Jayne Adamson, Marketing Manager for Verona, offers insight into the ever-growing range of patterned tiles available and the shapes, sizes and colours set to transform interiors in 2022.
There is no better solution for creating a showstopping space than with a patterned tile, but with such a vast array of designs to choose from, it can be a little overwhelming for customers who don’t know exactly what they want.
Once reserved for townhouse hallways, the influence and use of patterned tiles has spread far and wide, making a mark across all areas of the home. Completely unrivalled in their ability to adapt within traditional and modern living schemes, patterned tiles will look the part in a bathroom styled with a freestanding bath and sash windows, but can also fit to a contemporary, open plan kitchen.
There are a few key areas retailers should look to expand on when it comes to developing their patterned tile portfolio.
Key colours: blue hues and pretty pinks
From tropical turquoise to nautical navy, the sky’s the limit with shades of blue. Tones have shifted from light, breezy colours to darker, more intense colours. Blue patterned tiles offer a slightly bolder alternative to monochrome designs and will be popular with homeowners who are on the fence about combining pattern and colour, offering an ideal solution for both.
Soft, blush tones will feature in many design schemes, with homeowners buying into the look for sophisticated, feminine spaces. White and pink patterned tiles with flashes of grey for added intrigue bring a new level of femininity, with a subtle nod to retro styling which is warm and inviting.
Of course there will always be new grey and charcoal designs. With their ability to adapt to any surrounding, grey tiles will continue to dominate interior design schemes for years to come. Victorian-inspired patterns are bold and theatrical and will turn heads with their timeless attraction.
Key patterns
Variety is key when it comes to choosing which patterns to add to your portfolio. Some styles have been around for years and evolve each season, while others have burst onto the scene more recently.
The evolution of the terrazzo tile over the past few years has taken this design from supermarket floors to the walls of our homes. Terrazzo comes in a spectrum of styles and colours, spanning minimalist grey and white designs, through to eclectic blends of earthy yellow, red and orange and can now be seen on supersized designs with large marble pieces in trend-led pink and blue colourways.
No longer associated solely with commercial design schemes, terrazzo has become a sought-after style seen in high end homes and boutique properties. With their iridescent finish and jewel toned flecks, terrazzo tiles deliver an incredibly opulent space, so it is worthwhile including a few different options in your portfolio as it’s a trend here to stay.
While traditional Victorian and Mediterranean styles are still the most obvious choices when it comes to patterned tiles, more unusual designs are starting to filter through, most recently, star shapes and mixed formats which combine a number of different materials into one tile, such as wood, marble and concrete-effects.
Key shapes
There is a real hunger for small format tiles at the moment, covering everything from classic metro through to hexagons, scallops and diamonds.
Feature walls are more prevalent than ever with small formats providing a range of exciting design options.
Scalloped and hexagon shapes span both ends of the spectrum, with graceful curved edges and sharp, clean lines. Scallops are diverse in their own sense. They can be laid in a fish-scale design, in any direction, and come in a host of textures and finishes which give them a greater level of depth. Another unusual shape, Provencal tiles are relatively new to the small format scene, but they have made waves over the past year with their unique twist on Moroccan and patchwork styling.
Metro and brick-effect tiles continue to take centre stage, especially within industrial and country design schemes. The more metro tiles in a retailer’s portfolio, the better, but choose designs which are sure to sell such as simple, gloss formats in on-trend colours as well as rustic brick-effects.
Key areas
Tiles will always have a place in the bathroom, hallway and kitchen, but recent demand for outdoor porcelain means that in the next few years we will see porcelain tiles become as obvious for hard landscaping as paving and decking.
With unrivalled design potential, porcelain tiles have transformed ordinary gardens into stunning entertaining spaces, where homeowners can dine alfresco with family and friends. With so much variety spanning everything from concrete-effects through to striking geometric patterns, there has never been a better time to stock outdoor flooring options as homeowners start to think about spring projects.
More at: www.veronagroup.co.uk
