Australian Tile Trends For 2026: Design For Joy
If 2025 was about refinement, 2026’s tile trend is about confidence.
For years, Australian renovations were driven by one goal: resale value. Safe whites, soft greys and neutral finishes ruled the market as homeowners played it safe.
In 2026, that mindset has officially shifted.
This year’s tile trends are about designing for joy – choosing colours, textures and shapes that spark emotion, reflect personality and make everyday spaces feel special. Across Australian homes, we are seeing bolder palettes, expressive patterns, rich natural materials and a move away from “one size fits all” interiors.
Here’s what’s shaping Australian tile design in 2026.
1. Large Format Statement Tiles
Large-format tiles have been building momentum for several years, but in 2026, they step into the spotlight as true hero pieces.
Instead of blending quietly into the background, oversized tiles are being used to anchor entire spaces. Designers and homeowners alike are embracing bold colour, movement and scale, using large format tiles to create architectural impact with minimal grout lines.
While deep greens led the way initially, the colour palette has expanded to include:
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Rust and terracotta tones
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Rich maroons and wine hues
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Warm greige and stone neutrals
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Rare and dramatic natural stone looks
Oversized slabs, including 1200 x 1200mm tiles, are increasingly popular for creating seamless, luxurious surfaces that feel refined and contemporary.
Where we’re seeing them used:
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High-impact kitchen splashbacks
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Floor-to-ceiling bathroom feature walls
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Fireplace surrounds and chimney breasts
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Entrance halls and statement foyers
Natural stone-inspired ranges such as Sensi Signoria, Roma Imperiale, and Sensi Nuance deliver the visual drama of marble without the maintenance demands of real stone, making them ideal for busy Australian households.
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✅ Example: In both Instagram posts above, the Apuano Oro Natural Matt tile (available at the Tile Warehouse showroom in 600mm x 1200mm and 600mm x 600mm) was used. Apuno Oro is a stunning Calacatta Oro marble look tile that delivers timeless elegance with a contemporary edge. Featuring a soft white base accented by refined smoky grey and warm gold veining, it captures the essence of understated luxury. Manufactured in Brazil by Portobello, this tile showcases exceptional detailing and craftsmanship, offering the high-end look of natural marble with the durability and value of porcelain.
2. Mid-Century… But Make It American
One of the most interesting shifts in 2026 is the evolution of Mid-Century Modern into Mid-Century American.
This updated look leans into deeper timbers, richer colours and stronger geometry. It feels moodier, more grounded and far more expressive than the lighter Scandinavian-influenced mid-century styles of recent years.
Key tile directions include:
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Dark browns, caramel tones and rust reds
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Earthy greens with depth and warmth
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Mosaic tiles in squares and slim rectangles
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Straight edge contrast grout to highlight geometry
This is a confident, layered look that uses tiles as design features rather than background finishes. When paired with walnut cabinetry, aged brass and low lighting, the result is sophisticated and timeless.
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✅ Example: A perfect example of how tiles can anchor Mid-Century and Mid-Century American design with confidence and warmth.
Strong lines, considered geometry and rich, earthy tones define this style, and tile plays a key role in reinforcing its architectural character. The clean shapes and structured layouts echo classic mid-century principles, while deeper, warmer colours introduce the moodier edge that defines the American evolution of the style.
Rather than fading into the background, the tiles become part of the design language. They add depth, texture and rhythm, balancing timber elements and enhancing the sense of structure and symmetry that mid-century interiors are known for.
This design feels intentional and grounded. Timeless forms, elevated by thoughtful tile choices that bring warmth, contrast and personality into the space.
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✅ Example: In the Instagram post above, our moodboard celebrates the art of tile layering, where colour, texture and material come together to create depth and personality. The foundation is our Omega White Terrazzo, an in-stock favourite that grounds the design with a clean, timeless base.
From there, colour takes the lead. Bauhome Terracotta adds warmth through rich orange squares, while Bel Historie Ocre introduces a soft yellow hue that lifts the palette. Deep green Magma Malachite subway tiles bring contrast and mood, anchoring the space with confidence.
The look is elevated with refined stone accents, pairing Calacatta Viola Honed in crisp white with the bold drama of Sahara Noir Polished marble look porcelain.
A considered mix of tones, finishes and formats, designed to feel curated, tactile and full of character.
3. Earth Tones Are The New White
White tiles will always have their place in Australian homes, but in 2026, soft earth tones are becoming the new neutral.
Think:
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Light clay
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Soft ochre
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Sandstone
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Warm limestone-inspired hues
These colours instantly add warmth and depth while remaining incredibly versatile. They pair beautifully with timber cabinetry, brushed brass tapware, and tactile surfaces such as microcement and natural stone.
✅ Example: Harlem Ocre Matt Subway is a textured matt subway tile suitable for both floor and wall applications. Offering a modern take on a classic tile shape, the Harlem Subway range reflects the shift towards warmer, more grounded interiors, with a colour palette that feels calming, versatile and easy to live with long term.
