Earthier, Moodier, Greener: Tile Trends for 2025

0:01 What kind of tile can you put on the wall or shower? Do you have to seal tile? How much extra tile should I buy for my project? What thinset is the best for my tile application? How hard is it to maintain natural stone? You have questions. We have answers. Welcome to the Belk Tile Podcast. How to style the bathroom, the backyard, the kitchen, how to improve your home style with tiles to make your home absolutely beautiful? Welcome to the Belk Tile Podcast. Here's your host, Mike Belk.

0:43 All right, welcome back to the Belk Tile Podcast everyone. I'm Mike Belk and, as always, I'm sitting down with Abby to talk all things tile. Good morning Mike. How was your Labor Day yesterday? It was good, nice, relaxing weekend. I gave everyone Friday off as well, which makes it nice to have a long weekend. I know. Thank you so much. It was nice to have some time with the family and enjoy this beautiful Ohio weather we have been getting. The weather has been great, at least the last week and a half. It was a hot summer, that is for sure. Okay, let us dive into today's episode, which is about the top tile trends of 2025. And honestly, Abby, I gotta say, if I see another plain, stark, white kitchen, I might just well I'll politely hand them a sample of something clay or olive might just well I'll politely hand them a sample of something.

1:27 clay or olive. Right, I knew we were in for a shift this year. Earthy tones are everywhere. Think clay, sand, sage, terracotta, olive. What I love is how these colors make a space feel like lived in, softer, and for people who listen to our episode on brown tiles, this is really just the next chapter. It's that cozy, grounded energy, but fresher. You nailed it. There's also this big push for subtle texture, fluted tile, matte stone things that you can actually feel when you run your hand over them. We had a client last month. She came in convinced she wanted high-gloss white tile for the backsplash but walked out with these handmade, slightly wavy terracotta squares. Total kitchen transformation, not showy, just like quietly inviting.

2:08 That reminds me of a project I finished in February A kitchen with those imperfect, uneven edge tiles, kind of rustic but not kitschy. The way the light hit them throughout the day it was, I mean, almost magical, honestly, and it made the whole room feel warmer, even though the palette was so, so subtle. Yeah, that's it, these earthy colors and textures. They help people feel safe and grounded, especially in high traffic areas. Think kitchens, entryways, even mudrooms. And you know, the best part is, as these tiles get used and pick up a little life, small scuffs, a bit of patina, they just look better. They wear in instead of out. Exactly they age with you. And if you keep these tones muted, kind of like what you'd find in actual nature moss, stone, that sort of thing they never really look dated.

2:54 I tell clients the trick is to balance the organic tiles with neutral cabinetry wood accents or linen textures. That's how you end up with a space that feels of the moment but also like it's always belonged. And, honestly, it takes the pressure off being perfect, doesn't it? You can mix finishes, you can have a little texture and suddenly the room just feels more like you Moving from walls to underfoot. 2025 is definitely the year of statement floors. For so long, floors were this afterthought. Right Now, entryways are saying hello with herringbone, chevron, even big geometrics. It's designed on a grand scale, but still approachable. Yeah, people want to put their personality right where you step in. We actually helped a Belk Tile client do a mudroom floor with a tone-on-tone herringbone subtle like charcoal and lighter gray.

3:39 It had all the movement and none of the noise and I'm telling you, the pattern gave that mudroom some serious swagger without screaming for attention. Totally, mike, and I love how layouts have gotten creative too. It's not just the pattern, it's how you install it Vertical stacks, diagonal lines, even wrapping tile onto the ceiling. I worked on a powder room where we ran a classic basket weave pattern straight up one wall and across the ceiling. Everyone thought it was this fancy custom tile, but it was all about the way we laid it out. And here's the thing, those classic patterns like herringbone or basket weave. There's a reason they've stuck around. Even when you go bold with the floor, the structure of those layouts makes it feel rooted, not trendy for trendy's sake.

