What’s trending in kitchen and bathroom surfaces?

Following a busy day trip to Clerkenwell‘s buzzing design festival, my phone’s notes application is bursting with intricate surface ideas for kitchens and bathrooms. So, if you’ve been looking for inspiration for your wall and floor coverings, this is what has caught my eye…

1. Dark surfaces

Back in October 2024, I noticed dark and dramatic kitchen worktops were rising in popularity. Fast-forward to today, and they’re still trending. “There’s a growing appetite for interiors that feel both elegant and grounded, and dark surfaces deliver just that. They bring a sense of sophistication, depth, and drama to the kitchen. Whether used to create striking contrast with lighter cabinetry, or embraced wall-to-wall for a more enveloping, cocooning effect, dark worktops offer a versatile and timeless aesthetic,” says Katie Parry-Stone, retail expert at Cosentino UK.

Classic kitchen design with marbled surfaces and dark worktops.
The white Shaker-style cabinetry by Sola Kitchens is paired here with a bold island adorned with Nero Assoluto waterfall surface.

Although initially, they may seem a bit intimidating, they are actually versatile and can complement a range of kitchen and bathroom styles, from classic to contemporary and rustic. “Paired with warm metallics, natural woods, or layered textures, they contribute to spaces that feel not only visually rich but also inviting and lived-in,” adds Katie.

Dark and dramatic room set with veiny surfaces and glamorous accents.
Dark to go bold? Achieve a colour-drenched kitchen with dark cabinetry and luxurious surfaces like Romantic Ash by Cosentino.

2. Veiny surfaces

Whether it’s boldly coloured or timeless and neutral, marble and marble-effect surfaces are as popular as ever. They are extremely versatile, suiting a range styles, and look particularly good as splashbacks, worktops, block islands and wall panelling.

Thanks to the sheer variety in patterns, from oversized veins to more subtle swirls, these impactful designs are ideal for adding visual interest your space.

A wood kitchen design with marble-effect surfaces in a muted brown shade.
Florim Stone porcelain surfaces in Stone Brown by Florim.

3. Eco-conscious materials

For those looking to add the wow factor to their kitchen or bathroom while also keeping the planet at heart, know eco-conscious materials can offer the best of both worlds. Finnish brand Woodio, now available at West One Bathrooms, for example, offers a range of products from baths and basins, to wall panels made from a waterproof solid wood composite material (wood chips and eco-friendly resin binders).

They come in a range of shades, from neutrals to more daring pops of colour like pink, green and dark burgundy, so you are bound to find a hue to suit your space.

A modern bathroom set with speckled pink wall panel and a matching basin.
Woodio Soft60 Surface basin, price on application, West One Bathrooms.

While we’re on the topic of wood chips, terrazzo is also taking the interiors world by storm, so what a better time to embrace this print in your kitchen or bathroom than with a sustainable solution like Foresso‘s timber terrazzo surfaces (made from reclaimed wood and low-carbon binders).

A kitchen design with wood units and an island with terrazzo surfaces.
Kitchen design featuring an island with Foresso’s timber terrazzo worktop with a waterfall edge.

4. Nature-inspired surfaces

From cork to limestone, nature-inspired surfaces are having a moment in interior design. “There has been a definite move towards the simplicity of nature and reflections of the natural world,” says Mor Krisher, head of product design at Caesarstone. “People want to surround themselves with products that make them feel a strong connection to the outside world, which in turn helps us give more attention to it, to embrace the simple things, love nature the way it is.”

A calm kitchen design with nature-inspired surfaces.
Achieve a calming kitchen design with stone-inspired work surfaces like 542 Mosstone (Time collection) by Caesarstone.

At home in Scandi, Japandi, and pared-back interiors, these earthy surfaces adorned with speckles not only help strengthen your kitchen’ or bathroom’s connection to nature, but also bring a sense of tranquillity and peace into your space.

A neutral bathroom design with stone wall and floor coverings, a matching stone basin, and a walk-in shower.
Add warmth and interest to your bathroom with stone-inspired surfaces. Floor and wall in Grande Stone Look Jura Grey 3D Ink 160×320, and washbasin in Grande Stone Look Jura Grey Satin Puro 3D Ink 162×324, all from The Top collection by Marazzi.

5. Bold botanical wallpaper

Maximalists gather round – florals are in bloom, and they’re bigger and better than ever. So, if you are looking to liven up your kitchen or bathroom, why not opt for a striking wallpaper or mural embellished with oversized foliage in joyful shades? Whether you want to go all out and wrap the entire room in pattern or want to draw the eye in with an accent wall, botanical prints are a sure way to achieve a mood-boosting scheme.

A kitchen design with floral wallpaper on the walls and a matching patterned fabric.
Botanists Scroll Vivant wallpaper, £95 per roll, Graham & Brown.
A bold bathroom design with floral wallpaper and a blue basin with a gold tap.
Bloomin’ Marvellous wallpaper in Coral Charm, £159 per roll, Divine Savages.

6. Textured tiles

There is always something new to swoon over in the tile department, but it’s the textured slabs that are particularly standing out to me. And I’m not the only one drawn to these tactile solutions. “We’ve seen a significant rise in demand for textured tiles, driven by a shift toward more tactile, nature-inspired interiors,” says Louisa Morgan, creative director at Mandarin Stone. “Textured surfaces add depth and character, making spaces feel more organic and inviting. Whether it’s the raw appeal of natural stone or glossy porcelain tiles with textured surfaces, these tiles bring a timeless, artisanal quality that resonates with both traditional and contemporary design.”

So, if you’re planning a renovation and want to achieve a visually pleasing yet invitingly tactile scheme, embrace the look with the latest embossed tiles.

Bathroom design with textured tiles in a leaf shape and a rusty concrete basin.
Kew Burgundy Fan Gloss ceramic tiles, £239.81 per sq m, and Seville Light Terracotta-Effect porcelain tiles, £40.77 per sq m, Mandarin Stone.

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