BCT reveals its top trends for 2018

Interior spaces and surfaces will see contrasting trends in 2018, according to British Ceramic Tile (BCT).

Speaking to kbbreview in the build-up to kbb Birmingham, the tile manufacturer’s design team claimed that faded grandeur, metals and mirrored-effects would be key trends this year.

Weathered surfaces, it said, will also be a key look as the trend for rural and natural designs evolves and becomes more industrial. Textures will be hugely important, the team said, with surfaces that are time-worn revealing layers of interest.

Paint-effects such as ombre and dip-dyes also deliver rustic charm, while brick, stone, faded marble and plaster effects all feature in the trend that bring back the “faded glory of bygone era”.

Three-dimensional, raised surfaces are becoming popular, said BCT, as they add shadow and depth to an interior space.

Natural and organic materials, such as porcelain, will remain popular, while neutral colour palettes are being updated with dove greys and charcoals, alongside soft clay and putty shades.

The BCT team also claimed that reflective surfaces would be in demand in 2018, with high-shine glass being replaced with feminine, shimmering elements.

Styles will also be taken from the deco trend, with glass being teamed with dark woods and burnished metals to create a more masculine appeal, or white walls, blush accents and mottled, rounded surfaces lending a more feminine aesthetic.

Brass is also making a comeback and will be seen in many different guises, from high-shine through to hammered, textured effects.

While the industrial trend isn’t new, this year will see it evolve to become more refined and stylised, according to BCT predictions.

Raw, urban aesthetics are becoming more feminine with smoother lines and a mixture of materials creating more sophisticated spaces.

The trend will see surfaces such as marble and concrete alongside weathered materials to lend decors a reclaimed feel. Dark and light shades of grey, neutral woods and warm metals will be combined with the trend, as well as natural light that opens up the space.

Black is a staple colour trend, but this year is seeing the adoption of matt black with a ‘gentlemen’s club’ feel, the team said.

Surfaces with geometric and hexagonal designs are also delivering a visual impact, while all white tiled surfaces will be broken up by strong grout lines in dark shades.

“There is a real sense of excitement and confidence with interiors as we move into this year,” said BCT head of design and product Claire O’Brien. “Whatever your style, taste or personality, there is a look for you whether it’s more aged and lived in, or something more bold and opulent.”

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