It’s that time of year again! We’re looking back at the design hits that stole the show and defined home renos in 2024. Welcome to your TileTown Unwrapped Playlist—the best, boldest and most-loved tiles of the year. These are the tiles you couldn’t get enough of—showing up in renovations, feature walls and design dreams across the board. Who snagged the top spot? (Think: the Taylor Swift of tiles.) Spoiler alert: This year’s star tiles all share one standout quality—timeless, organic beauty. Let’s unwrap the hits!
Rounding out our top five is our Goya porcelain in a polished finish. Its luxe, faux-marble surface brings elegance and natural beauty to any space. Whether featured in a grand entryway or a spa-like bathroom, this tile guarantees a refined, timeless look.
CREDIT: Facebook: The Micromason (repping our shirt too!)
This glossy porcelain subway tile shone bright in 2024, lending its artisanal charm to everything from mid-century modern kitchens to eclectic bathrooms. With its worn edges, tonal variation and radiant surface, it’s like inviting the perfect amount of sunlight into your space—warm, bright and effortlessly stylish.
Simple. Elegant. Versatile. The Goya Matte tile delivers the look of marble without the fuss. Its natural matte finish pairs beautifully with just about any design style, adding understated sophistication to walls and floors alike. It’s no wonder this one stayed at the top of your playlists all year long.
Coming in hot (or cool?) is the Utah Glacier 12×24 glazed porcelain tile. Think of it as bringing Utah’s stunning landscape indoors: soft greys, whites and desert beiges that echo rugged canyons and glacial rock formations. Its stone-like texture and natural veining create a perfect balance of rustic and refined, making it an undeniable fan favourite for both indoor and outdoor spaces.
This classic glossy ceramic wall tile from Spain topped our charts for the second year in a row—and it’s easy to see why. Its clean, coastal-inspired look brings effortless charm to mid-century modern and minimalist spaces alike. Consider it the design equivalent of a timeless hit that never goes out of style—always chic, always in rotation.
Happy Holidays from our TileTown family to yours—see you in 2025!
The Verdict: White, organic-inspired tiles stole the show this year, proving that timeless, natural beauty never goes out of style. We can’t wait to see what makes next year’s best-of list.
From dazzling and glossy greens and blues to timeless greys and whites, tiles come in an assortment of colours and shades, each with their own design capabilities. Knowing which colour palette to use between the wide range of tile colours requires careful consideration, as the tiles you select can impact your room’s mood, perceived size, and so on.
To help you on this chapter of creating an extraordinary colour story, here are some tips for choosing tiles based on colour and shade.
Consider the room itself
Something you’ll want to think about and build towards when selecting tile colours is cohesion. This can pertain to the overall aesthetic and existing colours/design already existing in the room and doing your best to tie everything together with your tile colours. Such variables you need to think about for cohesion include:
-The colour of the walls -The type of furniture in the room (colours, materials, finishes, etc.) -The room size -The lighting in the room (natural light or artificial)
If your furniture mostly consists of browns and greens, with wooden accents and several plants, you may consider choosing lighter coloured tiles in beige or grey to accent the already existing earth tones (which are a big trend in 2022). Something akin to our Versa 75 Caramel Click Vinyls could pair excellently with an earth tone vibe.
Perhaps you have a room that you want to appear bigger. The best choice would be a cream or pastel floor tile to accentuate the dimensions of the room and make it appear larger.
(You can learn more about tiles and room sizes by reading our blog post on the topic.)
Larger rooms, like dining areas or kitchens, are paired well with darker floor tiles — especially if there’s plenty of natural light. Our Nohva Black Porcelain Tile works particularly well for enhancing more open areas, and the sleek matte black finish can be used to highlight any colour story you choose.
The overall goal when choosing a colour story for a room is ensuring that you’re creating harmony between colours. This of course does not mean you have to stick to a monochromatic look, you simply want to consider how each aspect of your room ties into one another.
Colours can impact your mood
It’s been proven time and again that colour has a substantial impact on people’s moods and appearances. There are plenty of tips and tricks regarding on how wearing certain colours can help you become more approachable, or how different coloured cars have different significances and meanings.
The same can be applied to tiles. Because of our automatic associations of colours to feelings, environments, or moods, tiles can play a major part in how a room feels.
For instance, say you want your office area to feel calm and tranquil, or you want to make your kitchen feel less hectic with a nice backsplash. The best colour option would be a light blue, as blue has associations with serene waves or the stillness of the sky. The Dolce Sky (05) tiles would serve as a subdued feature to help you feel more restful in any busy environment.
White tiles can evoke thoughts of cleanliness, perfection, and peace, as these are all things associated with white. This would do well in a bathroom or kitchen, especially if you’re wanting to portray a streamlined, polished look to your guests. In this instance, the La Marca Statuarietto tiles would best suit your refined taste.
