The Italian-Inspired Tile Trend That You'll Want To Try In Your Bathroom

Is there anything more liberating than someone telling you to ditch perfection? In 2026, that very attitude is shaping the look of bathroom tiles, moving away from perfectly symmetric arrangements in favor of character-rich irregularity. With patterned ceramics emerging as a way to bring personality into bathroom spaces, designers are increasingly leaning into layouts that feel expressive. Much like Lucas Madani, co-founder of interior design studio Hauvette Madani, who used irregular tiles in an interior design project, told Livingetc, "These bathroom tiles are directly inspired by Italy, and more specifically by the Hotel Pelicano on the Tuscan coast. We wanted to reinterpret this Italian atmosphere with ceramic tiles made in the Beaujolais region." This particular case study is used to illustrate what the magazine calls 'broken check', a rebellious description of the movement towards irregular patterns in tiled bathrooms, which is being echoed by other design experts.

In its 2026 trend report, British tile company Ca'Pietra echoes this sentiment under the theme of 'rustic nomadic', signalling the same move toward asymmetry. "Patterns are imperfect, and surfaces reveal natural variation, bringing warmth, authenticity, and a sense of discovery into modern interiors," says Grazzie Wilson, Head of Creative at the brand. What matters more than the exact layout is the freedom to experiment, using 'broken check' to break up various surfaces, emphasizing certain areas, like a border or a splashback, for example, and in turn revealing a more intentional hand behind the design. Underpinning this entire approach is a newfound appreciation for authenticity in interiors, which is reason enough to want to give the trend a try. 

It seems that off-kilter tile patterns reflect a new appreciation for individuality. "Bold layouts, unexpected pairings, and confident use of scale allow spaces to feel curated rather than prescribed," Louisa Morgan, creative director at Mandarin Stone, explained to Kitchens, Bedrooms & Bathrooms. Of course, this isn't an entirely new idea. Many would recognize it as an extension of wabi-sabi, the interior design trend that finds beauty in what might seem like a defect. Not only is that being applied to the arrangement of tiles, but their finishes too. Designers are opting for more tactile surfaces and quietly moving away from high-shine finishes in favor of materials that are allowed to show a little character as they age. "The interiors that endure embrace irregularity, patina, and the evidence of the hand, because beauty is measured by feeling and emotion, not perfection," Christine Carney, director of design at Blackberry Farm Design, told Homes & Gardens.

Whether you call it broken check, rustic nomadic, or just irregularly patterned tiling, the idea is less about following a rulebook and more about allowing character to emerge. The aim is imperfection, and the result is authenticity.