Irina

Tile trends for 2026: delicious colours, daring patterns, and more

Posted on 6th January 2026

Are you planning to breathe life back into your kitchen or bathroom this year? These are the tile trends for 2026 you need to know about…

If you are thinking about refreshing your kitchen or bathroom this year, look no further than its walls and floors; the right tiles have the power to completely transform your space.

So, to help kick-start your project moodboard and inspire new design ideas, I’ve asked the experts which tiles will be trending in 2026. Picture tantalising texture, delicious colourways, playful prints and patterns, and rustic touches. Read on…

Texture reigns supreme

Texture is predicted to be big in kitchen design in 2026. Urvashi Agarwal, creative director at Stone World London, has also noticed a real shift towards tactility. “Honed finishes are taking over from polished ones as homeowners are using leathered surfaces to add texture. A honed or matte surface lets the character of the stone really shine through. It’s more tactile and brings another dimension to the kitchen,” she says.

Louisa Morgan, creative director at Mandarin Stone, says texture will become the hero in 2026. “Tiles are no longer just visual; they are tactile, sculptural and light reactive. Fluted forms, rippled finishes, and softly undulating surfaces add depth and rhythm, creating walls and floors that feel architectural rather than decorative. These are surfaces designed to be experienced, not just seen,” she explains. And it’s natural we’ll see the desire for texture translate into bathroom design, too.

Modern kitchen zone with stainless steel units, 3D wall tiles, stone flooring and minimalist decor. — Opera Sage Green Satin porcelain tile, from £59.78 per sq m; Opera Sage Green Baroque Decor Satin porcelain tile, from £65.76 per sq m, and Wexford Natural Stone-Effect porcelain tile, from £45.60 per sq m. All Mandarin Stone.

A spa-like bathroom with metro wall slabs, an open shower, and neutral square flooring. — Fontenay Pleated porcelain, £97.60 per sq m; Fontenay Metro porcelain, £95.20 per sq m, and Menara Cotto porcelain, £68.64 per sq m. All Ca’ Pietra.

Creative applications and the art of self-expression

Tiles go beyond your classic wall and floor applications in 2026. Picture slabs concealing bulky kitchen essentials such as extractors, or even wrapping ceilings. What’s more, this year, tiles will also become a tool for personal storytelling, Louisa tells me. “Bold layouts, unexpected pairings, and confident use of scale allow spaces to feel curated rather than prescribed. Colour drenching with tiles, mixing textures, and layering finishes creates immersive interiors that reflect individuality, design led by instinct, not rules,” she says.

A bathroom design with a shower room clad in zellige tiles, ceiling included, with a glass panel and black fittings. — In this project by A. Naber Design, the shower room is drenched in tiles, ceiling included, which is visually striking and oozes a cocooning feeling. White Arch Terracotta Zellige, Amber Arch Terracotta Zellige, and Black Arch Terracotta Zellige, each priced £155 per sq m. All from Otto Tiles & Design.

A colourful kitchen design with yellow base cabinets, a cooker zone with a concealed extractor drenched in checkerboard tiles, a pink island, and pink and green cement flooring. — Dare to play with tiles and showcase your personality through colour and pattern. Cement tiles from the Suzanne Sharp collection, £112.80 per sq m, and Zellige splashback tiles, £148.80 per sq m, all Mosaic Factory. Project by Femkeido Interiors. Photography: Laura Emma Van Guest.

Vivid tile colour combinations

In 2026, colour is bolder, says Rob Whitaker, creative director at Claybrook Studio. “Kitchen splashbacks, feature walls, and bar areas are all enjoying the emphasis that strong tile colours bring.” Louisa agrees and adds, “Deep reds, rich pinks, earthy browns and layered greens sit alongside warmer, sun-washed neutrals. These tones bring warmth, depth, and emotion to interiors, moving away from cool minimalism towards spaces that feel expressive, grounded, and personal without losing sophistication.”

The experts at Marlborough Tiles and Tile of Spain are also seeing playful colour and pattern combinations rising in 2026. Picture vibrant tones, bold motifs, and fluid forms, injecting energy and joy into kitchens and bathrooms.

