New styles, formats and textures are on the horizon from tile strongholds all around the globe.

“Tile has a rich and vibrant history across the world, stretching back centuries,” shared Kathy Greene, director of brand strategy and communications at Emser Tile. “Many of the trends we see in the U.S. today are deeply influenced by this global heritage. Designs commonly used in interior design have origins in various cultures, highlighting the influence of international craftsmanship on modern tile aesthetics.”

Worldly Tile Trends

For instance, Italian tile is producing realistic looks. “Innovations in graphic printing and finishing techniques continue to dominate, with Italian manufacturers artfully reproducing the nuanced look and feel of natural materials — like stone, marble, wood and concrete — in a hyperrealistic way,” stated Cristina Faedi, tile trend expert, Ceramics of Italy.

Indeed, Faedi continued, “With designers and consumers increasingly seeking to imbue an essence of luxury and grandeur throughout a space, many products we’ve seen exaggerated veining in vertical, diagonal, horizontal and book-matched patterns grow in popularity Italian manufacturers have also been incorporating colors, from earthy hues like nature-inspired greens and ocean blues, that highlight the chromatic nuances of the ceramic material.”

Meanwhile, Spanish tile makers are playing with formats. “Spain is at the forefront of producing large format tiles,” said Javier Yraola Burgos, trade commissioner of Spain in Miami at Tile of Spain. “These tiles, which can measure up to several meters in length, provide a sleek, seamless look with fewer grout lines. They are versatile, being used for everything from floors to walls, countertops and even furniture. Their minimalistic and modern aesthetic, coupled with ease of maintenance, makes them a standout trend. The demand for large, seamless surfaces in the U.S. will continue to grow, and Spain’s expertise in producing large format tiles and thin porcelain slabs will be highly sought after.”

Also coming from Spanish tile makers, said Burgos, is a softer feel. “There’s a growing trend toward ‘soft-touch’ finishes that are smooth to the touch and give surfaces a more luxurious, tactile feel. Expect these to enter the U.S. market for premium design applications.”

Terri Marion, product manager-new product development, AHF Products- Crossville Brand, described how colors are evolving with international influence. “We’re in a time of incredible upheaval from a global perspective. And so people are typically looking for a lot of comfort. What’s interesting about that is you get two almost opposing trends. The nostalgic trend is leading towards these saturated colors, these deep dark or moody deeps, which reminds you of kind of your grandma’s room or a library. But you also have this really soft, soothing, tinted neutrals, pastels, those kind of colors that are continuing to drive a lot of what we do.”

Additionally, textured looks are having a moment, shared MSI’s Paulo Pereira, vice president. “Across the globe, tile trends are focusing on natural, textured surfaces and bold, artisanal patterns. In Europe, we’re seeing a rise in designs that mimic organic materials like stone and wood. These global influences align perfectly with MSI’s collections, such as Livingstyle, Cordova and Malahari which offer realistic stone textures. We expect the U.S. market to continue adopting these global styles — natural finishes, intricate patterns and textures that add depth to walls and floors. These trends bring warmth and character to both residential and commercial spaces.”

Dayna Holleyman, senior product team member, Marazzi and American Olean Brands, Dal-Tile LLC, explained handcrafted styles also hold great appeal across the globe. “What we’ve also seen is the handcrafted look — that’s been a pretty popular trend within the last seven years. We don’t see that going anywhere. It flaunts the imperfection of a handcrafted look and then also playing with different layouts. [For example,] instead of doing a standard subway brick layout, we’ve seen those go vertical, giving different layouts that create an intriguing space. [We’re also seeing] patterned tiles, so geometric- or nature-inspired.”

Tile Tech Drives Change

Through technology, tile will continue to change. “Spanish tile makers are pushing the boundaries with dimensional surfaces and textured finishes [using 3D printing and customization]. From raised geometric patterns to subtle ridges that catch light, tactile tiles create a sense of depth and movement on walls and floors. Advanced tile manufacturing techniques, such as 3D printing, are enabling greater customization and precision in tile design. As customization becomes more important to U.S. consumers, the ability to create one-of-a-kind tiles using 3D technology will become a key differentiator in the market,” said Burgos.

According to MSI’s Pereira, one of the most exciting innovations is 3D Ink technology. “We’ve integrated [that] into collections like Cordova and Malahari. This technology allows us to create tiles with intricate textures and depth, giving them a hyper-realistic, dimensional look. Malahari mimics the natural beauty of quartzite with a stunning 3D design and detailed glaze application,” he said.

And with new technology comes increased safety, said Pereira. “Another key innovation is the technology found in the Traktion Collection, which improves safety by offering slip resistance when wet. These innovations provide both beauty and functionality, and we expect them to be embraced even more in the U.S. market.”

Additionally, better technology means better realism, Faedi said. “Italian manufacturers are consistent innovators in the realm of graphic printing and finishing techniques, and these advancements have already begun to make headway in the U.S. Natural material looks such as marble and stone are increasingly featuring a worn tactile, highly variegated surface effect with typical irregularities, depicting ceppo di gre stone, sedimentary rock, cement and slate with an almost crumbling surface appearance. Innovations in wood looks can also be seen, with manufacturers drawing inspiration from oak, larch, walnut and elm for their new collections that rival the look of the real material in both appearance and texture.”

Ultimately, Holleyman noted that the international borders are getting closer and closer when it comes to styles and technology. “Throughout the years with the internet and with all these international shows, the U.S. is not far behind where it used to be years ago that the U.S. would be five, sometimes 10 years behind what they were doing in Italy. But we don’t see that anymore — what we see there is what we see here.”

MSI’s Cordova Collection incorporates travertine looks through 3D Ink technology and is inspired by European architecture, balancing a timeless look with a modern style.

Geometric patterns, wave-like textures and embossed motifs are a popular trend globally, like Tile of Spain’s fluted tile from Realonda.