2025 tile trends feature natural stone-look porcelain, zellige-inspired tiles, textured 3D surfaces, wood-look planks, and creative subway tile applications in bold colors and patterns. However, supposedly "outdated" tiles like classic white subway, polished finishes, and glass backsplashes remain excellent choices for many homes, they're not outdated, just not currently trendy.
Working with over 50,000 tile designs at Nova Tile and Stone, we've noticed something important: the tiles design magazines call "finished" are the same ones we sell daily to customers creating beautiful, functional spaces. The real question isn't "what's trending?" but "what works for your specific home, lifestyle, and budget?"
What's actually trending in 2025?
Natural stone aesthetics: Marble-look porcelain and slate-inspired tiles that bring authenticity and organic texture indoors
Zellige-inspired tiles: Moroccan-style tiles with intentional imperfections celebrating artisan craftsmanship
Textured and 3D tiles: Dimensional surfaces like hexagons and beveled subway tiles that create dramatic shadow play
Wood-look porcelain: Ultra-realistic wood planks with the durability of porcelain
Bold contemporary designs: Geometric mosaics, mid-century inspired patterns, and travertine looks
Evolved subway tiles: Classic shapes in new colors (especially greens and blues) and creative layouts like herringbone, vertical stack, and chevron
What's wrongly called "outdated"?
White tiles make small spaces feel larger. Glass backsplashes reflect light in dark kitchens. Traditional subway tiles offer timeless appeal and strong resale value. Polished finishes clean effortlessly and brighten rooms. These aren't outdated, they're practical solutions that work.
The bottom line: Choose tiles based on your space's lighting, your lifestyle needs, your home's architecture, and your timeline, not just what's trending on Instagram. Whether you love cutting-edge zellige or classic white subway, the right tile is the one that serves your space well and makes you happy.
Ready to explore both trendy and timeless options? Let's dive into what's hot, what's not (but should be), and how to choose tiles you'll love for decades.
Currently Trending: The Must-Have Styles
Natural Stone Takes Center Stage
This trend makes perfect sense. Today's homeowners seek authenticity. We're collectively exhausted from overly manufactured, flawless appearances. What people want now: genuine texture, natural variation, and that "bringing the outdoors inside" aesthetic.
Natural stone and marble-inspired tiles check all these boxes.
Top picks our customers are requesting:
Voyage Marble-Look Porcelain Collection – This collection is absolutely stunning. You'll achieve authentic Calacatta or Statuario marble veining without the maintenance headaches—no panicking over wine spills or acidic cleaners. Available in multiple sizes (12x24, 16x32, 24x24, and 24x48) and finishes (honed or polished), suitable for floors and walls, delivering a luxury appearance at an accessible price point. The 24x48 large format option creates fewer grout lines and a more seamless, high-end look.
Mozart Marble-Look Mosaics – These Turkish-made porcelain mosaics come in stunning patterns including 2x2 hexagons, elongated hexagons, and herringbone. Available in honed or polished finishes, they're perfect for creating elegant feature walls or stunning shower surrounds with authentic marble veining.
Contemporary Slate Collection – Perfect for those drawn to warmer, organic color palettes. This slate-inspired tile delivers cozy ambiance with rich noce (brown) tones, charcoal, and grey options with authentic texture and an ideal matte surface. Its exceptional durability makes it perfect for mudrooms, kitchens, or high-traffic areas. Available in multiple sizes from 2x4 brick mosaics to large 24x48 rectangles.
Why this style resonates: These tiles project authenticity. They provide warmth and personality, transforming houses into genuine sanctuaries rather than sterile showrooms.
Zellige-Inspired Tiles: Embracing Handcrafted Imperfection
Let's discuss zellige-inspired tiles. These Moroccan-style beauties are dominating current design, and deservedly so.
Aveline 6x6 Glossy Zellige-Look Porcelain Tile – Inspired by Moroccan zellige and Berber artistry, our Aveline tiles feature vibrant hues and subtle relief patterns that play with light and texture. Available in 7 gorgeous colors, these tiles are made from durable porcelain with a luminous enamel finish. They bring depth and sophistication to kitchen backsplashes, spa-like bathrooms, and any other space you can imagine, with all the beauty of authentic zellige but the durability and consistency of porcelain.
Unlike authentic handmade zellige that requires expert installation, our zellige-look porcelain tiles offer similar visual appeal with easier installation. You get the character and charm without the unpredictability.
