2019 Bathroom Trends: Focus on Tile Styles, Colours & Materials
Direct from this year's Cersaie fair in Italy, these new trends focus on fresh finishes, hygiene and innovative designs
Held every September in Bologna, Italy, Cersaie is an international exhibition of architectural ceramics and bathroom furnishings. This year, 840 exhibitors, including 452 ceramic tile manufacturers and 181 bathroom-furnishing firms showed off their new designs. This latest edition also saw 112,104 visitors, with nearly half hailing from outside Italy. Houzz was on the scene to greet professionals, while our editorial team strolled the venue in search of exciting new trends.
Much of what we saw at Cersaie this year carried forward some of the trends we’ve already been talking about, while other innovations – such as a new approach to spa baths – are opening doors to ways of living that reflect people’s current needs. These include the desire to unwind and disconnect from the digital world, the cultural emphasis on personalisation, minimising consumption, and the issue of the ever-decreasing size of homes. Here are nine of the hottest bathroom solutions for 2019.
Much of what we saw at Cersaie this year carried forward some of the trends we’ve already been talking about, while other innovations – such as a new approach to spa baths – are opening doors to ways of living that reflect people’s current needs. These include the desire to unwind and disconnect from the digital world, the cultural emphasis on personalisation, minimising consumption, and the issue of the ever-decreasing size of homes. Here are nine of the hottest bathroom solutions for 2019.
2. Rethinking the rectangle
This year saw further experimentation with the shapes and sizes of tiles. But the classic rectangles – measuring 10 by 20 centimetres, 11 by 25 centimetres, and 10 by 30 centimetres – are back in the spotlight thanks to the subway-tile trend. This year, however, a stacked vertical layout is in again.
Once seen only as a technical necessity, grout lines now play a leading role, and are purposely being expanded to contrast with the tile colour.
Cabinet: Petra collection by Artesi
Do you know about the colourful grout trend?
This year saw further experimentation with the shapes and sizes of tiles. But the classic rectangles – measuring 10 by 20 centimetres, 11 by 25 centimetres, and 10 by 30 centimetres – are back in the spotlight thanks to the subway-tile trend. This year, however, a stacked vertical layout is in again.
Once seen only as a technical necessity, grout lines now play a leading role, and are purposely being expanded to contrast with the tile colour.
Cabinet: Petra collection by Artesi
Do you know about the colourful grout trend?
Rectangular mosaic tiles are also a popular twist. A vertical brick layout is, again, on trend.
Mosaic: Rock Art by Roca in Smart Acqua, each tile measures 30 by 30 centimetres in total and contains a grid of smaller mosaic tiles within it
Mosaic: Rock Art by Roca in Smart Acqua, each tile measures 30 by 30 centimetres in total and contains a grid of smaller mosaic tiles within it
If you are in the mood for something different and find hexagonal tiles static or mainstream, asymmetric hexagonal tiles are a forward-thinking touch.
Floor: Esagona Irregolare from the Abaco collection by Ceramica Colli di Sassuolo, tiles measure 35 by 28 centimetres
Floor: Esagona Irregolare from the Abaco collection by Ceramica Colli di Sassuolo, tiles measure 35 by 28 centimetres
3. 3D textures
Relief decor on stoneware is always intriguing and offers an interesting way to add interest to pure white tiles in particular.
At the fair, 3D textures also appeared on marble-effect slabs. Here, the Infinity Honey Mirror tile from Ascot’s Excelsior collection livens up this classic finish and gives it a more contemporary feel.
Wall tiles: 50 by 150 centimetres
Here’s all you need to know about 3D epoxy floors
Relief decor on stoneware is always intriguing and offers an interesting way to add interest to pure white tiles in particular.
At the fair, 3D textures also appeared on marble-effect slabs. Here, the Infinity Honey Mirror tile from Ascot’s Excelsior collection livens up this classic finish and gives it a more contemporary feel.
Wall tiles: 50 by 150 centimetres
Here’s all you need to know about 3D epoxy floors
Marco Paolelli of Meneghello Paolelli Associati, a design firm that collaborates with a number of companies in the bathroom furnishing industry, also sees a trend towards greater embellishment.
