Products Trends
A show that defines global trends
(October 2024) | At Cersaie, the most eagerly-anticipated industry event of the year, international ceramic manufacturers gather to present their latest innovations. Expectations always run high for an exhibition focusing on product aesthetics, functionality and performance. Each year, the Italian ceramic tile industry takes centre stage in Bologna to showcase the finest ceramic products in terms of creativity and technological innovation (click here to watch the video of the trend presentation given at the Ceramics of Italy International Press Conference at Cersaie).
Perfection
Marble-effect ceramic surfaces are becoming ever more sophisticated and flawless in terms of both their technical and aesthetic characteristics. The Italian tile industry’s tireless research and development efforts, coupled with the most advanced decorative techniques, have produced surfaces with an unprecedented level of authenticity. The remarkable graphic definition, true-to-life mineral details and depth of colours create an astonishingly realistic effect.
Italy’s most renowned ceramic marbles, featuring white backgrounds with bold grey, pearl, anthracite, gold and rust veins, continue to captivate, along with imperial Roman travertine in beige and hazel shades. Equally impressive are the South American and Middle Eastern marbles, distinguished by their dove-grey, teal and pearl veins. At the same time, research is pushing the boundaries, focusing on ever more unusual and original materials and generating countless new variations. The colour palettes explore warm tones ranging from deep dark hues to golden and rust, with veins resembling fossilised branches and vivid red and yellow streaks on lighter backgrounds. These ceramic surfaces, further enhanced by ultra-glossy, glass-like finishes, are truly exceptional and unique.
The range of stone-effect ceramic surfaces appears limitless. Thanks to innovative technology, these surfaces now provide both tactile and visual three-dimensionality, offering a complete sensory experience. Desaturated veins, crystalline structures, subtle transparencies, radiant reflections and harmonious tonal contrasts are meticulously combined in each ceramic slab. The result is a richly detailed surface, ideal for projects that require a strong visual impact and a bold, distinctive character.
The Italian ceramic tile industry continues to push boundaries, delivering unique, cutting-edge products that combine extensive research with advanced technology.
As fluid as water
Ceramics have always been closely associated with water, a bond reflected in the evolution of mosaics, which now feature an impressive array of tesserae sizes and outstanding technical performance. Water continues to inspire contemporary Italian ceramic design, with fluid, smooth, wave-like forms brought to life through three-dimensional reliefs, traditional brushstrokes and masterful glazing techniques. The colour palette leans heavily towards various shades of blue, ranging from soft pastels to ethereal hues.
Natural, warm and inviting colours play a key role in creating comfortable and calming spaces. Neutral tones and curved shapes, along with soft and realistic tactile effects and nature-inspired hues, evoke a sense of peace and tranquillity, making them suitable for various interior design styles. Tiles in gloss or matt finishes and a wide variety of formats combine effortlessly with materials like travertine-effect ceramics, industrial concrete, slate, quartzite, alabaster, marble, stone, sand, pebbles and grit.
The ceramic brick, or rectangular tile, continues to be a highly popular choice, thanks to its endless variety of colours and surface finishes. This versatile strip format allows for expressive design, meeting a wide range of interior design needs with multiple installation options, such as linear, staggered and chevron patterns.
The new collections place a strong emphasis on versatility, offering products that can be freely mixed and matched to create unique, original styles. Designed for residential, public, contract, wellness and hospitality sectors, these collections deliver a comprehensive solution that meets both customer demands and the creative visions of architects. To complete the total look, the collections are further enhanced with ceramic furnishings, including mirrors, washbasins and tables.
Hand Made vs. High Tech
The resurgence of “Glocal” craftsmanship, blending local beauty and tradition with cutting-edge technology, continues to grow, driven by an appreciation for cultural heritage. Ceramics, too, is embracing this trend, rediscovering the allure of authentic hand-made artistry through high-tech industrial craftsmanship. Traditional designs are reimagined in a contemporary context, preserving their roots while adding modern touches.
