Top 5 floor tile trends for 2018

Starting a floor renovation project in the New Year? Discover the latest floor tiling trends to use every room.

Not just relegated to kitchen splashbacks or the bathroom floor, tiles are a practical surface material for all interior spaces. If you’re planning a floor renovation project in 2018 and you’re looking for an alternative to wood flooring or carpets, take inspiration from our round up of the latest trending floor tiles for the New Year.

The rug effect

Big bold reliefs are still current, while textile effects and more subtle structures are also coming through. Raised pattern mosaics create a tactile finish along with split-form slate and warm-toned metallics with aged patinas.

Add interest to a large expanse of tiled flooring with a decorative panel surrounded by a contrasting border with Pobles porcelain tiles, from Saloni.

Bespoke pattern

Adding pattern to the floor is a way of introducing extra character to a scheme. ‘Digital inks are evolving quickly with the ability to print directly onto glazed and fired porcelain and ceramic. This allows a more extensive colour range and more fabulous patterns,’ explains Jane Addis at Original Style.

‘While new materials and printing technologies are the exciting future of ceramics, there is still a push to maintain the traditional processes within the British ceramic industry.’ Create a bold floor design using shaped tiles in a mix of colours like these Hex satin tiles from British Ceramic Tile.

Multi-use

Team tiles in different formations for extra interest such as these Marazzi Terramix glazed porcelain tiles from CTD Tiles.

Try mixing contrasting materials or gloss and matt surfaces from the same range for a more relaxed scheme. For a rustic look, hand-crafted designs with natural indentations and imperfections offer an informal look.

Repeat print

Geometrics, herringbone and parquetry laying patterns have influenced design possibilities for both walls and floors. Even the classic metro tile is stepping away from its traditional brick formation with a move towards symmetrical, vertical side-by-side and chevron arrangements. ‘

The latest shape is the triangle. It’s a great update to the hexagon or metro tile and ties in very well with the tribal trend popular in fabrics and accessories,’ says Jess Piddock at Domus.

‘Look out for softer shapes this year, such as fish scale designs’, or these Cementiles Brazilian Agata Blue square tiles from Bisazza for a contemporary feel.

Material mixture

Stone and wood effect tiles are often an affordable and more practical solution than the real thing and the latest designs are extremely realistic. New innovations are taking these authentic replicas forward with options such as reclaimed, oxidised and paint-washed finishes. ‘Woodlook porcelain tiles are becoming more varied,’ says Steve Whitehurst at Craven Dunnill.

‘The trend is for planks to be ever longer with convincingly natural random wood grains and textured surfaces.’ To recreate this look include contrasting textures and shapes for a warm, tactile finish. This room combines walls tiles in ash tree clapboard, Montblanc Anthracite tiles, and floor tiles in ash tree plank all sourced from Original Style.