Over the past few years there has been a growing international trend towards wallpaper-effect ceramic tiles — decorative large format tiles that have a wallpaper-like appearance. These tend to be ornate, often botanically inspired designs that embrace the style power of pattern and colour.

Whilst there has simultaneously been a notable revival of bold and dramatic wallpapers in interior design, ceramic wallpaper is a superior product that gives far greater versatility than wallpaper. Able to be used in wet areas, shower interiors, kitchen splashbacks and in some collections, even on the floor. They are considerably more durable and easier to maintain than wallpaper, they are colourfast, stainproof, resistant to bacteria, and won’t scratch, bubble or tear. And thanks to the wonders of modern manufacturing techniques, ceramic designs can be as detailed and colourful as any wallpaper option.

At the recent September 2022 Cersaie International Tile Fair, these ornate, often botanically inspired, ceramic wallpaper designs were everywhere, building upon the collections of previous years with increasingly bold designs.

One of the most popular wallpaper-effect ceramics currently stocked at The Tile Depot is the Universal collection. This Italian collection of glazed porcelain comprises large format 610 x 1220mm patterned tiles that can be used on both floors and walls. There are seven designs held in stock in a range of elegant botanical and bohemian patterns. Their earthy colourways and floral designs are very much in keeping with current biophilic interior design trends and naturally match with countless other wall and floor tiles in the Tile Depot range.

Each design comes with four different motifs that are randomly supplied. The effect is an almost mural-like design that creates eye-catching feature walls or floors. As the tiles are rectified, they can be installed with tight grout lines that reinforce the wallpaper effect.

The Universal tiles are a cohesive collection characterised by soft soothing compatible tones that allow for intermixing of all the patterns or stand-alone use. Universal can be used on any interior wall and residential floor — from standout shower walls, living room feature walls, and kitchen splashbacks to really unique entry floors, the Universal collection has immense versatility. Embrace the power of pattern with Universal.