ROCCIA Design Centre
Opening Times:
Mon-Fri: 9:00am - 5:30pm
Sat: 9:00am - 5:00pm
Sun: 10:00am - 4:00pm
Christmas / New Year Opening Times:
Tue 23rd Dec: 9am - 4pm
Wed 24th Dec to Fri 26th Dec: CLOSED
Sat 27th Dec to Tue 30th Dec: 10am - 4pm
Wed 31st & Thu 1st Jan: CLOSED
The showroom times will operate as usual from Friday 2nd Jan onwards.
Bolton Showroom
Opening Times:
Mon-Fri: 8:00am - 5:00pm
Sat: 10:00am - 5:00pm
Sun: 10:00am - 4:00pm
Christmas / New Year Opening Times:
Tue 23rd Dec: 8am - 4pm
Wed 24th Dec to Fri 26th Dec: CLOSED
Sat 27th Dec to Tue 30th Dec: 10am - 4pm
Wed 31st & Thu 1st Jan: CLOSED
The showroom times will operate as usual from Friday 2nd Jan onwards.
Tiles On Display
Design & Ideas
Spotlight on: Art Deco Tiles Inspiration
Spotlight on: Art Deco Tiles Inspiration Art Deco tiles bring a sense of glamour, structure, and confidence to interior design spaces. Inspired by the iconic design movement of the 1920s and 1930s, this art deco style celebrates bold form, symmetry, and refined detail. When used in tile design, art deco offers a striking way to introduce personality and sophistication into both modern and classic interiors. Many brands now offer curated collections of Art Deco tiles, making it easier for customers to find cohesive design inspiration and select patterns and styles that work together seamlessly. At their essence, art deco tiles are decorative tiles influenced by the geometric and architectural principles of the art deco movement and the arts of the period, which also include art nouveau influences. Compared to Victorian tiles, which are known for their intricate and busy patterns, Art Deco tiles are generally more streamlined and focus on bold, singular geometric themes. They are designed to make an impact, whether through pattern, colours, or finish, and are often used as statement elements on walls or floors. What Defines Art Deco Style? Art deco is characterised by a strong visual language that combines sharp lines, structure, and elegance with luxury. Five key characteristics shape the style: geometric forms and shapes, symmetry, bold colour contrast, rich materials such as gold accents, and decorative detailing. Together, these elements create interiors that feel intentional, balanced, and confident. Straight lines, stepped shapes, arches, and fan motifs are commonly used, giving the style its unmistakable identity. Unlike softer, organic design trends such as art nouveau, art deco embraces precision and repetition, making it particularly effective in tiled surfaces where pattern and alignment can be showcased clearly. Art Deco Colour Palettes and Finishes Colour is fundamental to art deco design. Popular art deco colours include deep jewel tones such as emerald green, navy, black, burgundy, and teal, often paired with lighter neutrals like cream, ivory, or blush. Metallic accents, especially gold, brass, and chrome, are frequently introduced to enhance the sense of luxury and elegance. In tile form, these colours are often expressed through high-gloss or polished finishes that reflect light and add depth. The contrast between dark and light tones, or matt and glossy surfaces, is a hallmark of art deco interiors and helps create a dramatic yet elegant atmosphere. Art Deco Wall Tiles as Decorative Features Art deco wall tiles are particularly effective when used as feature elements. Their geometric patterns and decorative layouts make them ideal for splashbacks, bathroom feature walls, fireplace surrounds, or accent panels in living spaces. Rather than covering every surface, art deco wall tiles work best when used selectively. This allows the pattern and detail to stand out while maintaining balance within the room. When paired with simpler surrounding finishes, they become a focal point that elevates the entire space with a touch of vintage glamour and classic elegance. Typical Art Deco Flooring Styles Art deco flooring is characterised by bold layouts and strong symmetry. Traditional examples often included checkerboard floors, large-format tiles with contrasting borders, or geometric arrangements designed to frame a room. These floors were intended to feel grand, structured, and visually impactful. Modern art deco floor tiles continue this tradition using porcelain and ceramic materials. These provide the same visual strength as historic designs while offering improved durability, ease of maintenance, and suitability for everyday living. When laid with clean grout lines and precise alignment, art deco flooring creates a timeless and confident foundation that complements the overall interior design. Why Art Deco Tiles Remain Timeless Art deco tiles continue to appeal because they strike a balance between decorative richness and structured design. Their bold geometry, luxurious colours, and architectural influence allow spaces to feel expressive without becoming cluttered. Whether used subtly or as a statement, art deco tiles add character, elegance, and a sense of history to interiors. With a variety of designs and stock options available, they are ideal for those seeking a design that feels both glamorous and enduring. Filters and collections from leading suppliers offer many options to create the perfect art deco look for any wall or flooring project. For those seeking a design that feels both glamorous and enduring, art deco tiles remain a stylish and confident choice.
