Tiles have always had a role to play in design, particularly in kitchens and bathrooms, but in 2026 they’re stepping firmly into the spotlight. Cue richer textures, bolder colours, tiles with real personality and moving on from metro and mosaic.
‘This year’s design trends celebrate both nature’s richness and the joy of personal expression,’ says Ashley Biscan, design and trend expert at Floor & Decor. ‘From earthy palettes and textured materials to layered patterns and tailored combinations, tiling can help every space feel thoughtful and dynamic.’
Whether you’re planning a full renovation or a simple splashback refresh, it pays to know the tile trends set to shape the year ahead. So before you start stockpiling samples, we’ve asked the interiors experts to share the tiles shaking things up in 2026.
1. Retro rhapsody: 70s revival with a modern edge
Warm nostalgia meets contemporary polish as the spirit of the 1970s looks set to re-enter the decor chat via tiling. ‘Saturated hues, sculptural forms, and rich wood finishes create spaces that feel expressive yet intentional,’ explains Ashley. ‘Deep ambers, soft burgundies, and smoky neutrals pair with geometric patterns, curved silhouettes, and tactile materials to bring depth and personality to kitchens, bathrooms, and living areas.’
When balanced with clean lines and refined finishes, these retro influences feel inviting and distinctly current.
2. Crème brûlée kitchens
Warm neutrals are being reimagined and the classic white-tiled kitchen is being refreshed through toasted neutrals, with layers of vanilla and coffee tones bringing warmth and depth to the heart of the home.
‘Subtle tonal variation across cabinetry, surfaces, and finishes creates a cohesive, elevated look that feels timeless yet indulgent,’ Ashley adds.
3. Lush landscape
Biophilic design is staking a claim on tiling this year with hues that range from bold emerald and forest green to earthier olive and sage. But natural influence in tiling is also taking a more textural, tonal form. ‘Colours drawn from earth, sand, and sky are interpreted through layered finishes and pronounced surfaces, adding richness and dimension to interiors,’ Ashley explains.
4. The beauty of imperfection
Celebrating the raw and the real, this trend embraces the natural irregularities that give materials their true character. ‘Surfaces inspired by the earth, from weathered stone to layered clay and mineral textures, reveal their beauty through subtle imperfections, irregular finishes and tactile detail,’ explains María D Arráez, director of Tile of Spain UK.
Rather than striving for flawless uniformity, Maria says these tiles highlight authenticity, creating spaces that feel honest and full of depth. ‘From softly eroded edges to textured surfaces that echo the look and feel of natural stone, each design tells its own story of transformation,’ she continues. ‘The result is a range of tiles that invite touch as much as sight, surfaces that don’t just decorate a room, but add a sense of time, craft and connection to nature. Perfect for creating serene yet characterful spaces, this trend proves that true beauty lies in imperfection.’
5. Playful living
From psychedelic patterns to primary colour palettes, we’ve already seen playful interiors making a mark on home decor. And now tiles are getting a full fun-over too. ‘This trend embraces colour, pattern and personality, delivering tiles that inject joy and individuality into everyday spaces,’ explains Maria. ‘From vibrant tones and bold graphics to tactile finishes and experimental forms, surfaces are designed to inspire energy and emotion while maintaining a strong sense of function.’
6. Sensory minimalism
The new minimalism on the interiors block is more about emotion and tactility than visual simplicity. ‘Sensory minimalism focuses on creating spaces that feel calm, comforting and connected,’ explains Maria.
When it comes to tiling, this means surfaces are soft to the eye and touch, with gentle matt finishes, subtle tonal variations and natural, understated textures that encourage a sense of wellbeing.
‘Rather than aiming to impress, this approach seeks to soothe,’ Maria continues. ‘The emphasis is on balance, quiet design and material honesty, tiles that help shape serene interiors where light, tone and texture work together in harmony. Perfect for contemporary homes, this is minimalism designed not to strip away character, but to nurture atmosphere and emotional connection.’
7. Opulence: more is more
For anyone looking to inject a bit of maximalism via their tiles, this trend is a bold celebration of the richness of materiality. Think deep tones, lustrous finishes and striking patterns that elevate spaces with a sense of drama and sophistication.
Maria says we can expect to see high-gloss glazes that shift with the light, metallic accents that play with reflection and richly layered textures that recall marble, onyx and precious stones.
‘The look is unapologetically indulgent yet refined, bringing together the ornamental and the modern in perfect balance,’ she adds. ‘This is contemporary opulence, where emotion, function and beauty merge to create immersive, atmospheric interiors that exude confidence and creativity.’
8. Get curvy
Scalloped silhouettes have been having a moment in furniture, and now we’re seeing tiles take a curvier form.
‘Curved patterns have made a popular comeback in recent years – and tiles are no exception,’ says Maria. ‘Think soft arches and circular motifs that evoke a mid-century feel but with a modern twist.’
Maria says curved patterns add a playful yet refined aesthetic to statement walls, hallways, bathrooms and kitchens. ‘Pair them with neutral tones and minimal furnishings for a balanced look that celebrates nostalgia,’ she adds.
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