Shapes and materials traditionally used in the world of construction are being rediscovered, drawing inspiration from artisan workshops where natural powders are compacted by hand and pigments meticulously applied to surfaces, making these features central to the design.
The finishes are natural, matt, soft and inviting to both sight and touch, enriched with chiaroscuro effects, pastel shades, warm earthy tones and natural colours.
In an age dominated by AI and algorithms, the tactile, human experience remains important. Tile surfaces draw inspiration from materials like corrugated paper, torn fabric and textile design, bridging the gap between modern industry and the age-old tradition of artistic ceramics.
The Japandi style, a fusion of Scandinavian minimalism and Japanese elegance, embodies harmony and tranquillity, perfectly capturing the essence of these products that emphasise the beauty of simplicity and balance. This aesthetic is reflected in tiles that draw inspiration from handcrafted wooden textures, delicate floral engravings that complement wood panelling and organic surfaces echoing the curves of terracotta tiles. Three-dimensional screens and extruded volumes allow air and light to pass freely, seamlessly connecting indoor and outdoor spaces. This results in living spaces where the boundary between indoors and outdoors blurs, creating a harmonious flow.
At the heart of this trend is a renewed focus on the pure materials that form the essence of ceramics: sands, terracotta, clays, whitewash and even reclaimed glass from old television tubes. With a return to material purity, ceramic tiles are shaping the future of design by drawing deeply from their past.
Striped, ribbed and fluted
Variously described as striped, ribbed or fluted, this surface trend is making waves in the world of interior design, reimagined with a modern twist and emerging as a defining feature of contemporary styles.
These decorative details, with their striking visual appeal, fit effortlessly into various design aesthetics, from Art Deco to minimalist, Scandinavian, classic, industrial chic, vintage or eclectic. Ideal for the kitchen, living room, bathroom and bedrooms, these details bring a touch of sophistication, charm and elegance to any environment.
Whether used on entire walls or just small sections, a fluted porcelain stoneware surface adds an innovative and captivating three-dimensional effect to contemporary interiors. It is a versatile choice for residential, commercial and contract settings, creating dynamic volumes and contrasting materials and colours, and offering unique visual and tactile experiences. When paired with smooth surfaces, it adds depth and character to the overall space.
The fluted pattern enhances the design palette of stone, wood and marble-effect ceramics with a harmonious blend of streaks, as well as surfaces with a man-made look such as concrete and resin, infusing warm, natural tones to create a cosy and inviting atmosphere. For a more dramatic effect, it can be paired with metallic finishes to create plays of light and shadow that bring elegance, style and movement to any environment.
Quiet luxury
The Tenniscore fashion trend celebrates the preppy aesthetic and elegant allure of tennis style, evoking the 1980s and 1990s but also extending beyond these decades. Ceramic tiles have drawn inspiration from this trend, embracing soft, neutral tones and natural, dusty textures. These designs reflect the red hues of clay tennis courts and the crisp whites of concrete-effect slabs, ideal for both indoor and outdoor applications. Combed concrete and sharp, clean stripes mirror the sleek lines of modern sports fashion, while classic marble inlays harken back to timeless designs like chequered floors and Art Nouveau windows found in historic villas and stately homes.
Geometric patterns, textural details and hexagonal tiles for both floors and walls, along with three-dimensional triangles, linear incisions and overlapping bas-relief surfaces add dynamic movement to any space. These design elements bring character and a distinctive touch to every corner of the home, indoors or outdoors.
Italian ceramic tiles are renowned for their exceptional quality and are much appreciated by consumers for their intrinsic value. Suitable for residential, commercial, public or urban architectural applications, they introduce new decorative potential and offer endless possibilities for customisation and exclusivity. Italian ceramic tiles excel in creating spaces that are comfortable, protective and intimate, creating a welcoming atmosphere where people feel completely at ease.
This journey into ceramic design redefines the material, allowing it to transcend its traditional role and become a medium for writing a new architectural language that adapts to the ever-evolving demands of contemporary design.
