Only one week remains until Coverings ‘21, meaning we have one more 2021 tile trend to explore. Biophilic tile is a trend that started growing last year and has certainly hit its stride in 2021’s post-pandemic renovation surge.
Biophilic tile (and biophilic design in general) stems from biophilia, or humans’ innate need to connect with nature. Biophilic design endeavors to bring nature inside to satisfy this need using natural colors, designs, materials, textures, and more.
Ceramic tile’s ability to be manufactured in just about any look, including countless styles with natural textures and colors, makes it a perfect material to achieve biophilic design — hence this new tile trend. Additionally, ceramic tile is composed of naturally occurring materials and is one of the most sustainable surface options available. Lauded as a green building component, ceramic tile is leading the surface industry in transparently publishing material ingredients so you can feel good about how your materials impact you and the environment.
Our favorite biophilic tile designs from Instagram show that using ceramic tile is a beautiful way to incorporate natural looks while also showing respect for nature.
Stone-Look Tile
Stone-look tile is a classic choice for biophilic design. With two different types of stone-look tile, a waterfall-esque showerhead, and an indoor-outdoor design that opens up to lush greenery, this master bathroom is the picture of biophilic design.
We particularly love the combination of earth tones and uneven texture of the wall tile.
Terrazzo-Look Tile
Often combining chips that resemble natural materials such as granite, marble, quartz, or even glass, terrazzo-look tile is another great option to incorporate into biophilic design. And, because terrazzo looks are a 2021 tile trend of their own, opting for terrazzo in a biophilic look is on point!
[Related: Tile Trends We Love: Speckled Surfaces]
Marble-Look Tile
Marble-look tile is a long-time favorite, yet it also just so happens to be a component of two 2021 tile trends (vast veining in addition to biophilic tile). What better proof is there that a design is timeless?
While gorgeous dark marble-look tile goes a long way toward achieving biophilic design on its own, this bathroom goes the extra mile incorporating a pebble shower floor and a live tree into the curbless shower design.
[Related: Tile Trends We Love: Modernized Marble]
Slate-Look Tile
Often available in earth tones such as those pictured above, slate-look tile has a rustic look that makes it perfect for a biophilic touch.
[Related: Back to Nature: Ceramic Tile in Earth Tones]
Wood-Look Tile
Biophilic tile isn’t all about stone looks: Other natural designs, such as wood-look tile, are equally effective. And because ceramic tile is fade-resistant (unlike natural hardwood), you can let in all the sunshine you want without worrying about affecting your wood-look tile’s appearance.
[Related: Tile Trends We Love: Refined Natural Wood Looks]
Variegated Tile
Here’s another natural design for you: variegation.
Often seen in the design of leaves, variegation refers to subtle shading and color differences. Variegated tiles such as the ones above mimic this look, often employing a slightly rough or uneven texture or a “handmade” aesthetic as well.
The result is a rustic or natural look that’s right at home in biophilic design.
Green Tile
Perhaps the simplest path to a biophilic design is to employ green tile.
Green is the color we most often associate with nature and, as luck would have it, green tile is also another 2021 tile trend of its own. With options ranging from pastels to moody dark greens, you’re sure to find the perfect shade of green for your space.
[Related: We’re Green With Envy Over These Green Tile Designs]
Bring Nature Indoors
After more than a year of spending most of our time indoors, we know how important it can be for our well-being to connect with nature in any and every way possible. And biophilic design — and biophilic ceramic tile, in particular — is a great way to get there.
For more biophilic tile design inspiration, read our blog and explore our Pinterest boards for ideas.
We hope you find the perfect biophilic tile to help bring nature into your own home — and if you do, please share your tile project with us on Instagram using a #WhyTileStyle shoutout!
