Popular trends in choosing tiles for kitchens and bathrooms

The trend of choosing tiles for kitchen and bathroom spaces in 2025 is becoming more diverse and rich than ever. Choosing tiles to suit the design style and bring unique beauty to the living space is a concern of many homeowners.

In this article, SmartDecor will introduce to you the 4 most popular types of tiles today, including Terrazzo tiles, Oblong Metro Tiles, Patterned Tiles and Natural Stone Tiles. Let's explore the outstanding features and applications of each type of tile to be able to choose the most suitable tile model for your family's kitchen and bathroom space.

Terrazzo tiles

Terrazzo tiles originated in Italy over 500 years ago. Initially, these tiles were created by using pieces of marble, limestone and broken glass, mixed with cement to form a mixture. Then, this mixture was poured and polished to create a beautiful glossy tile surface. Today, the technology for producing Terrazzo tiles has been improved, allowing for a wider variety of colors and patterns.

Terrazzo tiles are mainly composed of white or colored cement, combined with natural stone chips such as marble, travertine, glass and other materials with a typical ratio of 70% cement and 30% stone. The tile surface is smoothed and polished to create a smooth, glossy finish.

Colors vary depending on the color of cement and stone used, commonly gray, ivory, beige, dark brown. Custom colors can also be created by mixing cement and stone. The surface of the tile often has sparkling stone particles, natural color patches creating a unique beauty. Patterns can be created by arranging the stone pieces in a mold before pouring cement.

Terrazzo tiles bring a classic, luxurious beauty to the space with a glossy surface and attractive lighting effects from the stone particles. This type of tile is highly durable, resistant to force, and scratch-resistant thanks to its main ingredients being cement and natural stone. Its lifespan can be up to 50-100 years if well maintained. The smooth surface makes cleaning easier because dirt is difficult to stick. Terrazzo tiles are suitable for many interior design styles from classic, neoclassical to modern and can be used for many spaces in the house.

According to a report by the Vietnam Ceramic Tiles Association, Terrazzo tile sales increased by 25% in 2023 compared to 2022. A survey by SmartDecor showed that 65% of architects and interior designers have used this tile for projects in the past 2 years.

At Vietbuild 2023 Exhibition, Terrazzo tiles accounted for 30% of the total booths displaying new tile products. With unique beauty, high durability and wide application, Terrazzo tiles are becoming a popular trend, bringing aesthetics and sustainability to the project.

Oblong Metro Tiles

Oblong Metro Tiles are elongated rectangular tiles, replacing traditional Metro Tiles. These tiles were widely used in kitchen and bathroom interior design from 2005 to 2018.

According to a survey by the Vietnam Ceramic Tiles Association, during the period 2005-2018, Oblong Metro Tiles accounted for about 35% of the market share in the high-end ceramic tile segment for kitchens and bathrooms. This shows the consumer preference for this type of tile during that time.

The popular sizes of Oblong Metro Tiles are 7.5x15cm, 7.5x30cm and 10x30cm. These sizes are suitable for kitchen and bathroom spaces, creating a sense of elegance and modernity. According to data from leading tile manufacturers such as Prime, Viglacera and Taicera, sales of Oblong Metro Tiles 7.5x30cm accounted for 60% of total sales of this product line.

Oblong Metro Tiles have a diverse color palette, from neutral tones such as white, gray, beige to bold colors such as blue, green, yellow and red. According to statistics from major tile dealers, the best-selling colors of Oblong Metro Tiles are white (40%), gray (30%) and beige (20%). This reflects the trend of favoring neutral tones that are easy to combine in interior design.

The surface of Oblong Metro Tiles often has a matte or light glossy effect, creating a luxurious and modern feel. According to reports from interior design companies, more than 70% of customers choose Oblong Metro Tiles with a matte surface for their kitchen and bathroom spaces.

With its streamlined shape, diverse color palette and modern surface, Oblong Metro Tiles has become the top choice for kitchen and bathroom interior design during the period 2005-2018. Although there are many new types of tiles available today, Oblong Metro Tiles still retain a certain appeal and continue to be used in many high-end residential and apartment projects.

