How to Incorporate Trendy Yet Classic Zellige Tile into Your Décor

Interior design blogs and Instagram are having a heyday over Zellige tile — hand-cut, glazed Moroccan tiles that act more as art than tile accents. You may be wondering how you can embrace this unique look in your home. Here’s what you need to know about one of this year’s biggest design trends.

What is Zellige tile?

Sometimes referred to as the ancestor of subway tile, Zellige tiles have been around since the 10th century. But, unlike its modern cousin, each tile is hand-moulded, hand-cut, and hand-glazed, which means no two tiles are exactly alike. The idea is that each Zellige tile is perfectly imperfect.

In order for a tile to be considered authentic Zellige, it must be made in Morocco, where artisans have passed down the artistic trade from generation to generation.

Where can Zellige tiles be used?

Some of the more popular applications are baths and showers, bar areas, and accent walls where the tile’s unique colours can reflect pops of light.

Zellige is easy to clean and doesn’t show soap scum like other tiles might, making it a good option for bathrooms and kitchens. However, the uneven texture of the tiles can make them trickier to wipe down.

How hard is it to install?

The installation often requires the handiwork of a professional, ideally someone who has experience installing handcrafted tiles because of the imperfect nature of the pieces. Blending the tiles, in both colour and size, is important to achieve that sought-after designer look.

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