Maximizing and minimizing: how to make either work
Depending on your own design preferences, you’re either going to gravitate towards maximizing your colours or minimizing them. Although there isn’t a right or wrong in these choices, it’s important to consider how to elevate these concepts with your tile choices.
Much in the same way you choose tile patterns, creating a blended look requires that you don’t overstimulate your guests. This is not to say you can’t use colour — rather, it’s about making smart choices on where you place them and how you incorporate colours together.
Let’s say you want to spice up a duller room that primarily consists of whites and greys. You can add a pop of colour to this area by adding an accent wall to draw the eye. Or, if you’re very big on colours and want to feature more of them, simply choose colours that are complimentary or have the same tones (cool, warm, etc.).
If you’re looking for coloured tiles that work well as an accent, our Lume Series (award winning, by the way) features an assortment of rich colours, such as the Lume Green in an enchanting gloss finish, or the soothing Lume Blue.
Some areas of your house may feel overstimulating with too much colour, especially in smaller, tighter spaces. In this instance, sticking to a monochrome scheme consisting or blacks, whites, and greys would help make your room feel less overwhelming and more organized.
(These tiles, and all of our other Italian tiles, are also a part of our incredible Italian Days event which continues throughout July. Learn more about this fun event.) For more assistance in visualizing a space, check out Tile Town’s remarkable Visualizer Tool, or visit a Tile Town near you!
Ripples, waves, stone looks and handmade-style finishes are making tile feel warmer, richer and a lot more interesting.
Flat tile is not dead. It is just no longer the only one getting the spotlight.
One of the biggest tile shifts right now is texture: ripples, waves, handmade edges, weathered finishes and surfaces with enough movement to make a room feel richer without piling on colour or pattern. It is an easy way to add depth to a kitchen, bathroom or feature wall without turning the whole space into a design monologue.
In other words, if your room needs more personality but you are not ready to commit to something loud, texture is a very good place to start.
Why texture is having a moment
Texture does what flat surfaces cannot: it plays with light. A wavy gloss tile catches shadows. A softly imperfect finish feels relaxed instead of showroom-stiff. A stone-look porcelain adds depth before you have even brought in the wood accents, towels or expensive hand soap pretending to be self-care.
That is why this trend works. It adds interest without adding chaos.
Boulevard Mint Gloss 3×12 Glazed Ceramic Tile proves texture and colour can show up together without making a scene. The soft mint feels light and calm, while the glossy finish gives the wall a little lift.
It is fresh, a little playful and still easy to live with. Basically, the kind of tile that wakes up a bathroom without yelling.
Brighton Blue 18×18 Glazed Porcelain Tile brings a different kind of texture: visual texture. The pattern adds rhythm, contrast and a little old-world charm that makes a room feel considered fast.
Use it where you want the tile to do some of the heavy lifting, like a powder room floor or feature wall. It has personality, but it is not needy.
Lume White 2.25×9.375 Gloss Glazed Porcelain Subway Tile is a great example of how texture can keep white tile from feeling flat or default. The glossy finish and variation give it that softly handmade look people keep falling for, for good reason.
It is polished, a little imperfect and a lot more interesting than basic subway.
Metro Pearl Wave Gloss 3×12 Glazed Ceramic Tile takes a simple white wall tile and gives it movement. That wave detail catches the light and makes a backsplash or bathroom wall feel more dynamic without pulling focus from everything else.
Wonder Shade 12×24 Glazed Porcelain Tile is texture in a quieter register. Instead of shine or ripples, it brings soft stone-inspired movement that makes a room feel grounded and layered.
This is the kind of tile that makes a bathroom feel expensive without trying too hard, which, frankly, is the dream.
Navona Soft Niveo 12×24 Porcelain Tile leans into that cloudy, travertine-inspired look that adds warmth and texture in a more natural way. It is a strong option for minimalist spaces that still need a pulse.
Sabbia Silica White 2.5×8 Glazed Ceramic Tileis a reminder that texture does not have to be dramatic to work. A smaller format, softer finish and repeated shape can do a lot on their own.
It is white wall tile with a more relaxed, less obvious energy.
And if you are not sure how much texture your space can handle, start small. A backsplash, shower wall or powder room floor can go a long way.
Final Thoughts
Texture is one of the easiest ways to make a space feel more current in 2026. It adds depth, softness and personality without demanding a full design personality transplant.
Want to test the look before you commit? Try TileTown’s Room Visualizer and see how these surfaces behave in your actual light, with your actual finishes, before your sample pile starts bossing you around.
Cool gray had a long run. Respectfully, it is time for a nap.
The mood now is warmer: beige, taupe, sand, oat and soft greige tones that make a room feel calmer, gentler and a lot less like a waiting room with under-cabinet lighting.