Important consideration: Even with zellige-look tiles, we recommend professional installation for best results. During your complimentary design consultation with our team, we'll connect you with skilled installers who specialize in these applications.
Wood-Look Porcelain: The Best of Both Worlds
One of 2025's biggest trends is wood-look porcelain tile, and it's easy to see why. You get the warmth and beauty of real wood without the maintenance headaches.
Velocity Plank Collection – Our ultra-realistic wood-look porcelain planks feature real wood texture and feel in beautiful shades like Birch. From rustic farmhouse to sleek beach bungalow aesthetics, these tiles are durable, easy to clean, and completely waterproof, perfect for kitchens, bathrooms, basements, and even mudrooms where real wood would be problematic.
Available in popular plank sizes (typically 8x48), these tiles can be installed in traditional straight patterns, herringbone, or chevron layouts for added visual interest.
Why customers love wood-look tile: Pet-friendly, spill-proof, scratch-resistant, and perfect for radiant floor heating. It's the practical choice that doesn't sacrifice style.
Travertine Revival: Classic Elegance Returns
Travertine is making a major comeback, and we're here for it.
Torrent Travertine-Look Porcelain – Carefully crafted to give you the purest expression of natural stone without compromising on durability. Available in Bianco, Crema, Grigio, and Noce colors, this collection offers everything from 1.5x3 basketweave mosaics to large 24x48 rectangles. The natural look and feel combined with porcelain's strength makes it ideal for both residential and commercial applications.
Why travertine-look is trending: It bridges the gap between modern and traditional design, working beautifully in Mediterranean, transitional, and contemporary spaces alike.
Textured and 3D Tiles: Making Bold Statements
Comparing flat tiles to vanilla ice cream means 3D textured tiles are gourmet sundaes with all the premium toppings. They're dramatic, captivating, and conversation-starting.
Current customer favorites:
Striation Hexagon Collection – These 4.5x4 hexagon tiles feature beautiful marble veining in matte finishes. Spanish-made and available in beige, dark, grey, and white, they create incredible dimensional interest through their geometric shape and subtle surface variations.
Odyssey Hexagon Tiles – Spanish-made, mid-century inspired, featuring gorgeous distressed edges creating authentic vintage appeal. Available in 5.5x6.3 hexagon format with both matte and glossy finishes and high variation patterns, ensuring unique installations. The distressed edges give these tiles character that develops beautifully over time.
Imagine Porcelain Collection – Clean, contemporary hexagons (6x7) and pickets (2x13) perfect for modern design sensibilities. Available in stunning colors including Black, Grey, Ivory, Jade, Marine, and Pearl. The Spanish craftsmanship ensures exceptional quality and matte finishes that create subtle sophistication.
Textured Subway Collection – These transcend traditional subway tiles. We're offering beveled edges, raised patterns, and dimensional surfaces that capture light beautifully. Ideal for kitchen backsplashes or feature walls you've been envisioning. When planning your tile installation, consider using bullnose tile for professional-looking edges and polished finishing touches.
Expert recommendation: Install these on accent walls rather than entire rooms. Position them as focal points without creating visual overload. Consider feature walls behind ranges, shower enclosures, or entryway statements.
Subway Tiles Remain Relevant (Just More Interesting)
Insider knowledge: Subway tiles never disappeared. They simply evolved into more exciting versions.
Designers are experimenting with colors, patterns, and layouts, and we're excited about this creative direction.
What we're observing:
Lucida Subway Tile Collection – Our signature line offers four beautiful colors in a Mediterranean hand-painted style with glossy finish. The 3x9 size is perfect for creating visual interest, and yes, we have Verde (green) which is highly requested. Test them yourself for just $1 with complimentary shipping.
Montera Porcelain Subway Tiles – Available in 2.5x9 size with premium color-body porcelain for depth of color and strength. Choose from matte anti-slip options for floors or glossy for walls. Available in 4 colors and suitable for both residential and commercial applications.
Green and Blue Subway Tiles in Diverse Shades – Sage tones for farmhouse kitchens. Bold emerald for statement walls. Deep forest green for sophisticated, moody spaces. Ocean blues for coastal vibes. Available in 2x8, 3x6, 3x9, 3x12, 4x12, and other dimensions.
Pattern Transformations:
- Herringbone (elevated classic)
- Vertical stack (sleek modernism)
- Basketweave (instant texture!)
- Chevron (bold confidence)
- Diagonal (unexpected sophistication)
The strategy? Select interesting colors or textures, then experiment with layout patterns. Instantly transform subway tiles from ordinary to extraordinary.
