It Was Everywhere In The Early 2000s — The Beautiful Tile Design That Should Trend Again

Interior design in the early aughts was, in a word, interesting. There are plenty of home decor trends from the 2000s that did not age well, but there were an equal number of design choices that felt like they were truly unique. Designers often embraced texture and natural materials without shying away from items that added visual weight or drama, and while things certainly weren't as bold as the '80s retro aesthetic, these spaces had personality. Nowadays, after over a decade of white subway tile backsplashes and gray-toned vinyl flooring, it's becoming clear that bland, minimalist design is starting to give us all fatigue. Now that we're all on the hunt for a way to spice up our spaces and give them those custom touches that really feel like home, one trend from the early 2000s fits perfectly into this modern desire: listellos.

For those who haven't brushed up on their Italian recently, listellos are small tiles that can be added into flooring to create a border or a bit of extra decoration. They're usually long and narrow, and if you embraced the Tuscan style in your kitchen back in the day, you're likely already more than familiar with their look. These somewhat dated — albeit cozy — kitchens aren't the only place listellos will look at home, however. With some more modern styling, border tiles can add that extra je ne sais quoi to bathrooms, backsplashes, and flooring all without feeling outdated.

Listellos are meant to bring an extra accent to your space, but that doesn't mean you have to choose a busy design or neon color to get the job done. Whether you're sprucing up your bathroom walls, adding some trim to your kitchen backsplash, or zhuzhing up your flooring, it's important to consider what look you're going for before you settle on a tile design.

Iterations of this trend have been around for thousands of years — mosaic borders were all the rage in ancient Greece — but in the early aughts, designs were often handmade-looking and very colorful. Alternatively, they featured a stripe of glass tiles, a favorite for both these accents and kitchen backsplashes. To avoid creating a dated vibe, look to current trends for inspiration. If you're a fan of the recent popularity of earthy colors and natural materials, choose a stone option with some variation in a subdued palette. Want to join in on the trend of keep vintage home decor alive? Look to inspiration from '50s style bathrooms and contrast your primary tile with a darker border in a similar palette.

Essentially, these tiles will perform the same function as molding and trim in other areas of your home, so you're free to go as dramatic or subtle as you desire. Even a tile in the same color and material but a different shape can add an interesting textural accent to your space. Regardless of what you choose or where you apply this trend, it's sure to make a major change and help to tie your design together.