Think less icy showroom, more deep exhale. Softer walls. Sunnier floors. Backsplashes with a little glow instead of a little attitude problem.
This is the kind of warm neutral that is winning right now: light-catching, softly varied and just polished enough to make a bathroom feel expensive without slipping into spa-brochure territory.
The weathered look here is what makes the room feel grounded. It is neutral, yes, but it is not blank. It has just enough movement to keep the wall alive.
Warm neutrals also do a lot with very little. Here, the herringbone layout adds movement, but the soft taupe keeps it calm. The kitchen looks sharper because the backsplash is not trying to outshine everything else.
Warm neutrals are not just for kitchens and bathrooms. Outdoors, they read sun-washed and calm, which is exactly what you want from a patio instead of corporate plaza, but make it residential.
This is the quieter side of the trend. A soft sand floor in herringbone does a surprising amount of work: it adds texture, keeps the room warm and still lets the furniture have a life.
And this is why warm neutrals are such a good base. Once the bigger surfaces feel softer, you have room to bring in a moodier accent without the whole space turning into a design monologue.
That is really why cool gray is losing ground. Warmer tones are easier to live with. They flatter wood, brass, black accents and richer colour. They make a room feel layered without making it feel busy. And they give you a much better starting point if you want to add one moodier note later on.
Want to test the look first? Try TileTown’s Room Visualizer and see how these warmer tones behave in your own light before you commit.
March in B.C. and Alberta is not exactly gentle on a house. Wet boots, slush, mud and grey light make this the perfect time for a hardworking tile refresh.
Early spring is when practical upgrades suddenly feel very sexy. Entryways are working overtime, backsplashes are catching more light and everybody seems to be itching for a reset before full-on reno season kicks in. The smart play right now is tile that adds warmth, handles mess and still looks good once the umbrella graveyard by the front door clears out.
That means durable porcelain underfoot, easy-clean surfaces in busy zones and colours that soften the tail end of winter. Warm greens, earthy stone looks and glossy handmade-style finishes are all feeling especially right lately.
Four tile updates that make sense this time of year:
Refresh the backsplash with green gloss tile: Spring is a great time to swap flat white for something with more life. Tribeca Sage Green 2.5×10 Glazed Porcelain Tile adds shine, colour and a little artisanal charm without going full look-at-me.
Choose a softer green for a quieter update: If you want warmth without too much gloss, Raku Sage 2.5×8 Glazed Porcelain Tile brings subtle variation that works beautifully in kitchens, bathrooms and laundry rooms.
Lean into earthy, grounded colour: For anyone tired of icy finishes, Stage Forest 2.5×12 Glazed Porcelain Tile hits that warmer, nature-inspired note that feels very current right now. – and it’s on sale right now!
Make the floor do the hard work: Busy spring entryways call for flooring that can take abuse and still look polished. Aura Canvas Matte 12×24 Glazed Porcelain Tile is durable porcelain sized for cleaner sightlines and easier everyday maintenance.
Make it easy on yourself
Tile Town can cover more than the pretty part. Browse products and installation materials, test finishes in the Room Visualizer and, if this is the month you finally stop pretending you’ll tile it yourself, visit us so we can connect the proper pro for your project. Here are a few trusted pros we regularly work with.
Start with the room that is taking the biggest beating right now, then build outward. March is messy. Your tile doesn’t have to be.
This season’s smartest refresh is not a full reno. It’s a better tile pattern. A new layout can make the exact same tile feel cleaner, bolder or way more designer.
If your kitchen, bathroom or fireplace is feeling a little blah, start with the pattern before you start pricing out an emotional-support demolition. The rooms that feel freshest are a little more personal and a little less cookie-cutter, which is exactly why tile pattern is pulling so much weight right now.
Three tile patterns that instantly change a room
Herringbone tile pattern
Penny round mosaic tile
Hexagon tile pattern
Herringbone adds movement. Penny rounds bring texture without a lot of visual noise. Hexagon tile makes even a simple palette feel more considered. Translation: you do not always need a new tile. Sometimes you just need a smarter way to use it.
Try penny round mosaic tile for texture: If you want a classic look that still feels lively, Lumiere White 1″ Penny Round Gloss Ceramic Mosaic is an easy win for fireplaces, backsplashes and small statement moments.
Use hexagon tile to loosen up a simple scheme: For a pattern that feels clean but less expected than a plain square, Mayfair Blanco 7.8×8.9 Hexagon Porcelain Tile adds instant shape without a lot of fuss.
Need a Little Pattern Inspiration?
If you’re not sure where to start, sometimes the quickest way to see what a tile pattern can do is to watch the whole room shift in real time. This Instagram post showing even more tile layout patterns is a great reminder that layout isn’t just a finishing detail. It’s often the thing that can take a space from standard to standout.
