There are times you may have came across a tile you like, but didn't know the actual name for it. Not only does this make it difficult for you to find other inspiration of the same type of tile, you may also have trouble conveying exactly what you want to your interior designer or contractor. This handy guide on the latest tile types out there should help you out.
<h2>1. Zellige</h2>
<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-171967" src="https://d213h1b7vxzzl3.cloudfront.net/editor/1a-collate-jan-2022-1.jpg" alt="" width="1200" height="1500" />Tiles seen on backsplash.
Design: <a href="https://renonation.sg/professional/collate" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Collate</a>
Bursting into our social feeds and magazine spreads since last year, zellige (pronounced zil-eehj) tiles offer a handcrafted, unpolished look that adds a quaint, cottage charm to your interiors.
<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-171968" src="https://d213h1b7vxzzl3.cloudfront.net/editor/1b-tile-types-1.jpg" alt="" width="1200" height="675" /> <img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-171969" src="https://d213h1b7vxzzl3.cloudfront.net/editor/1c-Monocot-Strathmore-Ave-ii-3.jpg" alt="" width="792" height="990" />Tiles seen on walls.
Design: <a href="https://renonation.sg/professional/the-monocot-studio" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Monocot</a>
True zellige tiles are handmade from Morocco and are laborious to make as well as difficult to maintain because of all their imperfections and crevices, so most folks here get easily accessible, cheaper knockoffs that offer the same appeal without the hefty price tag and maintenance.
<h2>2. Kitkat</h2>
<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-171970" src="https://d213h1b7vxzzl3.cloudfront.net/editor/2a-blendbyimc-joochiat.jpg" alt="" width="982" height="1500" />Tiles seen in white on walls.
Design: <a href="https://renonation.sg/professional/blend-by-imc" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Blend by ImC</a>
If there’s one top trending tile to pick for this year, it’s kitkat. These are so called because of their resemblance to the chocolate confectionery. Thin, long and stick-like, individual kitkat tiles are usually group together and attached to a mesh sheet for ease of installation.
<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-171971" src="https://d213h1b7vxzzl3.cloudfront.net/editor/2b-tile-types-2.jpg" alt="" width="1200" height="675" /> <img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-171972" src="https://d213h1b7vxzzl3.cloudfront.net/editor/2c-insight-out-12-holland-ave-8.jpg" alt="" width="1200" height="1800" />Tiles seen in white on walls.
Design: Insight.Out
<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-171973" src="https://d213h1b7vxzzl3.cloudfront.net/editor/2d-18-Ascend-Designs-The-Interlace-14.jpg" alt="" width="1000" height="1500" />Tiles in two tones on column.
Design: <a href="https://renonation.sg/professional/ascend-designs" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ascend design</a>
Most homeowners and designers use them on walls, backsplashes and vertical surfaces like the sides of an island. They are great with all sort of styles, ranging from the more contemporary to even classic themes, and work both as a standalone and as complement to another dominant tile.
<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-171974" src="https://d213h1b7vxzzl3.cloudfront.net/editor/2e-thelocalinnterior-lor-ampas-condo-18.jpg" alt="" width="1200" height="1799" />Tiles seen on kitchen island.
Design: <a href="https://www.renonation.sg/professional/local-inn-terior" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Local Inn.terior</a>
Sure, they are not the easiest to clean with all that grout lines, but hey, if they look this good, they are worth all that sacrifice, eh?
<h2>3. Picket</h2>
<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-171975" src="https://d213h1b7vxzzl3.cloudfront.net/editor/3a-Ethereall-Ceylon-6.jpg" alt="" width="1200" height="1117" />
Design: <a href="https://www.renonation.sg/professional/ethereall" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ethereall</a>
For folks looking for something a bit different, consider the picket. Named after picket fences, this unassuming tile is an offshoot of the once-popular hexagon tile, and comes in a long-ish shape rather than their boxier counterpart, the hexagon.
