Zellige tiles are beautiful hand-made tiles that come from Morocco. Funny that we’re pretty much just discovering these beauties because they’ve actually been around since before the 14th century. Zellige tiles are made out of non-refined natural clay which is extracted in the region of Fez (Morocco). When laid, they have a breathtaking undulating surface that almost looks like the surface of a rippling pond.
Moroccan tiles are used inside and outside, on floors, walls, and on water treatments like pools and fountains. Zellige come in a variety of colors and finishes, which you’ll see yourself below. Zellige tiles feature hand-made appearance (which gives them a luxurious feel), a large color variation (which makes it possible to use them in many spaces), rippled surface, sometimes cracks (this is about a unique look), crazed glaze, pits and chippy edges and there’s a variation in thickness of tile.
A beautiful modern kitchen with light-stained cabinets, white stone countertops, a white Zellige tile backsplash.
A beautiful vintage white kitchen with gold fixtures and a gorgeous white Zellige tile backsplash that adds shine, interest and texture.
A bold bathroom with shiny electric blue Zellige tiles, a star print tile floor, a clawfoot tub and a bold printed curtain.
A chic bathroom with white furniture and appliances and lovely pink and tan Zellige tiles covering the walls in the bathing space and giving it a soft and warming glow.
A beautiful modern bathroom with a dusty pink vanity, wall and curtain, white Zellige tiles and gold fixtures.
A chic contemporary bathroom clad with light grey and neutral zellige tiles, with a neutral shower curtain and a black vanity.
A clean white kitchen with plain cabinetry and white stone countertops, a white Zellige tile backsplash and light-stained open shelves.
A contemporary kitchen with stained cabinets, white stone countertops, white zellige tiles on the backsplash, a black hood.
Anywhere you would normally place tile, you can use Zellige tiles: backsplashes, walls, floors – anywhere you want. Obviously uneven surfaces like such tiles are always a little trickier to wipe down and keep clean. But the other factor with keeping Zellige clean and stain-free is that depending on your situation and use, you may need to periodically reseal your tiles. If you seal your tiles properly, then Zellige tiles require minimal maintenance and only require a mild pH-neutral soap for cleaning (don’t use funky chemical cleaning sprays). Not a huge ordeal, but definitely something to keep in mind if you are considering having them or not.
A dreamy and airy bathroom with green Zellige tiles on the walls, grey tiles on the floor, a floating vanity and an arched mirror.
A gorgeous bathroom with a vintage feel, with neutral Zellige tiles, a terrazzo sink, a white stone countertop and brass fixtures.
A grey kitchen with a neutral Zellige tile backsplash, a white stone countertop and pendant lamps is chic and lovely.
A light-stained kitchen with a black Zellige tile backsplash, an open shelf and a white sink plus black bulbs hanging.
A modern bathroom clad with tan, blush and grey narrow Zellige tiles, a shower space, an oval tub and potted plants.
A modern bathroom fully clad with green Zellige tiles, with a black tiled shelf and neutral fixtures is chic.
A modern bathroom with a dark concrete part with a white metal tub and a shower space clad with green and blue Zellige tiles.
A modern contrasting kitchen with sleek white cabinets, black countertops, a white Zellige tile backsplash and open shelves.
A modern stone blue kitchen with shaker style cabinets and grey stone countertops, gold fixtures and a potted plant is amazing.
These tiles are meant to wear over time – it’s part of their beauty and charm, but, if you don’t seal your tiles, they will stain easily and then you will likely not be happy. Again, it depends on where and how the tiles are being used. A high traffic, greasy kitchen backsplash versus a hardly-used guest bathroom are two very different scenarios. Still hesitating over taking these tiles for your home or not? Then take a look at more ideas below and get inspired to use some Zellige tiles in your bathrooms and kitchens!
A neutral bathroom with a shower space clad with grey Zellige tiles, with a bathtub space done with grey marble is wow.
A neutral bathroom with bathing spaces clad with green Zellige tiles and the rest of the space done with usual white ones.
A refined bathroom clad with neutral and pastel Zellige tiles in the shower, with a curved space divider and a floating wooden vanity.
A refined neutral bathroom clad with neutral Zellige tiles all over, an oval tub and black fixtures for a super modern feel.
A stylish bathroom with a black Zellige tile wall, a black vanity, a rectangular mirror, a pendant lamp and a grey stone sink.
A stylish green kitchen with shaker style cabinets, white stone countertops, a neutral Zellige tile backsplash and gold fixtures.
A vintage kitchen with white shaker style cabinets, white stone countertops, an open shelf, some art and a white Zellige tile backsplash.
A vintage kitchen with white Zellige tiles and a planked floor, a neutral vanity and a grey kitchen island, a long stained open shelf instead of cabinets.
A vintage space with white wainscoting and neutral Zellige tiles, a reclaimed wood kitchen island and an open shelf, some art and blooms.
A wabi-wabi kitchen with open cabinetry, a reclaimed wooden beam covering the hood, concrete countertops and a neutral Zellige tile backsplash.
An elegant dove grey kitchen with shaker style cabinets, white stone countertops, a neutral Zellige tile backsplash and brass fixtures.
An elegant stone blue bathroom with a matching vanity, a blue Zellige tile backsplash, an oval mirror and cool brass sconces.
Cane, wood, Zellige tiles and concrete countertops make the kitchen look catchy and interesting due to the textures.