Whether you lean classic, playful or a little more graphic, changing the pattern is one of the easiest ways to give tile more personality without changing the whole palette.
Take a peek at Tile Town’s tile pattern Reel here!
Before you commit, test a few looks in Tile Town’s Room Visualizer. It lets you preview tile and possible patterns in your own space using our tile. Very useful if your design process tends to swing between inspired and mildly chaotic.
Some places quietly become part of the neighborhood. You grow up with them. You rely on them. You know they’ll be there when you need them.
That’s been Tile Town since 1971.
From our first two stores to five locations across Alberta & British Columbia, we’re celebrating 55+ years of helping people create homes they love. Kitchens, bathrooms, renos, new builds, and all the in-between moments that make a house feel like yours.
We began with two locations serving Vancouver and Victoria, built on a simple idea: tile shopping made easy with a one-stop shopping experience. Over the years, we have earned a strong reputation as trusted tile and design experts. We love when someone walks out of our showrooms thinking, Okay. I get it now. 😁
History in the making: TileTown’s one-year anniversary ad (1972). Practical, proud and very “come on in.”
Building tile by tile
Our story, in short: steady growth, smart moves and a lot of staying power.
Then and now:
Fifty-five-plus years looks like vintage signage, old storefronts, and the behind-the-scenes reality that keeps your project moving: pallets, busy Saturdays, and someone yelling “Yep, we’ve got it in the back.”
Richmond
Our Richmond showroom through the years, from Bridgeport Road to moving down the street to our current home.
Then: Richmond’s Offset “Boutique” beside the showroom (opened 1976), c. 1984. A very strong sign era! The boutique sold towels, soap dishes, area rugs, etc. before being sold.
Edmonton South
Our Edmonton South showroom, then and now: decades of helping customers get it right.
The people who make it feel local
A tile store is only as good as the advice you get in it. We’re proud of the experience behind our counters and proud of the fact that a lot of our team sticks around.
As our current President and Owner Mike Scardina puts it:
“Tile Town isn’t a big-box retailer; we’re a small, family-owned business. Having employees with tenure is critical from design and installation to customer relationships in our business.”
TileTown president and owner Mike Scardina (c. 2020s).
Joelle Cooke, General Manager
Joelle started with us as the Surrey store manager in 2015 and grew into our General Manager, the person who keeps the wheels on and the standards high!
GM Joelle Cooke (Surrey showroom), c. 2022. Started in the Surrey location in 2010 and has since grown into the GM role, with a brief hiatus where Mike begged her back in 2015.
“Tile Town’s company motto is “Improving People’s Quality of Life” and Joelle improves our employees QOL everyday. She is not only our GM but more importantly a honest and caring person who our employees TRUST emphatically. Our company would not be a success without Joelle as an integral part of it!!” – Mike Scardina
Brad Bellafontaine: 48 years (and counting)
Brad is our longest-serving team member and a TileTown institution in Edmonton! Which means he’s seen tile trends loop back around and still steers customers toward what actually works for their projects. Helping people create beautiful spaces is his specialty.
Then (left): Brad Bellafontaine loading an order at TileTown’s Edmonton South (c. 1980s). Now (right): Brad at Edmonton South (c. 2020s). “Once in tiles, always in tiles” – Brad
“Tile Town’s strengths have been Head Office participation: Loyal, trustworthy and customer minded… We like to treat our staff like Family. We celebrate all the holidays together and have BBQ’s in the summer and team building throughout the year…Making new friends and having tile that is exclusively ours. That has always been one of the highlights of Tile Town.” – Brad Bellafontaine
Jason Makowski: 10 years strong!
Jason started as a wee tile mover and is now celebrating 10 years with Tile Town as our Operations Manager. Tile Town wouldn’t run nearly as smoothly without him. He’s the kind of behind-the-scenes consistency customers feel, even if they never see it.
Jason Makowski, Tile Town’s operations manager, marking 10 years growth on the job.
We’ve built relationships with local pros, too
If you need help beyond choosing tile, we’ve also built relationships with local professionals we can recommend, so you can get a more rounded tiling experience. Not just a stack of boxes and a “good luck.”
Brendan helping a customer get unstuck at Edmonton West.
Community, year-round
Being local means showing up. We do givebacks throughout the year, with extra energy in summer and the holidays, plus plenty of “we brought the truck” moments in between.
HIGH-FIVE AND THRIVE: Tyler at the Cloverdale Rodeo (2016), making new friends the old-fashioned way.
MOO-VING SUPPORT: TileTown in the Cloverdale Parade (2022). Proof community support can come with a side of cow-print.
