Sustainability is taking center stage in this week’s Countdown-to-Coverings tile trend! While aesthetics capture attention, it’s the environmental benefits of ceramic that make this trend so compelling.
Sustainability is a driving force in modern building and design, which bodes well for us ceramic tile enthusiasts. Ceramic tile is inherently sustainable, crafted from naturally occurring materials and free from plastics and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that may be found in other surface materials. Add to that ceramic tile’s exceptional durability, and you’ve got a product that doesn’t need to be frequently replaced, which keeps waste out of landfills and saves resources over time. In fact, ceramic tile has the lowest carbon footprint of any flooring option over a building’s life span. Eco-conscious manufacturers are embracing and elevating this attribute, highlighting ceramic’s role in carbon-smart design with collections dedicated to the minimal impact they have on the environment.
[Related: Sustainable Flooring 101 Guide]
The Main Elements of Carbon-Conscious Tile
- Environmental Product Declaration (EPD)-verified low carbon footprint
- Green Squared® (G2) certification, guaranteeing tile meets multi-attribute criteria
- Carbon-neutral collections, with lines dedicated to minimizing environmental impacts
- Recycled and regionally sourced materials reducing emissions from transportation
- A focus on durability
[Related: Guide to Going Green With Ceramic Tile]
Key Tile Creds
The tile industry has separate Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) for ceramic tile, grout, and mortar. These EPDs cover most North American-made products, while many manufacturers also offer product-specific EPDs — making ceramic tile a solid contributor to green building systems. EPDs provide third-party verified data on a tile’s full life cycle impact. They empower you to make informed, low-carbon choices and ensure that your beautiful surface finishes align with measurable sustainability goals.
Green Squared is the sustainability performance standard and certification program for tile and tile installation products. Green Squared evaluates products through rigorous, multi-attribute environmental and social criteria including product characteristics, raw materials and manufacturing, end of life management, corporate governance, and innovation.
From soothing neutrals to nature-inspired greens, today’s carbon-conscious tile collections don’t just support a healthier planet — they look amazing doing it. These designs effortlessly blend sustainable living with biophilic beauty, bringing calm, balance, and style into your space.
Let’s take a closer look at how sustainable tile options can transform your space — elevating both your design and your environmental impact.
[Related: Celebrate Earth Day With Green Squared Certified Products]
Bolts of Light
A jaw-dropping slab of marble-look ceramic tile ushers in carbon-conscious beauty in this sustainable flooring. Dramatic ivory veins shoot through stately blacks and grays, showing natural texture and a likeness to nature.
[Related: 2020 Tile Trends: Modernized Marble]
Boho Bliss
Keep the dream alive! Sandy stone-look porcelain panels bring earthiness indoors with delicate variegation. We love the subtle shiny spots in this carbon-conscious tile, giving the flooring discreet dimension.
[Related: 2025 Tile Trends: Veins of Gold]
Mosaic Shimmer
A mosaic is a beautiful way to recycle or upcycle tile, whether in custom-cut shapes or remnants. Sages, blushes, blues, and grays meet in a shimmery symphony of color. What better backdrop for lush greenery?
[Related: We’re Green With Envy Over These Green Tile Designs]
Outdoors, Meet Indoors
This indoor-outdoor bathroom takes sustainable tile to new heights on practically every surface. Welcoming gray stone-looks steal the show, particularly on the herringbone vanity backsplash.
[Related: Introducing You to the New Neutrals]
Wondrous Waterfall
This meticulous mosaic shower tile is a showstopper — each high-gloss piece in its precise position. An ombre display of whites and greens mirrors grass growing from the floor and vines reaching from the ceiling. Blush-beige floor tile reflecting the ceiling finishes the look.
[Related: Understanding Tile Color Psychology: How It Influences Your Mood]
Soothe the Soul
Carbon-conscious tile gets a chance to show its versatility in this bathroom. Textured linen-look tile in black and ivory meets down the middle, with demure plaid wallpaper-look tile on the shower wall. The overall vibe is practical, minimalist, and undeniably chic.
[Related: Your Guide to a Gorgeous Tile Shower Niche]
Conscious Quarry
The outdoor breeze flows beautifully indoors like this durable, sustainable bathroom tile. Quarry tile stylishly covers nearly every surface in a classic ivory.
[Related: 2024 Tile Trends: Down to Earth]
Deep Breaths
This modernist masterpiece uses carbon-conscious tile to maximum effect! Bone-white stone-look tile flooring in a smart oversized subway layout complements dark gray wood-look tile on the shower floor. Add stone-look wall tile for a durable and decidedly handsome space.
[Related: Trend Alert: Stacked Subway Tile]
Sit a Spell
Extra-large terrazzo-look floor tile sparkles in this indoor-outdoor living space, moving seamlessly onto the patio. Pine-green and chocolate-brown specks distinguish this sustainable tile, reflecting the earthy hues outside.
[Related: 2024 Tile Trends: Organic Grandeur]
The Best of Times
This space positively radiates light and life, thanks to carbon-conscious tile and an illuminating skylight. Thin vertical slats perfectly wrap columns and curved walls, while an XXL black-and-white marble-look pours across the floor..
[Related: Black and White Tile Designs for Every Space]
Rainforest Cafe
This restaurant embraces sustainability alongside delicious design. Striking veins cross the charcoal floor and emerald walls within statement-making panels. The combination immerses you in an opulent yet earthy space.
[Related: 2025 Tile Trends: Mineral Drenching]
Made To Order
An indoor-outdoor restaurant goes green with sustainable concrete-look tile flooring. You’ll also spot a greige overlapping hex mosaic on accent panels and the bar backsplash wall. Expert installation and decor come together for a laid-back brunch — and a space that stands up to foot traffic.
[Related: Bathroom and Kitchen Backsplash Tile: Your Comprehensive Guide]
Fresh Foliage
This condo patio transitions dreamily indoors with carbon-conscious concrete-look tile in dusky ecru. Variegated truffle-brown concrete-look walls are an ideal complement, giving the space depth and durability.
[Related: Explore the Great Outdoor Tile Possibilities]
Pavers Love Patios
Silver-white stone-look tile pavers lend this patio long-lasting light, and their glossy surface flows into the indoor office and library. (Note the footpath!) Three-dimensional wood-look tile columns and beams alongside a matte-black tile wall tie together this distinctively structured look.
[Related: How To Make Square Tile Unique]
Stylish Refresh
This mineral-drenched porch sports carbon-conscious tile with panache! Stone-look tile sweeps across the floor and walls. Slim vertical tile comprises an accent wall, which is a real step up from a standard privacy fence! Ceramic tile offers far less maintenance than wood (and infinite design possibilities).
[Related: Health Benefits of Ceramic Tile]
Welcoming Water Feature
Black brick-look tile gives this modern home charming texture and dimension. Alongside it, white stone-look tile conveys elegance, extending to the pool surround.
[Related: Handmade Tile: Find Perfection in Imperfection]
Wholesome Home
A bevy of carbon-conscious selections gives this residence a helping of homespun green living. Porcelain tile architectural planters complement stone-look steps. You’ll spot eco-friendly wood-look tile siding on the second floor and main entry door. We just may need to call their realtor!
[Related: 2022 Tile Trends: Shapes Scaled]
Carbon-Conscious With CeramicTile
When you’re looking to level up your design in a way that supports the environment, ceramic tile fits the bill! Check EPDs, look for the G2 mark, and conjure up your ideal tile design!
Coverings 2025 is almost here, and we’re eager to see what the industry’s brightest minds have to show us. Next up — we’ll review with a summary of this year’s tile trends!