Embrace Warm Minimalism: The Tile Trend That’s Taking Over
Embrace Warm Minimalism: The Tile Trend That’s Taking Over Warm minimalism is a refined interior design style and the latest trend in interior design, blending simplicity with comfort. Rather than stripping a space back to the bare minimum, this style focuses on thoughtful restraint, keeping only what adds value, warmth, or function. The result is a home that feels calm and uncluttered, yet inviting and deeply personal. This aesthetic works particularly well in modern homes where clean architecture benefits from softer layers. Warm minimalism is characterised by a palette of earthy tones and creamy whites, including beige, sand, terracotta, light grey, olive greens, and creams, while avoiding stark whites. By introducing warmth through colour, material, and texture, warm minimalism creates interiors that feel lived-in rather than overly styled. What Truly Defines Warm Minimalist Design? At its core, warm minimalism is about balance. Clean lines and open layouts remain central, but they’re softened with natural finishes, gentle colour transitions, and tactile surfaces. The key elements of warm minimalism include cohesive colour palettes, the use of natural materials, and open, uncluttered layouts that foster a sense of calm. Instead of sharp contrasts, this style relies on tonal harmony, colours that sit close together on the spectrum and flow naturally from one space to the next. While traditional minimalism emphasises a clean, functional aesthetic with a focus on simplicity and restraint, warm minimalism introduces warmth and comfort through textiles, earthy colours, and decorative touches, creating a cosy yet minimalist environment. Furniture and finishes are chosen for longevity rather than trend. Pieces tend to be understated in form but rich in material, allowing quality and craftsmanship to speak for themselves. Every element feels intentional, contributing to uncluttered spaces and simple spaces that are visually calm and emotionally grounding. These design choices help achieve the inviting and balanced look of warm minimalism. Creating a Calm Foundation Through Simplicity A successful warm minimalist interior begins with a strong foundation. Decluttering is not just about removing excess, but about refining what remains. Open surfaces, clear sightlines, and open spaces with uncluttered layouts allow the architecture and materials to take centre stage. Neutral base tones, such as off white, neutral colours, soft browns, warm greys, soft stone shades, and muted creams, are essential here. These colours create continuity throughout the home and provide a versatile backdrop for layering texture and subtle contrast. When used across walls, floors, or large surfaces, they help spaces feel cohesive and expansive rather than fragmented. Layering textures is a key element in warm minimalism, using materials like linen, cotton, and jute to create visual interest and add depth to the serene palette. How Tiles Support a Warm Minimalist Interior Tiles play a key role in warm minimalist design by providing a calm, consistent foundation that enhances both light and space. Using tiles with multiple textures, such as matte, glossy, or natural stone finishes, can add visual interest to the space. Neutral-toned tiles, such as soft greys, warm stone shades, and subtle beige hues, help create visual flow across floors and walls, allowing interiors to feel open and uncluttered. Natural-effect tiles, including stone and concrete finishes, introduce texture without overwhelming the space. Their understated variation adds depth while maintaining a restrained aesthetic, making them ideal for larger surfaces where continuity is essential. Large-format tiles are particularly effective, reducing grout lines and reinforcing the seamless, pared-back look that defines warm minimalism. Natural flooring options like blonde or light hardwood are also suitable for warm minimalism, either as an alternative or complement to tiles. Beyond aesthetics, tiles support the practical side of this design style. Durable, low-maintenance surfaces ensure spaces remain functional for everyday living, while their longevity aligns with the warm minimalist focus on thoughtful, long-term design choices. Soft Stone-Effect Tiles for a Natural Foundation Stone-effect porcelain tiles are an ideal starting point for warm minimalist interiors, offering tactile textures that enhance the sensory appeal of a space. Their subtle variation and organic texture introduce depth without visual clutter, making them perfect for open-plan spaces, bathrooms, and kitchens. Common materials in warm minimalism include wood, linen, cotton, wool, stone, and ceramics, all of which contribute to a welcoming and authentic atmosphere. Neutral stone tones help anchor a room while