Smarter Surfaces for Learning: How Tile Supports Educational Spaces

Durability Meets Design

From crowded hallways to bustling cafeterias, school interiors experience constant foot traffic. Porcelain tile withstands daily wear while maintaining its beautiful look year after year. It’s easy to clean and built to perform—without sacrificing design impact

Argent 2.0™

Argent 2.0 porcelain floor and wall tile draws inspiration from the natural world, imbuing the classic Argent stone with a softened aesthetic that serves as a subtle, tonal sanctuary, grounding us in a more peaceful state of mind. Moving away from the bold hues of its predecessor, Argent 2.0 embraces a palette conducive to learning, exploration, and introspection

Color as a Learning Tool

Color has always played a powerful role in educational facility design. Bright, energizing tones spark creativity in art rooms and “makerspaces,” while soft, calming neutrals encourage focus in classrooms and libraries.

Color Perspectives

Bold, playful color makes learning spaces come alive. Crossville’s Color Perspectives™ glossy 4×12 bevel wall tiles add dimension, durability, and energy to education design.

Education facility designers don’t underestimate the impact of color on students’ mood, attention span, and motivation to learn. They know the colors they select for school environments can influence mood, behavior, and cognitive performance. When designers select colors for areas dedicated to learning, exploration, and introspection, they consider each space’s psychological impacts and intended uses.

Our  tile collections, like Argent 2.0, Agent 2.5, Color by Numbers™, Color Perspectives, and Color Blox™, offer broad color palettes to give designers freedom to create environments that align with each space’s purpose.

Wayfinding is essential in schools where students, staff, and visitors need clear direction. By using patterns, shapes, or bold color contrasts, designers can use tile to create intuitive guides throughout corridors, entries, and gathering spaces—improving flow and accessibility while adding visual interest.

Argent 2.5™ Porcelain Tile

With the same, softened Argent stone aesthetic of Argent 2.0, Argent 2.5 porcelain floor and wall tile brings a vibrant energy and bold expression to educational spaces.

Educational Spaces that Support Wellness and Sustainability

Healthy, sustainable environments are a priority in education design. Porcelain tile supports wellness by being free from VOCs, PVC, and plastic. The non-porous and hard surface of porcelain tile is hygienic, preventing the accumulation of dust mites, pet dander, mold spores, and other allergens. This impermeable nature of tile doesn’t support microbial growth, particularly mold.

While all porcelain and ceramic tile is inherently green, all of Crossville’s Tennessee-manufactured porcelain tile collections are Green Squared certified, and five porcelain collections are carbon neutral. These designations help designers meet sustainability goals while creating fresh, inviting spaces filled with natural light and clean materials.

School Spaces that are Flexible and Ready for the Future

Schools require adaptable solutions, including spaces that can transition seamlessly from classroom to collaboration zone or from cafeteria to event space. Tile’s versatility makes it an ideal surfacing choice for multi-use areas, restrooms, and even outdoor courtyards, ensuring optimal performance across every part of the campus.

In modern education design, every detail contributes to a stronger learning experience. With its balance of durability, design versatility, and sustainability, porcelain and ceramic tile is helping schools create smarter surfaces for today—and tomorrow.

Great schools start with great design choices. Visit Crossville.com to explore our full range of porcelain tile collections and request free tile samples—the first step in shaping inspiring spaces for students and educators alike.