7 Tile Trends to Watch in 2019

Tile is having one of those “I’m not just for bathrooms anymore” moments. In 2019, it’s showing up like a
houseguest who’s somehow helpful and stylish: on kitchen feature walls, fireplace surrounds, laundry
rooms, entryways, and even furniture-like surfaces. What’s driving it? Better digital printing (hello, realistic
stone looks), bigger formats (goodbye, grout grid), and a renewed obsession with texture and pattern that feels
customeven when it’s not.

If you’re remodeling a kitchen, refreshing a shower, or simply trying to make your backsplash look less “builder
special,” here are seven tile trends that defined 2019plus practical tips so your dream tile doesn’t become
your favorite new reason to mutter “who approved this?” while scrubbing grout.

1) Gauged Porcelain Panels: “Ceramic Wallpaper” Gets Real

2019 was a breakout year for gauged porcelain tile panels (also called slabs). Think oversized,
ultra-thin porcelain sheets that can run nearly wall-to-wall with minimal seams. Designers love them because
they deliver the drama of wallpaperbig pattern, big impactwithout the steam-and-splatter panic that wallpaper
feels in kitchens and showers.

Why it’s trending

Large panels create a sleek, contemporary look with fewer grout lines (which means less visual “noise” and less
cleaning). They also let manufacturers print complex graphicsmarble veining, mural-like botanicals, even
art-inspired patternsat a scale that feels architectural rather than busy.

Where it shines

• Shower surrounds (spa vibes, fewer joints)
• Kitchen backsplashes (especially behind ranges)
• Fireplace feature walls (instant focal point)
• Countertops (when specified correctly and installed by pros)

Pro tip so it doesn’t go sideways

Panels are not a casual DIY weekend project. They demand very flat substrates, the right mortar system, careful
handling, and precise cutting. If you love the look, budget for a skilled installerthis is one trend where the
craftsmanship is half the aesthetic.

2) Terrazzo’s Comeback Tour (Now With Better Styling)

Terrazzo used to be synonymous with school hallways and old institutional buildings. In 2019, it came back as a
design darlingfresh, playful, and surprisingly versatile. Whether it’s classic speckle, oversized chips, or
a softer “micro-terrazzo” pattern, it brings movement without screaming for attention.

Why it’s trending

Terrazzo hits the sweet spot between “pattern” and “neutral.” It can read calm from far away, then reveal
personality up close. Designers also embraced bolder color storiesgreens, warm clays, muted jewel tonesoften
paired with matte finishes for a modern feel.

Where it works best

• Bathroom floors (especially with simple wall tile to balance it)
• Powder rooms (small space, big personality)
• Entryways (durable, forgiving pattern)
• Laundry rooms (the room you didn’t know could be cute)

Practical note

True terrazzo can be a specialty install. If you want the vibe with less complexity, terrazzo-look porcelain
delivers a similar effect and is typically easier to maintain.

3) Touch-Me Tile: Texture, Relief, and 3D Surfaces

If 2018 was about clean lines, 2019 added a tactile twist. 3D tiles, sculptural reliefs,
etched patterns, and dimensional surfaces showed up everywherebecause flat is fine, but texture is memorable.
Think tiles that catch light and shadow the way a well-tailored jacket catches compliments.

Why it’s trending

Texture creates depth without relying on loud color. It also helps a monochrome space feel intentional rather
than unfinished. In kitchens and baths, it’s a way to add richness while keeping the palette calm.

Where it shines

• Shower walls (as an accent band or full feature wall)
• Kitchen backsplashes (especially with under-cabinet lighting)
• Fireplace surrounds (texture + flame = instant drama)

Reality check

Deep relief can be harder to wipe down if it’s right behind a cooktop. If you love texture in the kitchen,
consider using it away from heavy splatter zones or choose a more subtle 3D profile.

4) Pattern Play: Geometrics, Patchwork, and Statement Floors

2019 embraced bold geometric tile patterns and graphic layoutshexagons, stars, diamonds,
checkerboard energy, and “how is this even possible?” mosaics. The goal wasn’t chaos; it was controlled
personality: one strong pattern paired with quieter supporting materials.

Why it’s trending

Pattern is a shortcut to “custom.” Even a modest renovation feels elevated when the tile looks curated. And in
open-concept homes, patterned tile helps define zoneskitchen, mudroom, entrywithout building walls.

Where it shines

• Floors in small spaces (powder rooms love a little drama)
• Backsplashes that run higher than the usual 18 inches
• Shower floors (mosaics also help with slope and traction)

Design rule that saves marriages

If the tile is loud, let the rest of the room be the supportive best friend. Simple paint, calm counters, and
streamlined hardware keep the look intentionalnot like a design showroom exploded.

5) Full-Height Backsplashes and Feature Walls

In 2019, the backsplash stopped being a small, practical strip and started behaving like a
kitchen feature wall. Homeowners and designers pushed tile from countertop to ceilingbehind
open shelving, around range hoods, and across entire wall sectionsto create a focal point that feels designed,
not merely protected.

Why it’s trending

Open layouts put kitchens on display. A full-height tile wall reads like architecture and instantly upgrades
the room. Plus, it can be surprisingly cost-effective: extra square footage of tile often costs less than the
visual impact it delivers.