allowing other materials, such as wood or linen, to bring softness and warmth. At ROCCIA, stone-effect tiles are designed to balance refined aesthetics with everyday durability. Large Format Tiles for Seamless, Calm Spaces Large format tiles naturally complement minimalist design by reducing grout lines and creating uninterrupted surfaces. This enhances the sense of open spaces and visual flow, particularly across floors and feature walls. In warm minimalist homes, larger tiles in muted tones help maintain simplicity while still feeling luxurious and considered. Matt Finish Tiles for Subtle Texture and Depth Matt tiles work beautifully in warm minimalist schemes, offering a soft, tactile finish with organic textures that absorb light rather than reflecting it. This creates a more relaxed and grounded atmosphere, especially in living areas and bathrooms. Warm minimalism also incorporates tactile richness with soft textures like bouclé and cashmere, enhancing the cosy and inviting feel. Matt surfaces pair effortlessly with natural materials, reinforcing the calm, understated character of the space. Neutral Grey Tiles for Timeless Versatility Grey tiles remain a key choice for warm minimalism due to their flexibility across styles and rooms. Softer grey tones sit comfortably between warm and cool palettes, making them easy to layer with wood, stone, and neutral furnishings. For a balanced look, grey tiles can be paired with warm tones such as beige, terracotta, and cream, reflecting the warm minimalism colour palette of earthy neutrals, muted tones, soft terracottas, olive greens, and creams, while avoiding stark whites. Whether used on floors or walls, grey tiles provide a timeless base that evolves effortlessly with changing interiors. The Role of Natural Materials in Adding Warmth Natural textures are what prevent minimal interiors from feeling cold or flat. Wood introduces warmth and organic variation, stone adds depth and permanence, while textiles such as linen and wool soften the overall look. Incorporating other natural materials like rattan, jute, and wool, as well as eco-friendly, breathable fabrics, further enhances the inviting atmosphere. These materials are preferred over manmade materials such as plastic, as they help maintain the authentic, cosy aesthetic of warm minimalism. By bringing character through their organic qualities, natural materials add personality and depth to the space without visual noise. Warm minimalism emphasises the use of natural materials like wood, linen, and cotton to create a cosy atmosphere. Texture is just as important as colour. Pairing smooth surfaces with gently textured ones, for example, polished stone against natural wood creates visual interest while maintaining a restrained aesthetic. Layering different textures like chunky knits, soft rugs, and woven baskets adds depth and comfort, making the space feel rich and dimensional without becoming busy. Using Light to Shape Mood and Atmosphere Lighting plays a defining role in warm minimalist interiors. Rather than relying solely on bright overhead lighting, this style favours layered illumination. Warm lighting, with yellowish tones, is important in warm minimalism to create a cosy and calming atmosphere. Soft ambient light sets the mood, while accent lighting highlights architectural features and textures. Warm light temperatures are key, helping to enhance natural materials and neutral tones and contribute to a calming atmosphere. During the day, natural light is embraced through unobstructed windows and light-filtering fabrics, ensuring spaces feel open, calm, and connected to their surroundings. Introducing Organic Shapes and Gentle Movement While minimalism often leans towards structure, warm minimalism allows for softness. Organic shapes, curved furniture, rounded edges, and sculptural forms introduce movement and life into the space. Greenery and natural elements breathe vitality into interiors, preventing them from feeling rigid and adding a sense of flow. Plants like fiddle-leaf figs or snake plants can be used to add life and natural texture to warm minimalist spaces. Subtle curves work particularly well alongside clean architectural lines, creating contrast without disruption. Even small details, such as rounded accessories or softly contoured décor, can shift the overall feel of a room. Personal Details Without Visual Clutter Warm minimalism values personality, but in a curated way. Personal items are chosen carefully and displayed with intention, allowing each piece to stand on its own. Decorate with subtle, meaningful accessories, such as artwork, ceramics, and handcrafted objects, placing them thoughtfully to add personality without clutter. Consider making a standout bed or a unique piece of art the focal point of the room, setting the tone for the overall