Are Arabesque Tiles the Next Trend?

AprilH81

We are almost done saving up for our bathroom remodel and I have fallen in love with tiles like these (see next post for pictures). I want to do a tile feature in the shower on one wall and put them behind the vanity all the way up to the ceiling. The color will be neutral which will help keep it "current" for a longer period of time.

I'm a little hesitant because I don't want to look at the tile in 5 years and think it looks dated. For example chevron stripes were EVERYWHERE the last few years and I loved them when they first started showing up. Now I'm so over them. This won't be something I can paint over when the next new thing comes up.

The house was built in 1993 and doesn't have a specific style but leans just a hint traditional with medium brown stained trim and floors. Our personal style leans contemporary with clean lines, warm colors and a homey "lived in" feel.

AprilH81

Here are some Pinterest pins I've saved for inspiration.  Keep in mind it wouldn't be EVERYWHERE, just a feature in the shower and behind the vanity.

The rest of the tiles are likely to be large scale rectangle tiles (the less grout to clean the better).

luckya23

I love that floor, and the solid wall tile!  I find the gray/black kind of busy, though.

I don't think you can really say very much is "timeless" except maybe hardwood floors?  So get what you want!

lc07

I love the first inspiration photo. I think that is classic. The second photo I feel neutral about. The third feels too trendy to me but it might be because it covers so much of the floor.

levioosa

I can do the first one.  It's very neutral and simple.  However, the second and third ones seem like they could easily be trendy/become outdated very quickly.  I'm a big fan of classic looks.  I don't think the first one would be outdated quickly, and even if it was, it's so neutral it wouldn't be very noticeable.  

paperpusher

I really like the first inspiration photo. I would say the neutral would be less likely to become dated, and if it does, it's very subtle.

southernbelle0915

I like them now, but I do think the pattern is trendy and will become outdated. Tile is not an easy thing to change either.

If you really like the pattern now and you want something that's not as hard to change as tile, what about wallpaper in this pattern? That's not nearly as hard to change as tile.

sarahufl

I am looking at rugs in the same pattern. I really like it.

I would go with lighter shades and I think you will be fine. Steer clear of the really bold ones.

JoanE2012

Honestly, I'm not a fan.  But I lean more to classic styles and try to avoid trendy stuff, especially if it's more permanent or costly.

AprilH81

southernbelle0915 said:

I like them now, but I do think the pattern is trendy and will become outdated. Tile is not an easy thing to change either. If you really like the pattern now and you want something that's not as hard to change as tile, what about wallpaper in this pattern? That's not nearly as hard to change as tile.

I hadn't really considered wallpaper, but that might be a good way to bring in some pattern in a way that doesn't require a jackhammer to remove in 10 years. lol

luckya23

AprilH81 said:

southernbelle0915 said:

I like them now, but I do think the pattern is trendy and will become outdated. Tile is not an easy thing to change either.

If you really like the pattern now and you want something that's not as hard to change as tile, what about wallpaper in this pattern? That's not nearly as hard to change as tile.

I hadn't really considered wallpaper, but that might be a good way to bring in some pattern in a way that doesn't require a jackhammer to remove in 10 years. lol

Ugh wallpaper is awful to remove too though! Lol
Definitely the safer bet still though.

labro

Wallpaper is the devil!! Maybe less of a devil than tile....but I'm not sure its great for a bathroom either (our guest bathroom had wallpaper and it had started to peel away and look mildewy in places). Anyway, I think if you were going with something like the first picture as a shower/vanity feature it would stay subtle and classy for a long period of time.

lachattefatale

If they're as neutral as the top inspiration pic, you should be fine. But when I look at the other two, all I can see is the avocado green arabesque tile that's been in my parents' bathroom, hallway, and kitchen since the house was built in the late 50s. I have been preemptively over the pattern (and color, which is irrelevant here) my whole life, and I think the rest of the world will shortly follow suit.

AprilH81

lachattefatale said:

If they're as neutral as the top inspiration pic, you should be fine. But when I look at the other two, all I can see is the avocado green arabesque tile that's been in my parents' bathroom, hallway, and kitchen since the house was built in the late 50s. I have been preemptively over the pattern (and color, which is irrelevant here) my whole life, and I think the rest of the world will shortly follow suit.

I pinned them more for the shape and where the tile is than the color. Color wise it would be like the first picture if I can find them, possibly white. Regardless it would be very neutral with a similar color grout so that it would blend in yet still be a feature.

julieanne912

I love the first and third, and I think, like others already have said, as long as it's in a neutral color it'd be fine.  I'm actually using something similar as a wide accent band with subway tile in a project I'm working on currently.  

I'd caution against doing a glossy tile like #3 on a floor though.  Could get slippery.  

[Deleted User]

Dittoing PPs, neutral like that first picture will probably be fine in 5 years. The second two are awesome, but I think they have more potential to start looking dated.

thisismynickname2

Very pretty! Agreed that as long as you keep the color neutral you'll be ok. I'm more a fan of this for an "accent" area than for any significant coverage.