For our next trend as we lead up to Coverings 2024, let’s get into some blues, a range encompassing denim to Danube (think the color of broken-in jeans, to the shade of blue streaming down the Danube).
Blue tiles bring casual elegance to any interior design. They evoke a sense of familiarity and comfort. It’s no wonder blue is flowing into every tile category — large to small, modern to historically-inspired. Not only will we see many solid blue-glazed colorways this year, even the natural looks have blues running through — as in bluestone-inspired porcelain and bluish-gray marble looks.
Just like your favorite pair of jeans, blue is a trusted go-to, fitting into any design aesthetic. From a cozy cottage kitchen to an urban loft bathroom to a contemporary office space, blue can simultaneously achieve informal and sophisticated, and act as a neutral or a statement. It has a unique and versatile ability to infuse spaces with character and timeless style.
Undulated
The versatility of ceramic tile means you can use the same lustrous denim-blue tiles for a bar or kitchen island as you do for the ceiling-high backsplash behind it, creating a chic consistency.
[Related: Bathroom and Kitchen Backsplash Tile: Your Comprehensive Guide]
Matte
Flat, matte tiles are relaxing and refined in this cafe space, thanks to their calming, cloudy blue. Their large size and stacked pattern give the room a contemporary feel. Light plays along the satiny surface just enough to give the wall a glowy sheen.
Traditional Mosaics
These white and classic blue mosaic tiles are inspired by ones you’d find in ornate buildings of the early 20th century, especially their entryways, thresholds, and areas with high foot traffic. While the size is reminiscent of Victorian-era mosaics, the plaid pattern brings it playfully into the present.
Modern Mosaics
Geometric mosaic tiles with rhomboids and triangles give this shower wall a visual texture, also emphasized by a contrast of finishes from a smooth matte to a textural shimmer. Blue tile is popular for bathrooms because of its association with relaxation and wellness, and has been proven to promote feelings of understanding, healing, health, and tranquility.
Black and white detailing helps reimagine the classic hexagon in this blue-gray marble mosaic. Geometric mosaics have long been prized for creating interesting installations. This overlapping pattern highlights the beauty and uniqueness that ceramic craftsmanship brings to any space.
[Related: Mosaic Tile Ideas: Your Big Little Guide to Little Tiles]
Blue Stone Looks
From the fluted texture to the vaporous veining, there’s a lot of action in this backsplash. Add the shades of cool blue-gray, and this stone look tile evokes a dramatic scene, like waves crashing on a stormy coast.
[Related: Tile Color Psychology: How Tile Color Affects Your Mood]
Blue Danube
Beauty is in the details — and these are artfully intricate! This creamy white tile has hand-painted blue designs, similar to ones you’d see on traditional porcelain dish ware. The Japanese Blue Danube china pattern is a popular example of this motif. Tiles decorated in this style create a masterpiece fit for a variety of aesthetics from traditional to boho chic.
[Related: Celebrate World Honey Bee Day With Hexagon Tile]
Clear as Blue
In addition to blue tiles, we’ve also talked about several other 2024 trends — panels, stone-look, organic grandeur, and contemporary concrete — as we anticipate Coverings during April 22 to 25 in Atlanta. We’ll be showcasing more trends in the coming weeks so stay-tuned!
