2026 Luxury Surface Report
Who Was Surveyed Artistic Tile surveyed 35+ interior designers across the country to gather their insights on the current landscape and future directions of the natural stone slab and tile industry. Responses came from all over - New York, California, Texas, Florida, Illinois, and Georgia to name a few.
Noz Nozawa
Ahmad AbouZanat
Peti Lau
Daniel Chenin
Noz Design
Ahmad AbouZanat Studio
Pati Lau Design
Daniel Jospeh Chenin LLC
San Francisco, CA
New York, NY
Los Angeles, CA
Las Vegas, NV
The Natural Stone Renaissance The Numbers:
81.1%
have INCREASED their use of natural stone over the past 10 years
48.5%
75.8%
now incorporate stone in 76100% of their projects
use stone in over half of all projects
The Insight:
Natural stone is experiencing unprecedented growth with an 81% increase. Tile has also seen an increase - nearly two-thirds of designers (62%) reported using tile in more projects over the past 10 years.
The Natural Stone Renaissance What Designers Are Saying on the Shift Away From Man-Made Materials: "We have taken huge steps back in man made materials and seeing more value in natural. People have gotten away from the idea of everything looking shiny and new constantly." — Kristin Harrison, Georgia & Hunt
"I am finding that people want the warmth and natural feel of these materials and not the man made products. There is a sense of cold and sterile touch to man made. Clients want to really feel something when they are selecting materials for their home and are ok with the maintenance and patina." — Nadia Watts, Nadia Watts Interior Design
"We use more natural stone than engineered stone in our projects as we have learned more about the environmental and health implications that engineered stone pose to the environment and to the fabricators." — Liz Caan, Liz Caan & Co
Client Confidence is at An All-Time High The Numbers:
76.7%
report that over half of their clients request stone as a focal point
50% report that 76-100% of their clients specifically request stone features
75.7%
actively recommend stone and tile to their clients
The Insight:
The stigma around natural stone being "high-maintenance" or "fragile" is disappearing. Clients are embracing patina and the authentic character that comes with natural materials.
Client Confidence is at An All-Time High What Designers Are Saying on Changing Client Attitudes: "Education from the vendor as well as from us as designers has increased the confidence in clients to use natural stone. There was a period of time where it had a reputation of being a fragile, intimidating product. We love to help clients understand how to care for natural stone and find where makes sense for them to use it." — Caroline Brackett, Caroline Brackett Studio of Design
"People aren't concerned about keeping things 'perfectly newlooking'. Natural stone on countertops with an aged appearance has more depth and story." — Isabel Ladd, Isabel Ladd Interiors
Expanding Beyond Traditional Applications Top Exciting Applications Designers Mentioned:
Most Popular Rooms Beyond Kitchens & Baths:
Furniture incorporation: 15 designers
Foyer/Entry: 19 designers
Wall coverings/detailing: 9 designers
Outdoor Spaces: 10 designers
Flooring: 11 designers
Wine Cellars: 9 designers
Ceiling applications: 4 designers
Living Rooms: 9 designers
The Insight:
Stone is breaking free from its traditional kitchen and bathroom confines. Designers are using it as a sculptural element throughout the home - in furniture, architectural details, and unexpected spaces.
Expanding Beyond Traditional Applications What Designers are Saying on Future Trends: "I think we will see more interest in investing in custom mosaics and/or colorful tiles. It seems like people are growing tired of plain, neutral design choices in their home." — Caroline Brackett, Caroline Brackett Studio of Design "I anticipate stone slabs being used more extensively for integrated surfaces beyond kitchens and baths, particularly in living areas, fireplaces, and even furniture. The shift is toward creating continuous planes of material that blur the boundaries between architecture and interiors." Bureau Interior Design Quattro Stagioni Marble Slab
— Daniel Chenin, Daniel Joseph Chenin, LTD
Expanding Beyond Traditional Applications What Designers are Saying on New Applications: "We've seen an increase in decor accents or furniture pieces, such as side tables. It's a good way to make a statement with a bold natural stone without committing to a more permanent feature like a Kitchen countertop." — Caroline Brackett, Caroline Brackett Studio of Design
"I use a lot more slabs on wall surfaces and to create things like inset sinks and interesting backsplashes." — Jessica Davis, Atelier Davis Tiffany Skilling Interiors Botanic Green Quartize Slab
Honed is the Undisputed Champion Most Common Stone Finishes:
Honed 84.8% of surveyed designers
Leathered 42.4% of surveyed designers
Polished 21.2% of surveyed designers
The Insight:
The era of high-gloss polished stone is over. Designers overwhelmingly prefer the subtle, tactile quality of honed finishes, with leathered gaining traction as a secondary option.
