Stiles: Head Turning Tiles for 2025

Be warned, if you’re here to play it safe, swipe left. We’re diving into some of the boldest, moodiest and grooviest tile choices for 2025! In the words of flamboyant designer Phyllis Morris, “Minimalism is for those without much to say.”

Embarking on their 25^th year as South Africa’s premium tile and sanitaryware supplier, Stiles has plenty to say! They prescribe the maximum allowable dose of colour, scale, and personal expression in creating head-turning interiors.

“Embracing bold choices,” says Stevie Joubert, CEO of Stiles, “can lead to spaces that are not only visually striking, but also deeply personal and timeless. 2025 is all about embracing change, making fearless moves, and redefining style,” adds Stevie.

This is the year we strive for transformation, he explains, moulding our homes into vibrant expressions of individuality. “We don’t just sell tiles,” he describes, “we sell an abundant lifestyle, focussed on living your dream, connecting with the comfort of home and creating spaces to thrive!”

Back to Brown

Once upon a time boring brown was the drab shade favoured by nuns for durable school uniforms. It was the colour of dirty dish cloths, burnt toast and scratchy woollen socks. Ironically, brown has been rebranded and reborn. It has emerged from its muddy cocoon as an emblem of quiet luxury. The last few months have seen top fashion houses employ this colour to redefine the aesthetics of elegance.

Welcome to ‘Brown 2.0’, where dark, moody and earthy shades are super chic. Think coffee, hazelnut, mocha and terracotta. The Cadaques range of tiles fits seamlessly into this new aesthetic. The Rosso , Medium and Light tiles can be laid in creative geometric patterns, including daring stripes and stacks.

The Mirage Glocal GC07 Sugar Soft tile comes in three sizes including a large format slab. It has a light brown concrete look, like dry clay.

Florim’s Nature Mood collection includes the Mountain Peak porcelain tile (Florim Nature Mood Mount Peak Gloss Rectified 1200x2800mm) which features intricate brown and cream veining. It has a marble look and a gloss finish.

Warm Woods

A prominent trend this year is “wood drenching,” which involves enveloping a room in wood tones through elements like hardwood floors, wood-panelled walls or ceilings, and wood-look tiles. This approach creates a cohesive and inviting atmosphere, fostering a deep connection with the natural world.

Designers are increasingly embracing the funky use of wood-look tiles on vertical surfaces by creating a herringbone or chevron accent walls using tiles such as the Provenza Revival Chevron. This technique takes the classic warmth of wood grain and gives it a modern twist through the dynamic, geometric pattern. The Provenza Revival Chevron is available in the paler blond shade, Biondo and a richer leather tone, Cuoio . By using wood-look tiles instead of real wood, you maintain durability and moisture resistance, making it suitable even for high-humidity areas like bathrooms.

The Ceusa range at Stiles is definitely one for the brave with wood-slat tribal styles in the Ceusa Groove BW and Ceusa Mix

Oceanic Options

Ocean-inspired shades, sea foam, turquoise and azure, as well as tiles with a natural verdigris patina are tipped to take center stage this year. It’s no surprise, as we all know that being near the water is a mood booster. The ‘Blue Mind Theory’ is all over social media. It’s the idea that being in or near water puts us into a semi-meditative, restorative state. We are seeing a rise in free diving, cold plunging, watsu pool therapy, Janzu water therapy, floatation tanks and water spas (Evian just opened its own at the Hôtel Royal in Evian-les-Bains, France).

The Pamesa Slate Way Green

Bring the Blue Mind Theory into your home with the square format Funky Tiles Bali Range with shades of Verde and Azul Blue.

The Pamesa Slate Way Green is characterized by bluish-green hues and a textured, weathered look, evoking an aged, antique aesthetic. The Pamesa Slate Way Ocean (Pamesa Slate Way Ocean Matt Rectified 600x1200mm) has a dark blue slate stone look and a matt finish. Deep ocean blues are brought to mind by the Pamesa Lux Kionia Azzurro (Pamesa Lux Kionia Azzurro Polished Rectified 600x1200mm). This polished porcelain tile has white veining against a luxurious aquamarine background. Finish this look with the Funky Tiles polished Metalbrick tiles in green (Funky Tiles Metalbrick Green Polished 60x240mm) or blue (Funky Tiles Metalbrick Blue Polished 60x240mm)

Visit any of Stiles’ showrooms to view these products in person or visit their website: stiles.co.za to find out more.