4:21 It's like you can have fun, but if you stay classic on the pattern and neutral on the colors, you're good for the long haul formats. Cut down the grout lines, make the space look bigger, but stay timeless if you keep the color palette controlled. I always tell folks let the floor do the talking and keep walls and textiles a little simpler so you don't overpower the space. That's honestly one of the best ways to help these trends age gracefully. And craftsmanship matters. If the installation's off wrong spacing, bad alignment, you name it it doesn't matter how trendy your tile is, it'll look off now and even worse later. So pick your installer like you pick your tile with care. Where was I going with this? Oh right, you do it right, with the right pattern and skill.

5:03 It'll be a statement for years let's talk about moody palettes and going green, two of my favorite subjects. We're seeing a lot of deep navy, forest green, even matte black, show up in kitchens and baths and, honestly, when clients pair those with natural wood or brass, it doesn't feel trendy, it feels well sophisticated. I'll admit I was a little skeptical at first, thought maybe moody colors would fade fast. But you balance them right, like you said, mix in warm wood or some metal accents and suddenly those dark tiles have a real staying power. Reminds me of when we covered black tile trends a few episodes ago. Matte black subway or a deep green zelaj paired with oak can't go wrong. Right, but here's where it gets even better Sustainability More homeowners are starting with eco-friendly in mind, wanting recycled glass, clay or responsibly sourced porcelain.

5:51 I do a lot of recycled glass backsplashes, and not only do they look beautiful, they come with a story clients love to tell. And, let's face it quality, sustainable materials genuinely last longer. So you're doing good and making a smart investment. Yeah, people are savvier about what goes in their home. I always say ask about where and how it's made. If a client comes in wanting a really bold or new-to-the-scene look, I'll ask is this a color you wore 10 years ago? Do you see it sticking around in your wardrobe, or is it just what's hot on Pinterest this month? That's usually a good gut check for long-term love over fast fashion and tile Absolutely Quality sourcing and honestly, just trusting your gut. If something feels balanced, like moody tiles with light counters or a sustainable mosaic in a classic layout, it's almost always going to hold up the best rooms.

6:40 Mix a little trend with a lot of classic and sustainable substance. All right. So before we wrap up, quick detour to the future. Technology and tile. Heated floors are like the holy grail for anyone sick of cold toes, and we're seeing more installations with underfloor heat than ever before. Then you've got embedded lighting, that subtle glow along the toe kick or under a step. It's both form and function. I'm obsessed with lit tile accents, and then the custom side of things like monogrammed mosaics, personalized designs or working with artisans for unique finishes. There's all these ways to use tech to make tiles work smarter, and then some to make them feel more you. I mean your home shouldn't look like everyone else's, even if you're following trends right.

7:24 Exactly. The best approach I've seen is to layer innovation on a classic foundation. Take a neutral, timeless tile, maybe a soft stone look or a muted geometric, then use tech or custom details as an accent. That way, if you get tired of say, backlit house numbers and tile, you just update the accent, not your entire backsplash or floor. And that doesn't just go for high-tech stuff. You can future-proof your design basics by thinking about adaptability. Keep the bones simple and let the details evolve. That's how you wind up with a space that grows with you. Honestly, we covered a lot today, but I think those are my favorite takeaways Choose what you love, blend tech with tradition and always leave room for your own story.

8:07 Couldn't have said it better. Thanks for tuning in to another episode of Belk. Tile Talk Abby. Always a pleasure. You too, mike, and thanks to everyone listening in. We can't wait to share where Tile's headed next. Take care everyone. All right, have a great week, folks. We'll catch you next time on the Belk Tile Podcast. Bye, you've been listening to the Belk Tile Podcast. When it comes to creating a beautiful home using tile, this is the podcast for products, design ideas and tips. We hope you got some useful practical information from this show and we'll be back soon, but in the meantime, reach out. The website is wwwbelktilecom. Our store phone number is 614-543-8334.

8:49 Find us on Facebook and Twitter at Belk Tile and on Instagram at Belk Tiles. Make sure to leave a rating and review and if you have questions or comments, reach out and we'll talk about it on the next show. Till next time.