Cersaie 2026: Stunning worktops, warm stones, and burgundy highlights

Diary of a Tile Addict’s Joe Simpson reports from the 43rd edition of the world’s finest tile show, bringing you the highlights, key takeaways and trend predictions for the year ahead.

“Despite a slight decline in visitor numbers, Cersaie once again confirmed its position as the sector’s leading international exhibition,” stated Augusto Ciarrocchi, chairman of Confindustria Ceramica.

He has a point. The 43rd edition of the world’s best tile show was held at the Bologna Exhibition Centre from 21st to 25th September. The show hosted 595 exhibitors across 16 halls, including 314 ceramic tile companies, 96 bathroom furnishing companies and 185 related businesses including installation materials, and alternative surfaces. 

Perhaps Cersaie’s key attribute is its international profile, with 233 overseas exhibitors (39% of the total) from 24 countries. Of the total 92,352 visitors in 2026, international attendees numbered 44,500, down just 0.9%, and representing 48.2% of the total.

Cersaie has long been viewed as the event that sets the design trends for this sector: and 2026 was no exception. With the demise of its Spanish rival, Cevisama, and impact of tariffs on overseas participation in the USA’s Coverings, Cersaie is very much the place to be seen, unless your focus is the Asian or the South American market.

One of the main take-aways from Cersaie 2026 was the rate of aesthetic and technical progress in the porcelain worktop / slab sector.  Despite the fact that several of Italy’s largest players – Marazzi, Florim, and Iris to name but 3 – chose to host guests at their Modena/Sassuolo showrooms rather than take a stand in Bologna, the worktop brands put on a powerful display. These Italian giants may live to regret their decision as 2 of the very best at Cersaie were the Canada-based Anatolia (production plants in Turkey), and the massive Turkish group Kale.

As with all the finest worktops at the show, on both stands the emphasis was on precise alignment of the decorative detail with the surface structure. You can simultaneously see and feel the quality. The perfect synchronicity of digital printing, sinking inks, surface polishing, and matching body colouration of the best surfaces on display was quite jaw dropping.

It seems sad to choose one over another, but I was blown away by the outstanding displays from ABK Stone, Atlas Plan, Coverlam, Fondovalle/My Top, Infinity, NovaBell Oversize, Optimum Surfaces, RAK Ceramics, and Venux to name but 9. As well as dark and dramatic granite-effects, the stars remain white marble looks, often enhanced by subtle metallic highlights, and onyx simulations printed to look like back-lit natural stone.

On the floor tile front, Cersaie was all about warm neutral stone simulations, particularly last-year’s favourite, travertine, and this year’s must haves French limestone and Jura stone. Soft and subtle honeyed stone tones are really popular right now, not only because they are timeless classics, but because they complement with so many different colours, and finishes.

When it comes to wall tiles, the trend towards wallpaper effects continues but now, rather than figurative botanicals, like roses, clematis or monstera deliciosa, the trend is towards more abstract patterns, and hand-drawn sketches.

In terms of pattern, the restrained curves and lines of Art Deco are still strong, but the standout shapes are KitKat tiles and round-edged flutes, like Reed by Sartoria. The overall trend toward smaller wall tile formats – 100 by 100mm, 100 by 300mm, 150 by 150mm, et al – shows no sign of abating. There were also some truly fantastic new 3D shapes from leading protagonists like Natucer, Cerasarda, and Decocer. I loved the design emerging from some of the smaller artisanal producers like Acquario Due, Barro, MaVi, Decorati Bassinesi, and Karo Istambul.

In terms of colour, rich grey blues, and sage green were both strong, but the go-to accent colour for 2027 looks set to be burgundy. This deep wine tone works well with the warmer stone-effect floor tiles, creating nurturing spaces that call out to consumers in these turbulent times.

This year pierced ceramic blocks or cobogo finally reached critical mass. A staple of Brazilian tiling, these hollow wall-filling elements, typically made out of clay or cement, enable increased airflow and light to enter the interior of a building. Diary of a Tile Addict has long championed these versatile pieces that can make a defining architectural feature in any bathroom or kitchen. It was great to see wonderful examples on WOW, Nanda Tiles, and several other stands. 

That apart, the best wall and splashback tiles to accompany next year’s top kitchen and bathroom designs were to be found on the Aparici, Cevica, Ceramica Vogue, Cifre, Fap Ceramiche, Fornace Sugaroni, Francesco De Maio Ceramica, and Revoir Paris stands. And finally, if you are really looking for something a bit different, the subtle metallic, textured tiles from Spanish producer InTheTile, manufactured using PVD, are utterly beautiful.
The next edition of Cersaie will be held in Bologna from 27th September to 1st October 2027.