Bold, Contemporary Aesthetics
Contemporary design embraces risk-taking now, and we're fully supportive.
Cascade 24x48 Metallic Look Porcelain Tile – Spanish-made with lappato finish, available in 5 gorgeous colors. This metallic-look porcelain creates stunning contemporary spaces with its subtle shimmer and large format. Perfect for modern kitchens, bathrooms, or commercial spaces. Rectified edges ensure clean installations.
Panorama Glass Mosaics – Like our Statuario Panorama Glass Elongated Hexagon Mosaic on mesh. Quite the name, quite the visual impact. Geometric patterns are trending strongly, with hexagons leading the movement. These glass mosaics feature marble-look patterns with matte finish and remarkable depth—no seal required and incredibly low maintenance.
Terrazzo Revival – Our Terrazzo 3x3 matte finish porcelain mosaic tiles bring this classic look back in modern colorways. Spanish-made with honed finish, perfect for creating retro-modern statements in kitchens and bathrooms.
Reality Check: "Outdated" Doesn't Equal Inferior
Time for honest conversation.
Annually, design publications and influencers label certain tiles "outdated" or "finished." Yet we continuously sell these supposedly "passé" tiles to satisfied customers creating stunning spaces.
Let's examine these "dated" tiles and explain why we're defending them.
All-White Tiles: Actually Timeless
Someone declared white tiles obsolete. We're challenging that assertion.
When white tiles are strategically perfect:
- Small bathroom needing spatial expansion? White tiles with white grout create space-expanding illusions. That's intelligent design, not basic choices.
- Renting without painting permission? White tile provides neutral foundations for removable wallpaper, colorful rugs, and decorative elements.
- Love Scandinavian or minimalist aesthetics? White tiles aren't outdated, they're fundamental to these styles.
- Kitchen lacks natural lighting? White tiles maximize available light reflection.
Reality: White tiles resemble white t-shirts. Not trendy, classic. Important distinction.
We stock white tiles from classic subway to modern large-format options in our Imagine, Lucida, and many other collections, all available through our $1 sample program for in-home testing.
Glass and Metallic Backsplashes: Embracing Shine
Some designers tire of reflective backsplashes. Should you care? Only if it matters to you personally.
When glass and metallic tiles excel:
- Sleek modern kitchen with glossy cabinetry and stainless appliances. Matte tiles would clash. Reflective tiles? Perfect harmony.
- North-facing kitchen lacking brightness. Glass tiles maximize light reflection.
- Designing bar or entertainment areas. Sometimes glamour and sparkle are exactly right!
- You prioritize effortless cleaning. Glass wipes spotlessly clean instantly and they're easy to maintain with proper grout care.
Our Glass Tile Collection features gorgeous Prism Ocean and Statuario Panorama options with remarkable depth and texture. Low maintenance, available in numerous patterns and shapes (arabesque, small hexagon, elongated hexagon on mesh), and yes, they sparkle. If that appeals to you, embrace it confidently!
Our Cascade Metallic Look porcelain tiles offer similar reflective beauty with the added durability of porcelain, perfect for high-traffic areas.
Traditional Subway Tile: The Design Essential
White subway tiles in standard brick patterns are supposedly "finished."
Meanwhile, they remain timeless, versatile, budget-conscious, installation-friendly, easy-cleaning, and excellent for resale value.
So are they outdated? Or simply not currently trendy?
Our perspective: Subway tiles resemble quality jeans. Not cutting-edge fashion, but perpetually appropriate, reliably functional, and never regrettable (on walls or in closets).
Modernizing subway tiles:
- Use colored grout (gray, black, or vibrant accent colors)
- Choose our textured or beveled varieties
- Experiment with creative layouts (remember those cool patterns?)
- Select colors from our collections beyond white
- Combine different sizes for visual dynamism
Expert advice: Planning to sell your home within a few years? Subway tiles represent safe investments. Buyers understand them, appreciate them, and won't use them as negotiation leverage.
Polished Tiles: Sleek Sophistication Endures
Matte finishes are trending, but polished tiles aren't worried. They offer advantages matte cannot match.
Polished tile benefits:
- Light reflection creating larger, brighter spaces? Absolutely.
- Exceptionally easy cleaning? Definitely. (Perfect for busy households or anyone avoiding weekend grout-scrubbing.)
- Sleek, contemporary elegance? Without question.