design. Bringing in greenery and simple elegant houseplants is a common practice in warm minimalism, helping to decorate and add personality while maintaining simplicity and order. This approach ensures that personal touches enhance the space rather than overwhelm it. By focusing on quality over quantity, interiors feel expressive yet calm, with each detail contributing to the overall story of the home. Practical Design for Everyday Living Functionality underpins every warm minimalist space, especially in the bedroom where practical design is essential for comfort and relaxation. The bed is the central piece of furniture, chosen not only for its minimalist style but also for its ability to foster rest and tranquillity. Selecting the right furniture or bedding is about finding the perfect match for your personal comfort, ensuring a peaceful sleep environment without sacrificing comfort. Warm minimalism achieves its inviting look by incorporating natural and tactile materials like wood, stone, rattan, jute, wool, linen, and leather. Storage solutions are integrated seamlessly, keeping everyday essentials out of sight while maintaining clean lines. Furniture often serves multiple purposes, offering both comfort and practicality without unnecessary embellishment. Durability is also key. Materials are chosen not only for their appearance but for how they perform over time. This ensures the space remains beautiful, practical, and easy to live in, a crucial element of this design philosophy. Bringing Warm Minimalism Together Warm minimalism is ultimately about creating a home that feels intentional, balanced, and welcoming. By combining simplicity with texture, neutral tones with natural materials, and clean lines with soft forms, this style offers a timeless approach to interior design. It’s a way of designing that prioritises how a space feels as much as how it looks, creating interiors that are calm, enduring, and deeply comfortable to live in.
Biophilic Design Outdoors: Bringing Nature into Tile Choices
Biophilic Design Outdoors: Bringing Nature into Tile Choices Introduction: What Is Biophilic Design and Why Does It Matter? Biophilic design is more than just a passing trend, it’s a design philosophy rooted in our natural instinct to connect with the outdoors. Biophilic design is about connecting people with nature, fostering a sense of harmony and comfort within built environments. In an increasingly fast-paced, technology-driven world, biophilic design focuses on reintroducing nature into our living environments to create spaces that feel calmer, healthier, and more balanced. At its core, biophilic design is about integrating natural elements such as light, texture, greenery, and organic materials into the built environment and creating spaces that foster a calming, nature-inspired atmosphere. Whether used indoors or outdoors, the aim is to foster a deeper connection with the natural world and enhance overall wellbeing. These principles are often used by interior designers to enhance living spaces, making bedrooms, entryways, and high-traffic rooms more harmonious and connected to nature. For homeowners and interior designers designing gardens, patios, terraces, or outdoor kitchens, biophilic tile choices can enhance wellbeing and overall well being, allowing outdoor spaces to feel intentional, immersive, and restorative rather than purely functional. In 2026, colour selections in biophilic design include earth tones, deep forest hues, and water hues as alternatives to bright botanical colours. The Benefits of Biophilic Design in Outdoor Spaces One of the most compelling reasons biophilic design has gained such momentum is its proven impact on wellbeing and health benefits. Biophilic design can enhance wellbeing by reducing stress and promoting health, establishing a restorative connection to nature. Spaces that reflect natural environments are known to reduce stress, improve mood, and promote a sense of calm, benefits that are especially valuable in outdoor living areas designed for relaxation and socialising. Biophilic outdoor spaces encourage people to slow down. The use of natural materials such as natural stone and wood-look tiles creates grounded environments that feel timeless rather than trend-driven. These materials weather beautifully over time, reinforcing a sense of authenticity and connection to nature’s organic beauty. There are also practical benefits. Natural textures can soften acoustics, reduce glare, and create more comfortable surfaces underfoot. Many biophilic design elements, such as terrariums, natural finishes, and outdoor surfaces, are low maintenance, requiring minimal upkeep while maintaining their aesthetic and environmental benefits. Earthy shades in interior design help to ground a room and promote a sense of security. When combined