9 New Looks for Tiles You Need to Know From Cersaie 2022
Muted tones, tactile surfaces, smaller tile formats and bigger innovations are trending in ceramics and bathrooms
An explosion of colour, tactile surfaces, and innovation leading to more varied and sustainable products: the world of ceramics, at the heart of Cersaie – the International Exhibition of Ceramic Tile and Bathroom Furnishings held in Bologna, Italy, from 26 to 30 September 2022 – has opened up to new design directions despite the challenges of an uncertain political and economic context.
The common denominator of the newest products on the scene was the goal of making homes more comfortable, with delicate shades that inspire relaxation and earthy tones that leverage the benefits of connection to nature. The fair also made room for highly textured surfaces that stimulate the senses and create a sense of belonging.
Tiles for interiors were displayed in a variety of formats, especially on the smaller side, while timber- and marble-look styles continued to be popular. The most popular, however, were tiles that mimic wallpaper or metallics. Finally, we saw lots of technical innovations as the sector continues seek out ways to reduce energy consumption, combat indoor air pollution and reduce waste.
The common denominator of the newest products on the scene was the goal of making homes more comfortable, with delicate shades that inspire relaxation and earthy tones that leverage the benefits of connection to nature. The fair also made room for highly textured surfaces that stimulate the senses and create a sense of belonging.
Tiles for interiors were displayed in a variety of formats, especially on the smaller side, while timber- and marble-look styles continued to be popular. The most popular, however, were tiles that mimic wallpaper or metallics. Finally, we saw lots of technical innovations as the sector continues seek out ways to reduce energy consumption, combat indoor air pollution and reduce waste.
Bottega d’Arte line by Iris Ceramica in 150 x 150-millimetres.
Mindwalk collection from Pastorelli in Cardoso Stone and Brown Antique variants.
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Archisalt collection from Cerdisa in Hawaiian Green.
Percorsi Frame collection from Ceramiche Keope.
2. Calm and soothing tones in bathroom design
Designed to create relaxing spaces and make the bathroom a snug, cosy environment, we saw tiles in particularly light and delicate tones tiptoeing into interiors, bringing with them a feeling of comfort. “Homes should be filled with soft tones and tiles shouldn’t disturb the environment, but complement it,” says Biasi.
2. Calm and soothing tones in bathroom design
Designed to create relaxing spaces and make the bathroom a snug, cosy environment, we saw tiles in particularly light and delicate tones tiptoeing into interiors, bringing with them a feeling of comfort. “Homes should be filled with soft tones and tiles shouldn’t disturb the environment, but complement it,” says Biasi.
New variants of the LightStone series from VitrA.
Pigmenti collection by Ferruccio Laviani for Lea Ceramiche, in 12 colours.
3. Colour blocking is back
“Desaturated and neutral colours like beige and dusty pink are still very present, but we’re also beginning to see saturated colours used together,” says designer Terri Pecora.
Colour blocking was another prominent trend at Cersaie this year. In some cases, we saw natural colours paired together, creating a sense of movement.
3. Colour blocking is back
“Desaturated and neutral colours like beige and dusty pink are still very present, but we’re also beginning to see saturated colours used together,” says designer Terri Pecora.
Colour blocking was another prominent trend at Cersaie this year. In some cases, we saw natural colours paired together, creating a sense of movement.
Pigmenti collection by Ferruccio Laviani for Lea Ceramiche, in 12 colours.
Pastelli collection from Appiani by Gruppo Bardelli.
Katrine Goldstein, managing director and partner of Norm Architects, standing next to their Copenhagen collection for Decoratori Bassanesi. Photo by Simone Furiosi.
4. Tactile textures are on trend for tiles
However, tile surfaces may have been the most interesting thing at this year’s fair. Cersaie 2022 was almost all tactile, with designers and producers presenting plenty of textures to stimulate touch.
Why? Katrine Goldstein, managing director and partner at Norm Architects, explains that the trend of pairing soft colours with particularly tactile surfaces triggers a sense of wellbeing. “Our collections are made in colours that make us feel relaxed: surrounding ourselves with with earth tones relaxes the mind and the soul … Nowadays, we’re so overwhelmed by images and stimuli that architecture and design play a vital role in how people feel when they’re at home or in other environments. Colours inspired by nature and tactile surfaces are things we desperately need.”
