Delft Tiles Make a Stylish Comeback, Say Designers

These historic Dutch tiles are finding new life in modern home designs.

Mar. 10, 2026 at 11:46pm

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Delft tiles, the classic blue-and-white patterned tiles originating from the Netherlands, are making a comeback in home design according to interior designers. Designers note that the hand-painted character and sense of history behind delft tiles are appealing to homeowners looking for design elements with personality and craftsmanship. While delft tiles have traditionally been used in bathrooms and kitchens, designers are now incorporating them in unconventional ways, like covering a kitchen range, to bring a modern touch to this historic tile style.

Why it matters

The renewed interest in delft tiles reflects a broader trend of homeowners seeking out design choices that feel more authentic and human-made in an increasingly digital world. Designers say the imperfections and hand-crafted quality of delft tiles provide a grounding, poetic element to interior spaces.

The details

Delft tiles are typically white with hand-painted blue motifs, though some suppliers now offer options in other color schemes beyond the classic blue-and-white. Designers are using delft tiles in unconventional ways, such as covering a kitchen range, to bring a modern interpretation to this historic tile style. The tiles' subtle patterns allow the architecture to shine while introducing a layer of history and character.

  • Delft tiles have been around for centuries, originating in the Netherlands.
  • Designers say there is a renewed interest in delft tiles in recent years.

The players

Sherrell Neal

A Houston-based interior designer who believes the "old-world authenticity" and "hand-painted character" of delft tiles bring depth and narrative to interior spaces.

Britt Zunino

A designer at Studio DB in New York who says there is a renewed interest in "craftsmanship and story in design" that delft tiles embody.

Damian Zunino

The co-founder and principal of Studio DB in New York, who says delft tiles' sense of history feels "grounding" in a world increasingly focused on technology.

Royal Delft

A tile purveyor that sells delft tiles in color schemes beyond the traditional blue-and-white, including green and yellow.

The Dutch Tile Project

A company that carries delft tiles with quirky, food-themed motifs.

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What they’re saying

“It feels storied, artistic, and far more expressive than traditional glazed, solid-colored tiles. Their hand-painted character brings depth and narrative to the interior space.”

— Sherrell Neal, Interior Designer

“Each [tile] carries the hand of the artist and a sense of history that feels grounding.”

— Damian Zunino, Co-founder and Principal, Studio DB

“We love how this 17th-century tradition is being reimagined with a modern lens. It's a reminder that character and imperfection are what make a space feel human.”

— Britt Zunino, Designer, Studio DB

The takeaway

The resurgence of delft tiles reflects a broader trend of homeowners seeking out design elements that feel authentic, hand-crafted, and imbued with a sense of history - a refreshing counterpoint to the increasingly digital and mass-produced nature of modern life.