8 Tile and Bathroom Trends From Italy’s Cersaie Show
The 2021 Bologna fair showcased colorful florals, sumptuous textures and some cool mirror tech
The International Exhibition of Ceramic Tile and Bathroom Furnishings, or Cersaie, opened its doors from Sept. 27 to Oct. 1 in Bologna, Italy, for the first time since the start of the pandemic. Spread over 15 pavilions, the show welcomed 623 exhibitors from 28 countries and more than 62,000 visitors.
The fair showcased colorful tiles and bathroom furnishings and fixtures; porcelain finishes in floral patterns and jungle effects; tile designs inspired by marble or wallpaper; earthy textures; and new extra-large tiles and designs in indoor and outdoor versions. New bathroom technology also made a mark in the form of LED backlit mirrors with motion sensors to create a cozy ambiance.
The fair showcased colorful tiles and bathroom furnishings and fixtures; porcelain finishes in floral patterns and jungle effects; tile designs inspired by marble or wallpaper; earthy textures; and new extra-large tiles and designs in indoor and outdoor versions. New bathroom technology also made a mark in the form of LED backlit mirrors with motion sensors to create a cozy ambiance.
Sense collection by Aqua for Ideagroup.
In her keynote lecture, Cristina Faedi, head of promotion for ceramics association Confindustria Ceramica, suggested that we now feel the need “escape” even within the home, and colorful ceramics can help us do that.
So, there is now room for serene light blue, comforting pastels and warm earth tones that bring us into contact with nature.
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In her keynote lecture, Cristina Faedi, head of promotion for ceramics association Confindustria Ceramica, suggested that we now feel the need “escape” even within the home, and colorful ceramics can help us do that.
So, there is now room for serene light blue, comforting pastels and warm earth tones that bring us into contact with nature.
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2. New Textures Feel Great to the Touch
Another trend seen throughout the fair were porcelain finishes, countertops and cabinet doors incorporating 3D effects with strong tactile sensations.
Massimo Nadalini, designer of the Cut-Up finish for Mosaico+ (pictured), described his work as an experiment to study the interplay of smooth and textured surfaces. Inspired by the cut-up technique in literature — in which a text is cut up and rearranged — Nadalini has reworked tiles created by Cardo and Marianna Costi to produce a surface made up of alternating designs.
“We dissected the slabs into portions that incorporated only small details of the finished work, and then generated modules with a selection of these fragments. Those who install the material are unconsciously writing a new story, generated by the random composition of the modules,” Nadalini says in a press release.
Another trend seen throughout the fair were porcelain finishes, countertops and cabinet doors incorporating 3D effects with strong tactile sensations.
Massimo Nadalini, designer of the Cut-Up finish for Mosaico+ (pictured), described his work as an experiment to study the interplay of smooth and textured surfaces. Inspired by the cut-up technique in literature — in which a text is cut up and rearranged — Nadalini has reworked tiles created by Cardo and Marianna Costi to produce a surface made up of alternating designs.
“We dissected the slabs into portions that incorporated only small details of the finished work, and then generated modules with a selection of these fragments. Those who install the material are unconsciously writing a new story, generated by the random composition of the modules,” Nadalini says in a press release.
Genesis collection from Love Tiles, in Coastal White
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Signoria marble-look series, Sensi line from ABK in Port Gold
3. Stoneware Dresses Up as Marble
This year, the trend of porcelain coverings inspired by natural materials was reflected above all in tile with colors and vein patterns imitating marble. Everything from the most expensive to the most colorful varieties were re-created in stoneware. Various shades of onyx, Carrara, Calacatta and Verona red marble were among the most sought-after imitations.
The tiles on display also ranged from classic sizes to large, nearly 10-by-10-foot tiles.
3. Stoneware Dresses Up as Marble
This year, the trend of porcelain coverings inspired by natural materials was reflected above all in tile with colors and vein patterns imitating marble. Everything from the most expensive to the most colorful varieties were re-created in stoneware. Various shades of onyx, Carrara, Calacatta and Verona red marble were among the most sought-after imitations.