Patterned Tiles

Patterned tiles are tiles with surfaces decorated with various patterns, images or colors. This type of tile has the ability to create impressive accents and bring creativity and uniqueness to the living space.

According to a survey by the Vietnam Ceramic Tiles Association in 2022, patterned tiles account for about 25% of the total production of decorative tiles in Vietnam. This figure shows the increasing popularity of consumers for this type of tile.

Some typical examples of patterned tiles:

• Classical cement tiles: This type of tile originated from France and Spain, with geometric and stylized floral motifs. Cement tiles often have bright colors, creating a nostalgic and luxurious feeling for the space. According to data from leading tile manufacturers such as Viglacera and CMC, sales of classic cement tiles increased by 35% in the period 2020-2022.
• Moroccan Tiles: Inspired by Islamic art, Moroccan tiles stand out with intricate geometric patterns and vibrant colors such as blue, red, and yellow. These tiles are often used for wall cladding, bringing warmth and Middle Eastern style to the room. In 2021, Moroccan tiles were in the top 10 most popular tile trends in Vietnam.
• 3D Tiles: With advanced digital printing technology, 3D tiles can realistically reproduce images such as nature, animals, and landscapes. This type of tile creates impressive visual effects, making the space more vivid and multidimensional. According to a report from the Vietbuild 2022 Exhibition Fair, 3D tiles have attracted the attention of more than 60% of visitors.
• Marble Tiles: Marble tiles have the natural, luxurious beauty of marble but at a more reasonable price. This type of tile is often used for wall cladding in living rooms, bedrooms or bathrooms, creating an elegant and modern feel. Data from tile dealers shows that marble tiles accounted for 20% of total sales of high-end wall tiles in 2021.

With a variety of textures, colors and materials, patterned tiles are becoming the top choice of architects and homeowners in creating highlights and expressing personality for living spaces. This type of tile not only brings aesthetics but also helps the space become more lively, attractive and impressive.

Natural Stone Tiles

Natural stone tiles are tiles made from 100% natural stones such as marble, granite, sandstone, cut and processed into tiles for use in tiling and interior decoration. Each type of natural stone has its own beauty and characteristics, creating diversity and richness for the space.

One of the most popular natural stones is marble. Instead of using traditional marbles such as Carrara, the current trend is to choose marbles with new and unique colors. However, it needs to be applied correctly and moderately to create a surprising and impressive effect.

A typical example is Mandarine Stone’s Valentina Honed marble – a marble from Norway. This stone has a unique combination of pink, blue-gray and cool tones, creating a delicate and luxurious beauty. When used in a space, this stone will bring a sense of elegance and modernity.

In addition to marble, other natural stones are also commonly used in tiles such as:

• Granite: High hardness and durability, suitable for areas with high usage density such as lobbies, corridors, kitchens. Granite has many natural colors such as black, gray, brown, red, blue.
• Sandstone: Has a classic and warm beauty, often in yellow, brown, red. Sandstone is suitable for living room and bedroom spaces, creating a feeling of closeness to nature.
• Slat: Like gabbro, basalt brings a mysterious and luxurious beauty. Suitable for modern spaces with a minimalist style.

Advantages of natural stone tiles:

• Natural beauty with unique grain and patterns.
• High durability, good load bearing and scratch resistance.
• Easy to clean and waterproof if properly surface treated.
• High applicability, can be used for many different spaces.

However, natural stone tiles also have some disadvantages to note:

• Higher cost than ceramic tiles and porcelain tiles.
• Professional construction and processing techniques are required to ensure quality.
• Some types of stone are highly absorbent and require periodic waterproofing treatment.

With its natural beauty and elegance, natural stone tiles are a popular trend in modern interior design. Choosing the right type of stone and applying it correctly will help the space become classy and impressive.

Questions to consider when choosing kitchen and bathroom tiles.

How to choose the right tile size for kitchen and bathroom?

When choosing tile size, you need to consider the area and proportion of the room. For small kitchens and bathrooms, you should prioritize tiles of moderate size such as 30x60cm, 40x40cm to create a more spacious feeling. For large spaces, you can use large tiles such as 60x60cm, 80x80cm to create luxury and modernity.