Best pairings

• Subway tile in a fresh layout (vertical stack, herringbone)
• Large-format slabs for minimal seams
• Simple field tile with standout grout or trim

6) Moody Colors and “New Neutrals”

2019 didn’t abandon white tileit just gave it a moodier, more sophisticated sibling. Dark tile, earthy tones,
and rich colors moved from “risky” to “refreshing.” Think charcoal, ink blue, deep green, warm terracotta, and
creamy off-whites that feel less clinical than bright pure white.

Why it’s trending

Dark and earthy colors make spaces feel grounded and high-end. They also play nicely with popular 2019 finishes
like matte black hardware, warm brass, and natural woods.

Where it shines

• Powder rooms (small space = easy commitment)
• Bathroom showers (especially paired with good lighting)
• Kitchen backsplashes for contrast against light cabinetry

How to keep it from feeling like a cave

Balance is everything: mix dark tile with lighter paint, reflective surfaces, or warm wood. And don’t skip
lightingmoody tile looks best when it has something to bounce off.

7) Updated Classics: Subway, Hex, and Elongated Shapes (Installed Differently)

Classics didn’t disappear in 2019they got a reboot. Subway tile, hex mosaics, and familiar shapes kept their
popularity, but the layout did the heavy lifting: vertical stacks, extra-long rectangles, mixed sizes,
unexpected grout, and creative transitions between shapes.

Why it’s trending

People still want timeless materials, but they also want a space that doesn’t look identical to every listing
photo online. A small twistlike running subway tile vertically or blending hex mosaics into linear field
tilesdelivers individuality without committing to a short-lived fad.

Easy “upgrade” moves

• Vertical stack subway for height and a modern edge
• Herringbone for movement (great in showers and backsplashes)
• Elongated subway to stretch the wall visually
• Mix-and-match shapes (hex + rectangle) for custom energy

Final Takeaways: Trendy, But Make It Livable

The best tile trends of 2019 share one big idea: tile isn’t just a finishit’s a design tool. Big panels create
seamless drama. Terrazzo and pattern bring personality. Texture adds depth without noise. Full-height
backsplashes turn kitchens into showpieces. And updated classics let you play it safe without looking basic.

If you’re choosing tile this year, start with how you live: cleaning tolerance, lighting, foot traffic, and the
level of “statement” you actually want to wake up to every day. Trends are fun, but your home should still feel
like yoursnot like it’s auditioning to be a showroom.

Experiences Related to “7 Tile Trends to Watch in 2019”

One of the most common 2019 tile experiences starts with a tiny sample and an enormous amount of confidence.
Someone holds a 4-by-4 terrazzo-look porcelain chip up to the bathroom vanity and declares, “This is the one.”
Then the full floor goes in andsurpriseit looks bolder, busier, and way more alive than the sample suggested.
That’s not a terrazzo problem; it’s a scale problem. Many homeowners learned in 2019 that tiles with movement
(terrazzo, dramatic marble looks, bold geometrics) need to be viewed in larger mockups. A simple trick that
saved a lot of regret: lay several pieces on the floor in the store (or tape printed photos together at home)
and step back. If it still feels good from six feet away, you’re probably safe.

Another very 2019 moment: the full-height backsplash decision. People loved the idea of taking tile all the way
to the ceilinguntil they had to choose where it ends around a window, how it meets shelves, and whether the
grout line should align with cabinet edges. Designers frequently advised treating the backsplash like a feature
wall: plan it with the same care you’d plan artwork placement. Homeowners who “winged it” often ended up with
awkward cuts in high-visibility spots, while those who mapped the layout first got that clean, architectural
look the trend promised. In many remodels, the biggest upgrade wasn’t the tile itselfit was the decision to
center the pattern behind the range and push the cut pieces into corners where the eye doesn’t linger.

With 3D and textured tiles, 2019 brought a new lesson: beautiful texture plus the wrong location equals daily
annoyance. Textured backsplashes look incredible under lighting, but homeowners who installed deep-relief tile
directly behind a high-splatter cooktop discovered a new hobby: cleaning micro-grooves with a toothbrush.
Meanwhile, the same tile used on a vanity wall or in a niche became a favorite detailbecause it delivered the
wow factor without collecting spaghetti sauce. The practical takeaway many people shared: keep high texture in
places that get steam and admiration, not grease and regret.

Large-format panels created a different kind of experiencemostly awe, occasionally panic. When installed well,
gauged porcelain slabs made showers feel like boutique hotels. But homeowners also learned that “less grout” can
come with “more planning.” Handling and cutting big panels is specialized work, so timelines and budgets needed
a little extra breathing room. The happiest projects were the ones that treated the installation as a craft:
proper substrate prep, the right setting materials, and installers who had actually done slabs before. People
who tried to save money by improvising sometimes ended up paying twiceonce for the first attempt, and again for
the fix.

Finally, 2019 was the year many homeowners realized that classic tile isn’t boringit’s a blank canvas. A basic
white subway tile became “custom” with a vertical stack layout and a warm gray grout. Hex mosaics felt fresh
when they climbed a shower wall or blended into linear field tile like a gradient. Even the timeless blue-and-white
look popped when the tile was hand-painted or arranged in a way that felt personal. The best experiences weren’t
about chasing every trend at once. They were about picking one hero movepattern, texture, color, or scaleand
letting the rest of the room support it. In other words: trend responsibly. Your future self (and your grout
brush) will thank you.

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