The tiles on display also ranged from classic sizes to large, nearly 10-by-10-foot tiles.
Poetry House by Studio Otto-Paola Navone for ABK
4. Wallpaper Look
Natural materials like wood or marble weren’t the only finishes imitated in porcelain. Collections inspired by wallpaper were in the spotlight at the fair, showcasing patterns and textures that we are used to seeing on fabric.
Thin tiles can be used to decorate walls while retaining the functional benefits of the porcelain.
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4. Wallpaper Look
Natural materials like wood or marble weren’t the only finishes imitated in porcelain. Collections inspired by wallpaper were in the spotlight at the fair, showcasing patterns and textures that we are used to seeing on fabric.
Thin tiles can be used to decorate walls while retaining the functional benefits of the porcelain.
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Tuscany by Naxos Ceramica in Spring pattern
5. A Jungle in the Bathroom
Nature has come through to the bathroom: small flowers for romantic settings, jungle-style decor for creative spaces and 3D finishes that reflect light on leaves and flowers.
This dovetails with two other trends already mentioned: surfaces recalling raw textures and bold palettes. These are expressed in floral tiles with tactile surfaces and bright colors.
5. A Jungle in the Bathroom
Nature has come through to the bathroom: small flowers for romantic settings, jungle-style decor for creative spaces and 3D finishes that reflect light on leaves and flowers.
This dovetails with two other trends already mentioned: surfaces recalling raw textures and bold palettes. These are expressed in floral tiles with tactile surfaces and bright colors.
Roots wood-look collection by Fap Ceramiche, with Honey finish inside and Honey Out outdoors
6. Same Style Indoors and Out
Beyond the bathroom, at Cersaie we saw tile that could be used both inside and out to create continuity, with indoor and outdoor versions of the same design. From a technical standpoint, this means producing tiles with the same appearance at different slip resistance ratings: R9 for indoor tiles and R10/R11 for their outdoor counterparts.
6. Same Style Indoors and Out
Beyond the bathroom, at Cersaie we saw tile that could be used both inside and out to create continuity, with indoor and outdoor versions of the same design. From a technical standpoint, this means producing tiles with the same appearance at different slip resistance ratings: R9 for indoor tiles and R10/R11 for their outdoor counterparts.
New shades for the Musa collection by Lapitec. The tiles come in formats as large as 11 by 5 feet.
7. Extra-Large Tiles
One of the most important manufacturing innovations we saw at the fair were large tiles reaching up to 10 by 10 feet. This means that tile originally intended for the bathroom can be used as a second skin in ventilated building facades.
7. Extra-Large Tiles
One of the most important manufacturing innovations we saw at the fair were large tiles reaching up to 10 by 10 feet. This means that tile originally intended for the bathroom can be used as a second skin in ventilated building facades.
The Ardeco Circle mirror is available with integrated LED and motion sensor for automatic ignition.
8. Smart Mirrors
Technology makes the bathroom environment more functional and comfortable as well. At Cersaie, we saw mirrors equipped with motion sensors that light up automatically when someone walks by. The built-in LED lights are dimmable and can change from cold to warm light temperatures depending on the time of day.
8. Smart Mirrors
Technology makes the bathroom environment more functional and comfortable as well. At Cersaie, we saw mirrors equipped with motion sensors that light up automatically when someone walks by. The built-in LED lights are dimmable and can change from cold to warm light temperatures depending on the time of day.
Sasso mirror by Arblu with LED backlight. It has a Blue Sensor touch switch to dim the light, change its color and turn it on or off.
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1. Hooray for Color
Following the success of bold tones in the recent edition of Supersalone in Milan, Cersaie also opened up to color. Bathroom fixtures, radiators and shower trays are no longer just white, but bring a colorful touch to the bathroom.
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