4 min readTile has long been a staple in modern homes, but it’s enjoying a particularly on-trend moment right now. In recent years, homeowners have moved beyond classic white subway tile in favor of bolder, more colorful designs that make a statement rather than blend into the background. From mosaic and zellige to hand-painted, Delft, and natural stone, today’s tile options do more than serve a functional role as backsplashes or flooring—they help define the overall mood of a space. Interesting tiles bring personality, which is exactly what homeowners are searching for.
With so many styles and materials available, though, choosing the right tile can feel overwhelming. While you should always design your space in a way that feels true to you, a little expert guidance can go a long way—especially if you’re unsure what suits your cottagecore living room or midcentury modern home theater. To help, we asked design experts to share which tile styles pair best with six popular aesthetics. Here’s what they had to say.
Midcentury Modern
Midcentury modern style is defined by clean lines, retro influences, and a hint of futurism—and the right tile can capture all of those elements. According to Jamie Chappell from Fireclay Tile, geometric designs with sharp angles in bold colors are a natural fit for this aesthetic.
Because midcentury spaces often lean a bit funky and playful, tiles that stand out through their shape or color can help reinforce the look. Kelsey Matyas of Kelsey Deirdre Designs specifically likes Fireclay’s Azurite Matte subway tile for midcentury modern spaces, explaining that “a stacked colored ceramic tile with a defined grout line keeps things crisp while adding just enough graphic interest.”
Cottagecore
Soft, romantic, rustic—these descriptors of cottagecore style can help steer you in the right direction for a fitting tile. “Cottagecore calls for materials that feel imperfect and storied—zellige tile brings that softness and lived-in charm instantly,” Matyas says. She loves Clé Tile’s weathered white zellige for something subtle and storied, and Chappell explains that she likes seeing cottagecore-style tile as a wainscoting moment complemented by a floral wallpaper. A handmade tile can bring in a more natural feel that cottagecore is known for.
If you want a more colorful moment, go with muted pastels and soft neutrals, or even a border of tiles with hand-painted floral decorations, adds designer Shaolin Low of Studio Shaolin. “They add a sense of craft and whimsy that makes the space feel warm and inviting,” she says.
However, you can also lean into cottagecore’s more rustic, timeworn side rather than its romantic edge. A neutral-toned checkerboard tile fits that vision perfectly—an approach that comes to mind for Hendren House designer Caroline Finnegan when she thinks of the aesthetic.
Maximalist
For a maximalist home, there’s a lot of freedom and fun in the type of tile you can choose to still capture the vibe.
“This look is unique to each person; maximalist design is tailored for self-expression, whether that’s with a one-of-a-kind mosaic backsplash or a color drench in an unexpected shade or shape,” Chappell says.
Matyas gravitates toward bold patterns, both in how the tile is laid and in how the tiles are decorated, to introduce movement and personality into a space.
“Tile becomes less of a backdrop and more of a statement moment like artwork within the space,” she adds.
Farmhouse
Tile that enhances a farmhouse style is similar to a cottagecore tile, just without the romance.
“To nail the farmhouse look, you really want to lean into materials that feel grounded,” Chappell says. Think white subway tile for a classic look, or a thin brick tile in a muted earth tone for more color and texture. Both Matyas and Low agree that a classic subway tile with a subtle texture or in a warm neutral is beautiful in a farmhouse-style home. Finnegan adds that a zellige tile would work too, while still feeling fresh.
Japandi
“Japandi style is all about finding that sweet spot between Japanese minimalism and Scandinavian warmth,” Chappell explains. One of her go-to choices for these spaces is stacked mosaic tile—the clean lines add architectural interest while still feeling elevated and intentional. Natural elements also play a key role, so opting for a matte finish over a shiny one helps create a more grounded, earthy look, Finnegan adds.
Color palettes should take cues from nature and promote relaxation, with muted greens and blues leading the way. “Japandi design is rooted in calm, restraint, and natural materials, so I always look to large-format tiles in soft, neutral tones,” Matyas says. “The goal is to create a seamless, almost uninterrupted surface that feels soft and serene.”
Old World
Old-World style is more versatile than it might seem at first glance. Chappell notes that the charm of hand-painted tile captures the aesthetic beautifully—a sentiment Low agrees with—while Finnegan and Matyas gravitate toward natural stone or rich terra-cotta.
“For Old-World interiors, nothing compares to natural stone,” Matyas says. “Limestone, travertine, or a beautifully veined marble instantly evokes a sense of history. I often prefer a honed or lightly aged finish to enhance that feel.”
Hand-painted tiles offer added flexibility in both style and color, while still delivering the warmth and sense of history that define the look.
