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22. Fewer white or stainless-steel sinks. White and stainless steel sinks have had their day, says designer Ott. Expect more concrete, stone, copper and granite composite sinks in darker hues of gray, bronze or black. Your turn: What’s big on your design list this year? Have you spotted the next big trend of 2018? Give us your predictions in the Comments! See last year’s design predictions Browse the most popular photos on Houzz right now
20. Dedicated broom closets. It takes a lot to keep a home looking clean: brooms, brushes, mops, dusters, Swiffers, cleaning supplies. And finding space to keep these things organized while always at the ready shouldn’t be an afterthought. That’s why homeowners are gravitating toward a dedicated broom closet or cabinet. Clever rollouts and design tactics that make use of slim spaces, such as the inches between the side of a fridge and a wall, can turn out highly functional storage units for cleaning tools. See more space-saving broom closets
The look of stone and wood. Large-format pressed porcelain tiles have transformed the look of today’s kitchens and bathrooms. “Extra large, thin, light, strong, durable, versatile, eco-friendly and beautiful —technical pressed porcelain is the future of architectural surfaces,” Bird says. Aside from their game-changing size, these new-generation porcelain products come in myriad finishes, textures and colors. The printing technology used to “dress” these tiles with pattern and texture is now so advanced that in many cases, it’s hard to distinguish them from the real thing, whether that’s natural stone, wood, concrete or another material.
The third dimension. The advent of 3D tiles has changed the face of tiled surfaces, with embossed or molded patterns that make walls pop. They “can add drama to a space and naturally attract attention. They can be used to really define a space and add impact,” Earp says. A word on size: Dimensional tiles of all sizes, from large-format to penny mosaics, are trending at the moment. Gilding suggests choosing a size based on the type of room you’re working with. A large-format tile will make a space feel larger, as there are fewer grout lines to break up the space.
Gilding says that fabric-imitation tiles are one of the notable trends coming out of Europe at the moment, creating an irresistible illusion of softness: Think lace, damask and crepe. Even nubby textures such as linen and tweed are dressing up bathroom walls across the continent. “Tiles are obviously hard, but with some of the matte finishes and fabric-like looks, they can appear quite soft. It’s a little bit deceiving.”
For a softer effect, marble tiles can be laid in a range of zigzag formations. The subdued pattern inherent in the marble contrasts with the bold diagonal shapes. This look, pictured here on a kitchen backsplash, also is appearing on bathroom floors and walls. A similar effect can be achieved by laying wood-effect or marble tiles in a herringbone pattern for a 21st-century take on parquet flooring.
It’s hip to be square … and hexagonal and rhomboid. In 2017, tiles are all about shape: Hexagon, rhomboid, rectangle, diamond, fish-scale, round and even wavy tiles are adorning kitchen backsplashes, bathroom walls and floors. Our love affair with square mosaics continues, but they’re now styled slightly differently with a smooth, matte finish and a larger size (about 2 by 2 inches).
Light floors
Stairs
Island colour
Island colour
Another tartan scheme
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