Tile of Spain share their expert insights into the tile trends we will all be seeing in 2026
Showcasing an outstanding array of new designs and technical innovations, this year’s Cersaie in Bologna once again highlighted the creativity and craftsmanship of the Spanish tile industry. Offering a preview of the styles and surface trends set to define interiors in 2026, María D Arráez, director of Tile of Spain UK, and Clara Vicedo, marketing and communications executive at ASCER, share their pick of the standout trends shaping the future of ceramic tile design. These trends also draw on research and insight from the Habitat Trends Observatory at the Institute of Ceramic Technology (ITC), ensuring a forward-looking view of the sector
The Beauty of Imperfection
Celebrating the raw and the real, this trend embraces the natural irregularities that give materials their true character. Surfaces inspired by the earth, from weathered stone to layered clay and mineral textures, reveal their beauty through subtle imperfections, irregular finishes and tactile detail. Rather than striving for flawless uniformity, these tiles highlight authenticity, creating spaces that feel grounded, honest and full of depth. From softly eroded edges to textured surfaces that echo the look and feel of natural stone, each design tells its own story of transformation. The result is a range of tiles that invite touch as much as sight, surfaces that don’t just decorate a room, but add a sense of time, craft and connection to nature. Perfect for creating serene yet characterful spaces, this trend proves that true beauty lies in imperfection.
Sensory Minimalism
This trend redefines minimalism through emotion and tactility. Moving beyond purely visual simplicity, Sensory Minimalism focuses on creating spaces that feel calm, comforting and connected. Surfaces are soft to the eye and touch, with ceramics that invite a slower pace – gentle matt finishes, subtle tonal variations and natural, understated textures that encourage a sense of wellbeing.
Rather than aiming to impress, this approach seeks to soothe. The emphasis is on balance, quiet design and material honesty, tiles that help shape serene interiors where light, tone and texture work together in harmony. Perfect for contemporary homes, spas or hospitality settings, this is minimalism designed not to strip away character, but to nurture atmosphere and emotional connection.
Playful Living
Bringing together creativity, craftsmanship and technology, this trend celebrates ceramic design at its most expressive. Playful Living embraces colour, pattern and personality, delivering tiles that inject joy and individuality into everyday spaces. From vibrant tones and bold graphics to tactile finishes and experimental forms, surfaces are designed to inspire energy and emotion while maintaining a strong sense of function.
Traditional craft techniques merge with cutting-edge innovation, such as 3D printing and sustainable manufacturing processes, to create pieces rich in cultural and aesthetic value. The result is a new generation of ceramics that balance artistry with practicality, surfaces that are as dynamic and characterful as the spaces they inhabit. (image at the top shows Terre tiles by WOW Design)
Oppulence: Embracing Excess
This trend reinterprets luxury through a bold, emotional lens – celebrating the richness of materiality through deep tones, lustrous finishes and striking patterns that elevate spaces with a sense of drama and sophistication. Ceramics take on an expressive new language where craftsmanship meets cutting-edge technology and every surface tells a story of artistry and innovation.
Think high-gloss glazes that shift with the light, metallic accents that play with reflection and richly layered textures that recall marble, onyx and precious stones. The look is unapologetically indulgent yet refined, bringing together the ornamental and the modern in perfect balance. This is contemporary opulence, where emotion, function and beauty merge to create immersive, atmospheric interiors that exude confidence and creativity.
Tile of Spain is the international brand representing 125 ceramic tile manufacturers belonging to the Spanish Ceramic Tile Manufacturers’ Association (ASCER)