4. Tactile textures are on trend for tiles
However, tile surfaces may have been the most interesting thing at this year’s fair. Cersaie 2022 was almost all tactile, with designers and producers presenting plenty of textures to stimulate touch.
Why? Katrine Goldstein, managing director and partner at Norm Architects, explains that the trend of pairing soft colours with particularly tactile surfaces triggers a sense of wellbeing. “Our collections are made in colours that make us feel relaxed: surrounding ourselves with with earth tones relaxes the mind and the soul … Nowadays, we’re so overwhelmed by images and stimuli that architecture and design play a vital role in how people feel when they’re at home or in other environments. Colours inspired by nature and tactile surfaces are things we desperately need.”
Casalgrande Padana’s Stile series with antiqued surface.
Blow collection from Blustyle; the Crust version has a patterned finish.
“We try to bring in very powerful, tactile textures that nevertheless do not impact the space too much from an aesthetic point of view,” says Biasi. “Everything has to be designed with a view to the whole. In the bathroom, for example, comfortable, serene spaces with very natural colours, satin and velvet textures that are very tactile and speak to all five senses are still trending.”
“We try to bring in very powerful, tactile textures that nevertheless do not impact the space too much from an aesthetic point of view,” says Biasi. “Everything has to be designed with a view to the whole. In the bathroom, for example, comfortable, serene spaces with very natural colours, satin and velvet textures that are very tactile and speak to all five senses are still trending.”
New Alaska White variant from FMG Fabbrica Marmi e Graniti’s MaxFine series.
New colours in the Phenomenon collection by Tokujin Yoshioka for Mutina.
Browse contemporary bathrooms by Australian designers
Browse contemporary bathrooms by Australian designers
Jungle from the Deco Studio collection by Del Conca.
5. Wallpaper-look tiles
This year Cersaie continued to feature collections that mimicked wood and a variety of natural stones. But the most novel offerings were wallpaper-inspired styles and metallic surfaces. We saw several tiles inspired by wallpapers, from traditional styles with small floral prints to others resembling paintings of plants and animals, to more abstract versions like the Elements Collection by Seletti 4 Ceramica Bardelli.
“When Gianmaria Bardelli asked me to collaborate, I didn’t hesitate for a second,” says artistic director Stefano Seletti. “I discovered that the world of tiling has a magic power, similar to that of art.”
5. Wallpaper-look tiles
This year Cersaie continued to feature collections that mimicked wood and a variety of natural stones. But the most novel offerings were wallpaper-inspired styles and metallic surfaces. We saw several tiles inspired by wallpapers, from traditional styles with small floral prints to others resembling paintings of plants and animals, to more abstract versions like the Elements Collection by Seletti 4 Ceramica Bardelli.
“When Gianmaria Bardelli asked me to collaborate, I didn’t hesitate for a second,” says artistic director Stefano Seletti. “I discovered that the world of tiling has a magic power, similar to that of art.”
Spring, from the Deco Solutions series by Caesar Ceramics.
Icons collection by Versace Ceramics.
Elements by Seletti 4 Ceramica Bardelli.
Alchemy by Caesar Ceramics in the Lux version, with a glossy and reflective surface.
6. Metallic inspiration
There were also several tiles on display that managed to reproduce both the colours and textures of metal. For example, an aged-metal surface that resembles decades-old iron or weathered steel. Others offered contrasting, glossy finishes.
6. Metallic inspiration
There were also several tiles on display that managed to reproduce both the colours and textures of metal. For example, an aged-metal surface that resembles decades-old iron or weathered steel. Others offered contrasting, glossy finishes.
Dripart from Ceramica Sant’Agostino.
Iron from the Oxid series by Unicom Starker, presented at the fair and already in production.
Botanica collection by Tokujin Yoshioka for Mutina.
7. Smaller sizes
Possibly linked to the difficulty in securing raw materials, this year’s fair displayed tile designs in much smaller formats than last year.
