Carefully chosen tile, and interesting design transforms any space, but the options for colors, shapes, layout patterns, and combinations of tile are nearly limitless. If you’ve decided tile is your style, don’t get overwhelmed. Just keep reading for some free guidance on what tile to choose.
Go Bold
Bold is back with a vengeance. For several years, bold color choices have become more and more popular, including with tile. Even bathrooms done in white square tile include a bold colored accent wall today. The age of minimalist design is ending. People want to show their true colors, not have a boring bathroom that looks like it belongs in a high rise office. From subway tiles to natural stone, graphic patterns, textures, exotic tile shapes and bold colored tiles are used anywhere and everywhere, often in tandem with one another. Bold colors really give you a chance to tap into your creative side because they make such a statement. Expect to see bright blues and reds along with textured and exotic and unique tile shapes, possibly all in the same bathroom design. Bold is back.
Neutral Tones
Although bold is popular in 2026, most homeowners still choose a muted, neutral color palette for their tile. The most popular neutral color choices are blonde, white, gray or everyone’s favorite, greige. The appeal of a neutral color tiled bathroom is universal. This is especially important when it comes time to sell your home. A bold or moody bathroom design can delay a sale, or even require another remodel. However, a few bold blue accent tiles in a neutral bathroom create interest, and do not overpower the room the way dark paint and dark tile does. Don’t be afraid to show you unique tastes and create an accent wall, or choose bold colors to accent a shower niche.
Realistic Wood Look and Wood Like Tile
Tile manufacturers get better every single year at creating tile that mimics wood. Some versions even look reclaimed, with small “imperfections” that seem hand scraped or wire brushed. These wood like tiles come in long planks just like hardwood, and in countless different shades and finishes. Wood look tile is great for kitchen and bathroom floors, where you want the warm look of wood but with the moisture resistance and durability of tile.
A Realistic Marble Look At a Ceramic Price
Has marble ever gone out of style? Maybe before the ancient Greeks thought up democracy, but ever since then, marble has been in. Bright, clean, elegant marble floors with fascinating dark veins have been a gem for centuries. Most of us can’t afford real marble flooring in our homes, but that is no longer a problem. Ceramic tile manufacturers have mastered the look of marble. They glaze it onto a less porous, more durable, less expensive, lower cost and more accessible material. Take a serious look at marble look ceramic tile. Everyone else is in 2026.
Natural Stone Look Ceramic Tile
Just like the marble look, this tile trend not new. Ceramic has been imitating more expensive materials since day one. Natural wood and natural stone look tiles more and more popular each year because there are always new styles and shades to choose from. If you’d love to have a travertine bathroom without the travertine price, take a look at this natural stone lookalike.
Matte Finishes
I see more and more matte finishes on cars everywhere. When everything is shiny and glossy and reflective, matte finish tiles stand. These tiles feature a soft and powerful beauty that is understated. Its never overwhelming. A huge advantage of a matte finish is that it does not show smudges or water marks, ask anyone with a flat black paint job on their vehicle. This makes matte tiles ideal for high traffic floors in busy bathrooms. The low sheen also makes them easier to maintain. Consider a matte finish if you’d like to stand out in a quiet way.
Textured Tiles, Three Dimensional
You can add variation, color depth and surface interest in any area by using textured and dimensional tiles. Textures can appear subtle or pronounced, depending on what material is used, which finish you apply, and the color chosen. Keep in mind that textured tiles are typically only chosen as accents, but certain styles may be used throughout your bathroom.
These three dimensional tiles inspire abstract thought and images and memories because they are art. This flooring tile trend comes in all shapes, sizes and styles, which can be combined into a truly one of a kind space.
Unique Tile Shapes
The last few years have seen fewer traditional square shaped tiles and more creative shapes that capture the eye. Shapes like hexagons, octagons, diamonds, and Moroccan fish scales add a lot of character to your floors even without choosing bold colors. If you’re considering unique tile shapes, We go in depth on the subject here.
Terrazzo
Terrazzo tile is quickly becoming one of the most versatile tile options in the industry today. It’s made by mixing marble, granite, quartz or glass chips in a cement binder, which creates one of the toughest and most attractive tile material options on the market.
Large Format Tile
Big tile is, well, big again this year. Large format tile is anything 2′ x 4′ or larger. Larger sized tile planks mean less grout lines and larger, more open-looking space. It works especially well in large spaces, but can be used to great effect in smaller bathrooms, entryways and foyers as well.
Large Tile in The Basement
Large tile works wonderfully in basements. Finished basements often have few walls, which means those wide open spaces are perfect for large format tiles. Your installer will have to ensure the basement floor is level first, because minor imperfections are amplified by large tile.
The Takeaway
Trends come and go, but these tile choices will stand the test of time. Choosing tile design is no easy task. There’s the material, color, shape, texture, pattern, the list is endless. We hope that this guide helps you choose the best tile for your style, and the function of the room its being installed in.
If you need more help with your tile design, Call FM Pro Remodeling at (812) 944-6383 with any questions, or to schedule a free estimate.
