, but the grooves aren’t that deep; you just wipe it like any other tile. It has that real artisan look,†Greene says.
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Emser’s new Pagoni line encompasses several trends, including tiles with muted tones, unique patterns, a handmade stone look and a raised-surface piano key tile. “For the Pagoni line, everything coordinates with one another, so we’ve got this decorative mosaic wall tile, and all the other components — whether it’s a black tile, whether it’s piano-type style — pick up the colors so you can mix and match. They all blend together,†Greene says.
Here’s a closer look at Emser Tile’s new Pagoni collection.
3. Evolving Shapes and Patterns
Shaped tiles and those with patterns on the surface are as abundant as ever, and tile designers are getting even more creative with freshened-up looks. In general, curves are showing up big-time in the tile world, in updated wave, scallop and fan shapes, as well as in Art Deco-inspired ovals.
Shown here is Art Deco-inspired Perfit Mosaix, a new Daltile collection that features 24 natural stone and stone-and-glass mosaic patterns. The combination here is the Spring mosaic in Ashen Palissandro and Carrara White polished marble.
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Shaped tiles and those with patterns on the surface are as abundant as ever, and tile designers are getting even more creative with freshened-up looks. In general, curves are showing up big-time in the tile world, in updated wave, scallop and fan shapes, as well as in Art Deco-inspired ovals.
Shown here is Art Deco-inspired Perfit Mosaix, a new Daltile collection that features 24 natural stone and stone-and-glass mosaic patterns. The combination here is the Spring mosaic in Ashen Palissandro and Carrara White polished marble.
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This is Daltile‘s new Perfit Mosaix in the Reverse mosaic in Saran White and Thassos polished marble. The collection comes in precut 18-inch sheets to fit most backsplashes for easier installation, Corley says.
Classic penny rounds are having a moment, with contemporary twists like glossy or matte finishes, marble and other natural stones, as well as glass and quartz. “Penny rounds are very popular. They’re kind of nostalgic, and they’re good for a backsplash or a shower floor,†Holle of MSI says. These are MSI’s Athena Gold penny rounds in honed marble. The new Athena Gold mosaics collection also includes hexagons and rectangles, all in honed marble.
Here’s Emser Tile’s take on penny rounds, from its Elegan collection of stone- and marble-look porcelain tiles, which also includes hexagons.
These fresh-shaped scallops from Arizona Tile’s new S-Series are in Soft Sage, a color the company’s Adria Harrison says is gaining in popularity. In addition to scallops, S-Series mosaic shapes will include rectangles, penny rounds and pickets in six subdued colors.
Hexagons are still a dominant shape in many tile collections, available in varying sizes and materials and sometimes with patterned surfaces, such as the 8-inch decorative accent hex called Petal shown here from Daltile’s new concrete-look Scrapbook collection. Also shown is Scrapbook’s Keepsake Blue floor tile.
Here Daltile’s new vintage-inspired Petal tile is used on the floor. The Scrapbook collection also includes 8-inch solid-colored hex tiles and 2-by-8-inch floor tiles.
Daltile’s Scrapbook tile in the Asanoha pattern in Memory Grey is used here on the backsplash.
Speaking of flowers, MSI displayed the fresh Cecily pattern tile from its Bianco Dolomite collection of natural marble in creamy whites, beiges and light grays. The collection includes 13 other unique patterns and a 12-by-24-inch floor tile.
This swirly flower pattern appropriately called Petal is marble and is one of Arizona Tile’s new stone mesh tiles.
Moroccan and Moorish patterns are still popular but don’t seem as dominant as they were a couple of years ago. The patterns showing up are fresh and lend an especially graphic feel in contrasting neutrals, such as these 8-by-8-inch matte-finished porcelain tiles from MSI’s Kenzzi collection.
Emser’s Cuadro tile has the option for a raised frame surface reminiscent of a Shaker door, in addition to a flat-surface choice. The porcelain mosaics come in six muted colors, including Royal (frame and flat) and Sky (flat) shown here.
4. Stone Surge
As part of the trend for more earthy textures and hues, both natural and stone-look tiles were seen in abundance at the Vegas show. Whether imitating marble, concrete or other stone, the lookalikes made of porcelain are getting ever more realistic. The backsplash hexagons shown here are from American Olean’s new Primstone collection of stone-look porcelain and ceramic tiles. The company says the cool- and warm-toned tiles are patterned after Lucca stone found in Italy’s Tuscany region. The ceramic mosaic hex tiles and 12-by-24 porcelain floor tiles come in two colors. This photo shows the Buff color.
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As part of the trend for more earthy textures and hues, both natural and stone-look tiles were seen in abundance at the Vegas show. Whether imitating marble, concrete or other stone, the lookalikes made of porcelain are getting ever more realistic. The backsplash hexagons shown here are from American Olean’s new Primstone collection of stone-look porcelain and ceramic tiles. The company says the cool- and warm-toned tiles are patterned after Lucca stone found in Italy’s Tuscany region. The ceramic mosaic hex tiles and 12-by-24 porcelain floor tiles come in two colors. This photo shows the Buff color.
