"It's that distinct row of tile - often in muted shades of brown, green, or blue - that wraps around a bathroom like a misplaced, lonely belt. It's rarely cohesive with the rest of the bathroom, and it just sits there drawing attention to itself, creating a bold moment where there doesn't need to be one. It's the single stripe that no one wanted - and it even popped up in kitchen backsplashes in the late '90s and early 2000s."
"But according to designer Emily Roose, this could be the year the accent tile splashes back onto the bathroom - and perhaps even kitchen - scene. "Accent tiles will bring in character, color, texture, and pattern," says Roose. "But it's not the same layout as the 1990s, which were small and linear and went around the whole shower or bathroom.""
"Instead, Roose anticipates 2026 could be the year that accent tiles become a larger focal point in tile installations. They'll be used to create patterns and designs rather than utilized in a completely monotone, one-note way like they once were. These accent tiles will make an intentional statement, and they're going to have a high-style, artful look.Having trouble conjuring up an image of an attractive accent tile application?"
Accent tiles from 1990s bathroom renovations are resurging but with a modern reinterpretation. The original accent stripe typically appeared as a small linear band in muted browns, greens, or blues that wrapped around showers or backsplashes and often clashed with surrounding surfaces. Designers predict that accent tiles in 2026 will become larger focal elements used to create deliberate patterns, textures, and color moments rather than continuous monotone bands. The renewed approach emphasizes high-style, artful compositions that integrate with overall design. Accent tiles will appear intermittently in showers and backsplashes, offering character, color, and intentional visual interest in bathrooms and kitchens.
Read at Apartment Therapy
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