Interiors with a difference: 5 ways to unlock the ‘Playful Luxe’ aesthetic

Gone are the days of cookie-cutter minimalism as designers embrace their full creative potential with playful, out-of-the-ordinary spaces that bend the rules of convention.

‘Playful Luxe’ is the aesthetic on the rise, blending rich materials with offbeat palettes and unexpected details that bring interiors back to life. It’s all about injecting joy and charm without compromising on style - think rich stone and terrazzo, wavy silhouettes, and vibrant (yet balanced) pops of colour in all the right places.

With this in mind, we explore five of our most playful tile collections, each perfect for injecting personality into commercial and residential interiors alike.

Colour blocking is having a moment – and few combinations make an impact quite like vibrant yellow and bold blue. Although opposite each other on the colour wheel, the two create a contrast that’s both eye-catching and surprisingly refined when done right: bright, confident, and full of character.

Milano is our go-to for embracing these head-turning pairings. Showcasing various tones that draw inspiration from the vibrancy of the natural world, and multiple size formats, the designs can be used side-by-side to create standout feature walls and floors, or to zone open-plan spaces with purpose.

As interiors become more sensory-friendly and texture comes to the fore, tactile materials can help create deeper, more engaging environments that stimulate both sight and touch. And when it comes to ‘Playful Luxe’, combining luxury finishes with raw, natural textures adds an unexpected edge.

Padma Stone is a bold reinterpretation of natural Negresco stone, known for its striking veining and dramatic presence. It’s a great way to bring the vibrancy of the great outdoors in, while still maintaining an elegant, high-end look. Layer it with contrasting finishes – like brushed metal or soft velvet – for a rich, multi-dimensional effect.

Pattern is a playful design language all of its own. Whether it’s nostalgic motifs, geometric layouts, or unexpected tile combinations, it allows you to craft interiors that tell a visual story.

This is what makes our award-winning South Bank one of our favourite collections for playful interiors. This versatile collection of slim-format tiles is made for limitless creative expression, offering a palette of modern colours and a modular format ideal for mixing and matching. Use it to form chevrons, stripes or more abstract layouts that add rhythm and movement to walls – the possibilities are endless.

Natural doesn’t have to mean neutral. From swirling marble to speckled granite, organic materials bring a sense of drama that’s grounded in the real. These textures do the talking – bold by nature and perfect for creating interiors that feel both tactile and visually dynamic.

Ottawa taps into the beauty of nature’s imperfections, echoing the fragments that make limestone, granite, and marble so captivating. Its refined stone-effect surface captures delicate patterning and tonal variation, giving it a lively, almost painterly feel. Ideal as a standout feature in luxury hospitality or a bathroom scheme with a bit more bite, it offers a more expressive spin on biophilic design.

Colour drenching – the idea of committing fully to a single bold hue – is an easy way to dial up impact while keeping things cohesive. It works especially well in smaller spaces, where colour continuity can help create a wrapped-up, cocooning feel.

With green interiors still going strong, pairing Prismatics Olive with Verso Sage is a fresh take that brings depth without overwhelming the space. Layering these two tones creates a refined yet playful palette – perfect for kitchens, bathrooms, or commercial cafes that want to stand out while staying effortlessly put together.

Stay up-to-date with what’s trending in the world of design by following us on social media – or visit the product pages linked above to order a free sample and explore each collection in detail.