Kitchens set for a striking change in 2026 with the rise of the sophisticated chequerboard tile trend, outshining traditional monochrome designs.
In the world of kitchen design, 2025 is shaping up to be an exciting year as earthy tones and terracotta chequerboard tiles take centre stage. These trends, inspired by natural, desert-inspired palettes, bring a sense of texture and warmth to kitchen spaces.
Terracotta, sand, ochre, clay red, and burnt orange are the earthy tones that are trending across tile designs this year. These warm colours add a homely and traditional touch that stands the test of time. A perfect example of this trend can be seen in the beige, pink, and mauve chequerboard tiles from Claybrook.
The terracotta chequerboard tile is gaining popularity as a fresh alternative to the traditional black-and-white chequerboard. The combination of terracotta with white or lighter hues offers a softer, rustic charm that warms up kitchen spaces without the harshness of classic monochrome patterns. This style offers both a grounded and decorative look that feels both classic and unexpected.
Designs often incorporate natural variations and textures, such as terrazzo with crushed marble chips, to add depth and tactility to the floor. Ca' Pietra offers terracotta tiles (San Polo and Santa Croce from the Rialto Terrazzo collection) that balance subtlety and striking visual appeal.
The use of artisanal and textured tiles such as terrazzo and zellige is also on the rise. These tiles combine colour and craftsmanship, adding a personalized touch to kitchens. Additionally, a mix of matte and glossy finishes is being used to enhance visual interest and materiality in kitchens.
Holly Cockburn, a Content Editor writing about kitchen and bathroom designs and buys, is a fan of the Shaker style and the terracotta chequerboard trend. Holly previously worked at Howdens, sparking her interest in interior design, specifically kitchens.
Chequerboard flooring and wall tiles are a timeless and intriguing choice for kitchens. The combination of terracotta tiles and chequerboard flooring can create a floor that feels both grounded and decorative.
In summary, the 2025 kitchen tile trends highlight:
- Earthy tones like terracotta for warm, natural aesthetics
- Terracotta chequerboard tiles as a popular evolution of classic patterns
- Use of artisanal and textured tiles such as terrazzo and zellige that combine colour and craftsmanship
- A mix of matte and glossy finishes to enhance visual interest and materiality in kitchens.
These trends point to kitchens that feel both contemporary and warmly traditional through the rich use of natural colours and textures.
- In the realm of interior design, minimalist kitchen ideas could incorporate the current trend of using terracotta tiles, which bring a warm, natural aesthetic to the space.
- To maintain a clean and organized kitchen, cleaning hacks can be implemented alongside the use of terracotta chequerboard tiles, both adding to the rustic charm and easing the maintenance process.
- As kitchen designs evolve, embracing lifestyle choices like minimalism and a desert-inspired palette, one might consider incorporating homework-and-garden elements and freshen up the space with earthy tones such as terracotta or sand, while balancing subtlety and visual appeal through the use of terracotta tiles from Ca' Pietra.
