Held in Bologna, Italy, from 26 to 30 September 2022, the Cersaie International Exhibition of Ceramic Tile and Bathroom Furnishings was an important gathering for discovering the colours, forms and new spatial concepts of the future.
Cersaie Offers a Glimpse of 2023 Tile Trends
Held in Italy, the Cersaie International Exhibition of Ceramic Tile and Bathroom Furnishings heralds soft shades, tactile surfaces, small-format tiles and innovations set to surprise in 2023.
Looking at the common thread running through the new products exhibited by participating brands, we saw designs combining soft shades that invite us to a calmer, slower life with earthy tones that emphasise our connection to nature. Highly textured surfaces that awaken the senses and create a sense of belonging also stood out.
Tiles, not wallpaper
The first message from the world of tiles for interiors was 'smaller sizes', while wood-, marble-, concrete- and aged metal-look tiles are becoming more varied in size and form. Yet this year's biggest revolution was wallpaper-look tiles. Ceramic and porcelain tiles already use the full potential of technology to reproduce the aesthetics of wood, marble, concrete and aged metal faithfully. With their ability to reproduce wallpaper this year too, the market's leading material is clearly continuing its journey towards hyper-realistic surfaces. Tiles with a wallpaper aesthetic can also be used confidently beyond bathrooms and kitchens, on surfaces in main living areas such as fireplace surrounds and entrance halls.
Returning to nature with earthy tones
The main reason clay, ochre, green and other natural shades have become popular in recent years is our desire to embrace the earth and its beauty. Especially since the pandemic, everyone has been seeking to reconnect with nature. Those who want to feel the restorative power of nature and the earth in their living spaces therefore turn first to elemental colours.The influence of this still-vibrant trend and its continuing momentum could also be felt at Cersaie 2022. Designers presented bathrooms and kitchens as comfortable, warm, unifying and safe spaces. Through the deep, sensory shades of the earth—beiges, browns, golden sands, chocolate browns, oranges, terracottas, mustards, pine and olive greens, khakis and dark turquoises—they emphasised that the place most beneficial to body and soul is the untouched nature of our one and only planet.
Smaller tiles
Another new aspect of Cersaie 2022 was the opportunity to discover the latest technologies that reduce energy consumption and waste in the sector and help tackle indoor pollution. Floor designs that created perceptual illusions through 2D tiles with a 3D appearance were particularly striking. And, of course, polygons remain in the spotlight. Any discussion of small-format ceramic tiles for 2023 must put pentagonal and hexagonal tiles at the top of the list. These tiles, matched to the colour of the grout to create a seamless effect, are followed by the iconic finger tiles. Laid vertically or horizontally to resemble miniature bricks, finger tiles are particularly effective in tone-on-tone colour schemes. At the fair, we saw that bringing together different but closely related shades of the same colour to create an ombré effect would become very popular.
Or maximal tiles
Another format attracted as much attention at the fair as shrinking tile sizes: maximally large tiles. Glossy marble and onyx in large formats established themselves as the superstars of the new luxury. Bringing depth and an artisan approach to every area where they are used, marble and onyx produced in large formats offer greater scope for use on horizontal and vertical surfaces in commercial spaces such as offices, cafés, restaurants and hotels.
Into the forest with Jungalow style
Jungalow, one of the mainstream design movements set to continue through 2023, is gaining momentum. Focusing on every botanical element, from palm-leaf wall tiles to wildflower patterns, it invites us all to walk into the forest.Vintage boho furniture once again takes its place in front of tile panels patterned with exotic flowers amid greenery, animals peering from trees, bohemian bungalows and fruit laid out on large leaves.
