Fluted Tile Looks Cool Now, But Here's Why You May Come To Regret The Trend

The gorgeous grooves and waves of fluted tile along your kitchen backsplash or bathroom walls provide a luxurious sensation, like running your fingertips over gentle reeds. Not only do the soft edges offer a soothing, tactile experience, but the play between light and shadow dancing across the ridges and valleys of the tile creates a spa-like ambiance. While this textured design trend took over in 2025, captivating many thanks to its unique dimensional appeal, experts are noting that this tile may appear outdated in the coming years.

Fluted features took the design world by storm, being integrated into statement walls, tiled rooms, vanities, kitchen islands, side tables, and backsplashes. With a craving for texture and spaces that feel alive and organic, fluted materials like tile became a trendy addition. However, some designers point out that the fluted trend has become so popular that it may actually date your home to 2025. Five years from now, folks might be able to pinpoint your kitschy tile renovation in the same way we can date the notorious white-washed shiplap of 2015. Today, designers say to avoid this kitchen trend if you crave a luxury look. While fluted tile still boasts a stunning visual appeal in current home designs, trends come and go. Visual and textural elements that are favored today may not be on trend tomorrow.

The true drawback of fluted textures is that they are a cleaning nightmare. Fluted tile, in particular, can present quite a challenge. In spaces like bathrooms and kitchens where gunk and build-up are likely, it's dissatisfying to spend hours scrubbing between each groove to achieve a clean backdrop. Further, fluted features began to overwhelm many spaces. Rather than using textures like fluted tile as a statement piece, homeowners began adding the texture everywhere. Peter Spalding, CCO and co-founder of Daniel House Club, told Good Housekeeping, "There has been so much fluting and channeling going on, and it's making rooms feel anxious and unsettled."

Due to the overwhelming use of fluted tile in our homes, many designers are advocating for a change of decorum. Smooth, glossy tiles may not be in vogue right now as homeowners seek out more textural elements. Instead, to achieve that tactile experience, tiles made of natural stone might be more suitable. Brieanna Cunningham of C & C Partners told Good Housekeeping that designers are seeing more "walls that embrace Roman Clay and/or limestone, grasscloth wallpapers or dimensional tile." Other timeless bathroom looks that are taking over, but also offer a timeless appeal that will never go out of style, include marble, hex tiles, penny tiles, herringbone, and slate.