The 'biggest' trends at Cersaie 2023: Marvellous Maximalism

September has been dubbed an unmissable month for discovering design’s best in class, and for good reason. Cersaie boasted a grand showcase with over 633 exhibitors hailing from around the world, welcoming 99,319 international delegates.

Marking the exhibition's 40th Anniversary, visitors were invited to journey down Route 40. The unique circuit highlighted the significant shifts in culture, society, design, and production that have influenced the ceramic industry over the past four decades.

Each year, our Design team travels to Bologna in search of the latest interior trends to help inform our creative process, and share inspiration from across the design world with our customers.

Senior Designer, Amy Pears, commented on this year's event; “Maximalist interiors are packed full of personality, replacing simplicity with standout textures, patterns, and contrasting colour palettes that command attention. From monumental marbles to grand greens, this year’s Cersaie exhibitors certainly delivered a feast for the eyes.”

You can find a full breakdown of Amy’s top trends from Cersaie by downloading our full Trend Report here or keep reading to see which larger-than-life interiors made the list!

Surface elevation and intricate detailing were two prominent themes at this year’s event, both of which can be used to create the illusion of added depth.

Thanks to pioneering 4D printing technology, manufacturers are able to replicate natural patterns onto the tile finish, leaving surfaces looking more realistic and therefore, more visually appealing. Techniques including structure, gloss, matt and ink-jet printing were scattered throughout the event halls.

Get the effect with Savoy’s stylish geometric structured tiles - perfect for mastering contemporary maximalism.

Nothing says “all eyes on me” like marbles, so it’s no surprise that they stole the spotlight at Cersaie. Predominantly showcased in large-style formats and set against bold, deep backdrops of black and white, the extreme visual contrast only amplified the surface’s dynamic vein detailing - creating a focal point worth looking at.

Ranging from timeless Carrara marbles (see page 11) to lavish Bookmatch styles (on page 13), this trend suits any and all design briefs.

If you are looking for a marble design without the large budget, then the stunning Luxx tile collection ticks all the boxes. Featuring a range of striking patterns in large format and mosaic sizes, the porcelain marble-effect tiles invite extravagant experimentation - all in the name of maximalism.

Alongside bold patterns and intricate textures, designer Amy also spotted a number of colour palettes and colour blocking techniques emerging. Warm browns, serene blues and rich shades of green were cascaded across a versatile mix of applications and finishes.

Amy Pears added; “The expressive tones captured the essence of the Maximal Pigment trend - a theme we identified in the fifth issue of Tile Trace earlier this year.”

“Green hues in particular stood out as a firm favourite in the world of design. Incorporating soothing sage and royal emerald, these tones infuse spaces with vibrant character while simultaneously rekindling a connection with the natural world - making them a crucial element in the Maximal Pigment aesthetic.”

Trial out the transformative effects of a powerful palette inspired by mother nature with Verso glazed porcelain tiles in glossy Green or majestic Mint. Alternatively, experiment with colour blocking, using contrasting shades from our Kerastar collection such as Olive, Lime, and Fern to create a head-turning feature wall.