Tile Is Having a Moment, And Not Just on Your Backsplash
For a long time, selecting tile was a simple process. You picked something neutral for the floor, something white-ish for the shower, maybe something interesting for the backsplash, and called it a day. There’s nothing wrong with that approach, but it's not really how people are thinking about tile anymore.
Right now, tile is one of the most talked-about elements in home design, not just as a functional surface but as something that defines the character of an entire room. It’s one of the more exciting topics of conversation we’re having with clients. We’re discussing texture, how a surface catches light, what a room feels like when you walk into it, and we wanted to share with you what we're seeing in the showroom and in the projects we're working on.
Tile Texture Matters More Than Pattern
One of the biggest shifts we're seeing is a move away from tiles that just fill space. Designers and homeowners alike are choosing tile for how it holds light, how it feels underfoot or on the wall, and how it creates a mood, not just how it looks in a catalog photo.
Zellige tile is a good example. It's a handmade Moroccan tile with a slightly irregular surface and a glazed finish that catches light differently throughout the day. It's been popular in high-end design for a few years, but it's now much more accessible, and it works in everything from a modern Asheville kitchen to a more traditional bathroom.
Travertine and limestone are also getting a lot of attention. They have a warmth and earthiness that feels natural in Western North Carolina, where people are already drawn to materials that connect to the surrounding landscape.
Floor-to-Ceiling Tile Is Worth Considering
This trend surprises people most when they first see it, but it makes sense once you're standing in a room where it's been done well. Running tile all the way to the ceiling, especially in a bathroom, creates a continuous surface that makes the space feel larger and more finished.
The key is restraint in the tile itself. A subtle texture or soft stone pattern reads well from floor to ceiling. Something bold or graphic is harder to pull off.
Color matters a lot here: when tile and grout are chosen in similar tones, the grout lines recede, and the surface reads as one cohesive element rather than a grid.
We carry tile from Daltile, Marazzi, Florida Tile, Crossville, Sonoma Tilemakers, and Horizon Tile & Stone, so there's a lot to work with depending on the direction you want to go.
Tonal Spaces Help Everything Work Together
Related to the floor-to-ceiling idea is something designers are calling a tonal approach, which just means choosing tile and grout in similar shades. The result is quieter and more cohesive. The room doesn't feel like it's trying to make a statement; it just feels considered.
This pairs well with the warmer, earthier palettes that are trending across the board: warm creams, mushroom tones, soft terracottas. These colors age well, they photograph beautifully, and they don't read as trendy in a way that will feel dated in five years. They also tend to work well with the wood tones that have been popular in cabinets and flooring.
Tile Beyond the Backsplash
We're also seeing more interest in tile in places that aren't the obvious spots, like backsplashes and shower tile. Places like fireplace surrounds, outdoor kitchen islands, covered patios and entryways, and more. Porcelain and natural stone hold up well outside, and create a visual continuity between interior and exterior spaces.
Radiant heating under tile is also something a lot of Asheville homeowners ask about, especially for bathrooms and mudrooms where cold floors are a real nuisance in winter. WarmlyYours radiant systems install under tile and work well with the materials we carry. It's a comfort upgrade that pays off every morning from November through March.
See Our Tile Samples in Person
Tile is almost impossible to evaluate from a photo. Colors read completely differently under natural light, and texture is something you have to touch. That's the beauty of our showroom; you can pull samples, hold them next to cabinet swatches, and set them on a countertop slab to actually see how things work together.
If you've been thinking about a kitchen or bath refresh, a showroom visit is a good place to start. Call us at 828-252-1022 to schedule an appointment with one of our expert designers.
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