Pia’s Picks: why I’m moving my tiles outside
1/4/2026
Translation: Jessica Johnson-Ferguson
I’m sure you regularly clean tiles. But have you ever admired them? They clad bathroom walls, cover kitchen floors and line shower cubicles – reliably, unobtrusively and mainly forgotten. You know what? They’d actually be much better off outdoors.
I first saw this trend at exhibitions back in 2023. Design studios were tiling tables, stools and lamps – pushing ceramics out of the shadows and into the limelight. That trend is now moving outdoors. Tiled garden tables don’t feel like a fad, but rather like a long-overdue change.
The wrong room
By nature, tiles are scratch-, impact- and stain-resistant. In Lisbon, this has been common knowledge for centuries. There, «Azulejos» cover entire building facades exposed to the elements. The material doesn’t fade in the sun nor does it warp when wet. It’s made for the outdoors. And yet, we’ve kept it locked away in our bathrooms and kitchens for decades in these parts.
Craft at its finest
Kave Homes’ Maurina tables are a great example of outdoor ceramics. Yonoh Studio designed the tabletop as a mosaic of geometric tiles. The duo Clara del Portillo and Alex Selma from Valencia describe their style as «Scandinavian purity [...], but with a little Mediterranean daring.» A phrase that couldn’t be more fitting for this table series. The steel frame is galvanised, the legs have plastic caps to protect all types of flooring and the models can be combined, which is handy if you have a small balcony.
Source: Kave Home
Source: Kave Home
The Dendi table series from Am.Pm takes things a step further. It combines a frame made of eucalyptus plywood with hand-laid ceramic tiles.
Because each tile is laid individually, no two are alike. This stands out much more on a balcony or terrace than on a bathroom floor. Sunscreen, red wine, a spilled glass – the surface remains undamaged.
Made entirely of ceramic
These designs remind me of Devin Wilde’s work. The New York artist makes furniture entirely out of ceramic. His style is a blend of classical architecture, Art Deco and postmodern influences; his glazing reminiscent of oxidised metal and weathered stone. In an interview with Wallpaper Magazine, Wilde, who studied architecture at Stanford University, says that he appreciates the design and technical challenge of keeping the forms stable and proportionate and that «there’s a lot happening under the hood». Although his are indoor pieces, they provide a glimpse of where things might be headed.
Take the Mesquida series from Kave Home, for example. With tables made of cement and terrazzo with an enamel finish, it’s definitely more suited to balconies and everyday life. It’s also available in several shapes and colours. Each piece has a slightly different texture and porosity, so two never look exactly the same. This really comes into its own outdoors, where light and shadow make the surface look different all the time.
Perhaps it’s time to re-imagine the tile. As a material for outdoor furniture that works better outdoors than it ever could indoors. Not to mention how aesthetically pleasing tiles they are. Don’t worry, your bathroom won’t be jealous. After all, it’s already equipped with ceramic tiles.
Header image: Kave Home
Pia Seidel
Senior Editor
Pia.Seidel@digitecgalaxus.chLike a cheerleader, I love celebrating good design and bringing you closer to everything furniture- and interior design- related. I regularly curate simple yet sophisticated interior ideas, report on trends and interview creative minds about their work.
Opinion
This is a subjective opinion of the editorial team. It doesn't necessarily reflect the position of the company.
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