As we settle into 2025, interior design continues to evolve beyond aesthetics—it’s now about creating immersive, emotionally resonant environments. Tiles, often the unsung heroes of any space, are playing an increasingly central role in shaping how rooms feel, flow, and function. This year’s leading tile trends reflect a deep desire for connection—to our spaces, to nature, and to the artisanal touch that makes a home feel truly lived in.
The three trends shaping the narrative this year are tile drenching, earthy tones, and handcrafted tiles. Individually, each has its own transformative power—but when thoughtfully combined, they offer a holistic design language that speaks to both style and substance.
Tile Trends
Tile Drenching
Creating Seamless Environments
Tile drenching is quickly becoming the go-to approach for modern, cohesive interiors. Essentially, tile drenching refers to the practice of using the same tile across multiple surfaces—walls, floors, benches, and even ceilings—to create a seamless, enveloping effect.
The idea is simple, but the impact is profound. By removing breaks in material and pattern, tile drenching visually expands a space. A bathroom clad entirely in matte stone-look tiles feels like a tranquil escape—luxurious yet grounded. This approach is especially powerful in compact areas like ensuites, powder rooms, and laundries, where continuity can create a sense of openness.
From a practical point of view, tile drenching enhances durability and simplifies cleaning, especially in wet areas. A consistent finish can make maintenance easier while delivering that wow factor we so often crave in interior design.
Visually, this trend also lends itself to storytelling. Choosing a single tile and letting it shape the mood of the entire space gives you control over the atmosphere—be it minimalist and modern, coastal and relaxed, or dark and dramatic.
Earthy Tones
Nature Inspired Palettes for Tranquil Living
In recent years, there’s been a clear shift from cooler, industrial tones towards more grounded, organic colour palettes—and 2025 cements this move. Earthy tones like terracotta, olive green, rust, sand, and clay are dominating tile collections across the globe. These hues don’t just look beautiful; they feel comforting and rooted in nature.
Australia’s unique relationship with the landscape, from the bush and desert to the coastline, makes this palette particularly relevant. Earthy tones are familiar yet fresh, offering a visual warmth that instantly softens interiors.
Tiles in these tones pair naturally with raw materials—think timber, brushed brass, handmade ceramics, and linen. The result is a relaxed, timeless interior that feels curated, not contrived. In kitchens, earthy splashbacks lend warmth to stone benches; in bathrooms, muted clay tones conjure the feeling of a high-end day spa; and in living rooms, terracotta-look floors bring a rustic elegance that ages beautifully over time.
The beauty of earthy tiles lies in their versatility. They can be modern or traditional, sleek or textured, depending on how you style the rest of the space.
Handcrafted Tiles
Celebrating Imperfections & Textures
With the rise of mass-produced interiors, many designers and homeowners are yearning for something with soul—something that feels made, not manufactured. That’s where handcrafted tiles come in.
Handcrafted tiles celebrate imperfection in the best possible way. Their variations in colour, form, and texture make each piece unique, resulting in a surface that feels alive and dynamic. Whether it’s a zellige wall tile with its shimmering glaze and uneven edges, or a hand-pressed terracotta floor tile that bears the marks of its maker, the craftsmanship is visible and tangible.
These tiles excel in feature areas. A handcrafted splashback can elevate a kitchen to artisan status. A fireplace framed in hand-glazed tiles feels bespoke. Even a single wall of handcrafted tiles in a powder room can make a powerful statement about taste and intentionality.
And beyond aesthetics, there’s an emotional quality to using handmade materials. They invite touch, tell stories, and remind us of the value of craftsmanship in a fast-paced world.
Design Synergy: Where Trends Meet Timelessness
While each of these tile trends holds its own merit, they are most powerful when used in tandem. Imagine a bathroom fully drenched in warm, clay-toned handcrafted tiles—the floor, the walls, even the vanity bench. The room becomes more than just functional—it becomes a sanctuary, rich in texture, warmth, and intention.
This approach to design isn’t just trendy—it’s timeless. It taps into what we instinctively want from our spaces: comfort, beauty, and meaning.
For architects and interior designers, these trends offer immense creative opportunity. They allow you to create environments that feel consistent without being clinical, sophisticated without being sterile. For homeowners, they represent a way to express individuality, connect with nature, and invest in long-lasting beauty.
Ready to Redefine your Space?
At CBFD, we pride ourselves on curating tile collections that reflect both current design movements and legacy trends. Our catalogue includes a broad selection of earthy-toned tiles, artisanal finishes, and tile collections perfect for tile drenching applications.
Explore the entire set of collections today at cbfd.com.au and stay ahead of the tile trends that are shaping Australia’s most inspiring interiors.
Embracing these trends not only aligns your interiors with 2025’s design directions but also creates environments that are both aesthetically pleasing and deeply personal. For more design inspiration or to see our tiles in action, follow our Instagram.