Featuring a rich spectrum of soft earth tones, each colour works beautifully on its own or can be mixed to create a layered, design-led finish. The Harlem range is also available in Terra, Biscotti, Cream and Ivory, allowing for flexible styling across a wide range of interior spaces.
Made in Spain, the Harlem series is crafted to exceptional quality standards. As a Tile Warehouse exclusive, it brings European design and durability into your home at an everyday, affordable price.
4. Natural Stone Takes Centre Stage: Maroon & Viola Calacatta
Luxury interiors in 2026 are being defined by bold stone selection, with two standout looks emerging across Australian kitchens, bathrooms and entry spaces.
Viola Calacatta
Known for its dramatic purple and burgundy veining, Viola Calacatta is being used as a statement stone in:
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Kitchen islands
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Powder room vanities
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Feature walls
Moritz Maroon
For those wanting warmth and depth, Moritz Maroon offers a striking alternative to traditional marble, delivering richness without feeling overly ornate.
✅ Examples: The first image highlights Viola Calacatta takes focus through its dramatic contrast. Creamy white stone is intersected with bold purple and burgundy veining, creating a striking visual rhythm that immediately draws the eye. Paired with brass detailing and darker stone accents, it becomes unmistakably sculptural. This is a stone used not as a backdrop, but as a centrepiece.
In the second image, Moritz Maroon is in a slim finger mosaic format, revealing a deep, wine-toned base layered with natural white and blush veining. The elongated pieces amplify the stone’s movement, creating a surface that feels textured, architectural and richly expressive. The colour sits firmly within the maroon family, offering warmth and depth without tipping into excess, making it an ideal alternative to more traditional white marbles.
Together, these stones embody the defining stone trend of 2026. Viola Calacatta delivers drama and artistry, making it ideal for kitchen islands, powder room vanities and feature walls where impact is essential. Moritz Maroon, by contrast, brings richness and warmth, offering a grounded, moody elegance that feels luxurious yet restrained.
Both stones reflect a broader move away from safe, uniform surfaces and towards expressive materials that celebrate colour, veining and individuality. In 2026, stone is no longer subtle. It is bold, intentional and unapologetically beautiful.
5. Pattern & New Shapes (Yes, Arches Are Back)
Pattern hasn’t disappeared, it has evolved.
While classic geometrics remain popular, arched and curved tile shapes are one of the defining trends of 2026. Inspired by 1960s and 70s design, arches bring softness and movement into modern interiors.
When recreated in contemporary materials and textured finishes, these shapes feel both nostalgic and fresh.
Bathrooms in particular benefit from curved forms, which help spaces feel more fluid, organic and inviting.
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✅ Examples: One of the most defining interior trends of 2026 is the return of soft curves, where straight lines give way to flowing forms that feel instinctive and immersive. In the Insta post above from Nexus Built, they absolutely nailed this. Curved tiled walls, arched transitions, and continuous surfaces are used to create spaces that feel intimate, cocooned, and deeply atmospheric.
Deep green tiles sweeping into a smooth, uninterrupted curve transform the bathroom into an experience rather than just a room. The mood is low and sultry, the geometry softened, the space inviting you to slow down and linger.
In these environments, the shower becomes its own small world. Warm, enveloping and quietly dramatic. A place of escape, reminiscent of sinking into a corner seat as the music hums around you.
✅ Examples: The Manufatti collection embraces this expressive approach to design, offering vibrant surfaces inspired by colour, texture and creative experimentation in the tile itself. Through deep glazes, each tile reveals rich tonal variation and organic movement, creating beautifully variegated finishes with depth and character.
The collection features a suite of striking patterned feature tiles in a 200mm x 200mm format, available across the full colour range to complete an authentic and cohesive look. Made in Italy, Manufatti reflects refined craftsmanship and contemporary European design, making it ideal for spaces that celebrate mood, artistry and individuality.
6. Japandi & Modern Coastal: Evolving, Not Disappearing
Japandi and Modern Coastal styles continue to influence Australian interiors, but in 2026, both have matured.
Japandi in 2026 features:
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Warmer timber tones
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Soft, textured neutrals
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Handmade look tiles with subtle imperfections
Modern Coastal in 2026 features:
Modern Coastal moves away from crisp whites and towards:
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Sandy beiges
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Warm greys
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Organic textures inspired by natural landscapes
The result is a more enduring, lived-in aesthetic that feels relaxed rather than styled.
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✅ Example: A perfect expression of Japandi design, where warmth, restraint and texture work in quiet harmony.
Soft, earthy tones set a calming foundation, with Enzo Sand tiles wrapping the space in a natural, grounded palette. Their subtle texture and warm neutrality create the serene backdrop that defines Japandi interiors.