“Having studied the industry for over 10 years and looked around, I find that a need for normality collides with a desire to exaggerate,” Paolelli says. “On the one hand are simple, reassuring pieces with soft lines; and on the other hand, innovative collections that are abrasive in some ways and want to go beyond norms and evoke emotions. The material character of the product is experiencing its golden age. Marble is ‘in’, wood is ‘out’; decor in all its forms is ‘in’, minimalism is ‘out’.”
Wall tiles: Bubble white matt from the Lumina collection by Fap Ceramiche, measuring 25 by 75 centimetres
“Having studied the industry for over 10 years and looked around, I find that a need for normality collides with a desire to exaggerate,” Paolelli says. “On the one hand are simple, reassuring pieces with soft lines; and on the other hand, innovative collections that are abrasive in some ways and want to go beyond norms and evoke emotions. The material character of the product is experiencing its golden age. Marble is ‘in’, wood is ‘out’; decor in all its forms is ‘in’, minimalism is ‘out’.”
Wall tiles: Bubble white matt from the Lumina collection by Fap Ceramiche, measuring 25 by 75 centimetres
4. Artificial stone
Natural material purists will disagree, but there is a good case to be made for artificial stone slabs: Resistance to wear and bacteria, easier care and more. The Pietra d’Iseo tiles from Cotto d’Este, pictured, are an example. The design is an imitation of Ceppo di Gré, a stone widely used in the palaces of Milan and Lombardy and extracted from the quarries near Lake Iseo, east of Milan, Italy.
However, the tiles are made of Kerlite – a thin, laminated porcelain that is reinforced with fibreglass. It also incorporates an antimicrobial technology that uses silver ions to inhibit the metabolic processes of bacteria, preventing their growth. These are added to the tiles during firing, so they are permanently active in the product.
Natural material purists will disagree, but there is a good case to be made for artificial stone slabs: Resistance to wear and bacteria, easier care and more. The Pietra d’Iseo tiles from Cotto d’Este, pictured, are an example. The design is an imitation of Ceppo di Gré, a stone widely used in the palaces of Milan and Lombardy and extracted from the quarries near Lake Iseo, east of Milan, Italy.
However, the tiles are made of Kerlite – a thin, laminated porcelain that is reinforced with fibreglass. It also incorporates an antimicrobial technology that uses silver ions to inhibit the metabolic processes of bacteria, preventing their growth. These are added to the tiles during firing, so they are permanently active in the product.
5. Pastel colours
If grey, white and marble-effect tiles remain the undisputed material queens of bathroom wall coverings and floors, then among colour schemes, sage green, marsala and pastel pink predominate.
Shower recess: Colours collection by Agha, in green
Check out these charming, pastel interiors
If grey, white and marble-effect tiles remain the undisputed material queens of bathroom wall coverings and floors, then among colour schemes, sage green, marsala and pastel pink predominate.
Shower recess: Colours collection by Agha, in green
Check out these charming, pastel interiors
This is true not only for tiles but also fixtures, sanitary ware and accessories.
Wall tiles: Shapes tiles from the Even collection by Panaria Ceramica, in Leaf, measuring 35 by 100 centimetres
Wall tiles: Shapes tiles from the Even collection by Panaria Ceramica, in Leaf, measuring 35 by 100 centimetres
6. Black faucets
Black-and-white bathrooms are always in. Faucet manufacturers are following this trend by offering sophisticated black (or white) as a standard option instead of an add-on to standard chrome-plated hardware.
Single-lever faucet: from the Slim collection by Cisal
Black-and-white bathrooms are always in. Faucet manufacturers are following this trend by offering sophisticated black (or white) as a standard option instead of an add-on to standard chrome-plated hardware.
Single-lever faucet: from the Slim collection by Cisal
Industrial-style showers have developed to include models with silk-screen printed glass. One example was the Libero 3000 enclosure from Duka, pictured here. Despite appearances, it doesn’t have any metal framing, making it lighter and easier to clean.