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From the amount of imitation terrazzo tile on display, we appear to be reaching peak terrazzo. Easier to care for than the real thing, these copycats have throwback appeal that fools the eye. “The terrazzo look is always popular and it’s getting even more popular,†Greene says. Fragmento, shown here, is Emser Tile’s new porcelain take on terrazzo, available in large and small speckle options.
“We’re actually seeing a surge in the need for this,†Greene says. “What’s nice about this is it has both warm and cool tones so you can mix it with a warm tone like a wood look, and it’ll look just as good with a gray tone.†Fragmento is available in six speckle and color combinations in 12-by-24-inch tiles and a large-format 24-by-24. Shown here on the floor is the Black Large Speckle version.
Here’s Surface Art’s take on terrazzo — its porcelain lookalike called Tazzo.
Emser’s new Fixt line, pictured, is part of the Enhance collection of porcelain tile mimicking wood, stone, cement and metal in various shades and sizes, all meant to be mixed and matched.
The Mixt line, also in the Enhance collection, comes in brushed, flake, mineral, speck and texture looks in different colors and sizes.
The Mixt line, also in the Enhance collection, comes in brushed, flake, mineral, speck and texture looks in different colors and sizes.
Here’s Emser’s new Fixt tile in the Metal Copper combination.
In this room, Emser’s new Fixt tile in Stone Gray is used on the wall behind the sofa, with Cement Gray on the other walls.
“What’s nice about this is it comes with a variety of different styles,†Greene says. “We have looks that are all meant to tie in with one another. They all pick up the tones of one another. If you like the greige in the terrazzo look but you like this other wood look, you can coordinate with one another. So it’s a real easy way to put it all together and have that designer look.â€
Daltile’s new Rekindle is a concrete-look porcelain available in five earthy tones, an attractive substitute for real stone on walls and floors. There are large-format sizes available and coordinating 2-by-6-inch herringbone and canvas dot mosaics. “Rekindle is very desert-inspired, with that dry touch, boiling it down to what’s really essential,†Corley says.
Despite the surge in popularity of imitation stone, natural stone is still preferred by many people, especially for countertops and backsplashes. Here are some quartzite examples from Arizona Tile that were on display at the show, highlighting the stone’s dramatic veining. “Quartzite is definitely a trend, with still some light colors, but people are liking more color. They’re getting a little warmer, a little less white and gray, and now more taupes,†Harrison says.
5. Glossy and Glam
High-gloss tile surfaces have been popular for years and now the look is being enhanced with surfaces that undulate to capture more light and give the product a handcrafted quality. Bold veining in natural marble and quartzite and their imitations was evident in many of the tiles and slabs on display at the show, including American Olean’s new dramatic marble-look porcelain, Foyer, shown here in the Contrast color, in 24-by-48-inch matte finish tile on the floor and wall and 3-inch hexagons around the tub.
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High-gloss tile surfaces have been popular for years and now the look is being enhanced with surfaces that undulate to capture more light and give the product a handcrafted quality. Bold veining in natural marble and quartzite and their imitations was evident in many of the tiles and slabs on display at the show, including American Olean’s new dramatic marble-look porcelain, Foyer, shown here in the Contrast color, in 24-by-48-inch matte finish tile on the floor and wall and 3-inch hexagons around the tub.
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This shimmery display is the 3-inch Landmark hexagon in Steely from American Olean’s new Foyer collection.
Getting all glimmery is Emser Tile’s new Estasi subway tile, shown here in Navy with a flat surface. The 3-by-12-inch tile is also available in a peaked surface and in five other colors.
Arizona Tile’s Panther Satin granite has a high-contrasting black background and dramatic swirls of white quartz veins. It comes in bookmatched slabs. Keep in mind it’s a natural stone product that occasionally needs to be sealed.
For the gold diggers out there, many stone and stone-look products are showing up with prominent gold-colored veining, and gold (the real thing as well as a metal mimic) is being included in many porcelain tiles. This is MSI’s Luxor Kona Gold, in a geometric pattern and made from stone and metal.
MSI’s Calacatta Gold 2-by-6-inch subway tile is an eye-fooling porcelain meant to look like marble, with elegant gold veins running through each tile.
And finally, a new take on shiny things is Emser’s new light-ready illuminated tiles called Radiant. Designed to be used with waterproof LED strip lights, the tiles can be installed horizontally or vertically in the shower, where water will flow off the tile, Greene says. “It has these grooves — a patented design — where you just slide your LED strips inside so you get this nice soft glow,†she says. The tile will be available in three patterns: Pyramid, Flat and the Concave shown here.
Your turn: Which tile looks do you like best? Tell us in the Comments.
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Your turn: Which tile looks do you like best? Tell us in the Comments.
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Things may have been a bit chilly in the tile world the last few years, but today’s forecast calls for a warming trend. Earthy baked clay tones like terra cotta were in the color palettes of numerous new tile collections at the show, and in general warmer and bolder colors seem to be on the rise, including new shades of blue and green and more colorful yet muted neutrals.
Daltile’s new Farrier collection of glazed ceramic wall tiles, shown here, has an old-world look with uneven surfaces, giving it handcrafted appeal. The six available colors reflect the trend of neutrals with the occasional burst of bold, such as the Blue Roan seen here. The tiles are available in squares and two rectangle options.
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