Metro Marble Effect 10x20cm

Home design trends are constantly changing, but one style that is certainly standing the test of time is the concept of bringing the beauty of the great outdoors inside and into the home. We’ve seen this trend incorporated into many areas — furniture made from wicker, kitchen herb gardens, and colour palettes mimicking natural hues, for example — but it’s tile where this trend really seems to shine.

Natural Effect Tiles

In recent years there has been a notable rise in the availability of natural effect tiles; ceramic wall or floor tiles that are carefully crafted to look like natural stone, such as slate or marble. There are a number of advantages to these tiles, such as a lower cost compared to real marble or slate, and increased durability. While marble isn’t as porous as some other natural rock, it still doesn’t quite match up to hardier options like granite, so it isn’t usually recommended for areas such as bathrooms or kitchens with high levels of moisture. A marble effect ceramic tile, however, has the strength to handle steamy or damp conditions.

Metro Marble Effect tiles also known as Carrara Marble or Marble Stone Effect are perhaps one of the most interesting natural effect tiles on offer today. That’s because they’re uniquely designed to combine this natural trend with one of the biggest tile trends of all time: the classic subway tile. Subway tiles have been found decorating underground tunnels across the world since the early 1900s, and ‘metro retro’ has quickly become a preferred style for homeowners.

Metro Marble Effect Tiles

What you’ll find in metro marble effect tiles is the classic subway tile shape — the iconic bevelled edge rectangle — blended beautifully with the luxurious appearance of real marble. Marble has long been associated with unrivalled levels of opulence, being used to create some of the grandest structures of all time, including India’s Taj Mahal, the Athenian Parthenon, Washington DC's Lincoln Memorial, and the Vatican, whose mosaic floors and columns are all crafted from this stunning, high quality material.

With many of the most attractive features of real marble — the eye catching grey-blue ‘veins’ that are often found running through Italian Carrara marble from the Tuscany region, and the smooth, almost gloss-like surface — metro stone effect tiles are practically indistinguishable from their real counterparts.

These tiles offer subtle character with their slight colour variations; ideal for adding a touch of ‘oomph’ and a little something different, without needing to resort to bright, bold colours or unusual shapes and sizes. In fact, their light grey base makes them perfect for a wide range of rooms, including hallways, bathrooms, and kitchen areas. With sealing, these tiles can even be used in wet room environments.

Ultimately, metro stone effect tiles provide an attractive and alternative way to incorporate the ‘back to nature’ trend into your home. The appearance of natural stone is a fantastic way to bring the outdoors in, while still maintaining a sleek, stylish, and minimalist look with that clean and simple subway tile shape.