At Decorative Materials, we don’t just follow trends — we see what designers are actually specifying in real projects across Colorado. Every order, every format, and every color choice tells a story about where design is headed.
When we looked at our recent sales data, clear patterns began to emerge — not just in square footage, but in how frequently certain materials, tones, and formats were specified. The story isn’t about extremes. It’s about refinement. It’s about balance. And it’s about how today’s interiors are being thoughtfully layered.
Here’s what the numbers reveal:
Warm Neutrals Are Dominating
Warm tones have been steadily gaining momentum for several years now, and they continue to hold strong. Beige and taupe consistently outperform cooler greys in both overall square footage and frequency of specification. This isn’t a sudden shift, but rather a sustained preference that has evolved into a defining characteristic of current interiors.
Designers are choosing palettes that feel grounded and adaptable. Warm neutrals pair effortlessly with wood cabinetry, textured finishes, and layered textiles, creating spaces that feel calm without feeling flat. Rather than chasing contrast, projects are leaning into softness, warmth, and livability.
Large-Format Porcelain Is the Foundation
When looking at total square footage, large-format porcelain — particularly 12x24 and 24x48 — clearly anchors today’s projects. These formats are defining floors and primary surfaces in both residential and commercial spaces, offering visual continuity and fewer grout lines.
This preference suggests that designers are prioritizing clean, streamlined foundations that feel modern yet timeless. Porcelain continues to deliver durability and performance while allowing for subtle tonal variation and natural stone-inspired aesthetics. It provides the quiet backdrop that lets other materials shine.
Mosaics: Designers’ Most-Used Accent
While large-format porcelain leads in square footage, the more telling insight lies in frequency. Mosaics were specified more often than any other category. That means designers are repeatedly incorporating it into projects — just not necessarily across large expanses.
Rather than fully decorative rooms, what we’re seeing is thoughtful layering. Large-format tile establishes the foundation, while mosaics introduce personality, rhythm, and detail in targeted areas such as shower niches, backsplashes, or feature walls. It’s not about maximalism — it’s about contrast and craft. Mosaic tile is being used strategically to add interest without overwhelming a space.
Ceramic and Natural Stone Add Depth and Character
Ceramic and natural stone remain essential components of current specifications. Though they may not account for the largest expanses, they appear consistently across projects, often in focused applications where materiality matters most.
Ceramic tile offers color, glaze variation, and artisanal nuance, while natural stone introduces organic movement, luxury, and authenticity. Designers are blending performance-driven porcelain with handcrafted or natural materials, creating interiors that feel layered rather than uniform. The result is a balance between practicality and personality.
A Pattern of Warm, Layered Contemporary
Taken together, the data points toward a clear aesthetic direction. Colorado designers are specifying warm neutral palettes, anchoring projects with large-format porcelain, and layering in mosaic, ceramic, and stone for depth and detail.
This isn’t stark minimalism, nor is it dramatic maximalism. It’s a refined, warm contemporary approach that values livability, texture, and subtle dimension. Projects feel intentional without feeling over-designed — grounded yet expressive.
Bringing These Specifications to Life
As you plan upcoming projects, think about how these elements can support one another. Start with a strong foundation, then layer in detail where it will have the greatest impact.
The data shows that thoughtful layering is defining today’s interiors in the Colorado design community — and likely tomorrow’s as well. Visit one of our showrooms to explore materials that designers are choosing right now.
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