What Drives Designers Decisions Top 5 Attributes That Influence Decision to Use Natural Stone:
Top 3 Values Designers Discuss Most With Clients:
1. Pricing: 24 mentions
Unique Aesthetic
2. Availability: 23 mentions
Timelessness/Resistance to Trends
3. Customization Capabilities: 22 mentions
Durability
4. Longevity: 22 mentions 5. Lead Time: 21 mentions The Insight:
While practical considerations like pricing and availability matter, designers emphasize the emotional and aesthetic qualities when selling natural stone to clients, such as uniqueness, timelessness, and lasting quality.
Colors in Focus: What Hues Are Being Used The Numbers:
White
Greens
Blues
Beige/ Browns
14 designers
14 designers
13 designers
13 designers
Pinks/ Reds 7 designers
The Insight:
What Designers Are Saying:
While white remains popular, designers report strong demand for colored stone— particularly greens and blues. Pinks and reds are emerging as bold accent choices.
"It has increased because there are more uniquely colored slabs available and tile has become far more artful and dynamic." — Erin Shakoor, Shakoor Interiors
The Future: Tile as Art What Designers Predict for Tile: "I think we will see a shift back to tile countertops in some areas." — Kristin Harrison, Georgia & Hunt "I hope large scale murals with very painterly and expressive imagery in small cut/mosaic tile." — Erin Shakoor, Shakoor Interiors "Feature walls in kitchens and baths instead of slabs all the time." — Rachael Grochowski, RHG Architecture + Design "More things done by hand to give spaces a feeling of uniqueness." Nikki Levy Interiors Dark Cherry Dizzy Plum Mosaic
— Michael Kreuser, Rebel House
The Future: Stone as Sculpture What Designers Predict for Stone: "In our practice we see natural stone slabs evolving from surface applications to architectural statements. We are using slabs as sculptural volumes, integrated furnishings, and defining elements that bring permanence and artistry to our projects." — Daniel Chenin, Daniel Joseph Chenin, LTD "More creative slab edge treatments: wall cladding, stone slab door openings, cladding for cabinetry doors and drawers, and cabinetry posts and columns." — Letecia Haywood, Letecia Ellis Haywood Interiors "I think the integrated sinks and stone tubs will take off in the next few years." — Brittany Lyons, Brittany Lyons Interiors
Greathouse NYC Blue Sky Dolomite Slab
Alternative Materials: When & Why Most Common Alternatives to Natural Stone Tile: Porcelain
Most Common Alternatives to Natural Stone Slab: Quartz
Primary reasons: durability, price point, maintenance
Primary reasons: durability, maintenance-free, stain resistance
Ceramic
Wood
Primary reasons: handmade quality, customization, aesthetics
Primary reasons: warmth, material variance
Terrazzo Primary reasons: mid-century appeal, versatility, color variety
The Insight:
Designers still use alternatives, but primarily for secondary spaces (kids' bathrooms, mudrooms, laundry rooms) or when budget constraints require it. Natural stone remains the preferred choice for primary, high-visibility spaces.
Alternative Materials: When & Why What Designers Are Saying on When They Choose to Use Alternative Options: "We use Quartz often in guest baths or kids' baths. Spaces where clients would rather have something less costly." — Caroline Brackett, Caroline Brackett Studio of Design
"It depends on the client's lifestyle and how the space will be used. For example, if it's a second home, we tend to select porcelain or quartz materials." — Letecia Haywood, Letecia Ellis Haywood Interiors
"Usually due to overall cost and needing to make sure the most prominent areas of the house feature more luxury finishes like natural stone." — Erin Shakoor, Shakoor Interiors
The Design Statement: Seamless Customization Most Common Customizations:
Size/Scale Most frequently mentioned
Pattern/Layout Second most common
Edge Detailing Third Most Common
Special Shapes Growing interest
Waterjet Design Emerging trend
The Insight:
Designers value stone for its ability to create seamless, grout-free expanses that feel luxurious and modern. The trend is toward larger slabs, dramatic veining, and custom edge details.
Conclusion The data reveals a clear trajectory: natural stone is not just holding its ground, it's expanding into new territories and winning over clients who once feared its maintenance requirements. Designers are using stone more boldly, more creatively, and in more spaces than ever before. The material is transitioning from a functional surface to a design statement - a sculptural element that brings authenticity, permanence, and artistry to interiors. As one designer eloquently summarized the shift: "Natural materials aren’t going anywhere. I think saturated color and unique patterns that feel authentic will continue to be the drive to curate special spaces for clients." — Michele Plachter, Michele Plachter Design Punch World Studio Breccia Scoppio Marble Slab