7 Tile Trends That Are Worth Trying in 2025

Look, herringbone isn't going anywhere – and thank goodness for that. But what I'm seeing now is way more interesting than the safe beige versions we've been stuck with. Designers are playing with proportions, using skinnier tiles, and – here's the kicker – actually using color.

I recently saw a bathroom where they used deep forest green tiles in a herringbone pattern on the floor. Sounds risky? It was stunning. The zigzag pattern kept it from feeling too heavy, and the whole space felt like a sophisticated forest retreat.

The trick: Don't be afraid to go bold with color when you're using herringbone. The pattern itself is so classic that it can handle some personality.

What works: Try it with wood-look tiles for warmth, or go sleek with marble for that luxury hotel vibe. Please, for the love of good design, consider your grout color carefully.

Remember when everyone was obsessed with offset subway tiles? Well, we're officially over that. The new approach is refreshingly simple: line everything up. Straight rows, clean lines, no fancy staggering.

It sounds boring, but trust me – it's not. There's something almost meditative about perfectly aligned tiles. Jennifer Verruto (a designer whose work I genuinely admire) puts it perfectly: sometimes, the modern spin is just stacking tiles instead of offsetting them.

Why it works: Your eye gets to rest. In a world full of busy patterns and Instagram-worthy chaos, sometimes you need surfaces that just... breathe.

Best bet: Use larger tiles for maximum impact. Those tiny subway tiles in a grid? Meh. But big, chunky rectangles lined up perfectly? That's sophisticated.

I'll admit it – when the checkerboard started popping up everywhere, I rolled my eyes. "Here we go again," I thought. But then I saw it done right, and I'm a convert.

The secret is color. Nobody's doing black and white anymore (well, some people are, but they're missing the point). I see sage and cream, dusty blue and white, and even coral and beige. The pattern stays classic, but the colors feel fresh.

Real talk: This works best when you commit. A little checkerboard backsplash? It's cute but forgettable. An entire powder room floor? Now we're talking.

Material matters: Marble makes it feel expensive, and ceramic keeps it approachable. Both work – know what vibe you're going for.

Striped tiles could go very wrong very quickly. But when done thoughtfully, they're like optical illusions that actually improve your space.

The psychology is simple: horizontal stripes make walls look wider, and vertical stripes make ceilings look higher. It's not magic – it's just how our brains work.

My favorite application: Vertical stripes in a narrow shower. Suddenly, that cramped space feels twice as tall. I've seen this transform tiny bathrooms from claustrophobic to cozy.

Color strategy: High contrast is fun, but subtle tone-on-tone stripes are more livable long-term. Think charcoal and light gray instead of black and white.

This is where 2025 gets interesting. We're ditching boring rectangles for shapes that actually make you look twice.

Hexagons are having a moment – and not just tiny honeycomb mosaics (though those are nice, too). I'm talking about substantial hexagonal tiles that create patterns you can actually see and appreciate.

The scallop situation: Fish scale tiles are everywhere right now, and I get it. They're like Art Deco had a baby with a mermaid. It sounds weird and looks fantastic.

Mix and match: Some of the coolest bathrooms I've seen lately use multiple geometric shapes together. Hexagons on the floor, diamonds on one accent wall. It's bold, but it works when you stick to a cohesive color palette.

Flat tiles are fine, but textured tiles are having a moment – and I'm here for it. Fluted tiles (those ones with the vertical ridges) are leading the charge.

Why texture matters: It changes how light hits the surface. Even a plain white wall becomes interesting when you add dimension. Plus, there's something satisfying about the texture that photos can't capture.

Installation tip: Use fluted tiles on accent walls, not everywhere. Too much texture becomes overwhelming. One fluted wall in a bathroom? Perfect. Every wall? Sensory overload.

Beyond fluted: Look for tiles with waves, beveled edges, or subtle relief patterns. The goal is a dimension, not a distraction.

This is where things get personal. Decorative patterned tiles – think Moroccan, Spanish, or Dutch-inspired designs – are making spaces feel collected rather than decorated.

Emily Henderson mentioned that Delft tiles are having their moment again, and she's right. Those classic blue and white illustrated tiles bring instant character to any space.

The key: Use patterned tiles like artwork. A patterned floor in a powder room transforms the whole space. A decorative backsplash becomes the kitchen's focal point.

Modern versions: You don't need authentic cement tiles to get the look. High-quality porcelain versions give you the same visual impact with way less maintenance.

Here's what I've learned from actually living with these trends (not just looking at pretty pictures):

• Start small: Try a new pattern in a powder room before committing to your main bathroom.
• Think maintenance: Textured tiles look amazing but can be harder to clean. Be honest about your lifestyle.
• Consider the big picture: Your tile pattern should work with your overall design, not fight against it.
• Don't follow every trend: Pick one or two elements that genuinely speak to you. A house that follows every trend looks like a showroom, not a home.

The best part about 2025's tile trends? They're actually practical. These aren't Instagram-bait patterns that you'll hate in two years. They're thoughtful design choices that look really, really good.

Whether you go bold with geometric shapes or keep it classic with an updated herringbone, the goal is the same: create spaces that feel intentional, personal, and pretty great to live in.