<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-171976" src="https://d213h1b7vxzzl3.cloudfront.net/editor/3b-tile-types-3.jpg" alt="" width="1200" height="675" /> <img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-171977" src="https://d213h1b7vxzzl3.cloudfront.net/editor/3c-hafary-i-000520-Wood-Land-Losanga-Honey-1.jpg" alt="" width="1200" height="788" />Tiles shown on flooring.
Image: Hafary
Lay them vertical to visually extend the height of your space or go horizontal to lengthen the depth of your room. We think it offers up something quite timeless, so if you want a tile that stands the test of time in your forever home, this is it.
<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-171978" src="https://d213h1b7vxzzl3.cloudfront.net/editor/3d-faceliftdesign.jpg" alt="" width="1080" height="763" />Tiles in four different hues on wall.
Design: <a href="https://www.renonation.sg/professional/facelift-design-interiors" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Facelift Design</a>
<h2>4. Terracotta</h2>
<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-171979" src="https://d213h1b7vxzzl3.cloudfront.net/editor/4a-monocot-joo-chiat-road-8.jpg" alt="" width="1200" height="799" />Tiles seen on flooring.
Design: <a href="https://www.renonation.sg/professional/the-monocot-studio" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Monocot</a>
Characterised by their reddish-burnt orange hues, terracotta tiles add cosiness and warmth to any interior it’s placed in and they are popular because of their natural colouring from clay.
<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-171980" src="https://d213h1b7vxzzl3.cloudfront.net/editor/4b-distinctidentity-terracotta.jpg" alt="" width="1080" height="1349" />Tiles seen on kitchen backsplash.
Design: <a href="https://www.renonation.sg/professional/distinctidentity" target="_blank" rel="noopener">DistinctIdentity</a>
<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-171981" src="https://d213h1b7vxzzl3.cloudfront.net/editor/4c-tile-types-4.jpg" alt="" width="1200" height="675" /> <img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-171982" src="https://d213h1b7vxzzl3.cloudfront.net/editor/4d-shan-wong-interior-design-kim-tian-1.jpg" alt="" width="1200" height="799" />Tiles seen on kitchen flooring.
Design: Shan Wong Interior Design
The real deal requires quite a bit of maintenance as it’s made from a porous material so they are not suitable for wet areas like your bathroom.
You can consider glazed terracotta tiles that will hold up to stains better, but glazed ones will hide a bit of their natural, textured finish. For those that prefer a low-maintenance tile, go with terracotta lookalikes tiles, where some even come with anti-slip properties suitable for use in bathrooms.
<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-171983" src="https://d213h1b7vxzzl3.cloudfront.net/editor/4e-8-EeDesign-Bedok-North-9.jpg" alt="" width="1200" height="799" />Tiles seen on backsplash.
Design: <a href="https://www.renonation.sg/professional/ee-design-pte-ltd" target="_blank" rel="noopener">E+e Design &amp; Build</a>
<h2>5. Mermaid</h2>
<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-171984" src="https://d213h1b7vxzzl3.cloudfront.net/editor/5a-threehaus-p005.jpg" alt="" width="1000" height="1500" />Tiles seen on wall.
Design: <a href="https://www.renonation.sg/professional/threehaus-works" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Threehaus Works</a>
Looking just like rolling waves or the scales on a fish’s back, these tiles are called by a wide variety of names, including mermaid, fish scale and scallop. They made a big splash in 2018 and were gone for a while, but they look set to make a comeback this year and next largely because of the latest curve trend and their versatility.
<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-171985" src="https://d213h1b7vxzzl3.cloudfront.net/editor/5b-tile-types-5.jpg" alt="" width="1200" height="675" /> <img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-171986" src="https://d213h1b7vxzzl3.cloudfront.net/editor/5c-in-expat-bukit-batok.jpg" alt="" width="1200" height="1702" />Tiles seen as backsplash.
Design: <a href="https://www.renonation.sg/professional/in-expat" target="_blank" rel="noopener">In-Expat</a>
While mermaid tiles have their origins in the Moroccan and Mediterranean styles—which is why they are commonly used in shades of blue and green—they definitely have their place in different looks.