- Ideal for commercial spaces prioritizing cleanliness? Certainly.
Our polished selections like the Voyage collection (available in polished finish), Mozart mosaics (polished option), and large-format floor tiles deliver beautiful contemporary aesthetics that certain homes genuinely require.
Beyond Tile: Nova's Complete Home Finishing Solutions
While tiles are what we're known for, Nova Tile and Stone is your complete home finishing destination. Here's what else we offer across our Northern Nevada and Northern California showrooms:
Natural Stone & Engineered Countertops
We import natural stone slabs directly from quarries, bringing you the highest quality for countertops, bathroom walls, and more:
Natural Stone:
- Granite – Classic durability and natural beauty
- Marble – Timeless elegance (Calacatta, Carrara, Statuario)
- Quartzite – Stunning patterns with exceptional hardness
- Soapstone – Matte sophistication perfect for farmhouse kitchens
- Dolomite – Marble-like beauty with better durability
- Semi-precious stone – For truly unique luxury statements
Engineered slabs for easy maintenance:
- Quartz – Non-porous, stain-resistant, endless colors (perfect for busy families following professional kitchen planning guidelines)
- Porcelain slabs – Ultra-thin, heat-resistant, oversized formats
- Sintered stone – Cutting-edge technology, incredible durability
- Cultured marble – Budget-friendly elegance
Making Smart Choices Across All Products
Trends provide great inspiration. They're valuable for creative ideas. However, you'll live with your selections, not design influencers.
What genuinely matters:
Your lifestyle – Kids who spill constantly? Dogs tracking mud? Pristine adult household? Choose tile, flooring, and countertops accordingly. LVP might be smarter than hardwood with pets. Quartz might be better than marble with young kids.
Your home's architecture – Fighting your home's inherent style creates frustration. Work harmoniously with existing features. A mid-century modern home might look odd with ornate zellige everywhere.
Your realistic budget – Dream ambitiously, plan practically. We'll help you discover beautiful options across all price ranges. Sometimes porcelain that looks like marble is smarter than real marble.
Your timeline – Selling within 2 years? Choose conservatively across all finishes. Staying 20 years? Select what you genuinely love, even if trendy.
Your space's lighting – This impacts selections more than people realize. Order samples and evaluate them in your actual space throughout different times of day. This applies to tile, flooring, and countertop samples.
Functionality – Need waterproof flooring in the basement? LVP is perfect. Want heat-resistant countertops? Choose porcelain or quartz over marble. Need slip-resistant tile for showers? Matte finishes are essential. For DIY renovators tackling bathroom tile replacement projects, understanding material properties is crucial for success.
Why Choose Nova Tile and Stone
What makes customers love working with us:
$1 Sample Program – We'll cut 4x4 samples of any tiles you're considering and ship them free. Evaluate them in your space, lighting, alongside your cabinetry. No guessing, no disappointment. We also offer countertop samples so you can see natural stone and quartz options before committing.
Free Design Consultations – Our experienced team can guide you through overwhelming tile, flooring, and countertop selections. Whether you're a homeowner tackling your first DIY project or a contractor on project number 500, we're here supporting you with expert advice tailored to your specific project.
50,000+ Tile Designs – That's accurate, plus extensive countertop slabs, flooring options, stone veneer, and more. We maintain an incredible selection across our Northern Nevada (Minden, Fernley) and Northern California (Sacramento) showrooms. From ultra-trendy to timelessly classic, we've got options.
Shop Your Preferred Way – Browse by style, material, or application (wood-look, marble, zellige, contemporary, travertine, ceramic, glass, natural stone, quartz, granite, bathroom, kitchen, outdoor). Filter by size, finish, whatever organizational method works for you.
4 Physical Locations – Visit showrooms to see tiles, slabs, and flooring personally. Touch them, compare them, visualize them in your space. Prefer shopping from home? We deliver directly to your door across Northern Nevada and Northern California.
Trade Program – Industry professionals receive custom pricing, complimentary samples, expert service, and priority access to new products designed specifically for contractors, designers, and builders.
Complete Project Support – From initial design consultation through installation material selection, we're with you every step. Need installer referrals? We work with skilled professionals who specialize in tile, stone, flooring, and countertop installations.
Conclusion
Look, choosing tiles, flooring, or countertops for your home doesn't have to be stressful or confusing. Yes, there are exciting trends in 2025, natural stone looks, handcrafted zellige-inspired tiles, bold textures, wood-look porcelain, and creative applications. But here's what matters most: your lifestyle, your home's style, your budget, and what genuinely makes you happy.