A quick time-capsule moment
Tyler, our mascot
Tyler’s been part of TileTown’s personality for decades, from the early puppet era to the big red tile many customers know today.
The many looks of Tyler over the years.
No strings attached: Tyler’s been along for the ride since the early days.
A still from an old TV ad starring Tyler in his claymation era (c. 1980s). Big nostalgic energy.
Tile tends to show up in your life when something’s changing: a new place, a fresh start, a long-overdue fix. So 55+ years isn’t just “we’ve been around.” It’s this: we’ve helped a lot of neighbours make choices they’re still happy to live with.
Planning a project? You’ll have decades of experience on your side. Come chat with us.
BONUS: The TileTown Time Capsule (Keep Scrolling)
Victoria ad, 1980.
Leo Moruck, Victoria manager (c. 1977)
Edmonton South on Argyll Road, early 1980s (fourth store to open).
King George Hwy, Surrey. 1990 (fifth store to open).
A TileTown throwback. Serving customers since… always. (c. 1980s–90s).
Victoria’s garage door, featuring a throwback Tyler logo.
January is when your entryway stops being a cute little foyer and becomes a full‑time job. Snow melts. Salt dries. Gravel shows up like it pays rent. If your floor is the weak link, winter will find it.
Here’s how to choose—and care for—tile that shrugs off slush season.
Start with a tile that doesn’t panic at moisture
For entryways, mudrooms and anywhere boots land, porcelain is the MVP. Dense, low‑porosity, and far more forgiving of moisture, salt and grit than many other surfaces. What to look for:
Porcelain floor tile for durability and water resistance
A textured finish for more confidence under wet boots
A forgiving pattern or visual movement that won’t spotlight every tiny speck of sand
Stone‑look, matte porcelain with natural variation, suited to floor or wall. Italian manufacture and V4 shade variation are noted on the product page, which signals a subtle, realistic stone feel rather than a flat uniform look.
Works beautifully in an entry, brings texture without high‑gloss slip risk.
A richer stone look with substantial variation. Also rated frost resistant, which is a real plus for Canadian winter loads when outdoor snow gets tracked in and stepped on.
Neutral earth tones hide grit better than a flat, pale tile.
For a small entry with big style, octagon mosaics add visual drama without needing loud colour. Good for a feature strip or a small zone near the door, paired with plain porcelain around.
A temporary coating before grouting that protects against grout staining and makes clean‑up easier. That means less haze and less elbow grease once the grout is done.
Helpful for walls or floors, and for anyone anxious about grout cleanup after a DIY or installer job.
Optional but smart: sealing for added protection
If you have natural stone tiles, or grout lines that keep picking up stains, a penetrating sealer is a low‑effort hedge against future stains.
Water‑based, low‑shine, natural look that resists stains. A good match for stone look tiles or to protect grout and other surfaces.
Simple add‑on step after a thorough cleaning and before heavy use. Helpful to keep in a winter maintenance closet.
Design tips that still feel like you
Winter‑ready doesn’t have to mean builder beige. A few looks that hold up in high‑traffic zones:
Stone‑look porcelain for natural texture without worry, like Navona or Fitch
Soft pattern or neutrals that camouflage grit, such as darker or mid‑tone tiles rather than ultra‑light
Earthy greens or muted tones if you want colour without showing every footprint
If you want help narrowing it down, TileTown staff can point you to options based on household reality: kids, pets, stairs, ski people, all of the above.
Tiny January challenge: take a photo of your entryway at its messiest. That’s your actual design brief.
January is peak why‑does‑my‑kitchen‑feel‑tired energy. The good news: a backsplash refresh can change the whole mood without a full renovation meltdown.
Here are the backsplash directions showing up in 2026, plus how to pick one that fits budget and tolerance for grout cleaning.
Trend 1: The slab‑look backsplash
Minimal lines, maximum calm. Designers are leaning into carrying countertop material up the wall for a seamless, cohesive look. Fewer grout lines, less visual clutter, easier to live with.
TileTown‑friendly ways to get the look
If a natural stone slab isn’t in the plan, porcelain slabs or large‑format porcelain can mimic stone visuals with less maintenance and often a friendlier price point. Good for messy cooks, minimalists, or anyone who has whispered I hate cleaning grout into the void.
Large, soft stone‑look tile that reads clean and calm, perfect for a slab‑style layout. Matte finish, usable on both floors and walls, so it carries a cohesive aesthetic from counters to backsplash or even adjoining floor.
Works especially well with warm whites, greiges, light woods or natural oak cabinets.
When you want the sense of a single, quiet plane rather than a busy mosaic, this reduces visual noise and looks timeless.
Design tip: use same or similar tile on the counter return or small wall to keep the seamless look, then add texture elsewhere, like wood shelving or brushed metal hardware.