with greenery, hanging plants, potted plants, and thoughtful layout, biophilic design transforms outdoor areas into true extensions of the home, spaces that feel nurturing rather than purely decorative. Tiles in earthy tones, such as greens, browns, and blues, create a calming palette that evokes the outdoors. Core Principles of Biophilic Design Natural Materials as the Foundation A defining principle of biophilic design is the use of materials that feel honest and organic. Stone, natural wood, clay, and mineral-based finishes form the backbone of this natural aesthetic. In outdoor tile choices, this often translates to porcelain tiles that faithfully replicate natural stone, slate, limestone, or timber, offering the visual warmth of nature with the durability required for outdoor use and modern living. The appeal lies in texture and variation. Subtle tonal shifts, visible grain, and tactile surfaces help create a sensory rich environment that feels alive and dynamic rather than flat or manufactured. Visual and Sensory Connection to Nature Biophilic spaces are designed to engage the senses. Beyond visual appeal, they invite touch, movement, and interaction. Textured tiles underfoot, softly honed stone surfaces, and organic shapes with natural patterns all contribute to a multi-sensory experience. In outdoor design, this often means choosing tiles that respond beautifully to natural light, changing appearance throughout the day as sunlight shifts through large windows or open spaces. Matte and lightly textured finishes help avoid harsh glare while enhancing the natural character of the space and strengthening the visual connection to nature inside and out. Organic Forms and Natural Patterns Straight lines and sharp contrasts are softened in biophilic design by organic forms and patterns inspired by nature. Tiles with subtle veining, layered textures, or natural imperfections mimic the randomness found in stone formations, sand, and wood grain. Incorporating wood grains and wood effect tiles captures the warmth and texture of real wood while offering added benefits such as durability and water resistance. Wood-look tiles also provide the warmth and texture of real wood, with the added advantages of durability and ease of maintenance compared to real wood. This sense of imperfection is intentional. It creates warmth and authenticity, helping outdoor spaces feel relaxed, welcoming, and grounded. Choosing the Right Tiles for Biophilic Outdoor Design Natural Stone and Stone-Effect Tiles Natural stone tiles, such as limestone, slate, and marble, are an ideal choice for biophilic outdoor spaces. Their inherent variation adds depth and visual interest, while their mineral composition connects the space directly to the earth and the great outdoors. For those seeking lower maintenance and enhanced durability, stone-effect porcelain tiles offer an excellent alternative. They replicate the look and texture of natural stone while providing many benefits such as superior resistance to weather, moisture, and temperature changes, making them perfect for patios, pathways, and outdoor dining areas. Wood-Look Tiles for Warmth and Balance Wood-look tiles are another cornerstone of biophilic outdoor design. They introduce warmth and a sense of comfort while maintaining the practicality required for outdoor environments. Used underfoot or as vertical cladding, wood-effect porcelain tiles soften stone-heavy designs and help balance hard landscaping with organic warmth. They work particularly well when paired with planting, water features, natural finishes, and natural textiles, reinforcing the indoor-outdoor connection and bringing nature indoors. Organic Textures and Subtle Patterning Tiles with natural textures or gently patterned surfaces can elevate outdoor spaces without overwhelming them. Incorporating natural colours and organic textures helps create a calm, grounded environment that reflects the natural world. Rather than bold decorative motifs, biophilic design favours understated patterns that echo natural rhythms, ripples, grains, or layered surfaces that feel calm and intuitive. Earthy tones, muted greys, and terracotta can further enhance the calmness and grounding of outdoor environments. These tiles add depth and visual interest while maintaining harmony with the surrounding landscape, incorporating natural elements and botanical prints that enhance the natural beauty of the space. Living walls are another advanced biophilic design feature that can be used to further integrate nature within outdoor spaces, providing both aesthetic and environmental benefits. Designing Outdoor Spaces with a Biophilic Approach Blurring the Line Between Indoors and Outdoors A key aspect of biophilic design is continuity. Using similar tiles inside and out helps create a seamless transition