Tiles of the Unexpected: Tile Trends We Loved in 2021

Ah, how was 2021 for you? It was still all a bit strange, although we were hoping that 2020 was peak strangeness, it did go on a bit, didn’t it?! As another year nears its end we are once again looking back at some of the tile trends that were hugely popular over the past 12 months – from natural stone designs and neutrals colours, to dramatic dark shades…

On Both Surfaces

We noticed lots of clients were ordering tiles to use on both wall and floor surfaces in their projects. This is a particularly successful design trend, as it creates a feeling of open space and a seamless, streamlined look – just what’s needed for a fabulous contemporary space. These are our Belize Light Grey Wall & Floor Tiles, looking very sophisticated indeed in this bathroom setting. The use of bold colour for the cabinetry and gold finish fittings and accessories absolutely nail this look – keep it cosy by installing underfloor heating from our range.

Spectacular Style

These large-format (1200mm x 600mm) porcelain tiles are designed to replicate the authentic stone looks of vein-cut travertine. Our Cupid Cream Polished Wall & Floor Tiles look stunning in a living room, and are the perfect choice for above the fireplace, creating a very chic finish. Also available in a soft neutral grey, called Pearl. Interior Design Style Tip: Use a few dark details to lift the look of a neutral scheme – here the sliding door frames are black, defining the scale of the room.

Natural Background

One more spectacular example of matching floor and wall tiles. This time it’s our Invisible Marble Gloss, another large format, 1200mm x 600mm which does allow the patterns to flow more easily, without too many interruptions from grout lines. These are ceramic, with a very high gloss finish, and if you do want a smaller format, perhaps for a smaller space, they come in 600mm x 600mm size.

Small Scale Success

We’re always pleased that our smaller-scale brick-style tiles continue to be very popular, and the recently expanded pale pastel colour range of our Bella Craquele wall tiles has been super-successful. These are Bella Craquele Blue which have a crackle glaze finish, gently cambered surface for an authentic, slightly vintage style look.

In The Pink

And yes, we are also showing you the Bella Craquele Pink version, which is a super shade for bathroom or kitchen, or a cloakroom or even a pantry. Yes, we very much like the idea of a pink pantry! Pastel tiles can look pleasingly retro or modern, and there are several other shades in the range, including Dove, Bone and Cream – something for all eventualities.

Vertically Challenged

We’ve been seeing a lot of projects where rectangular tiles have been flipped around and used vertically.  It’s a great idea, and as long as you get the base line accurate and the verticals properly vertical in the first place, makes for easy installation. For expert advice on installation, check out our Help Centre.

Outdoor Access

We’ve seen a fair few outdoor tiled wall projects this year, especially in balcony and other semi-enclosed settings. Tiles are a great alternative to bare concrete or render, and add colour and texture to the scheme. These are our Himalaya Roble Wood Split Face Effect porcelain tiles, each tile measures 170mm x 520 mm and has a mosaic effect.

Top Terrazzo

We’re delighted that terrazzo-style tiles are coming back into fashion – not that they ever specifically went away – the style is just becoming more visible, popping up in a lot of magazines. This is Trend White Terrazo Multicolour Wall & Floor Tile from our collection, there’s also a Black version and plain versions. There are ten pattern variations to ensure a random look.

Vintage Vibes

Timber-look porcelain tiles have proved incredibly popular this year, not just for indoors, but for outdoors as well. No sanding or varnishing required, and they look as good as the real thing. The trend for styling a painted kitchen with wood-look flooring isn’t going to disappear in a hurry, as it is a classic look that can be updated with a new coat of paint for the cabinetry. These are our Vintage Wood Effect Wall & Floor Tiles in porcelain, each plank measures 150mm x 600mm, they have a matt finish and can be installed with underfloor heating.

Outdoor Ideas

Many of our clients have been embracing the outdoors over the last year – with lots of determination to get their gardens and outdoor spaces sorted. For those who wanted the look of a timber deck but without the maintenance and upkeep, many chose our Nebraska Oak Outdoor Plank tiles. They have a high anti-slip rating of R11, and are a great choice for larger spaces. Each plank measures 1200mm x 300mm.

Moody Blue

Large format tiles were definitely trending, and we were delighted to monitor the success of our Lemmy Indio Blue Wall & Floor Tiles. The bold, dark shade looks dramatic, with a weather-beaten look that sits well in all sorts of interior design schemes. These large format porcelain tiles measure 600mm x 1200mm, and look as good on the floor, too. Also in  Viridium Green and  Venom Black and in a smaller 600mm x 600mm format.

Golden Hour

Are we here at Tile Mountain HQ allowed to have favourites?! Well, if we are, then the glorious shade that is Lemmy Pumpkin Gold is definitely one of them! These porcelain tiles look magnificent – slightly worn, slightly vintage, slightly metallic – all wrapped up as a very stylish statement. Team with  Lemmy Nimbus Grey tiles on the floor to balance the look.

What was your favourite tile trend for 2021? Do let us know in the comments and if you have any pics of completed projects using any of the tile styles mentioned then we’d love to see them! Hit us up on twitter @TileMountainUK, share on Facebook or tag us on Instagram!

You might also enjoy these posts on the Tile Mountain blog…

Tiles of the Unexpected: Unlikely Tile Trends That Gripped 2020

Kitchen Tile Trends with Tile Mountain & Wren Kitchens