Introduction
Trendy is a scary word in interiors. We get it. You really don’t want to have to re-do your home once a year – it’s not like buying jeans now, is it? Every year, our buyers travel to the biggest and most beautiful tile and bathroom shows in the WORLD and every year, there are new must-haves, new colours, more patterns, bigger stuff, better stuff, newer stuff.
And yes, every year we buy shiny new things that interiors-obsessed individuals might like. Here are the home dècor trends that are set to become classics.
Geometric Tiles
Just as the classic metro tile made rectangles retro, the hexagon is set to make six-sided an interior design main stay. There is nothing quite as eye-catching as geometric tiles and the range of design, ornamentation and colour has really taken a step up this year. Shape, trigonometry and pattern combine to make this trend one that is certain to stay in fashion.
Geometric and hexagon tiles have a longer history than their current popularity might suggest. Anyone who's holidayed in Spain, Portugal, Italy, or Greece has likely walked across a version of this pattern already, since intricate tiled floors and walls have been a feature of Mediterranean architecture for centuries. Some regions even have dedicated museums preserving historic tile-making traditions, and genuinely antique examples can fetch a serious price in specialist reclamation shops. Modern geometric porcelain brings that same enduring appeal into an Irish home, without the cost or fragility of an original antique piece.
Larger than Large-Format Tiles
These huge tiles do two things. One, they make small spaces bigger, and two, they do away with grout lines. This means that they are easy to maintain and absolutely epic in effect. In finishes that mimic high-end marble, larger than large formats are not going out of fashion anytime soon.
The appeal comes down to a simple visual effect: fewer grout lines mean fewer interruptions for the eye, which makes a room read as larger and calmer. This matters more in Irish homes than it might elsewhere, since many Irish bathrooms, kitchens, and hallways are on the smaller side, and a large-format finish is one of the few material choices that genuinely changes how spacious a room feels without any structural work. The reduced grout area is also a practical draw, since less exposed grout means less cleaning and a lower risk of mould building up over time.
Browse our large format tiles and extra-large format tiles ranges to see the scale of what's currently available.
The Beloved Metro
The Metro tile just keeps giving. This year, sassy colours and edgy patterns bring the Metro hurtling into 2022 with a bang. Originally conceived in the 1904 for the New York subway stations, this little rectangle will possibly never not be in fashion.
Modern metro (or subway) tiles have moved well beyond the original plain white rectangle. Today's ranges come in a far wider range of colours, from soft pastels to bold, saturated tones, and in sizes beyond the classic brick shape, including longer, thinner formats and mini metro tiles for more detailed layouts.
Metro tiles suit kitchens and bathrooms particularly well, since their reflective, easy-clean surface handles splashback areas without fuss, but they also work as a hallway or utility room feature wall, laid in a herringbone or vertical stack pattern rather than the traditional brick bond, for a more contemporary take on a century-old shape. Browse our metro tiles range to see the current colour and size options.
Do you have any of these tiles in your home? How do they look?
Wall Panelling
Wall panelling has moved from a niche period-property feature to one of the most requested interior finishes in Irish homes, and it shows no sign of being a short-lived trend. Slatted and slat-effect panels add texture and warmth to a room in a way flat paint or plain tile can't, while remaining relatively straightforward to install, even as a DIY project.
Its staying power comes down to versatility: panelling suits everything from a bold living room feature wall to a subtle, half-height bathroom finish, and works across a wide range of styles, from traditional wood tones to modern, painted slat panels. See our guide on why wall panelling is Ireland's hottest home interior trend, our guide to 8 popular types of wall panelling, and a real project example in this Dublin home transformation.
Browse our slat wall panels and wooden wall panels ranges.
Brick Slips
Brick slips, thin slices of real or replica brick applied as a wall finish, bring an exposed-brick look to a room without the structural work of actual exposed masonry. They've become a particularly popular choice for fireplace surrounds and feature walls, where a warm, textured, slightly industrial finish suits both contemporary and more traditional interiors.
Unlike some interior trends tied to a specific colour palette, brick slips work across a wide range of styles precisely because brick itself is such a familiar, neutral material, which is a large part of why this finish looks set to remain popular rather than date quickly. See our guide on transforming your fireplace with brick slips, and browse our brick slips range.
FAQs: Tile and Interior Trends in Ireland
What are the top tile trends in Ireland right now?
Geometric and hexagon tiles, large and extra-large format tiles, metro tiles in modern colours and sizes, wall panelling, and brick slips are among the most enduring current trends.
Are geometric tiles a passing trend?
Unlikely. Geometric and hexagon patterns have been used in Mediterranean architecture for centuries, which suggests the current popularity reflects a long-standing style rather than a short-lived fad.
Why are large format tiles so popular?
They reduce the number of grout lines in a room, which makes small spaces feel larger, is easier to maintain, and lowers the risk of mould building up in grout over time.
Are metro tiles still in style?
Yes, and modern ranges have expanded well beyond the original plain white rectangle, with a wider range of colours, sizes, and layout patterns now available.
Where did metro tiles originate?
The design originates from the 1904 New York City subway stations, which is why they're also known as subway tiles.
Is wall panelling a good long-term investment?
Its versatility across styles and rooms, from feature walls to half-height bathroom finishes, is a strong sign of longevity rather than a short-term trend.
What rooms suit brick slips best?
Fireplace surrounds and feature walls are the most common application, though brick slips work in a range of rooms given how neutral and familiar the material is.
Do metro tiles suit both kitchens and bathrooms?
Yes. Their easy-clean, reflective surface makes them well suited to splashback areas in both rooms, and they also work well as a feature wall elsewhere in the home.
Why Tile Merchant?
We offer extremely competitive pricing on our entire range of tiles and likewise. We stock a huge range of wall and floor tiles and our prices are competitive for retail and trade. Our stock is widely available in our tile stores in Ireland, which are open 7 days a week.
Alternatively, if you’d prefer to shop our tiles online, we can supply you with samples delivered for free.
Article written by Calum
Cal Bannerman is a freelance writer, editor, podcaster and voice actor from the Scottish Borders. He runs the storytelling podcast "Stories from the Hearth" and lives in a wee Glasgow Flat with his partner and their cat".
