By the middle of last year, more than 1.5 billion square feet of tile had already been used in the United States, according to a leading industry group, and that number regularly increases. This isn’t terribly surprising. Tile is a durable, low maintenance, versatile and generally affordable building material used indoors and out.

If you’re a homeowner planning to remodel or a building professional planning a new project, chances are you have a number penciled in for tile. Chances are, you also care what it looks like, so that your space is up to date. 

Here are some new things of tile.

Color and Pattern

Bright colors, colorful murals, botanicals and interesting textures were hot this year. Europeans use tile in ways Americans don’t, like feature walls or headboards, for example. This trend might show up here on backsplashes or fireplace surrounds for adventurous clients.

Cement Style

Classic hydraulic looks have made a strong comeback these past few years, and continue to trend. They’re showing up on floors and walls, in both traditional and contemporary spaces these days, especially in eclectic bathrooms.

Stone Cold Beauty

You don’t need to invest in natural stone to enjoy its classic beauty any longer. European tile manufacturers have expertly reproduced its dramatic veining in low maintenance porcelain. It can be used in ever-larger slabs, as well, for countertops or shower surrounds.   In addition to marble, you’ll also see more rustic, weathered stones for interior or exterior projects.

Wood Inspirations

Wood is another natural material that is well-rendered in tile. We’ve seen it in glossy and matte, textured and smooth. It is not a new trend, but one that continues to attract. Given its ability to look great indoors and out, including on both sides of a sliding glass wall, or in a full bathroom, it’s not surprising that wood-look tile is still a popular choice.

Subway Tile Renewal

Here’s another oldie but goodie that still has strong appeal. You’ll see subway tile now in larger sizes or installed in non-horizontal patterns like herringbone or vertical. You’ll also see dimensional tile, darker grout colors, and mixed finishes for updated looks.

From: www.forbes.com