What's the Next Zellige Tile? The Trendy Choices Bathroom Designers Are Looking to For 2024
Planning a bathroom renovation but not sure what tiles to go for? We’ve asked the experts what trends we expect to see in the new year


Tiles are a key feature of any bathroom design and are a great way of adding texture, colour and pattern to your space. Tiling an entire bathroom is a commitment and you want to choose a tile design that you love and aren’t going to get bored of. Zellige tiles had a real moment in 2023 because of their irregular and handcrafted nature that resulted in an undone rustic look but what tiles are going to be big in 2024?
We consulted the experts to see what style of bathroom tile ideas are going to be at the top of interior designers wish list next year.
1. Embossed tiles
Flat matte tiles definitely had their time to shine but arguably they can look quite dull and flat in some bathrooms. Choosing a tile with texture and that feels more tactile is going to be a popular alternative for 2024. California based interior designer Sarah Barnard explains that ‘embossed ceramic tiles offer endless texture possibilities, from delicate floral motifs to geometric forms. I love using embossed tiles paired with dramatic natural stone slabs’.
Using embossed tiles on the walls and oversized stone slabs on the floor creates a wonderful contrast, especially if you choose two tile designs that boast the same color palette but have a distinct difference in texture. This results in a cohesive bathroom design with lots of visual interest.
2. Three-dimensional clay tiles
Natural materials are synonymous with contemporary bathroom designs. To create a relaxing space that feels soothing and calming goes hand in hand with feeling close to nature. Sarah Barnard claims that ‘natural materials are ideal for bathroom remodelling projects because they help ground us with a visual connection to the natural world. One of my favorites is three-dimensional clay tiles with a smoked finish that results in a silvery sheen’.
Three-dimensional tiles are extremely tactile and add a noticeable extra layer to bathroom wall ideas. This statement design will evoke images of luxury hotel rooms and spas. So, if this is the look you want to create then 3D clay tiles may be the perfect style for you.
3. Square grid tiles
Simple, grid style tiles provide a clean and contemporary look. Offering the opposite effect to 3D or textured tiles, square grid tiles are totally flat featuring lots of grout lines.
A fuss-free white grid tile contrasted with black grout creates a bold contrasting look that is reminiscent of trendy restaurants or cafes in bustling Manhattan. Or, if you’re a fan of color then the simplicity of this tile design lends itself perfectly to a vibrant pop of sunshine yellow, red or green.
This bathroom tile trend may be simple, but being bold with colors of both tile and grout can make for a brilliant statement.
Be The First To Know
The Livingetc newsletter is your shortcut to the now and the next in home design. Subscribe today to receive a stunning free 200-page book of the best homes from around the world.
Becca Cullum-Green is a freelance interiors content creator and stylist. She fell in love with interiors when she landed her first job as an editorial assistant at a leading UK homes magazine fresh out of university. You can find her renovating her 19th-century cottage in the Suffolk countryside, consciously trying not to paint every wall with Farrow and Ball’s ‘Pitch Black’. Her signature style is a mix of modern design with traditional characteristics. She has previously worked for House Beautiful, Grand Designs, Good Housekeeping, Red, Good Homes and more.
-
The End of 'Quiet' Interiors? Loud Luxury Is the Trend Redefining Modern Opulence
The cultural pendulum is swinging. This time, bold, drama-filled, luxury interiors are taking center stage
By Devin Toolen Published
-
My First Spring Project Is An Outdoor Projector Set-up In My Garden — Here's What You Need for It (And It's All on Sale Right Now)
Turn your outdoor space into a home cinema under the stars with these great value buys
By Lilith Hudson Published
-
The End of 'Quiet' Interiors? Loud Luxury Is the Trend Redefining Modern Opulence
The cultural pendulum is swinging. This time, bold, drama-filled, luxury interiors are taking center stage
By Devin Toolen Published
-
Color Trends for 2025 — The 10 Hues Setting the Tone for the Year, According to a Professional Trend Forecaster
Our color trend forecasting expert helps come up with the likes of Pantone's Color of the Year — here's what colors she says we'll see appearing in homes in 2025
By Jane Boddy Published
-
These Are the 3 Living Room Colors That Are Out of Style in 2025 — And the Shades to Use Instead
Before you begin your living room renovation, you may want to consider what colors are better left in the past
By Olivia Wolfe Published
-
How to Decorate With Animal Print in a 2025-Friendly Way — And Not Have It Feel Tacky
Are you more of a cheetah print person? Or have you recently been persuaded by the cow prints of the western resurgence? Let's unpack.
By Olivia Wolfe Published
-
5 Trends Interior Designers Say They Would Never Use in Their Own Homes — And Their Opinions Are Controversial
It is not always easy to find the right style for your home. Designers share which trends they won't be joining and what to look for instead
By Olivia Wolfe Published
-
Exterior Paint Trends for 2025 Are Surprisingly Timeless — And Little Greene’s Colorful Outdoor Collection Proves It
Natural greens, softened blacks, and heritage blues — Little Greene’s outdoor range proves that when it comes to curb appeal, classic never fades
By Julia Demer Published
-
I Thought the Viral 'Dark Academia' Trend Was Dated — But I've Found Out the Way to Do It So Well
Intellectual, nostalgic, and slightly mysterious — dark academia decor has captivated for centuries and romanticizes the classics
By Devin Toolen Published
-
'Black-Orange' Is the Velvety, Moody Color We Think Might Replace Neutrals in the Most Expensive-Looking Homes
Not quite brown, but not typically orange, this rich, velvety in-between shade pushes the boundaries of color
By Olivia Wolfe Published