The beauty of working with Nova Tile and Stone is that you don't have to choose between "trendy" and "practical." With extensive selections across countertops, flooring, and stone veneer, you'll find materials that check both boxes. And with our $1 sample program, you can test your selections in your actual space before committing.
Whether you're drawn to:
- The organic beauty of marble-look porcelain or real quartzite countertops
- The artisan charm of zellige-inspired tiles
- The timeless reliability of classic subway tiles
- The practical elegance of wood-look porcelain or LVP
- The modern sophistication of quartz countertops
- The warmth of natural hardwood flooring
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if a tile is actually outdated or just not currently trendy?
Great question! Here's the difference: truly outdated tiles are those that were specific to a particular era and scream that time period (think pink and black checkerboard from the 1950s or the beige-on-beige builder-grade look from the 1990s). Not-currently-trendy tiles, like white subway or polished porcelain from our Voyage collection, are classic designs that work beautifully in the right context, they're just not what design influencers are posting about this season. Ask yourself: "Does this tile serve my space well functionally and aesthetically?" If yes, it's not outdated, it's practical. And if you're still unsure, order a $1 sample from us and see how it looks in your actual space. Sometimes seeing is believing!
I'm planning to sell my home in 2-3 years. Should I choose trendy tiles or play it safe with classics?
Play it safe with classics, but make them interesting. Buyers appreciate neutral, timeless choices that they can easily envision themselves living with. Our classic white or neutral subway tiles (like Montera or Lucida), Voyage marble-look porcelain, Contemporary Slate, and simple geometric patterns like Mozart mosaics are all excellent choices that won't turn off potential buyers. For countertops, white or grey quartz and classic granite remain strong sellers. That said, you can still add personality through colored grout, interesting layout patterns (like herringbone or vertical stack), or textured finishes. Our design team can help you strike that perfect balance between "fresh and updated" and "broadly appealing." Remember: buyers won't negotiate down your price because you chose subway tiles or white quartz, but they might if you installed hot pink zellige everywhere or chose ultra-trendy materials.
Does Nova Tile and Stone only sell tiles?
Not at all! While our tile selection is what we're known for, we're a complete home finishing center. We carry natural stone slabs (granite, marble, quartzite, soapstone, dolomite) and engineered slabs (quartz, porcelain, sintered stone) for countertops. We also offer hardwood flooring, Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP), laminate, carpet, stone veneer for accent walls, plus all the installation materials (grouts, thin-set, waterproofing, sealers), care supplies, and professional tools you need. Whether you need kitchen countertops, bathroom tiles, living room flooring, or outdoor stone veneer, we have you covered. Visit our showrooms in Minden, Fernley, or Sacramento, or call 775-374-6682 to discuss any home finishing needs beyond just tile.
Can I mix trendy tiles with classic tiles in the same space, or will it look weird?
Absolutely you can mix them, when done thoughtfully! In fact, this is a smart design strategy. A common approach is using a classic, neutral tile for the majority of your space (like our Montera subway tile or Voyage large-format tiles) and then incorporating a trendy accent tile as a focal point (like Aveline zellige-look on a feature wall or Odyssey hexagons behind your range). This gives you the personality and visual interest of trendy materials while keeping costs reasonable and ensuring the space won't feel dated in 5 years. The key is making sure your materials coordinate in either color family, style, or finish. During your free design consultation with our team, we can help you create a cohesive mix that balances trend and timelessness. Bring your samples or photos, and we'll guide you through the process!
What's better for kitchens with kids and pets, tile or LVP flooring?
Both have advantages! Porcelain tile (like our Contemporary Slate or wood-look planks) is incredibly durable, scratch-resistant, and perfect for radiant floor heating. However, it's harder underfoot and dropped dishes will break. LVP (Luxury Vinyl Plank) offers similar looks with softer underfoot comfort, better sound absorption, warmer feel, and it's just as waterproof, plus dropped dishes survive. For busy families, many choose LVP in main living areas for comfort and porcelain tile in bathrooms and mudrooms for maximum water resistance. According to industry research, both materials continue to grow in popularity for residential applications. If you're exploring bathroom flooring options, consider both durability and comfort. Our design team can help you evaluate which works best for your specific lifestyle, budget, and home layout. Order samples of both to see which you prefer!
Bonus Resource: Looking for more bathroom design inspiration? Explore stunning remodel ideas to complement your tile and flooring choices!