Have you ever entered a room and marvelled at the furniture and decor pieces, and yet found something off about the space? Take a closer look. Are the walls and flooring harmonious and complement the design? The answer to all these questions well may lie with the selection of the right type of tiles.

No longer used for only flooring, tiles can be fashioned and cut according to the design requirements for walls as well.

From a rustic to a more contemporary look, from hardwood to a marble-like finish, from mosaic to cement screed, tiles now come in a variety of styles, shapes and textures.

Architect Abhigyan Neogi of Chromed Design Studio says, “Tiles add substance and character to any project.

They also have a vital contribution in setting the feel and deciding the ultimate appearance of a space. For FLYP@MTV in Mumbai, I decided to install a variety of tiles, with a range of designs and finishes, giving the space a youthful exuberance.” Rohit Raj of Urban Zen didn’t want to settle with just one type of tile when design Quattro in ABC.

He instead chose to work with a variety of textures, hues, shapes and finishes. “Over the years, more and more architects and clients have come to see the significance of tiles and how they can enhance the overall look and feel of an area. All you need is a little creativity along with a personal touch to spruce up your spaces,” he says.

Since, there is practically no aspect of life untouched by technology, the tiles of the future would be technologically modified as well. The tiles in near future would be technologically modified ones. We could soon see user control interfaces that would work through the tiles, or even have tiles integrated with screens and visuals.

Choose the Right Tiles Based On:

·         The space, whether they are for floors or walls

·         The purpose of the room

·         The effect you want to create

·         The need of warm or cool palettes

The sanitary ware industry has become an intrinsic part of every urban household that adds definition to the way of our living. It is interesting to note that the sanitary ware industry in India is experiencing a growth of 12-15 per cent CAGR

This growth is expected to attain stability due to higher disposable income and changed preferences by the year 2021. The design trends for 2018 show that both designers and homeowners are looking for ways to break from the mould and create something unique with their styling. Tech, tiles and bold accents are being used to create modern and interesting vanity spaces.

The trends this season: 

• The Colours: Classic white is associated with cleanliness and remains a popular colour choice for sanitary wares. Clean designs in solid colours are also in.
• The Convenience: Simple designs and mechanisms work best. Users would not want to waste time figuring out how to use the levers, taps or buttons. Also, ensure sanitary wares are easy to use and safe for children, elderly people and persons with disabilities.
• Environment-Friendly: Bathroom fixtures and fittings should be environment and waste as little water or paper as possible.
• He Luxe Appeal: Sanitary wares fall under the luxury segment and there will be more and more consumers investing in private spas, saunas, lavish showers and bathrooms.
• Rass and Gold: Fixtures in warm brass and gold tones are being used to complement the popular, cooler bathroom colours in greys. The gold tone adds the right amount of depth; dimension and luxe feel to your vanity.