Decorative tiles occupy a unique position in interior design: they are functional surfaces that also carry the full aesthetic weight of a room. A plain bathroom becomes extraordinary when the right tile is introduced. A kitchen splashback becomes a piece of art. A hallway floor becomes a statement. Here is how to use them well.
Why Decorative Tiles Matter
Unlike paint or wallpaper, tiles are permanent. They set the tone of a room for the life of the property. That permanence should encourage careful thought — but it should not encourage timidity. Rooms with bold tile choices are remembered; rooms with safe choices are not.
The most enduring tile choices have one thing in common: they look handmade. The subtle irregularities of a hand-pressed zellige, the variation in a hand-painted Portuguese azulejo, the surface texture of a traditional encaustic tile — these qualities age beautifully precisely because they were made by human hands. Browse the Artevaris tiles collection and the Moroccan collection for artisan tile options.
Types of Decorative Tile
Moroccan zellige: Hand-cut from fired clay and covered in a glaze that is deliberately imperfect. The variation in colour, texture and dimension across a zellige surface creates depth that machine-made tiles cannot replicate. Use zellige as a feature wall in a bathroom, a kitchen splashback, or a shower enclosure.
Hand-painted ceramic: Mediterranean and Delft-inspired painted ceramics bring colour and narrative to a wall. Best used as a feature zone rather than full-room coverage — a panel behind a kitchen range, or a decorative border in a bathroom.
Encaustic: Cement-based tiles with colour pressed through the body of the tile, not just the surface. They are matte, tactile and extraordinarily durable. Geometric encaustic tiles work beautifully on floors — hallways, kitchens and bathrooms. See our Moroccan décor in the modern home guide.
Glazed terracotta: Warm, earthy and Mediterranean in character. Large-format glazed terracotta tiles on a kitchen or bathroom floor bring immediate warmth and weight to a space.
Where to Use Decorative Tiles
Bathroom: The most natural home for decorative tiles. Consider: a zellige feature wall behind the bath or in the shower, a hand-painted border around a mirror, or a full encaustic floor. Pair with bathroom décor accessories that echo the tile palette. See our luxury bathroom décor guide.
Kitchen: A splashback is the obvious location, but consider also a tiled niche or alcove shelf. Handmade tiles behind a kitchen range become a focal point that the whole kitchen can be designed around.
Hallway floor: A geometric encaustic or Moroccan floor tile creates an immediate statement on arrival. Keep walls neutral to allow the floor to speak. Pair with a statement mirror and a single striking table lamp.
Fireplace surround: Decorative tiles around a fireplace are a classic application. Hand-painted delft tiles or richly coloured encaustics frame a fireplace in a way that no other material achieves.
Mixing Tiles with Other Materials
Tiles rarely exist in isolation — they share a room with painted walls, wooden floors, metal fittings and textiles. The most successful tile schemes respond to the other materials in the room rather than competing with them. A richly patterned Moroccan floor tile pairs beautifully with plain plastered walls and simple brass fittings — see our brass accessories collection. A bold blue and white hand-painted splashback asks for restrained, warm-toned cabinetry.
The Grout Question
Grout colour changes the character of a tiled surface dramatically. White grout on white tiles creates a clean, seamless look. Contrasting dark grout on light tiles emphasises the tile grid and adds graphic energy. Coloured grout — terracotta, navy or sage — is a bold choice that can tie the tile palette to the rest of the room. As a rule: the more irregular the tile (zellige, hand-pressed ceramics), the less the grout colour matters — the tile variation dominates. The more uniform the tile, the more the grout choice defines the final effect.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What are the most popular decorative tile styles?
- Moroccan zellige, hand-painted Mediterranean ceramics and encaustic cement tiles are among the most sought-after. All share handmade qualities that make them improve with age.
- Where is the best place to use decorative tiles in a home?
- Bathrooms, kitchen splashbacks and hallway floors are the three most impactful locations. A single decorative zone in any of these areas transforms the character of the entire room.
- Can you mix different tile patterns in the same room?
- Yes, but use one as the feature and the other as the background. A patterned floor with plain wall tiles, or a feature splashback with plain field tiles, creates visual hierarchy without conflict.
- Are Moroccan tiles suitable for modern interiors?
- Yes. Moroccan zellige and encaustic tiles work beautifully in contemporary, minimalist and maximalist schemes alike. The key is using them as a deliberate feature within a considered scheme. See our Moroccan décor guide.