The feature wall introduces a gentle point of interest through Ukaru Greige Gloss Finger Mosaic. With its olive-tinted glaze and refined linear form, it adds depth and movement without overpowering the space, offering a subtle pop of earthy colour that feels organic and intentional.
Sleek gunmetal tapware provides contrast, bringing a modern edge to the warmth of timber and tile, while maintaining the balance and simplicity central to Japandi design.
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✅ Example: A fresh take on Modern Coastal design, where light, texture, and movement come together effortlessly.
Soft, sun-washed tones set the foundation, with Norrock Warm White tiles used across floors and walls to create a seamless, calming backdrop. Their warm undertone brings depth without heaviness, reflecting the relaxed, coastal feel in a refined, contemporary way.
The space is elevated with Tathra Sky Wavy subway tiles, introducing gentle movement and a subtle nod to the ocean. The softly undulating surface catches the light beautifully, adding texture and interest while keeping the palette clean and airy.
Balanced, natural and easy to live with, this is coastal design done with restraint. A space that feels bright, grounded and timeless rather than themed.
7. Colour Spotlight: Maroon & Wine Red
Perhaps the most unexpected tile trend of 2026 is also one of the most striking.
While Pantone’s 2026 Colour of the Year, Cloud Dancer, celebrates a soft, calming white that allows other colours to shine, designers are also embracing deeper, richer hues to bring warmth and emotional depth into interiors.
Maroon and wine red tiles are emerging as a sophisticated choice for:
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Kitchens
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Laundries
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Powder rooms
When paired with brushed metal finishes, warm timber or clay-toned tiles, these colours create spaces that feel rich, moody and undeniably elegant. The contrast between light, airy neutrals and deeper reds allows both elements to feel intentional and balanced.
Used thoughtfully, darker reds add drama and refinement without overwhelming a room.
Example: The Kyoto Caramel Finger Mosaic showcases how deeper, earthy red-brown tones are evolving into one of the most sophisticated colour stories of 2026. Rather than feeling bold or overpowering, the slender vertical format softens the richness of the caramel and wine-inspired hues, allowing the colour to read as warm, layered and tactile.
Set against light, neutral walls and floors, the mosaic becomes a grounding feature. It introduces emotional depth and warmth while still aligning with the calm, airy sensibility reflected in Pantone’s 2026 Colour of the Year, Cloud Dancer. This balance between light neutrals and richer tones is exactly what defines contemporary design this year.
Paired with warm timber joinery, natural stone and brushed metal tapware, the Kyoto Caramel mosaic creates a space that feels intimate, elegant and quietly dramatic. It is particularly well suited to powder rooms, ensuites and laundries, where deeper colours can be embraced without overwhelming the room.
This is a perfect example of how maroon and wine red-inspired tiles can be used thoughtfully. Rich without being heavy, expressive without being loud. A refined approach to colour that adds drama, warmth and enduring sophistication.
8. Checkerboard: A Trend Worth Its Own Blog
Checkerboard tiles are back, but executing them well requires precision.
This is not a trend to improvise.
Key considerations include:
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Tiles from different collections often vary slightly in size
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A 3 to 5mm grout joint is essential for accuracy
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Using two colours from the same tile series ensures consistency
The most popular combination in 2026? Beige and off-white, offering a softer, more contemporary take on this classic pattern.
✅ Examples: Set within a 170-year-old heritage building, this bathroom was styled with deep respect for the architecture and soul of the space. Rather than competing with the history, the design leans into it, allowing original features to take centre stage.
The dramatic pitched timber ceiling, arched stained-glass window, and freestanding bath establish a timeless backdrop, while the classic checkerboard floor grounds the room with quiet confidence. Using Capri Pepper In Out and Capri Nutmeg In Out porcelain tiles, the palette feels soft, balanced and considered, echoing traditional materials without feeling heavy or theatrical.
The refined surface quality of the porcelain tiles enhances the natural light filtering through the stained glass, creating a warm, gentle ambience throughout the space. Durable and beautifully detailed, the tiles offer a practical solution while maintaining the elegance expected in a building of this age.
Final Thoughts: 2026 Is The Year Of Joyful Design
Australian tile trends for 2026 clearly signal a shift away from safe, resale-driven choices and towards spaces designed to be enjoyed every day.
Whether it’s a bold stone feature, expressive colour or warm earth-toned foundation, the focus is on creating interiors with personality, confidence and joy.
If you’d like help selecting tiles that suit your style, space and lifestyle, the Tile Warehouse team is always here to guide you.
Stay Ahead of the Curve with our 2026 Australian Tile Trends:
To stay on top of these 2026 Australian Tile Trends and to find inspiration for your next renovation or build, visit Tile Warehouse Newcastle or explore a limited selection of our latest collections online. Whether you’re embracing bold colours, layered textures, or high-end marble finishes, there’s a tile trend to suit every style and preference in 2026.
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