In the vibrant commercial design world, tile stands out for its durability, aesthetic appeal, and versatility. When used strategically, ceramic, porcelain, glass, and stone tiles can transform any commercial space, from hotel lobbies and board rooms to shopping mall bathrooms and restaurant kitchens, into an environment that enhances functionality while aligning with brand identity.
The following is a comprehensive guide that will explore the diverse ways tiles can be used in retail spaces, multi-family residential complexes, corporate offices, and restaurants, as well as key commercial tile trends and considerations for 2025.
Diversity of Commercial Projects
Among the thousands of different finishes available for commercial spaces, tiling is one of the most popular choices for commercial designers, and with good cause. The benefits that tiles bring to any commercial setting are plentiful. Yet, what truly sets them apart is the vast selection of design ideas and tile options, making them a standout choice in any commercial environment, including the following.
Retail
Whether a single store or a nationwide chain, crafting a visually appealing and inviting commercial space is critical to attracting and keeping customers. Tiles offer a variety of design solutions to achieve this.
- Flooring: Commercial grade floor tiles, whether modern and sleek or textured and rustic, are essential in establishing the overarching ambiance of retail space. Upscale trendy boutiques might opt for polished marble–style tiles, while budget-conscious retailers may opt for a more simple yet equally stylish porcelain floor tile.
- Accent Walls: Commercial wall tiles are ideal for creating breathtaking retail settings. Vibrant colors, 3D designs, and bold patterns can draw attention to specific merchandise or highlight key store areas.
Multi-Family Residential Complexes
From apartments and condos to duplexes and student housing, tiles can serve various functions, adding unprecedented style and practicality to these commercial spaces.
- Entryways and Hallways: One of the reasons tile flooring is most often used in halls and entryways is because it is durable and can withstand heavy foot traffic. It’s easy to clean and ideal for high-use commercial areas that may also see pet traffic.
- Bathrooms: Commercial bathroom tiles remain a popular go-to because they are visually appealing, thanks to their variety of colors and hygienic properties, while remaining budget-friendly. Using porcelain floor tiles in commercial bathroom flooring makes conveying the space's aesthetic easy.
- Outdoor Spaces: Weather-resistant flooring is an excellent option for shared commercial outdoor areas such as patios, balconies, and outdoor communal kitchens.
Corporate Spaces
Corporate offices have a completely different set of priorities regarding design. Their focus is on creating professional environments that increase productivity and exude sophistication.
- Lobbies: It’s the reception area that generates the first impression of a corporate office. Selecting neutral tiles instead of heavy carpeting establishes a welcoming and professional environment.
- Restrooms: In-office restrooms require commercial-grade bathroom floor tile. You can create a professional and polished look by incorporating neutral tones or one of the newest bathroom trends.
Restaurants
Restaurant tiles are often used throughout this commercial space thanks to their durability, versatility, ease of cleaning, and ability to withstand heavy traffic and spills.
- Flooring: One of the most common mistakes when selecting kitchen tile flooring is selecting something unsuitable for the commercial environment. In the case of a restaurant where the flooring is exposed to heavy foot traffic, frequent spills, dropped dishes, and wine glasses, one of the best materials for kitchen flooring tiles is porcelain. This type of tile is easy to fix or replace, more durable than ceramic, and easy to clean as a restaurant floor.
- Backsplashes, Counters, and Walls: From commercial kitchen wall tiles and ceramic countertops to the perfect kitchen backsplash, opportunities to use this covering throughout a restaurant abound. In a busy environment like this, all surfaces take a beating. That’s why commercial kitchen tiles are so popular, from the entry and dining area to the back of the house and beyond.
Challenges and Key Considerations for Selecting Tile
Branding
Branding is essential for establishing and communicating the identity of commercial spaces. With their vast array of shapes, patterns, and colors, tiles can act as a medium mirroring a brand’s image. From the wood-like flooring of a luxury brand to the eclectic designs featuring mosaic tiles of a trendy fashion retailer, commercial tiles play an essential role in capturing and conveying a business's essence.
Aesthetics
When selecting the best bathroom or unique kitchen floor tiles for a commercial project, choose neutral, timeless designs that won’t go out of style so quickly. As always, select tiles that complement the decor and aesthetics of your industrial space.
Durability
If you’re designing the entryway of an office lobby or medical center, you must consider how much foot traffic the space will endure. You’ll want to select durable floor tiles resistant to stains, moisture, and scratches. Select materials that can withstand your industrial space's daily wear, tear, and heavy foot traffic.