Glossy and white mermaid tiles would do well in a Scandinavian themed home, while black/gold mermaid tiles would fit right into an Art Deco home that takes its inspiration from The Great Gatsby.
<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-171987" src="https://d213h1b7vxzzl3.cloudfront.net/editor/5d-8-EeDesign-Bedok-North-20.jpg" alt="" width="1200" height="799" />Tiles seen on wall behind the vanity.
Design: <a href="https://www.renonation.sg/professional/ee-design-pte-ltd" target="_blank" rel="noopener">E+e Design &amp; Build</a>
<h2>6. Ice Cream</h2>
<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-171988" src="https://d213h1b7vxzzl3.cloudfront.net/editor/6a-ecasa-geylang.jpg" alt="" width="1200" height="900" />Tiles seen on the walls of the shower.
Design: <a href="https://www.renonation.sg/professional/ecasa-studio" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ecasa Studio</a>
The successor of mermaid tiles, ice-cream tiles are also nicknamed popsicles. These ones are fun and youthful, but definitely veer towards trendy rather than timeless. Still, if you are hoping to inject a bit of personality to your space, look no further than to these oblong shaped babies.
<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-171989" src="https://d213h1b7vxzzl3.cloudfront.net/editor/6b-tile-types-6.jpg" alt="" width="1920" height="1080" /> <img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-171990" src="https://d213h1b7vxzzl3.cloudfront.net/editor/6c-hupkiong-ice-cream.jpg" alt="" width="1080" height="1080" />Tiles seen on wall.
Image: Hup Kiong
To add more whimsy, go with a contrasting colour grout. Most inspiration we’ve seen are laid with the rounded ends up, but they can work just as beautifully when aligned in the opposite direction.
<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-171991" src="https://d213h1b7vxzzl3.cloudfront.net/editor/6d-ethereall-icecream.jpg" alt="" width="1200" height="1500" />
Design: <a href="https://www.renonation.sg/professional/ethereall" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ethereall</a>
<h2>7. Subway</h2>
<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-171992" src="https://d213h1b7vxzzl3.cloudfront.net/editor/7a-2-Ethereall-Haig-Road-6.jpg" alt="" width="1200" height="823" />Tiles seen in two tones on bathroom walls.
Design: <a href="https://www.renonation.sg/professional/ethereall" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ethereall</a>
You’ve seen them everywhere; covering surfaces in bathrooms and kitchens with great fervour and laid in a <a href="https://www.renonation.sg/a-visual-guide-to-tile-patterns-and-layouts" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">variety of patterns</a> from the classic running bond to the more quirky herringbone.
According to Hafary, dimensions for the classic subway tile is 7.5cm x 15cm with a flat surface, but modern renditions can go shorter or longer and can also come with beveled edges so it pops up from the surface.
<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-171993" src="https://d213h1b7vxzzl3.cloudfront.net/editor/7b-tile-types-7.jpg" alt="" width="1200" height="675" /> <img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-171994" src="https://d213h1b7vxzzl3.cloudfront.net/editor/7c-12-TIL-Jurong-7.jpg" alt="" width="1200" height="800" />Tiles seen on backsplash.
Design: <a href="https://www.renonation.sg/professional/the-interior-lab" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Interior Lab</a> 
 
Subway tiles are like the black dress of the fashion world—incredibly versatile, timeless and can be employed in every circumstance. Created for the New York subway in 1904, they were as fashionable then as they are now and they look set to stand the test of a very long time. Use them for a timeless look or if you can’t quite make up your mind on what tile to choose.
<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-171995" src="https://d213h1b7vxzzl3.cloudfront.net/editor/7d-starryhomestead.jpg" alt="" width="1200" height="800" />Tiles seen on backsplash.
Design: <a href="https://www.renonation.sg/professional/starry-homestead" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Starry Homestead</a>
Want more tile talk? <a href="https://renonation.sg/things-you-should-know-when-shopping-for-tiles" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">See what you should know before shopping for tiles</a>.

From Zellige to Kitkat: 7 Trendy Tile Types Every Homeowner Should Know

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