From Bologna to Riccarton: CERSAIE 2025 Tile Trends You’ll See in Christchurch in 2026

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Every year in Bologna, the CERSAIE fair sets the rhythm for tile design worldwide. It’s where Italian manufacturers, designers, and architects gather to show what’s next. For anyone planning a new build or renovation in Christchurch, these trends matter. They’re not abstract fashion pieces they’re what will arrive in showrooms here in 2026.

So, what stood out this year? The focus was clear: bigger formats, more natural finishes, earthy colours, and clever touches of personality. Here’s what you’ll see filtering from Bologna to Christchurch homes.

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1. Large Format & Ultra-Thin Slabs

If one theme dominated CERSAIE 2025, it was size. Slabs up to 120×280 cm, often in ultra-thin profiles, were everywhere. These tiles create seamless surfaces with very few grout lines, perfect for Christchurch’s open-plan living.

On floors, large formats make rooms feel bigger and calmer. On walls, they give that sleek, spa-like bathroom finish. The thin versions are easier to handle than you’d think and reduce material use, which ticks the sustainability box too.

2. Ultra-Matte & Textured Finishes

Gloss has its place, but the star of Bologna was matte. Ultra-matte and anti-reflective surfaces, often with subtle textures, were shown across almost every collection.

They look natural, hide water spots and fingerprints, and suit the relaxed Kiwi lifestyle. Think of them as the textile version of tiles, soft to the eye, tactile underfoot, but still practical. For busy Christchurch families, it’s a win-win: elegance with less maintenance.

3. Tile Drenching & Format Mixing

A more daring idea from the fair was “tile drenching” using the same tile on both walls and floors to create an immersive look. It’s dramatic in bathrooms, where the space suddenly feels larger and more cohesive.

Designers also played with mixing formats of the same tile: large slabs for walls paired with smaller cuts or mosaics for accents. It’s a clever way to balance a strong style statement with a softer touch.

4. Mosaics as Accents

Speaking of mosaics, they’re back, but not as whole-room coverings. Instead, the focus is on intentional feature moments. A glossy mosaic splashback in the kitchen. A strip of mosaic in a shower niche. A textured mosaic wrapping a fireplace surround.

In Christchurch, where most homeowners prefer timeless neutrals for the “bones” of the house, mosaics are the perfect way to inject personality without committing to a full room of boldness. Used sparingly, they make a space feel bespoke.

5. Warm, Earthy Palettes with Bold Accents

Colour is softening again. The icy greys of the past decade are gone, replaced by warm beiges, taupes, and soft terracotta shades. These earthy tones work beautifully in Christchurch light, which shifts from bright and crisp to cloudy and diffused in a single day.

But it’s not all neutral. Several Italian brands showcased curated “exotic” accents, deep blues, forest greens, even saturated coral tones designed to be used as highlights. The takeaway? Build your home around earthy neutrals, then introduce a bold splash where you want impact.

6. Sustainability & Smarter Surfaces

Beyond style, performance and responsibility are becoming central. Thin slabs mean less raw material. Many collections now include recycled content. And surface technology is advancing, antibacterial coatings, anti-slip textures that still feel smooth, and finishes that resist stains and scratches.

For Christchurch households, this means you can choose a tile that looks good, performs under pressure, and aligns with growing expectations around sustainability.

How to Use These Trends at Home

Trends are inspiring, but you don’t want to feel dated in five years. The best approach is balance. Use timeless tiles, think natural stone looks, marble-effect porcelain, or classic whites for the main surfaces. Then, bring in trends through accents: a mosaic here, a bold splashback, or even just a bathroom niche.

That way, you enjoy the freshness of CERSAIE 2025 without locking yourself into a look that might age too quickly.

Conclusion

CERSAIE 2025 confirmed what many of us in Christchurch already sense: homeowners want calm, continuous surfaces, natural finishes, and earthy palettes — but also a touch of individuality. Large slabs, matte textures, and mosaics used sparingly will shape homes here in 2026.

If you want to see how these ideas translate into real spaces, come by our showroom. We do have 15 new collection just arrived in store and more coming. The best way to judge a trend isn’t online, t’s standing on the tile, feeling the finish, and seeing how it catches the light. That’s where trends become your home.

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