Of course there are also practical benefits to installing ceramic tiles that look like wood as opposed to the real thing. ‘The advantage is that you can now use it wherever you want,’ says Howes. Newey elaborates explaining that porcelain has many performance advantages over wood, particularly in wet areas such as bathrooms, showers and spa environments. ‘It is waterproof, it does not need to be stained or sealed, it’s scratch-proof and stiletto-proof, and can be used with underfloor heating,’ he says.
The other design trends identified can be seen as a direct response to our desire for a more decorative approach to our homes, according to Howes. She says: ‘People like to surround themselves with more personal things. The economic downturn has made consumers appreciate pieces that create a more homely feel.’
Newey agrees with this and believes that the trend towards more decorative tiles has resulted from the trend for interiors becoming softer and more feminine. ‘This could also be a backlash against the very hard-edged, symmetrical, minimal designs that dominated in the 90s and noughties in high-end interiors,’ he says.