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Design Milk’s report from Cersaie 2026 identifies six design directions in ceramic tile, including saturated colors, green and earthy palettes, dimensional surfaces, and realistic natural-material effects. The report describes what exhibitors showed at the Bologna trade fair; it does not establish how widely the trends will be adopted in projects or homes.
A report from Cersaie 2026, the annual ceramic tile and bathroom furnishings trade fair in Bologna, highlights six design directions seen among exhibitors, from richer color palettes to more tactile, dimensional surfaces. Design Milk’s account describes products presented at the five-day event, which it says drew more than 90,000 visitors and included 600 exhibitors from 24 countries.
The six directions identified in the report are stronger color, a particular emphasis on green, surfaces that play with perception, more convincing interpretations of natural materials, larger-format tiles and intricate digital printing. The article says warm, moody shades appeared across the fair and Bologna storefronts, including burgundy, brown, terracotta, red and yellow. These are observations from the show, not a measure of sales or future demand.
Design Milk cites products from several makers to illustrate those approaches. Era by Faetano, for example, is described as a terracotta-inspired collection in six natural and neutral colors. Atlas Concorde’s Boost Hux pairs warm tones with accents including green, red, blue and ember, while its Vivia collection uses vivid glazed colors inspired by Italian ceramics. The report also points to green tile in shades from forest to pale sage, alongside terracotta and other earthy colors.
Other examples focus on texture and visual effects. Marca Corona’s Multiforme Mira includes a decorative tile with small, three-dimensional-looking tesserae; Moooi Ceramic Surfaces and ABK’s Hypnotic Owl uses a tactile relief made with ABK’s 3DTECH process. Appiani’s Lamiere, by contrast, is described as looking dimensional through light and shade while feeling flat. For natural-material effects, the report names Flaviker’s slate- and lava-inspired Magma and Verde’s limestone-look Essenziale.
From Surface Finish to Design Feature
The examples suggest that tile makers are presenting ceramic and porcelain not only as practical coverings but as visible parts of a room’s design. Color, texture and scale can shape the feel of a wall or floor, while printed or glazed effects can create the appearance of stone, metal or relief. For architects and homeowners, that broadens the visual options available in projects where the cost, weight, upkeep or performance of a natural material may be a concern.
The report also points to a more confident use of color alongside familiar neutrals. Atlas Concorde external affairs representative Benedetta Borghi says designers are more willing to use strong colors as part of an architectural palette. That is an industry representative’s assessment, rather than a quantified account of what buyers are choosing. The fair’s product displays show what manufacturers are offering; they do not prove how quickly those ideas will spread into completed buildings.
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A Five-Day Bologna Trade Fair
Cersaie is an annual trade show for ceramic tile, architectural surfaces and bathroom furnishings, bringing together manufacturers, architects and designers. The 2026 edition was the 43rd and ran for five days at the end of September in Bologna, Italy. Design Milk reports attendance of more than 90,000 and 600 exhibitors representing 24 countries.
The six directions sit within an established field of tile design: natural-material effects have appeared for years, while makers continue to develop how porcelain can reproduce patterns and finishes. The report says newer production techniques are making some stone-like effects more realistic, but does not provide independent testing or a direct comparison with earlier products. Its account is a survey of products and statements at the event, not a formal industry forecast.
““Just like in fashion, Italian tile manufacturers debuted collections in deep burgundy, luxurious browns, earthy terracottas and vibrant reds and yellows.””
— Danielle McWilliams, principal at Novità, the communications agency for Ceramics of Italy
Showroom Trends, Adoption Still Unknown
The report records what was displayed and what named industry representatives said, but does not establish which designs will become widespread, how consumers will respond, or whether the palettes and finishes will lead to measurable changes in sales. The article also does not provide a full list of all exhibitors or products, so its six directions should be read as a selection from the fair rather than a complete accounting of every trend on display.
Some interpretations are attributed to individuals. Faedi connects green with calm, empathy and emotional healing, while the report suggests that richer hues may follow a period of favor for muted neutrals. Those comments are interpretations, not findings supported by consumer research in the source material. The report gives no comparative data on durability, price or environmental impact across the products discussed.
How These Looks Reach Projects
The next test will be whether the designs shown at Cersaie appear in finished interiors and become standard offerings beyond the trade-fair setting. The source report does not announce a follow-up event, release schedule or adoption forecast. Readers can treat its examples as a snapshot of manufacturers’ 2026 collections, while looking to later product launches, project specifications and sales information for evidence of which directions take hold.
For now, the clearest confirmed development is the range of approaches manufacturers presented at the Bologna fair: stronger colors, green and earthy shades, dimensional and optical effects, natural-material interpretations, larger formats and intricate printing. Further information would be needed to determine their commercial reach or lasting influence.
Key Questions
What were the main tile trends reported at Cersaie 2026?
The report identifies stronger colors, green palettes, surfaces that play with perception, natural-material effects, large-format tiles and intricate digital printing.
Where and when was Cersaie 2026 held?
The 43rd edition took place in Bologna, Italy, for five days at the end of September 2026.
How many people and exhibitors attended, according to the report?
Design Milk says the fair drew more than 90,000 visitors and featured 600 exhibitors from 24 countries.
Does the report show that these trends are already popular with buyers?
No. It describes products and design directions seen at the fair, but provides no sales figures or consumer research showing how widely buyers are adopting them.
Source: rss
