As we look at what wider interior trends have been embraced in 2021 and start to peruse the furniture and home collections coming in 2022, it is clear to see distinct tile trends (influenced by these wider trends within interior design) that will feature in popular and contemporary bathroom and kitchen design for the year ahead. Whether you decide to embrace interior trends or discard them, trends reflect the current societal mood and many evolve into classic design styles, so they are always important to consider when renovating or remodelling your home. When it comes to choosing tiles, the key is selecting a design that you completely love. However, if you require a bit of design inspiration, I have teamed up with luxury Italian porcelain stoneware tile producers Casalgrande Padana to bring you the six key tile trends that will dominate in 2022:

Terrazzo

Popular with trend-setters due to its modern, artisan appeal, Terrazzo has had something of a renaissance. The set, repetitive chip pattern of terrazzo can be found adorning a vast range of furniture and homeware products due to its light-hearted playfulness, bringing an element of youthful fun into interior design schemes.

Terrazzo partners particularly well with matt, muted pinks, or burnt orange tones for a modern, comfortable atmosphere. Create a unique, detail-rich bathroom floor or captivating kitchen splashback with the new Le Ville collection of durable porcelain stoneware terrazzo tiles from Casalgrande Padana. With six different colour options to choose from in a variety of tile sizes, Le Ville is also environmentally sustainable, fully recyclable, hypoallergenic, antibacterial, fire-resistant, non-absorbent, hard-wearing, and easy to lay and clean.

Wood Effect

As modern Scandi interiors continue to rise in popularity and appeal to mainstream tastes, the inclusion of wood within a room scheme - a hallmark of Scandi design - is now much favoured and sought-after. The problem with wood is that it is a high-maintenance material that is prone to warping, which is why a wood effect porcelain stoneware tile is a great alternative to bring in the natural tones of wood and evoke the feeling of warmth that accompanies it. After the pandemic, many of us are craving calming interior schemes that connect us to the outdoors, so wood effect tiles will prevail in 2022.

Gendai Wood porcelain stoneware tiles from Casalgrande Padana offer the opportunity to obtain all the character and tranquility of wood, without the aforementioned preservation. No sanding, varnishing, or staining is required for Gendai Wood as the tiles are high-performance, strong, and will not fluctuate in shape and size due to temperature.

As modern Scandi embraces clean lines as well as functionality, the large-scale format of Gendai Wood makes them ideal for diagonal or straight installation - drawing the eye through to the furthest part of the room. Gendai White keeps a space light, bright, and quintessentially Nordic in style; the darker tones of Gendai Brown and Black offer a warmer, luxury ski-chalet aesthetic.

Natural Stone

One of the most popular interior trends in 2021 was a love for natural form shapes and organic materials in tones of muted browns, shadow whites and warm neutrals. The defining material within this resourceful trend was textured natural stone: stone vases, lamp bases, kitchenware and decorative objects all dominated as the appeal for the modern yet rustic home decor trend flourished. As this trend is set to continue into 2022 and beyond, there will be heightened demand for stone-effect wall and floor tiles as the style is fully embraced.

The Petra or new Stile porcelain stoneware tile collections from Casalgrande Padana offer the most striking resemblance and replication in colour and texture to natural stone. Available in a range of shades - from sandy, earthy tones to neutral greys - and size formats, Casalgrande Padana tiles are wear-resistant; they do not need the care and attention that natural stone would require. Suitable for both walls and floors, pair them with natural fibres, organic shapes and other sustainable materials for a modern, earthy design scheme.

Marble

A look that never goes out of style, the demand for a realistic replication of natural marble is increasing as the top designers continue to wrap huge kitchen islands and splashbacks in beautifully veined marble slabs. You’ll also find that vintage marble furniture is having somewhat of a resurgence, while popular Danish designers are injecting more marble into their new collections. Elegant and timeless, marble exudes luxury and good taste, which is why it is a great option to use in bathrooms, kitchens, and other areas of the home where design longevity is required.

While natural marble looks wonderful, it is very expensive and incredibly high-maintenance: staining easily and unable to accept abrasive cleaning products. Casalgrande Padana’s high-performance Marmoker collection replicates the realistic veining, sheen, and beautiful colour effects of marble, all while being anti-fade, anti-stain, and resistant to wear. Available in ten tiles sizes, you can create a large uninterrupted design reminiscent of large real marble slabs, or, a smaller-scale layout pattern.

Onyx Effect

If you love marble (but desire a look that is a bit more unprecedented), then you’ll be pleased to hear that alabaster onyx is having a significant revival within interior design. This mineral has a lot of character and a greater reflective nature than marble. Previously used for Art Deco sculptures, it was also popular to use in the construction of lamp bases, candle holders, and vases.

Onyx in the bathroom will be a huge trend for 2022, and large-scale tiles that replicate the beauty of the mineral and its iridescent colours are the perfect option to bring the unique and elegant look of onyx into the home. Casalgrande Padana’s Onici collection of onyx effect porcelain stoneware tiles are suitable for floors and walls, countertops, backsplashes, partition walls, and furnishings. Like the marble effect Marmoker collection, the large tile formats and reduced tile thickness options allow for minimal grout lines and surface interruptions.

Texture

Texture is a key element within interior design to stop spaces from feeling ‘flat’. Texture provides a layer of comfort and depth, and is a great alternative to using busy patterns or colours if they are not to your taste. The rougher the texture, the more visual weight it gives to a room (often popular in rustic schemes with lots of natural, knotted wood and artisan ceramics). Smoother, even surfaces with just a touch of tactility serve to accommodate a more contemporary design scheme. There has been a lot more focus on texture as we turn our backs on mass manufacturing and man-made synthetics. Instead, there is a regression back to preferring natural surfaces with characterful imperfections and with organic appeal.

The new Stile stone-effect tile collection from Casalgrande Padana makes it easy to bring texture into your home, as it is available in eight different surface finishes. This wide variety of choice enables you to completely personalise the walls, floors, or facade of your home. Featuring high transmittance and thermal conductivity, Stile works perfectly alongside underfloor heating. It also ensures excellent thermal and acoustic insulation when used to clad an exterior.

So, six dominant tile trends for 2022 - which one is your favourite?