Amid a surge of demand for large tiles, smaller, colourful tiles are finding their own popularity

When it comes to tiles, it often seems they are just continuously getting bigger and with a strong focus on replicating natural materials such as marbles, wood and stone.

But The Tile Depot’s collection of colourful small format tiles from Equipe Ceramicas are a refreshing and vibrant alternative.

Equipe Ceramicas was founded in 1999 in Spain to address a gap in the global market for smaller tiles. At that time, they had a strong focus on the manufacture of decorative border tiles, which has since evolved into a specialised commitment to high quality, small format tiles.

More than two decades on, they are now globally renowned for their production of floor and wall tiles, with vivid colours, impeccable finishes and small formats. The company slogan — ‘Small Tiles, Big Design’ — is evident in its clever understanding of colour and design for the contemporary market.

Nicky Renwick, the marketing manager for The Tile Depot, says the addition of Equipe Ceramicas collections to the company’s range has coincided with an increased demand for small format colourful tiles in the New Zealand market.

“Traditionally New Zealanders have tended to use colour with caution in their homes — erring on the side of neutral colours and designs, mid-sized formats, and adding pops of colour with soft furnishings and decor,” says Nicky.

“These were safe choices that avoided bold trends and kept home interiors neutral for the resale market.

“But as people spent more time at home as a consequence of the pandemic, there has been a noticeable switch in attitudes to interior design and a greater expression of personality through colour and texture.”

Prior to 2019, there had been a slow and steady increase in the use of colourful tiles as feature walls. These were often limited to blue and green hues and the occasional adventurous client would use blush.

But now, in 2022, almost anything goes.

“Bold autumnal terracottas, golds and pinks, as well as vibrant blues and earthen greens are all being sought,” Nicky says. “People are choosing colours that make them happy and comforted, and reconnected with nature.”

Since these colourful tiles are often also smaller format, the demand for colour and smaller sizes often goes hand-in-hand, she says.

“The Equipe collection of tiles have such rich colourways and eye-catching designs, that clients are opting for these tiles when they originally had intended to purchase a much larger size.”

Of interest is the number of people embracing the small tile format and using it extensively throughout their interiors. Whilst the majority of clients are still using the colourful smaller format tiles as feature elements in conjunction with larger format tiles, there is a definite niche market using smaller sizes on every surface, floor to ceiling.

When larger tiles are known to make spaces seem bigger, more streamlined and have less grout to maintain, why then is there this increased demand for smaller format tiles?

For one, they can create texture — smaller format tiles naturally involve a greater number of grout lines, which can form a wider architectural texture effect. Smaller tiles also offer versatility in awkwardly-shaped spaces, where larger tiles would typically be cut off.

They can also be easily mixed-and-matched to create patterns, almost like a mosaic — and this can add to the allure for those who desire an unconventional, asymmetrical look.

For all these reasons and more, the four Equipe Ceramicas collections at the Tile Depot are especially ideal.

“Without doubt it is the incredible colourways that draw people in, but it is also the unique character of each collection that offers a variety of options for the small tile market,” says Nicky.

These are:

Tribeca Wall 60x246mm

A collection of 10 vibrant and colourful wall-only subway tiles with a very high gloss and a rippled finish. These have been stocked at The Tile Depot since early 2021 and are their most popular wall tile collection.

Each colour comes with a mix of tonal variation and a slightly vintage edge effect. Inspired by the artsy community of Tribeca in Manhattan, this collection is bright and cheerful with a slightly industrial character.

Kromatika 116x101mm

New to the Tile Depot in January 2022, the Kromatika is a collection of matte porcelain tiles in a hexagonal format.

Suitable for both walls and floors in residential and light commercial interiors, this range is stocked nine soothing colourways, each with a slight variation in shade. Kromatika is an elegant and smooth collection whose hexagonal shape gives it an edginess perfect for contemporary interiors.

Lanse Picket 50x250mm

The Lanse collection of wall-only tiles is a statement collection in an eye-catching double arrow format. Its striking shape, combined with six fashionable colourways, make this a stand-out wall tile collection.

The range has a smooth matte finish that accentuates its modern design and the variation of shade throughout the tiles characteristic of the Equipe collections.

Argile 100x100mm

Argile is a collection designed for people who love the look of handmade tiles but prefer the performance and durability of porcelain.

It captures a hand-worked clay character with an urban style, suitable for both floors and walls. These 100x100mm porcelain tiles have a warmth and timeless beauty that comes from their earthen colourways and cement-effect design.

With such variety of colours and designs, the Equipe collection at The Tile Depot has something for nearly everyone. The quality of the finishing, the depth of character and colour all combine to create a very versatile selection of small format tiles for the most contemporary of interiors.

Learn more about The Tile Depot and its offerings.