Producing a total of 510 million square metres of tiles with a revenue totalling 6.4 million euros, Italy is the world leader in tile manufacturing and exports. And every year, the country’s top ceramic tile manufacturers and brands gather at Cersaie, a ceramic tile and bathroom furnishings show held in Bologna, to exhibit their latest designs and innovations.
We were invited to this year’s fair held between 24 and 28 September for a first-hand look at the latest tiles and surface trends and innovations being produced by leading tile manufacturers from around the world. From realistic-looking ceramic wood surfaces to oxidised metal-like ceramic surfaces, here are the latest tile trends coming your way soon.
- Inspired by nature
Mother Nature continues to be a big inspiration in the world of interiors and surfaces, and this is found in colours that reflect the sky and the forest. Shapes and textures also play a part in bringing nature home – think iridescent fish scale tiles and honeycombed hexagonal tiles.
Vidrepur Soul BR green tiles
Terrantinta Hexa Wall Ocean Wave tiles
- Oxidised effect
Something that will add an edge to industrial-themed interiors while complementing the ever-popular concrete surfaces is oxidised metal effects on ceramic tiles. Thanks to new digital printing technology, tile manufacturers have found a way to create that distressed, acid wash look on ceramic surfaces to make it appear like metal.
Rondine Rust collection
Fondovalle Acidic Metal Color tiles
- Rough concrete
Speaking of concrete, a trend that we saw at Cersaie is textured ceramic concrete tiles. Expressed through uneven colour distribution and seemingly haphazard stratifications, these concrete effect tiles have a hand-finished quality that mimics poured concrete.
Fondovalle Action Dark tiles
Fondovalle Portland 3.0 Hood tiles
- Ceramic wood 2.0
New digital printing technology has also allowed for the creation of more realistic renditions of wood-effect ceramic tiles. Deeper colours, more realistic grains and a wider range of formats and sizes allow homeowners to replicate that warm and cosy wood-lined interior while enjoying the hassle-free maintenance and durability of ceramic surfaces.
Lea Ceramiche Bio Select Oak Ginger Natural collection
Iris Ceramica Madeira collection
- Polished stone lookalikes
The ceramic stone surfaces we spotted at Cersaie looked just like the real deal. Mimicking a variety of marble and stones like granite, terrazzo and quartz, the new ceramic stone surfaces are more sophisticated than ever. Expect to see lots of enamelled finishes, realistic looking veining and uneven shading that emulate natural stones.
Fondocalle Inifinito 2.0 Gloss Marble pattern tiles
Ceramica Sant’Agostino Pure Marble Onice White tiles
