Products Trends
New ceramic surfaces in seven different styles
(September 2024) | Ceramic surfaces are available in a stunning array of colours, finishes, decorations and sizes, providing versatile solutions for any project – whether floors, walls, countertops or bathroom vanities. They come in a wide range of styles and formats suitable for rooms of any size or layout.
To make it easier to choose the most suitable version for any given project, we can distinguish several categories of style, size and finish. Some surfaces are inspired by natural materials such as marble, while others feature classical or abstract decorations ideal for creating visually striking walls reminiscent of paintings or wallpaper. In terms of creativity, the available solutions cover everything from the geometric regularity of a fluted or ribbed finish through to irregular material textures designed to appeal to the touch and inspired by the discontinuities typical of the natural world. In addition, tiles are often available in both glossy and matt versions to cater to different styles and applications ranging from private spaces to public areas such as restaurants, hotels, shops and offices.
To simplify the selection process, we can look at seven different stylistic categories.
Fluted
This is a popular trend in the world of interior design and can be observed on a variety of materials, from wood to ceramic tiles. The fluted geometry, consisting of a continuous sequence of slender surface ribs, gives the tiles a three-dimensional look and creates a play of light and shadow that lends personality to the wall on which they are used. The distance between the ribs can vary, from wide intervals to more slender strips, as can the colour and surface finish.
Colour block
While ribbed surfaces are popular in furniture design, the “colour block” trend has become a staple of the world of fashion, with bold coloured outfits frequently observed on the catwalks. Similarly, in the world of ceramic tiles, plain coloured surfaces are available in an array of hues, from vibrant and saturated to soft and dusty. These can be juxtaposed to create visually striking walls that infuse character into any room through a simple yet effective alternation of colours.
Decorative
Like works of art displayed on a wall, decorative-style tiles no longer rely solely on repetitive sequences of patterns but now allow for unlimited compositional freedom. Starting out from a series of tiles with specific designs and available in numerous sizes, designers and specifiers can create highly customised surfaces in terms of decoration, size and colour.
Marble inspiration
While the ceramic tile industry has long looked to natural materials for inspiration in creating compelling alternative surface effects, the most significant new developments derive from technological innovations in the production process. To enhance the resemblance to marble, onyx, quartz and stone, companies have developed industrial processes that are capable of creating not just individual tiles but entire series that avoid repeating the same design when placed side by side and instead exhibit increasingly sophisticated variations. These tiles are available in a wide range of finishes including textured surfaces, polished marble-effect finishes and matt surfaces that resemble natural stone.
Mini
While thin, large-format surfaces are the result of ongoing technological innovation in the ceramic industry, smaller sizes such as tiles inspired by vintage mosaics and 10×10 centimetre squares are gaining in popularity in response to the growing need for customisation across all projects. The availability of small sizes for each collection or specific miniature series allows architects and clients to design special decorations for walls or portions of walls, for a truly customised project.
Matt versus glossy
Glossy and matt surfaces are two sides of the same coin. Often, both versions are available within the same collection, while in other instances they belong to different yet complementary lines. The final appearance also depends on the initial design concept: slabs inspired by concrete typically have a matt finish while those resembling marble tend to have glossy surfaces. In other cases, the interpretation of colour plays a role as the same background can be offered in both matt and glossy versions.
Material textures
In today’s highly digitalised world, where our senses are primarily stimulated by images, sociologists and therapists have observed a growing need to reconnect with tactile sensations. Contact with nature is clearly the preferred choice, but as a design solution to bring a touch of nature into our homes, we can choose ceramic surfaces with material textures, relief finishes, coarse grains or engraved decorations that create a sequence of solids and voids.
These trends and the most important technological innovations in the industry will be showcased at Cersaie, the International Exhibition of Ceramic Tile and Bathroom Furnishings to be held in Bologna from 23 to 27 September 2024.