Walk-in shower: Libero 3000 Industrial Design by Duka
Walk-in shower: Libero 3000 Industrial Design by Duka
7. Luxury and relaxation even in small bathrooms
The cumbersome spa bath is now history, with new models that even fit into small bathrooms, thanks to innovative solid surface materials allowing for thinner framing and more compact mechanisms. These are now also quieter, a feature that is not to be underestimated in a small space or an open ensuite. Freestanding or fitted, oval or rectangular, there’s a model to suit everyone’s needs.
Jacuzzi’s new model, Arga, pictured here, also does away with bubbles, replacing the ubiquitous air jets with what they are calling their ‘swirpool’ technology, which generates gentler ‘vortices’ that caress the bather’s body. It also features a built-in bath-salt diffuser and lights.
The cumbersome spa bath is now history, with new models that even fit into small bathrooms, thanks to innovative solid surface materials allowing for thinner framing and more compact mechanisms. These are now also quieter, a feature that is not to be underestimated in a small space or an open ensuite. Freestanding or fitted, oval or rectangular, there’s a model to suit everyone’s needs.
Jacuzzi’s new model, Arga, pictured here, also does away with bubbles, replacing the ubiquitous air jets with what they are calling their ‘swirpool’ technology, which generates gentler ‘vortices’ that caress the bather’s body. It also features a built-in bath-salt diffuser and lights.
8. Sanitation boost
New toilet designs focus on hygiene, including several rimless models that make it easier to clean the bowl with quick-release seats.
One example was Flaminia’s App line, pictured here in their new Fango colour, featuring seats that can be removed with the touch of a button and a toilet without an internal rim.
New toilet designs focus on hygiene, including several rimless models that make it easier to clean the bowl with quick-release seats.
One example was Flaminia’s App line, pictured here in their new Fango colour, featuring seats that can be removed with the touch of a button and a toilet without an internal rim.
9. Vessel basins
The vessel basin currently reigns supreme. It can be round, oval, or rectangular, featuring either organic lines with finishes reminiscent of tumbled stone or a thin, square bowl for a more minimalist look. They come in ceramics or solid surfaces, and the finish may be white, coloured or a natural-stone effect.
The most important element is a functional shape that reduces splash back from the tap. The support base is also key – a bowl-shaped basin sitting directly on your bathroom vanity could make it difficult to clean the narrow space at its base. Solutions such as the Lounge sink, pictured here, designed for Noken Porcelanosa Bathrooms by Simone Micheli, take this aspect into account by lifting the sink on a short pedestal.
Basin, faucets, cabinet and mirror: Lounge collection; cabinet: Night Blue with copper-finished metal detailing, measuring 120 centimetres wide
Read more:
Choose Your Bathroom’s Style From These 9 Looks
Tell us:
Which of these nine trends would you welcome into your home? Tell us your favourites in the Comments below.
The vessel basin currently reigns supreme. It can be round, oval, or rectangular, featuring either organic lines with finishes reminiscent of tumbled stone or a thin, square bowl for a more minimalist look. They come in ceramics or solid surfaces, and the finish may be white, coloured or a natural-stone effect.
The most important element is a functional shape that reduces splash back from the tap. The support base is also key – a bowl-shaped basin sitting directly on your bathroom vanity could make it difficult to clean the narrow space at its base. Solutions such as the Lounge sink, pictured here, designed for Noken Porcelanosa Bathrooms by Simone Micheli, take this aspect into account by lifting the sink on a short pedestal.
Basin, faucets, cabinet and mirror: Lounge collection; cabinet: Night Blue with copper-finished metal detailing, measuring 120 centimetres wide
Read more:
Choose Your Bathroom’s Style From These 9 Looks
Tell us:
Which of these nine trends would you welcome into your home? Tell us your favourites in the Comments below.
Why limit yourself to just one size and shade for your bathroom tiles? Now your imagination can run wild with wall finishes that can be combined to create unique decor.
Companies are coming up with collections of tiles in different sizes and a variety of finishes, designs and colours that complement one another and can be mixed and matched, leaving more room for home owners’ and interior designers’ creativity.
Wall covering: tiles from the Pat collection by Fap Ceramiche in Sky (saturated light blue) and Deco Blue (dotted), measuring 30.5 by 91.5 centimetres