What’s Trending in Tiles for 2020
While tile was once mostly used in hotel flooring, the variety of colors and patterns now available have helped it become a much more multifunctional product. Read on to see how tile innovations have made the material more diverse and what the hottest tile design trends are for various areas of your property.
Advancements in Tile
Upgraded technologies and processes have improved hotel tiles in a variety of ways. One new feature for porcelain tiles is an antimicrobial shield that eliminates up to 99.9% of surface bacteria. In addition, tile is now easier to install, more durable, slip-resistant, waterproof, and repellent to stains and scratches.
Technological advancements have also made a significant difference in creating more realistic looks for tiles thanks to constantly improving printing capabilities. For instance, onyx stone has a lot of depth to the material and now manufacturers are able to recreate the aesthetic of the material in porcelain tiles.
Design Trends
New, higher-quality tile printing capabilities allow for endless options in pattern, color, shape and texture. Hotel designers are taking advantage of this flexibility by introducing more color in tiles and experimenting with different shapes and patterns. Printed tile can now mimic the appearance of fabric, with linen being a popular option for this trend.
Metallic tiles have recently come into play in geometric shapes and patterns that give off an industrial feel. Terrazzo is also a growing pattern trend for tile and hotel designs in general. In terms of color, tiles are moving away from cool grey hues to warmer tones.
Porcelain is currently the most commonly used material for tile due to its strength, durability, and resistance to water and stains. This tile selection generally instills color all the way through the porcelain so that chips and marring are less noticeable.
Tile for All Areas
As is the case with all FF&E, designs and product choices for tile vary based on their placement and usage. For wall tiles, we’re seeing more fun textures, dimensions, and colors. Contrast is another big trend in wall tiles, so grout that is opposing in hue to the tile itself is an attractive option.
Floor tiles tend to be square or rectangular in shape, but there has been a rise in plank sizes even when the tile doesn’t resemble wood. There is now the capability to cut rectangular and square shapes into the planks for more options with patterns. In terms of grout for tile flooring, the darker the better; this color choice will help keep your floors looking clean. New semi-polished finishes that meet the DCOF requirements for floors also provide more flexibility in design.
Tile designs for guestrooms are featuring stone looks, subtle fabric textures, and tile that mimics wood. Mosaic patterns have become popular for backsplashes in kitchen and shower areas. While public spaces also favor stone and wood tile aesthetics, concrete-type tiles are also in style. Walls in public spaces may also use tile to inject a ‘wow’ factor for their design, such as with bold floral prints or porcelain tile that resembles precious gemstones.
Tile has come a long way since it first emerged in hotels. With increased longevity and evolving design options, the material can now have an impact in a wide range of hospitality spaces. Contact Innvision Hospitality today to select, procure, and install tile that works with your design scheme and budget.