between spaces, making outdoor areas feel like an extension of the home rather than a separate zone. Large sliding doors, level thresholds, and consistent material choices allow natural light and air to flow freely, strengthening the connection to the outdoors and creating a grounded environment. Creating Calm Through Layout and Flow Biophilic outdoor spaces are rarely cluttered. Instead, they rely on thoughtful layouts that encourage movement and pause. Tile choices play a role here, larger format tiles can create a sense of openness, while natural textures guide the eye gently through the space. When designing patios, terraces, or garden walkways, consider how tiles interact with planting, seating areas, and architectural features to create a balanced, flowing environment that feels connected and restorative. Simple Ways to Incorporate Biophilic Design Biophilic design doesn’t have to mean a complete overhaul. Small, intentional changes can have a big impact. Introducing natural stone tiles to a seating area, using wood-look tiles in an outdoor kitchen, or adding textured tiles alongside hanging plants and potted plants can instantly enhance the sense of connection to nature. Even subtle details, such as choosing a tile with natural variation or opting for a softer, more organic colour palette with earth tones and earthy tones can shift the atmosphere of a space. Adding Depth and Visual Interest with Natural Elements Layering is essential in biophilic design. Tiles provide the base, but it’s the interaction with greenery, water, and light that brings the space to life. Green walls, planters, and climbing plants soften tiled surfaces, while water features reflect light and introduce gentle sound. Together, these elements create outdoor spaces that feel immersive rather than static, environments that change with the seasons and invite ongoing interaction. Biophilic Spaces: Designed for Wellbeing Ultimately, biophilic outdoor spaces are about wellbeing. They are designed to support relaxation, creativity, and connection, whether that’s enjoying a quiet morning coffee, hosting friends, or simply spending time outside. By choosing tiles that reflect natural materials and embracing biophilic principles, outdoor areas become restorative spaces that feel timeless and deeply connected to the environment. Final Thoughts: Bringing Nature into Your Outdoor Tile Choices Biophilic design brings a fresh perspective to how our homes interact with nature. Through thoughtful tile selection, organic textures, and natural materials, outdoor spaces can become places of calm, balance, and natural beauty. At Roccia, our extensive range of outdoor tiles, from stone-effect porcelain to wood-look finishes, is designed to support biophilic design brings nature indoors while delivering long-lasting performance. Whether you’re designing a garden retreat, a terrace, or an outdoor living space, our expert team can help you explore tile choices that bring the outdoors in, beautifully and effortlessly. Frequently Asked Questions 1. What tiles work best for a biophilic outdoor design? Tiles that mimic natural materials are ideal for biophilic outdoor spaces. Stone-effect porcelain tiles, natural stone tiles such as limestone or slate, and wood-look porcelain all reflect organic textures and tones found in nature. These options offer the visual warmth of natural materials while providing durability, slip resistance, and weather performance suitable for outdoor environments. 2. Can biophilic design work in small outdoor spaces? Absolutely. Biophilic design is just as effective in compact gardens, balconies, and terraces. Using large-format tiles can make smaller spaces feel more open, while natural textures and earthy tones create a calming atmosphere without visual clutter. Even a single tiled seating area paired with greenery can significantly enhance the sense of connection to nature. 3. Are natural stone tiles suitable for outdoor use? Natural stone tiles can be used outdoors, but it’s important to choose the right type and finish. Stones such as limestone and slate are popular choices for outdoor spaces, though they may require sealing and regular maintenance. For a lower-maintenance alternative, stone-effect porcelain tiles offer excellent durability, water resistance, and slip ratings while closely replicating the look of real stone. 4. How can I create a seamless indoor - outdoor look with tiles? To achieve a seamless indoor–outdoor transition, choose tiles in the same style, colour, or material for both spaces. Many porcelain tile ranges are designed for use both indoors and outdoors, allowing you to extend the same surface through large doors or level thresholds. Consistent tile sizing and complementary finishes help create visual flow while still meeting outdoor performance requirements.
