Top tile trends from Tile of Spain.

In response to the global pandemic, the Spanish tile industry has shown its creativity and resilience. New product launches draw inspiration from changing ideas about how we work and play.

Hygiene is at the top of the agenda so surfaces are designed to be safe and clean. Anti-bacterial porcelain ranges that help eliminate bacteria are widely available in this year’s collections. In addition, sustainability is paramount with clear ecological labelling provided for most products.

But it’s not just technical performance that Spanish tiles are famed for. Their beauty and innovative design make them highly sought-after for residential and commercial projects alike.

Here, Tile of Spain explores 7 of the latest tile trends…

Keen on green

Almost all of the Spanish brands are offering green in their décor ranges. Shades of blue and lilac have been promoted by Dulux and Pantone as ‘colours of the year’, but in the tile industry, at least, emerald is the predominant hue. Used by interior designers for its calming properties and loved by homeowners for its outdoorsy vibe, green brings the natural world inside.

HEX-cstatic

The hexagon shape is hot. It has increased in popularity for practical reasons, working equally well on walls and floors or in external applications. Yet it’s stylish too and offers a contemporary vibe.

Patterns that can be achieved by combining hexagons allow for an intriguing placement of tiles, which is appealing for those seeking a custom look. Many new tile collections offer a hexagon alongside other formats, so that they can be mixed or matched. Other ranges are more ambitious, combining marble-effects with wood and cement effects or juxtaposing plains with complementary decors.

Glam metal

Metallic effects are not new. Recent times have seen a great enthusiasm for industrial looks such as rusty steel or oxidised copper. In this platinum year, a glance at some of the new launches shows an interest in much more glamorous finishes. Surfaces that would suit a high-end bathroom refurb or a luxurious spa are offered in sophisticated colour palettes and are notable for their elegant details. Finishes are polished rather than distressed.

Pleasing placements

New ranges of tiles by Spanish manufacturers are often designed to give users a degree of flexibility with installation. Small formats that can be arranged in a variety of ways allow designers and architects to make their mark. Instead of traditional laying patterns, tiles can be mixed up or placed vertically or diagonally. Using blocks of colours can be very effective as with these wide bands of mosaic pennies.

Macro-tastic

Competing with all-over marble effects, geometrics that flow boldly over a ceramic surface feature in many of the new launches. You’ll need a decent sized space to use these designs since the pattern is only complete by piecing together multiple tiles. The designs can be seen on small 20x20 formats, but also on larger 60x60cm formats. There is nothing subtle about this style.

Clean cut

Ceramic and porcelain tiles have always been a hygienic choice. They are easy to clean and don’t absorb moisture. But in response to the pandemic, Spanish manufacturers are adding an extra layer of anti-bacterial protection during the firing process. This anti-bacterial technology is already widespread. It can be seen in all formats and styles including cement, marble and wood-effects. Some brands plan to roll it out on all of their ranges, not just as an optional extra.

Warm it up

A soft earthy palette of bone, beige and terracotta is vying with our perennial favourite grey. Décor ranges are taking inspiration from baked clay, mud, shells and fossils rather than anthracite and charcoal. Interiors once again feel warmer and today’s tile collections reflect this.

Tile of Spain is currently inviting architects, designers and final-year students to submit projects for their annual global competition, promoting the creative use of Spanish ceramics. Entry to the awards is free and submissions are being accepted from now until 28 October 2022. Projects must have been completed between January 2021 and October 2022.

For more information on the Tile of Spain Awards 2022 and to register your project, visit tileofspainawards.com.