The Tile Council of North America (TCNA) reports that US sales of ceramic tile have grown 43.7 percent in the past five years, and the market has more than tripled in the past 20 years. Sales of natural stone tile is not far behind. Taking these facts into consideration, here are a few tips and trends to help the savvy shopper choose their products wisely. With so many options on the market, it’s easy to find the perfect solution for your home!
Trends:
- Floor tile is getting bigger than ever, literally. Large scale tile is the latest trend — up to 36″ squares. Plank tiles in 10″ by 20″ are also a great new look.
- Ceramic tile has an expected life span of 50 years. That’s the same as natural hardwood. Compare that with carpet at 6 years and sheet vinyl at 10 years!
- One of the oldest flooring materials and the most durable, stone tile is in high demand in large scale sizes and a various mixes; for example, the classic versailles pattern, among others. Keep in mind, though, that natural stone must be sealed and requires more maintenance than ceramic or porcelain tile.
- Besides the traditional squares, rectangular shapes and the retro look of subway tile are making a comeback.
- While everyone used to want the Tuscan tumbled stone look in their bathrooms, we are seeing a trend toward a spa look with very clean lines, monochromatic colors, and no embellishments.
- We were seeing a rush of earth-toned neutrals in stone hues of sand, tan, and buff, but we are now seeing a presence of strong color in tile. Lots of white, but also lots of Dark Espresso, Nova Blue, and grassy greens. Tile that looks like fabric, especially linen, is also becoming popular.
Tips for Design:
- Do not be stuck in the mode of “small space needs small tile”! Using large tiles in a small area will make the space appear larger.
- Setting the tile diagonally visually widens the space.
- Brick setting or staggering the joint of a 12″ by 12″ gives it interest.
- Any floor tile can be used on walls, even in the shower, but not every wall tile is strong enough to be used on the floor.
- A little pop of glass tile or a metal detail in a backsplash can go a long way — but be careful, sometimes less is more.
Jeanie Robertson
Schumacher Tile & Stone
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