However, it is also necessary to pay attention to the ratio between the length and width of the room to choose a harmonious tile size, avoiding creating a feeling of imbalance and imbalance.

What color of tiles is most popular for kitchens and bathrooms?

According to a survey by the Vietnam Ceramic Tiles Association in 2022, neutral colors such as white, gray, and beige are still the top choices for kitchens and bathrooms, accounting for about 60% of the total opinions. These colors bring a clean, airy feeling and are easy to combine with many different design styles. In addition, natural tones such as wood and stone are also increasingly popular, bringing a close and warm beauty to the space.

Which tile material is best for kitchens and bathrooms?

As areas that are exposed to a lot of water and high humidity, kitchens and bathrooms need tiles that are waterproof, anti-slip and easy to clean. Ceramic and porcelain tiles are the two most popular choices for these spaces.

Ceramic tiles have low water absorption, smooth surface, easy to clean. Porcelain tiles are durable, scratch resistant and strong, suitable for areas with high usage density. In addition, natural stones such as marble and granite are also high-end choices, bringing luxury beauty to the kitchen and bathroom.

How to combine different types of tiles in the same space?

Combining different types of tiles can create variety and uniqueness in a space. However, it is important to pay attention to the harmony of the color, size and style of the tiles. A basic rule is to choose one type of tile for the background and one or two other types of tiles for accents.

For example, you can use white tiles as the background and combine them with patterned tiles or 3D tiles to create a highlight for the kitchen area. Or use wood-grain tiles for the floor and matt ceramic tiles for the wall to create contrast and liveliness. The important thing is to create a harmonious and eye-catching overall space.

How to clean and maintain tiles in the kitchen and bathroom?

To maintain the beauty and durability of tiles, proper cleaning and maintenance is required. For ceramic and porcelain tiles, warm water and neutral detergents should be used for daily cleaning, avoiding the use of strong chemicals that can damage the tile surface.

With natural stone tiles, it is necessary to periodically polish and waterproof to protect the surface and increase its lifespan. In addition, the tile surface should also be wiped dry after use to avoid water stagnation and mold. Proper cleaning and maintenance will help tiles stay shiny and durable over time.

Can ceramic tiles be used for bathroom floors? 

Ceramic tiles can be used for bathroom floors. However, it is important to choose tiles with a rough surface and anti-slip properties to ensure safety when using. Anti-slip ceramic tiles, rough porcelain tiles or natural stone with a non-slip surface are suitable options.

In addition, you should also prioritize tiles that are waterproof and stain-resistant for easy cleaning and maintenance. The size of tiles for bathroom floors usually ranges from 30x30cm to 60x60cm, depending on the area and design style of the space.

What is the difference between wall tiles and floor tiles? 

The main difference between wall tiles and floor tiles lies in thickness, load-bearing capacity and slip resistance. Wall tiles are usually thinner, lighter and have a smooth surface for easy cleaning. Meanwhile, floor tiles need to be thicker and have a higher load-bearing capacity to ensure durability and safety when used.

Floor tiles also often have a rough surface to increase friction and prevent slipping. Despite the differences, many types of tiles today are designed to be multi-purpose, and can be used for both walls and floors. However, when using the same type of tile, factors such as durability, water resistance and aesthetics should be considered to ensure the space is suitable and harmonious.

What is the average cost of tiling a kitchen and bathroom?

The cost of tiling the kitchen and bathroom depends on many factors such as area, tile material, origin, supplier and construction unit. According to a survey by the Vietnam Real Estate Brokers Association in 2022, the average cost of tiling the kitchen and bathroom ranges from 200.000 to 500.000 VND/m2. For ceramic and porcelain tiles, the price is usually from 200.000 to 400.000 VND/m2.

For natural stone tiles such as marble and granite, the cost can be up to 800.000 to 1.500.000 VND/m2. In addition, it is also necessary to take into account the cost of labor and auxiliary materials such as adhesives and grout. To save costs, you can choose domestic tiles, take advantage of promotional programs and compare prices between suppliers.

Hope this article is useful to you.