Trend 2: Handmade‑look texture
Zellige energy without preciousness. Natural variation catches light, adds movement even in a single tone.
How to make it feel current, not chaotic:
Choose one tone and let texture do the talking
Keep grout close to tile colour for a softer, longer‑lasting look
Consider a classic layout such as stacked or simple brick so variation stays the star
Good for renters‑turned‑homeowners, design people, anyone craving warmth without a loud pattern.
High‑gloss, artisan‑style subway with tonal variation that adds depth without needing multiple colours. If you want texture and a touch of colour in 2026, this keeps the wall engaging but not fussy.
Works beautifully behind a neutral counter or wood cabinetry, especially when grout matches or is just a shade off.
Also practical: glazed porcelain, so easier to wipe clean than many natural clays.
Textured, earthy tone subway that’s on sale right now, recently marked down. A subtle, moss‑to‑stone colour that feels warm and natural, great for the January refresh moment.
Matte finish, good for both walls and floors, but perfect for backsplash when you want something organic under a kitchen light.
Because it’s a classic subway plus natural variation, you’ll get current texture without the backsplash punishing you on cleaning or style.
Layout tip: staggered brick or slight stack both work. Forest tones pair well with black or brass hardware, or simple white counters.
Trend 3: Warm colour is back
Goodbye all‑white everything. 2026 kitchens are moving toward warmer neutrals and richer, moodier tones. Creamy whites, taupes, sand, deep greens, and grown‑up muddy pastels.
Backsplash ideas that play nicely with warm colour:
Warm white that feels creamy, not clinical
Earthy beige or sand tones with subtle variation
Deep green or oxblood accents in a smaller zone such as a niche or behind the range
If you want a single accent zone not neutral, this deep, jewel‑like blue keeps the backsplash lively but still elegant. Gloss reflects light, great for smaller or darker kitchens.
Works in a stripe, a framed niche, or a slim band above a dark counter.
Pair with warm whites or soft stone visuals elsewhere to avoid looking cold.
Colour pairing tip: keep the largest surfaces neutral or natural, then add a single accent wall, niche, or coffee bar splash with colour. It keeps the kitchen from feeling loud in the long run.
A quick, no‑regrets backsplash checklist
Before you fall in love with a tile at 11:47 p.m., do this:
Look at your countertop first. Busy counters usually want calmer backsplash choices.
Decide your vibe: seamless, textured or colourful.
Pick grout on purpose. Matching grout is easier to live with, ages better.
Order a sample, then view it morning and night. Lighting changes everything, especially in January.
The 30‑minute Is‑This‑Worth‑It test
Tape a piece of paper to the wall roughly the size of your future tile area and live with it for a day. If even a blank rectangle makes your kitchen feel more intentional, congrats: you’re backsplash‑ready.
If you want, tell us your counters and cabinet colour—something like white quartz + oak or black granite + white cabinets—and we’ll suggest three directions that fit 2026 trends without feeling try‑hard. Call or visit your local Tile Town for a complimentary design consultation.
Think of this as your year in tile. These are the five styles you kept in heavy rotation in 2025.
Some people track their year in playlists. You did it in tile choices. We pulled the numbers and built a TileTown Unwrapped to show which styles you loved most in 2025, from bold forever-faves to quiet workhorses that carried a lot of renvated rooms on their backs.
When you wanted a little drama underfoot, this is the tile you queued up. Super Black Slate Matte brought that “press play and let the room transform” energy, whether it was going into an entrance, bath or a hardworking mudroom.
Fitch Rainbow was your “didn’t know I needed this until I tried it” tile. It showed up in sample orders, quotes and wishlists all year and turned a lot of maybe-renos into full-on projects.
Vibe check: Personality tile, saved to favourites more than once.
Soft, easy to live with and simple to style around, Fitch Fawn became a go-to for spaces that needed warmth without shouting for attention. It’s the tile equivalent of a track you put on repeat while you cook, clean and live your life.
Mountain Lava White had a big year. When you wanted a fresh backdrop for everything else in the room, this is what you reached for. It works with light and dark finishes, plays well with pattern and makes spaces feel pulled together fast.
Artisan White Glossy took the top spot for 2025. Compact, glossy and endlessly remixable, it slotted into classic, modern and everything in between. Herringbone, stacked, brick pattern – this tile handled whatever layout you threw at it and still looked polished.
Tribeca Sage was your runner up for 2025, sitting just outside the top five. It stayed in steady rotation all year and clearly has main-character potential for next season’s projects.
Vibe check: Under-the-radar now, future star in the making.
If our tile ended up in your reno, send us a photo! – your projects are our real Wrapped.
If someone on your list spends their weekends covered in thinset, skip the novelty socks and go straight for the good stuff: tile tools. These stocking-sized heroes are practical, affordable and make their next project smoother, faster and a lot more satisfying.
