Up Down And All Around: Functional, Decorative Tiles

Every once and a while, leaders in design turn things upside down and all around. What was in for decades is now out. What was out for decades is now in. This holds true even when it comes to simple things we thought we knew, like wall tile. This is certainly true today, as design trends are continuing to move toward a more generous and creative use of tile. For those with new constructions or on the cusp of a remodel, you’ll find what was the norm when it came to tile is now the exception.

Bathroom Applications

Wall tile is a bathroom staple, as tiles are easy to clean and they repel mold and mildew common to high moisture areas. Trends in the past few decades have leaned toward a more functional use of tile on the floor and on the walls. Whether they are glass or ceramic tile, the use of wall tiles generally ended at mid-height on the walls, allowing for paint or wallpaper to add a touch of color or contrast in texture.

These days, more and more designers are calling for tile use from the floor to the ceiling, or even beyond to across the ceiling itself. This use of tile is certainly functional, as it closes any gaps between a mid-height tile border and the unprotected plaster or drywall (basically eliminating a space where water can creep in or dust can collect), is easier to clean overall, and can hide old stains and cracks. 

However, it is also a stylish decision. A bathroom is often a small space for good execution of creative decor, so pops of color or interesting mosaics on the ceiling are a clever way to introduce more color and interest to the environment. Rather than the tile/smooth wall contrast of old, now the focus is on unbroken lines of tile that make the room feel larger and draw the eye upward, a contrast in texture coming instead from a mosaic design or interesting tile pattern above.

Kitchen Applications 

Behind a hood, over a window, or even on all the walls, many of today’s kitchens are going “bathroom style” with generous use of backsplash tile. Both decorative and indestructible, as tiles will not need to be repainted or repapered like other wall coverings, they withstand the steamy conditions of a kitchen and are easy to wipe clean. Thematically, tiles can be used to create a mood or carry through a motif begun with the cabinetry, countertops, or floors. For example, arranged in a bricklike pattern, tiles that cover an entire wall (not just a backsplash) can call to mind an Old World kitchen.