7. Smaller sizes
Possibly linked to the difficulty in securing raw materials, this year’s fair displayed tile designs in much smaller formats than last year.
Distortion series by Seletti 4 Gruppo Bardelli.
Smaller styles have, however, opened up to many creative interpretations, including geometric patterns. Seletti 4 Ceramica Bardelli’s Escher-inspired design is one example.
“I made a 2D capsule collection with 3D aesthetics to speak to the world of architecture in an original language,” said Gianmaria Bardelli during the company’s seminar at the fair. “The common goal? To twist the logic of modern decoration and composition and go beyond the mould.”
Smaller styles have, however, opened up to many creative interpretations, including geometric patterns. Seletti 4 Ceramica Bardelli’s Escher-inspired design is one example.
“I made a 2D capsule collection with 3D aesthetics to speak to the world of architecture in an original language,” said Gianmaria Bardelli during the company’s seminar at the fair. “The common goal? To twist the logic of modern decoration and composition and go beyond the mould.”
Small-format Geosystem tiles by Gruppo Bardelli.
Tetris by Ceramiche Sant’Agostino.
8. Brick-like tile trends
One popular look for small-format tiles was vertically or horizontally stacked tiles, creating a brick-wall effect. The shape and size of these tiles makes it easy to arrange them in a variety of ways, allowing for lots of different combinations of colours and finishes.
8. Brick-like tile trends
One popular look for small-format tiles was vertically or horizontally stacked tiles, creating a brick-wall effect. The shape and size of these tiles makes it easy to arrange them in a variety of ways, allowing for lots of different combinations of colours and finishes.
Detail from Stripes Blue Glossy from the Homey collection by Ceramiche Piemme.
On the wall, Stripes Blue Glossy from the Homey collection by Ceramiche Piemme.
CobbleMix System Tiles from VitrA.
Cotto d’Este’s Pura collection with Protect technology: silver ions mixed into the material eliminate 99.9 percent of bacteria on the surface, according to the company.
9. Sustainability and technical innovation
At this year’s fair we saw a renewed commitment to sustainability with products made with fewer processing phases or without finishes or glazes. These styles also reduce the amount of waste and shorten the production chain.
Another continuing trend is tiling with antibacterial finishes that continue to promote indoor air quality and wellness inside the home.
9. Sustainability and technical innovation
At this year’s fair we saw a renewed commitment to sustainability with products made with fewer processing phases or without finishes or glazes. These styles also reduce the amount of waste and shorten the production chain.
Another continuing trend is tiling with antibacterial finishes that continue to promote indoor air quality and wellness inside the home.
Another exciting innovation: the Reflet project from Mirage in collaboration with Andrea Boschetti, winner of the ADI Ceramics and Bathroom Design Award at Cersaie 2022 (pictured). The reflective, weather-resistant material is suitable for both indoor or outdoor use and is the result of over two years of research.
Ylico series from Fap Ceramiche.
Another example came from Fap Ceramiche, who developed a new type of industrial lacquer to create glossy accents on a matt background, contrasting the two textures.
Your turn
Which of these nine design directions will you embrace in your professional practice? Tell us in the Comments below, like this story, save the images and join the creative conversation.
More
Need to brush up on more of the latest from Cersaie? Get your next news dose here with Cersaie 2022: Bathroom Design Trends for 2023 Making a Splash
Another example came from Fap Ceramiche, who developed a new type of industrial lacquer to create glossy accents on a matt background, contrasting the two textures.
Your turn
Which of these nine design directions will you embrace in your professional practice? Tell us in the Comments below, like this story, save the images and join the creative conversation.
More
Need to brush up on more of the latest from Cersaie? Get your next news dose here with Cersaie 2022: Bathroom Design Trends for 2023 Making a Splash
1. Earthy tones feature
Clay, ochre, green and other natural tones are clearly popular. “We’re using earth tones more and more. It’s a clear trend,” says Federica Biasi, designer and artistic director of Decoratori Bassanesi.
“After two years of Covid, everyone wants to reconnect with nature. In fact, the trend will only grow stronger. And this is my philosophy as a designer: the home should be a place to relax and get back to natural environments.”