Here are five small-but-mighty gifts you can snag at TileTown this season.
1. Grout That Actually Makes Life Easier
Grout might not sound very glamorous, but any DIY tiler knows it can make or break the finished look. A bag of high-performance grout is like gifting them the “ta-da” moment at the end of a job.
Try Mapei Ultracolor Plus FA Rapid-Setting Grout (10 lbs). It’s a fast-setting, polymer-modified grout that’s colour-consistent, non-shrinking and designed to resist water, dirt and grime, so joints stay looking fresh longer.Try Mapei Ultracolor Plus FA Rapid-Setting Grout (10 lbs). It’s a fast-setting, polymer-modified grout that’s colour-consistent, non-shrinking and designed to resist water, dirt and grime, so joints stay looking fresh longer.
Want to turn it into a little “grout care kit”? Add a bottle of Aquamix Grout Haze Clean-Up so they can wipe away grout haze without harsh acids.
2. A Trusty Trowel For Satisfying Swipes
The right trowel helps get even coverage so tiles stay put and floors stay level. For most wall tile and smaller floor projects, the ICON Pro Series Trowel 1/4” V-Notch is a great all-rounder, with a stainless steel blade and soft-grip handle that feels good in the hand.
3. Schluter Trim For Those Perfect Finishing Touches
Tile trim is the quiet overachiever of any project. It protects tile edges from chips, cleans up corners and gives backsplashes, niches and outside corners a polished, professional finish.
We’re big fans of Schluter for this. The Schluter RONDEC Aluminum 1/2” Profile is ideal for finishing tiled edges and corners while creating a smooth, rounded transition. Schluter practically invented the modern metal tile trim, and their profiles are still the go-to choice for many pros.
Pop a length of trim (or a gift card with a note about “finishing details on your next project”) into a stocking and you’ve just gifted them the difference between “good enough” and “wow”.
4. A Pro-Grade Grout Float
If grout is the star, the grout float is the co-star doing the hard work. A solid float makes it easier to press grout fully into joints and clean off the excess without fighting the tool the whole time.
The ICON Pro-Series Grout Float is a great stocking stuffer: it’s available in handy sizes, built for pros and serious DIYers and tough enough to handle project after project.
Pair it with that bag of Mapei grout and suddenly their stocking is starting to look like a full upgrade kit.4. A Pro-Grade Grout Float
5. The Sponge That Saves The Day
Finally, the unsung hero of every tiling job: the grout sponge. A good sponge can mean the difference between clean, crisp grout lines and a smeary mess.
The ICON Grout Sponge SG-H is a professional-grade, extra-large sponge with rounded edges that help prevent digging into fresh grout while you wipe. It’s perfect for cleanup during and after grouting, and it’s one of those “you can never have too many” items in a tiler’s toolkit.
Wrap It Up
Tuck one (or all) of these into a stocking and you’ll make the tile lover in your life very happy on project day. You can shop these installation must-haves and more at your nearest TileTown location in Victoria, Richmond, Langley and Edmonton, or browse online any time.
Need help choosing the right combo for their next reno? Drop by and chat with our in-store tile and design experts —we love helping you make every tile project look like a pro job.
If you’ve ever been told “you’ll want to seal that” and smiled politely while thinking “…with what, exactly?”, this one’s for you.
Tile sealer sounds technical, but it’s really just a clear coat of protection that helps your tile, stone and grout stand up to daily life: coffee, red wine, shampoo, muddy boots, you name it. Get the right one, and your surfaces stay beautiful longer with way less scrubbing.
Let’s break down what sealer actually does, when you need it and which TileTown products are right for which job.
First things first: what does sealer do?
Sealer is a clear protective treatment that soaks into (or sits on top of) porous surfaces to help repel stains, moisture and grime.
Tile pros often talk about impregnators versus topical sealers:
Penetrating/impregnating sealers soak into stone or grout to protect from within, without changing the surface texture. They’re usually “natural look” or “enhancing” and don’t leave a film. A great example is AquaMix Penetrating Sealer, which sinks in to guard against everyday stains while keeping stone and grout looking natural.
Topical sealers sit on top like a clear coat. They can add shine and a slightly “finished” feel while still offering stain protection. Think of AquaMix High Gloss Sealer, which creates a protective, high-sheen layer on the surface.
Both types are about the same goal: keeping spills out of pores so stains don’t settle in.
“Isn’t grout a sealer?” (Short answer: no)
This comes up a lot, so let’s clear it up.
Grout and sealer are different products doing different jobs:
Grout fills the joints between tiles and holds everything in place.
Sealer protects that grout (and sometimes the tile or stone) from soaking up stains and moisture.
