Why are we predicting next year to be The Year of The Tile? Keep reading to find out what happens when technology and tile meet in 2016 and what that means for your home decor.

Mosaic Glass Tiles

2016 is going to be all about shine. Bling with class! Metallic and mosaic glass tile accents and back splashes are going to be bigger than ever this coming year. This recent fireplace update and lower level bar remodel by Design Connection, Inc. is a great example of this exciting and emerging tile trend.

While the fireplace is on the main floor, this tile design was carried on to the lower level, from the craftsman cutouts in the stairwell to the basement bar backsplash. See more rooms in this home by Design Connection, Inc. here.

Mosaic backsplash trends have moved away from small and simple mass-produced squared tiles towards eye-catching, reflective, and colorful tiles with movement and personality. I love helping my clients’ personal style shine through by helping select the perfect tiles for their kitchen and bathroom walls. This kitchen transformation by Design Connection, Inc. shows how your backsplash can be both a focal point and an artistic piece. By using shiny glass mosaic tiles in a unique pattern, I was able to give my clients the contemporary style they were dreaming of while blending with the traditional craftsmanship of their home. See the Before & After pics of this project here.

Subway Tiles

Subway tiles have been gaining momentum over the last few years. The latest trends in subway tiles are glassy and shiny, reflective and colorful, with patterns that flow beyond your basic brick repetitions. Glass and glazed tiles are sophisticated, lively and fun, and highly reflective of light, as seen in this bathroom design using a cobalt gray glass subway tile by RW Anderson Homes.

In this bathroom below, Urrutia Design creates visual interest by mixing up brick patterns using a combination of different colors and sizes as well as some dimensional glass subway tiles.

Tiles With Depth & Dimension

This bathroom by JLB Developments is a great example of how a basic shower design is turned fabulous by a great choice in tile. The muted colors in this bathroom could have been boring and bland, but the mix of different sized horizontal tiles set with a ‘popping out’ effect makes a huge statement and creates tons of visual interest.

Expect to see more 3D dimensional tiles designs this coming year! Geometric patterns have been trending for a few years in furnishings and accessories. 3D and dimensional tiles with geometric patterns are on the rise, lending an effortless, modern look to your space. I love the combination of textured tiles in this bathroom by Horizon Italian Tile!

Stone Tile

Natural stone always has been and always will be in style and on-trend. Whether you want a traditional look or a modern, updated feel, natural stone tiles are a guaranteed win. In 2016, the bigger the stone tile, the better. Leave it up to the accent tile to make a defining statement! In this bathroom remodel by Design Connection, Inc., my clients wanted a spacious and elegant retreat with a timeless, classic style with a modern feel. This look was achieved by installing new 12 x 22 brick patterned Marca Corona Italian tile which wraps the bathroom and shower walls, pairing perfectly with the crisp white 12×24 Caesar tiled floor. Highlighting the gorgeous stand-alone bathtub, modern energy was infused into this design with Walker Zanger imported glass accent tile. See the Before and After pics here.

Look-a-Like Tiles

Ink-jet printing and digital imaging technology has taken the tile industry by storm. Tile manufacturers are able to duplicate your favorite natural stone, hardwoods and metals in a very convincing, durable and affordable fashion.

Reclaimed wood flooring is more popular than ever, which is why wood look-a-like ceramic tiles are soaring into trend. Reclaimed wood flooring looks fantastic, but do you have the time and knowledge to scour the countryside for the perfect 150 year-old barn wood? With ceramic wood-look tile, you can get the look for less and in the dimensions you prefer. Did I mention clean-up and maintenance is a breeze? These Barnyard Porcelain Panels by AB Ceramics are available in 45″ planks.

And it’s not just reclaimed wood that is being duplicated. The most popular hardwood floors can be found in tile form for less per square foot!

Brass, gold, and metals in general have been iron-hot lately. From the looks of these incredible metal look-a-like porcelain tiles available today, metals will remain in the forefront of the interior design scene for years to come. This patina porcelain tile from Horizon Tile gives you the expensive look of copper without the price tag and upkeep.

If selecting a paint color has proven difficult, deciding on new tile can be even harder. There are so many materials and styles, designs and patterns, color schemes and textures, that even thinking about it can be overwhelming! My advice? Ask a pro. Here is an example of a product board from our design studio.

When you see a tile you like, we can show you coordinating mosaics in different shapes and colors, pencil liners, chair rails, trim pieces, floor tiles, etc. We are here to advise you and help you through your difficult design decisions!

For more tile design ideas, check out our Pinterest Finds as well as our Houzz Tile Ideabook.