Large format, book-matched marble, zellige, and terrazzo are reshaping UAE interiors. Our lead tiler breaks down what clients are asking for and why.
The UAE interior design market moves quickly — and tile choices are one of the fastest-evolving elements of any interior. After fitting hundreds of projects across Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah in the past year, our team has clear visibility of what is trending and why.
Large Format Slabs: The Dominant Choice
Large format porcelain slabs (120x60cm, 120x120cm, and even 120x240cm) have become the dominant choice for luxury UAE interiors. The visual impact of fewer grout lines and the perception of expanded space makes them particularly popular for hotel lobbies, villa living rooms, and high-end apartment bathrooms.
Book-Matched Marble: Luxury Elevated
Book-matching — where adjacent marble slabs are mirrored to create a symmetrical veining pattern — has moved from hotel-exclusive to mainstream luxury residential. The Calacatta and Statuario marbles remain the most popular choices, but we are seeing increased interest in more dramatic options like Noir Saint Laurent (black with gold veining) and Onyx panels for feature walls.
Zellige: Artisanal Revival
Handmade Moroccan zellige tiles — with their irregular surfaces and rich, varied colours — have become extremely popular for kitchen splashbacks, bathroom niches, and feature walls. They add a sense of artisanal authenticity that polished large-format tiles cannot replicate.
Terrazzo: From Retro to Premium
Terrazzo has completed its revival and is now firmly positioned as a premium material. Large-chip versions in dramatic colourways are appearing in lobbies, restaurants, and retail spaces. Both cast-in-place and tile formats are popular depending on the application.