A kitchen design with glazed splashback in brown and orange tones, with a white worktop and a curtain concealing storage. — “Colour is bolder, especially on walls, where high gloss in bold, confident shades elevates everyday spaces,” says Rob. Monterey Toffee (upper half of the wall) and Monterey Chocolate (bottom half of the wall), each £74.65 per sq m, Claybrook Studio.

A playful bathroom design with a wall clad in colourful metro tiles and a blue pedestal basin. — Bring a retro touch to your bathroom with mix-and-match metro tiles in nostalgic shades and coloured sanitaryware. Boheme tiles by Cevica.

Steeped in nostalgia

Another key tile trend for 2026 is heritage and nostalgic revival, which sees Delft designs rising in popularity, Jamie Robb, creative director at Marlborough Tiles, tells me. “Classic motifs, delicate patterns, and hand-painted detailing bring a sense of craftsmanship and storytelling to interiors, blending tradition with contemporary styling. These tiles serve as striking feature walls, kitchen splashbacks or decorative accents, adding character and a touch of timeless elegance.”

Nostalgic floral patterns are going to be particularly popular in 2026, predicts Louisa Swannell, head of marketing and creative design at Walls and Floors. “These softly drawn blooms and gently muted tones hint at a much-loved country kitchen, yet they sit just as comfortably in a contemporary setting. They work best as accents – think a panel behind a range cooker, a tiled splashback above a basin vanity or as a slim border running through plain tiles, so you get all the charm and character without the pattern taking over.

“It’s a simple way to soften all the hard surfaces in kitchens, bathrooms and utility spaces and bring a little lift to the rooms that work hardest,” she explains.

A country kitchen with burgundy red cabinetry, white work surfaces, Delft splashback tiles, and open shelving with rustic decor. — Floral Corner in Sylvia Blue on 13×13 Crackle Glaze, £238.52 per sq m, Marlborough Tiles. Kitchen by Caisley Interiors.

Terrazzo tile takeover

Year after year, terrazzo keeps reinventing itself and is, once again, having a resurgence of popularity. As one of the world’s oldest materials (originally created to repurpose offcuts of natural stone), it is incredibly versatile.

A warm dining room with speckled flooring, bench seating, and a wood table. — “Real terrazzo, including statement styles like our Squarish on Four, brings texture and a crafted quality to spaces, particularly bathrooms and kitchens, as it is durable and water-resistant once sealed,” says Lee Thornley, founder of Bert & May. Squarish on Four terrazzo, £144 per sq m, Bert & May x Popham Design.

But now, you can find practical porcelain lookalikes and even sustainable solutions crafted from recycled wood chips. “In 2026, terrazzo-style porcelain evolves beyond the familiar speckled pattern into multiple levels of chip variation. Expect ranges from fine micro-terrazzo for a refined look, through to large, bold marble fragments in what’s called ceppo style, that turn a floor into an artwork,” says Rob.

A navy bathroom with dark walls and matching concrete basin, and white speckled flooring. — Add interest to your bathroom design with playful terrazzo tiles. Florentina Azure, £39.98 per sq m, Claybrook Studio.

Earthy tones and rustic touches

Brands such as Ca’ Pietra are predicting raw materials with irregular edges, imperfect patterns, and handcrafted character to be big in 2026 throughout the home, whether that’s a shower drenched in zellige slabs, a living room with terracotta flooring, or a kitchen with a glazed splashback.

Similarly, the experts at Tile of Spain also celebrate the beauty of imperfection this year, with surfaces inspired by the earth such as weathered stone, clay, and mineral textures, perfect for creating serene, grounded spaces.

A calm and neutral kitchen design with terracotta metro tiles on the wall and rustic decor. — TERRA handmade Moroccan natural clay tiles by Mosaic Factory. Rectangle 20 x 20 cm tile in 3B, £93.60 per sq m. Project by @blackwhite_loving for @loustaletprovenca.lemas.

