Trendy Vs. Timeless: Tile Edition

Subway tile is the poster child of timeless tile. I found this image on Pinterest and the original source was the now-defunct Homepolish, but if there’s another original source, drop it in the comments!

There are certain ways to try out trends in your home with very little fallout. Those spring-themed throw pillows that jumped into your cart at Target are easy enough to re-cover when you’re sick of them. There are other areas of your home where embracing a trend is a more permanent decision, and getting tired of a it can cost you, quite literally. You’re either going to pay with your money to change out the trendy material for something new, or you’re going to pay with your sanity while you live with it and think “whyyyyyyyy?!” any time you walk by. (OK that might be a little dramatic but you know what I mean).

The point is, certain design decisions are harder to undo than others, and tile is one of those decisions, because it’s expensive and messy to replace. Most of us simply can’t afford to renovate whenever we get sick of something.

That’s why, when it comes to tile (and other expensive, permanent home upgrades), I’m an advocate for the timeless choice. A timeless classic might not be the most exciting option in the moment, but you will be excited in 10 years when you walk into your powder room and it still looks pretty darn good.

The other nice thing about rooms with a simple, classic foundation is that they create somewhat of a blank canvas for trying out trends in less-permanent ways. You might have simple tile, but you could pair it with a bold wallpaper or wall color, or a statement light fixture that you can easily swap out in five or ten years and color and pattern preferences evolve.

Now that we’re all safely aboard the timeless tile train, let’s take a look at what makes tile timeless, and check out some top-notch classic tile options.

What’s Timeless Depends on Your Home

This is a photo of tile that I bought for our Michigan house renovation in 2017, and I would still choose this tile today.. In traditional-style homes, a simple mosaic tile (the above design is called an octagon mosaic) is a timeless choice.

First, it’s important to know that timeless isn’t an absolute concept. What’s timeless for one home isn’t always timeless for another. It all depends on your home’s architecture, especially if your home has a very specific period or architectural style.

What’s timeless for your home is anything that looks it could have originally been there.

In a midcentury ranch built in 1950, the tile below works as a classic kitchen backsplash choice, since linear, streamlined designs are a hallmark of midcentury style. In a center hall Colonial built in 1925, though, this tile will look trendy.

Not every home will have such obvious architectural cues though. Maybe you live in a 1990s colonial. That doesn’t mean you need to decorate in the Tuscan-style that was popular back then. Instead, you’ll want to follow certain guidelines and tile styles that will ensure a timeless look, so let’s talk about those.

Simplicity Is a Good Indicator of Timelessness

Generally speaking, the simpler the a tile is, the more timeless it is. Neutral colors, natural materials, and simple shapes tend to stay in style much longer than something colorful, patterned and bold. The boring choice is often the one that will serve you in the long-term.

Look for Styles That Have Been Around Forever

This basketweave tile, in my entryway, is a great example of a timeless tile style that’s been around forever.

By definition, timeless means that something stands the test of time, so if you’re looking for tile ideas that you’ll like for the long-term, the past is a really great resource. Certain tile styles, like penny tile, subway tile, and marble mosaics have been popular choices for decades.

Trendy Vs. Timeless Tile: Examples

Here are some examples of trendy tile vs timeless options.

In the bathroom:

Here’s a look at a bathroom full of trendy tile choices. From the green subway tile to the geometric flooring, this one definitely has a time stamp on it. These materials might feel “of the moment” now, but if you’re hoping your renovation will last for the next 10 to 15 years without feeling dated, this combo is going to age faster than something simpler. In a few years, that green may not feel quite as fresh, and the geometric pattern might start to compete with newer trends.

Green zellige subway tile and a graphic black-and-white floor is a very trend-driven combo. Image via Your Tiles

Here’s a look at a timeless option. This is the home of my former boss when I worked at Wayfair. She renovated this bathroom in 2013 (ish? I can’t remember the exact date, but it was at least 10-15 years ago). And the large-scale marble tile on the walls and simple mosaic on the floor still looks gorgeous. Whenever I think about timeless tile choices, I go back to this bathroom.

My next example of tile that will date quickly? The winning house from the most recent season of Rock the Block on HGTV, which I’m including because I just watched the finale a couple of days ago. While I’m a huge fan of Alison Victoria, the designer, as well as this beautiful bathroom, I couldn’t stop thinking about how it was definitely going to feel out of style in 5-10 years and would cost a fortune to update all the tile in the space.

Here’s a look at another bathroom that feels trendy thanks to the checkerboard tile floor, which has been a major flooring trend over the last years. But! It’s actually quite timeless, especially if this room is in a home with and sort of historic architecture. Checkered tile is a look that’s been around for centuries. While it might not feel like the height of design in 5 years like it does now, it’s still simple and classic, and a beautiful natural material. This will make it easy to decorate around when it comes time to refresh this space.