That said, some new generation grouts are formulated to be denser and more stain-resistant, so they don’t need a separate sealer. TileTown’s FAQ notes that traditional cement grouts benefit from a natural-look impregnator, but hi-tech grouts like MAPEI Flexcolor CQ are dense enough that an extra sealer isn’t required.
Products like Mapei Ultracolor Plus FA are also designed to reduce absorption and resist stains compared to standard grout, so they’re already doing some “built-in” protective work.
So yes, grout isn’t sealer, but modern grout can come with some sealer-style tech baked in. You still use a dedicated sealer when:
You’re working with stone
You’ve used traditional cement grout
You want maximum, belt-and-suspenders level protection
Do you have to seal everything?
Not quite. Here’s the cheat sheet.
1. Natural stone tiles (marble, limestone, slate, travertine, etc.)
Stone is porous, which means it loves to drink in whatever lands on it. TileTown recommends sealing most stone tiles with an impregnator to help guard against oil and water-based stains.
Good picks from TileTown:
Want invisible protection? Go for Aquamix Penetrating Sealer 946 ml. It’s an economical, no-sheen, water-based penetrating sealer that keeps the natural look while resisting stains.
Want that rich “wet” stone look without gloss? Choose Aquamix Sealer Enrich N Seal 473 ml. It darkens and enriches unsealed natural stone and also protects grout joints.
Lumiere White 4X16 Gloss Ceramic Subway Tile
2. Grout lines
You don’t have to seal grout, but traditional cement grouts definitely benefit from a natural-look impregnator.
If you want easy-to-clean grout: Try Aquamix Grout Sealer 470 ml. It’s a water-based sealer that helps repel food, dirt and grease, inhibits mildew and bacteria and doesn’t change the grout’s appearance.
If you want fast, no-fuss spraying: Reach for Aquamix Same Day Grout Sealer 444 ml. It’s a natural-look aerosol sealer with a 360° nozzle just for grout, and you can apply it as soon as 2 hours after grouting.
Many ceramic and porcelain tiles, especially glazed ones, are already very dense and don’t need sealing on the tile face. In some cases, unglazed polished porcelains are treated with an impregnating sealer at the factory or require one during installation, as TileTown notes in their FAQ.
You’ll almost always still seal the grout joints, not the whole tile surface, unless you’re working with a special porous tile or natural stone inlay.
4. When you actually want shine
If you like a glossy, sealed look on suitable tile or stone (think certain indoor floors or feature areas), a topical sealer adds both protection and sheen.
Aquamix High Gloss Sealer 946 ml is a water-based acrylic sealer that provides both a stain-resistant surface and a durable high-sheen finish in one step.
Always check the label to make sure your specific tile or stone is compatible before going glossy.
Cleaning, stripping and starting over
If you’re sealing an older installation, step one is always a good clean.
For deep cleaning tile and grout in heavily used or neglected areas, TileTown carries options like Aqua Mix Heavy-Duty Tile & Grout Cleaner, which is designed to strip grease, soap scum and ground-in dirt before you seal again.
For stubborn residues or old sealer build-up, Aquamix Abrasive Cleaner Nanoscrub 946 ml helps remove waxes, coating sealers, light grout residue and most sealer residues.
If you need to take off old coatings completely, Aquamix Sealer & Coating Remover 946 ml is formulated to remove most sealers, epoxy grout haze, urethane coatings and deep-set stains.
Clean first, then seal. Your new sealer will work much better.
Exact instructions vary by product, but the basic rhythm is:
Clean the surface Remove grease, soap scum, old finishes and dust. Let everything dry fully.
Do a small test patch Try your chosen sealer in an inconspicuous corner so you can check the look (especially with enhancing or gloss sealers) and make sure you like it.
Apply as directed Use a sponge, applicator, sprayer or brush as per the label. Penetrating sealers are usually applied, allowed to soak, then wiped. Topical sealers are applied more like a thin, even coat.
Wipe off excess Don’t leave puddles on the surface, especially on low-porosity tiles. For most penetrating products, you’ll buff off any residue after the dwell time.
Let it cure Many sealers allow light foot traffic in a couple of hours, but full cure can take up to 24 hours or more. Follow the timing on the specific Aqua Mix product you’re using.
Not sure what you need? Bring us a photo (or a tile)
If you’re still wondering “Do I need to seal this?” or “Which one is right for my shower floor vs my kitchen backsplash?”, you don’t have to guess.
TileTown’s experts can match the right sealer to your surface, project and lifestyle. Visit one of our five locations in Victoria, Richmond, Langley or Edmonton, or try the online Room Visualizer to see how our in-stock tile looks in your space before you buy.
Seal it once, enjoy it for years. And if you’re still stuck, bring in a photo of your space or a spare tile and we’ll walk you through it in person.
