The international ceramics show in Bologna, Italy, yielded an array of directional trends.
As part of its mission to bring the world of design to its membership, the NKBA attended the CERSAIE show in Bologna, Italy, in September in search of the latest directions in color, surfacing and bathroom furnishings for the year ahead.
CERSAIE, the International Exhibition of Ceramic Tile and Bathroom Furnishings, is an annual expo promoted by Confindustria Ceramica, an NKBA Global Connect Strategic Alliance Partner, in collaboration with BolognaFiere SpA and organized by EDI.CER. Spa — Soc. Unipersonale. The fair marked its 41st edition, drawing 95,000 registrants — half of them international — to the 1.5 million square-foot exhibition space. More than 600 exhibitors from 25 countries showcased their newest wares.
Numerous NKBA members, including participants in the NKBA Global Connect Business Development program, which unites the world of K&B design across continents, exhibited at the fair. Among them were Infinity Surfaces, Grespania, and Vitra.
Key emerging trends included:
- Textured ceramics
- Handmade artisanal ceramics
- Design connected with nature
- Creative booth design that is interactive and functional for cafes and restaurants
- Unique shapes for bathroom furnishings.
Here’s a snapshot of the looks discovered at CERSAIE. Click each photo to learn more about the design:
The next edition of CERSAIE takes place Sept. 22 to 26, 2025, in Bologna, Italy. More info here.
The Global Connect Program
The Global Connect program offers important benefits to international companies that want to explore ways to break into the North American market. Included in the core membership is access to NKBA | KBIS’ extensive market research covering key topics from overall and category-specific design trends to economic data, market outlooks, quarterly reports on the current state of the industry, and much more.
Members receive the NKBA | KBIS discount to participate at KBIS and join the NKBA | KBIS Delegation Program. Global Connect will have a significant presence at North America’s largest and most comprehensive expo devoted to kitchens and bath design and remodeling. These include country-specific pavilions, kiosks spotlighting individual brands, the International Design Trail highlighting Global Connect brands throughout the show, and the International Delegation Program, which offers guidance to new attendees and provides opportunities to network and make the most of the KBIS experience.
Register here to join the International Delegation Program.
Additional member benefits and opportunities for brand development are also included. For example, members receive access to a team of Global Connect Advisors, industry experts who consult on design, distribution, compliance, finance and business strategy including a Business Development Roadmap to define high-level considerations for doing business in the North American K&B industry as well as an annual business development review.
For information on how to join Global Connect and explore building a business in North America, visit the NKBA website and click on Global Connect, or nkba.org/global-connect-landing.