Maintenance
Selecting tile backsplashes and commercial flooring requires you to consider low-maintenance tiles. You’re looking for easy-to-clean backsplash tiles that are straightforward to install and replace.
Slip Resistant
Safety is among the most significant factors when choosing commercial bathroom flooring or restaurant kitchen floor tiles. Slip-resistant floor tiles and anti-microbial wall tiles are some of the best choices for commercial spaces.
Affordability
Whether you are looking for bathroom floor tiles for a commercial gym or a unique backsplash idea for a new Mediterranean restaurant, consider your budget and choose materials that offer long-lasting value. Nothing frustrates a client faster than selecting a beautiful commercial kitchen floor tile that is ten times over their suggested budget.
Application
You wouldn’t want to select vinyl flooring for a doctor’s office or hardwood instead of tile flooring for a restaurant. That’s why it’s essential to consider where you’re installing your commercial tiles. If installing a new restaurant floor tile, refer to our floor tile buying guide. Or, if you’ve been tasked with installing a heated floor in a new and cutting-edge spa, remember to review the most common floor tile problems to avoid before starting the project.
Think about the nature of the commercial space and the image your client wants to project. A dentist’s office would benefit from a different tile than a candy shop.
Size & Quantity
Another consideration to make when choosing tiles for commercial projects is size. Selecting the wrong size can cause significant delays in the construction or building process because your contractors must return the incorrect ones and wait for the right ones to arrive.
We recommend ordering 10% more tiles than you need at Oasis Tile. This is crucial because, depending on your project, you’ll probably be fitting the commercial tile around light switches and electrical outlets as examples.
Finish
From matte finish commercial bathroom flooring to glossy restaurant tiles for an exotic kitchen backsplash concept, there are many different finishes. Navigating these tile finishes can be complex, especially when the tile categories are not cut and dry. Some tile finishes will shine when installed on walls, while others only reach their full potential when used as commercial porcelain tile in a high-traffic area.
Key Trends in Commercial Tiles for 2025
Oversized Tiles
Large-format tiles are one of the top trends for commercial spaces in 2025. Choices like our Sahara Noir White Polished Porcelain Tile can help create a seamless and minimalist aesthetic. The aim is to create fluidity in larger commercial spaces, such as hotel lobbies or entrances in office buildings. These larger format commercial floor tiles make spaces feel more expansive. They also have logistical advantages because they require fewer grout lines, making them easier to clean and maintain.
Biophilic Design
From incorporating natural light and plants to adding water features or living moss walls, the popularity of biophilic design is expected to remain popular in commercial spaces in 2025. Biophilic design incorporates natural elements into the built environment to improve the health, well-being, and productivity of those who use the space. Our Aquaterra White Brick Terrazzo Shell-Polished Tile, and Hexagon Wooden Beige Polished Stone tile are ideal for achieving a biophilic aesthetic.
Geometric Tile
Geometric commercial tile features simple repeating shapes such as squares, triangles, hexagons, circles, and other polygonal forms. For example, they create visually striking patterns for backsplashes against white cabinets when used as commercial kitchen tile. The precision of our Geometric Calm Camouflage Green Porcelain Tile opens the door to endless commercial design possibilities. Depending on the arrangement, they can either make a bold statement or a more fluid design, ranging from symmetrical patterns to abstract, freeform layouts.
Three-Dimension Walls
Unlike personal homes, interior designers, architects, and similar professionals often have free reign to use bold 3D wall tiles in commercial spaces to create jaw-dropping, dynamic, colorful, and textured looks. Examples include our 3D Penny Round Gun Metal Tile if you want to add texture and interest to walls without sacrificing functionality.
Shop Commercial Grade Tile at Oasis
Tiles remain among the most popular and practical choices for commercial projects thanks to their versatility, functionality, and ability to create visually appealing spaces. As 2025 approaches, trends, including oversized tiles, biophilic design, and geometric patterns, will continue to drive innovation in the commercial tile industry. Whether designing a modern corporate office, a vibrant retail space, or a high-traffic restaurant, our wide range of tiles at Oasis ensures that your project will stand the test of time in function and form. With careful consideration regarding branding, durability, and aesthetic appeal, our selection of tiles at Oasis can help you align your commercial space with your design goals.
What are you waiting for? Order your tile samples for your commercial project today!
