Terrazzo decor has been trending for a while now. It isn’t the latest trend to show up this year, nor is it dying down any time soon. So why am I writing about it now?
The end of a year, to me, is a time to look back at what went well, what I could have done better… and what I aspire for in the coming year. Using terrazzo as a design element falls into the last category, and this post is as much a reminder and inspiration for myself as it is for you.
Terrazzo Decor
Terrazzo is a composite material which consists of chips of marble, quartz, granite, glass, or other suitable material, poured with a cement like binder. Additional chips can be sprinkled on top of the mix before it sets. After it is cured it is ground and polished smooth or otherwise finished to produce a uniformly textured surface.
What your terrazzo looks like will depend on the colour you select for the base material and the size, material and colour you select for the chips. Which makes terrazzo completely customisable and it means that your terrazzo will be totally unique to you.
Didn’t that just make terrazzo decor all the more exciting?
So let me get down to how you can use it, with some gorgeous pics to inspire.
1 – Terrazzo Floors
Terrazzo floors can be poured in situ in large sections to give an almost seamless finish.
Or can be laid out in tile form. Like with natural stones, once polished the joints between terrazzo tiles are completely smooth to the touch.
In a modern space with simple straight lines, terrazzo helps to add interest with its visual texture.
In a decorative space with multiple colours and elements, terrazzo makes it easier on the eye by toning it all down.
While whites are always beautiful,
You can add a hint of grey or beige to the base to go with your decor. It is also possible to make terrazzo in any bright colour you choose.
Changing the size of the chips can greatly change what the terrazzo, and so your space, looks like. Using smaller chips in the same colour as the base gives it a smooth, uniform finish. Using larger chips in contrasting colours makes it look busier and can stand out beautifully against a smooth, monotonous backdrop.
Mix It Up
Who says you have to use terrazzo all by itself? Its visual texture makes it most suitable to combine with other materials with a clean finish.
The plain white tiles in this bathroom, for instance, gently elevate the terrazzo which also has a white base.
While the terrazzo adds a third dimension to this space, contrasting beautifully against the smooth blue on the walls and ceiling and the larger texture of the wood.
2 – Terrazzo On Walls
As with any tile or stone, terrazzo is great for wall cladding too.
It can be used to clad kitchen and bathroom walls. It combines beautifully with neutrals and other colours.
Though I personally tend to prefer terrazzo with smaller chips than the larger ones,
I have seen some beautifully designed spaces with larger chipped terrazzo too.
3 – Terrazzo Counters
If you want just a hint of terrazzo in your room, use it on counters and table tops.
Terrazzo on the bathroom or kitchen counter or breakfast table gives a unique look to the space.
It can look super glam in the bar area too. And I love the way you can add a hint of colour to it to go with the decor of that space.
See how the pinkish base and the green and gold chips could set the colour scheme here?
Doesn’t it look delightful on this dining table top?
In fact, terrazzo would look just as exquisite on consoles, side boards and even study tables. And it is certainly easier to maintain than a wooden top would be.
4 – Terrazzo Basins
I love how the speckles of the terrazzo basin look striking against the plainer texture of the basin counter.
I love how you can add colours to make your basin suave and stylish or fun and playful, whichever way you like it.
I love how you can mould these basins into any shape and size you require.
Or even mould them seamlessly into the counters.
5 – Terrazzo Stairs
Terrazzo is a durable material which makes it perfect for areas with a high foot fall like staircases.
Else, you can combine terrazzo with materials like marble, granite or wood and use it only on the risers.
Or clad it on the entire staircase. You can play around with the look, using terrazzo to make it light and pretty..
.. or rustic and industrial.
It looks glamourous with the curved lines and the hint of gold here..
And modern, combined with a solid colour and straight lines here.
6 – Terrazzo Across Surfaces
Use terrazzo across surfaces for a fluid look.
Use it across your floors and walls.
Across kitchen counters and backsplashes.
Or all over! Isn’t this just beautiful?
7 – Terrazzo With Inlay
Terrazzo can be combined with many different materials to make innumerable designs and patterns. Brass inlay is often used in terrazzo and the combination of the shiny, glamourous brass with the speckled, rustic terrazzo is one of my favourites.
While laying terrazzo in situ, brass strips are often laid into the joints between adjacent areas that are poured into separately. But the strips can also be laid as required to make any number of designs.
Pretty designs in intricate patterns…
… especially with brass, make me want to start designing in terrazzo right this minute.
The inlays look just as beautiful on walls as on floors.
8 – Wallpaper
And then there are the short cut, easy terrazzo decor ideas for those who would love to have the finish in their homes without doing anything permanent.
Wallpaper is a quick and easy way to do that.
Soft pastels are easy to fit into bedrooms and personal spaces.
While neutrals might look better in more formal areas.
Lining book shelves or kitchen shelves that are away from the sink with terrazzo wallpaper can be a fun way to change the look of the room.
9 – Accessories
And then, there are so many terrazzo decor accessories now available.
Planters for your balcony or table tops.
Table lamps and tea light holders.
Bath sets and shower curtains for bathrooms.
Dinnerware and serve ware for dining tables.
Soft furnishings like cushion covers and bath mats.
To a game of tic-tac-toe in.. you guessed it.. terrazzo!
That’s a lot of terrazzo decor to choose from and I can’t wait to start already.
Though working with terrazzo is one of things I am looking forward to in the coming year, there are also so many more. Hope you are as excited about the coming year as I am, and all the magic that’s waiting to unfold.
Wishing you all a very Happy New Year. I will see you right here again in the new one!
Until then,
.
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Lovely pictures and good ideas I love it !!
Good…looks classy