A spa-like bathroom with a striped shower, gold shower system, a stone clad shower seat and stone flooring. — Oasis Veloute in White, £79.38 per sq m, and Riviera Limestone Tumbled, £99 per sq m, Ca Pietra.

Marble is the moment

Marble was one of the most popular materials and patterns of 2025, with homeowners using it across rooms in various ways. Think kitchen splashbacks, bathroom flooring, statement islands, and more creative applications such as extraction canopies or wall cladding. And it will continue to be a staple in 2026, too, however, in a more classical way, says Sophie Balmer, head of brand at The Yorkshire Tile Company.

“Taking cues from the checkerboard, smaller-format heritage floors such as mosaics and octagon patterns are on the rise. These layouts are being paired with unexpected material and pattern combinations, evoking the playful spirit of wallpapered bathrooms from the ’90s. The result is a modern take on classic elegance: spaces that feel refined and hotel-like, yet warm, layered, and effortlessly lived-in,” she predicts.

A classic bathroom design with a white double vanity and marble checkerboard flooring. — Author and influencer Emily English’s bathroom features Como checkerboard porcelain tiles in Verde and Calacatta (300×300), £69.96 per sq m, from The Yorkshire Tile Company.

A closeup at checkered tiles in white and red with swirls and veins. — The checkerboard tile trend will continue to be a go-to choice for renovators in 2026 thanks to its charming and timeless appeal. Chelsea Red Mix Tile, £142.50 per pack, Porcelain Superstore.

Coloured stone is also set to continue to dominate interiors. “Homeowners are getting braver, as stones with dramatic veining and rich colour are becoming the statement pieces of the kitchen. The days of safe whites and greys are over. Deep, vibrant stones such as Rosso Levanto are taking the place of Carrara as homeowners look to create warmth and personality. Bold veining and saturated tones are becoming the new neutrals,” explains Urvashi. Whether you opt for the real deal or a striking marble-effect tile, your space will be infused with timeless charm.

Pink and green tiles

Pretty in pink

It could be down to musical film Wicked’s duo, Glinda and Elphaba, or simply these hues’ warmth and character, but pink and green are predicted to be two of the go-to decorating colours in 2026. “Vintage-inspired muted pinks are gaining traction as a trend-worthy colour for 2026 because they blend nostalgic warmth with a sophisticated softness that feels both comforting and contemporary,” says Jamie.

“Unlike bubblegum pinks of the past, these dusty, earthy rose tones add depth and personality to interiors without overwhelming a space, fitting beautifully with the broader move toward grounded palettes and retro-inspired design elements,” he advises.

Damla Turgut, founder and creative director of Otto Tiles & Design, adds that designers are using pink in a more nuanced way. “It’s no longer treated as an accent, but as a fresh neutral in its own right. Zellige is a great way to introduce this expressive, yet sophisticated colour to an interior.”

This kitchen design feels equally playful and warm. Dusty Pink Zellige, £128 per sq m, Otto Tiles & Design.

Jude Apricot Gloss Ceramic and Jude Pink Gloss Ceramic, each from £49.70 per sq m, Mandarin Stone. These square slabs complement each other and infuse the space with warmth.

Earthy greens

But it’s not just pink that’s cementing itself as a new neutral; earthy-green colours are equally sought after, says Isabel Ferndandez, director at Quorn Stone. “Rooted in nature, they pair effortlessly with other natural-looking materials, including wood and stone, bringing quiet sophistication and longevity to any space.”

A shower zone with metro wall tiles in a dark green, with house plants, a stool for accessories, and veined green floor slabs. — Green is not only a popular decorating colour in 2026, but a statement tile trend, too. Designer Staples Bali Moss 29.5cm x 60cm, £54 per sq m, The Baked Tile Co.

A wood kitchen design with green zellige splashback, marble worktop, and stone flooring. — Bring a touch of nature in through green tiles. Tangier Sage Green Gloss decorative tiles, £55.01 per sq m, Quorn Stone.

So, if you are planning a project in 2026, I hope this tile trends roundup has provided you with some much-needed inspiration for your moodboard. Happy renovating!

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