9 Ways to Use Zellige Tile in Your Home Design
April 28, 2026Handcrafted elements can elevate and enhance your custom home design. Tile is a material that can look manufactured and polished or handcrafted, depending on the type of tile, style, finish, and more. Zellige tile, also sometimes written as zellij, zelij, zilij, or called Moroccan tiles, can add a unique look to your home. Here’s what to know about zellige tile, including pros and cons, and some ways to use zellige tile in your home design:
What is Zellige Tile?
Zellige tile is a type of terracotta tile that hails from Morocco. It is a handcrafted, glazed terracotta tile. Zellige tile is hand-cut, dried in the sun, and then glazed with a high-gloss finish. This produces tiles with unique variations in shine, color, and texture, and gives them the “perfectly imperfect” look and feel that zellige tile is known for.
Color variations can be intense, and surfaces tend to be irregular instead of uniform. There may even be chipped edges in places. When installed, zellige tile often creates a reflective, rippled effect. The unique aesthetic, handcrafted feel, and visual impact are what make zellige tiles popular.
Pros and Cons of Zellige Tiles
Evaluating the pros and cons of a material can help you determine what makes the most sense for your needs. As with anything, there are benefits and potential drawbacks to zellige tile. Here are some pros and cons of zellige tiles to help you determine if this is the right material for you:
8 Pros of Zellige Tiles
Zellige tiles can offer a variety of benefits when used appropriately. Here are some of the pros of zellige tiles:
- Each zellige tile is unique and one-of-a-kind.
- Together, they create a striking, rippling effect.
- Zellige tiles are versatile and are well-suited to various applications.
- High-gloss surfaces reflect light and brighten spaces.
- They are made of natural materials and are sustainable.
- Zellige tiles are durable and long-lasting.
- They are water-resistant and heat-resistant.
- Zellige tiles develop subtle patina over time for added character.
8 Potential Cons of Zellige Tiles
There are also potential drawbacks to zellige tiles. Here are some potential cons of zellige tiles:
- Their artisanal features carry a higher cost.
- Generational craft knowledge is diminishing.
- There won’t be one uniform color.
- Installation is more difficult and labor-intensive.
- It’s recommended to order 10-20% extra tiles to account for color variations, breakage, and future repairs.
- Surface irregularities can be more difficult to clean.
- Zellige tiles require more maintenance, including specialized cleaning and periodic sealing of grout.
- It doesn’t tend to be a good flooring option.
9 Ways to Use Zellige Tile in Your Home Design
Zeillige tile is a versatile material, and it can work well in a variety of styles. Whether you go for authentic zellige tile or a zellige look-alike, here are some ways to use zellige tile in your home design to inspire you:
- Use zellige tile as a kitchen backsplash.
- Make it a bathroom accent wall.
- Put zellige tile in the shower.
- Think about zellige tile for a fireplace surround.
- Include it in outdoor water features.
- Install zellige tile on stair risers.
- Use it to enhance furniture surfaces.
- Create a headboard wall with zellige tile.
- Consider zellige-style tile for a low-traffic floor.
1. Use Zellige Tile as a Kitchen Backsplash
Zellige tile is designed for interior walls. One of the most popular ways zellige tile is used is as a kitchen backsplash. The overall durability, paired with resistance to heat and humidity, makes it a good material for the kitchen, especially as a backsplash.
Natural stone and tile patterns are classic kitchen backsplash ideas, and zellige tile covers both of those. You’re not limited to the traditional kitchen backsplash by the cooktop either; zellige tile backsplashes can be used to clad a pantry wall or a storage alcove. Their reflective nature is perfect for catching light and brightening up a windowless or lower-lit space.
2. Make it a Bathroom Accent Wall
Its striking, reflective appearance makes zellige tile a popular choice for an accent wall. The added resistance to heat and humidity means that it can work well in bathrooms. One of the bathroom accent wall ideas is to use tile, and zellige tile can make an even bigger statement.
3. Put Zellige Tile in the Shower
You’re not limited to just bathroom wall options with zellige tile. It’s one of the materials that can also work well inside the shower. If you’re thinking about tile accents in the shower or a different shower wall option, zellige tile could help you achieve the look you want.
Incorporating it into a waterfall pattern in a walk-in shower is a classic way to incorporate tile accents into your custom home design. It’s also one that is especially well-suited to zellige tiles. The high-gloss, reflective finish adds sparkle, and the rippling effect can make a waterfall tile pattern look and feel like a waterfall as it catches and reflects light.
4. Think About Zellige Tile For a Fireplace Surround
Another popular way to use zellige tile is to choose it for a fireplace surround. Zellige tile creates a stylish and dramatic statement wall. When used as a fireplace surround, it can create an even more striking effect, especially as it reflects light and sparkles in the firelight. Candles or additional lights on the mantel are ideas for fireplace decor. A glossy zellige tile surround will provide a stylish focal point and help make the most of them.
5. Include it in Outdoor Water Features
Zellige tile has traditionally been used in water features, like fountains and pools. If you’ll be including water features in any of your outdoor living spaces, zellige tile can add another layer of visual interest in these areas, while still remaining functional.
6. Install Zellige Tile on Stair Risers
Another one of the ways to use zellige tile in your home design is to install it on stair risers. This creates a smaller decorative accent that still has a big impact, even if it is not as big a statement as a large accent wall. Using tile on the risers is a unique twist on a stair runner idea, and it can make your staircase stand out.
7. Use it to Enhance Furniture Surfaces
Another way to use zellige tile as a decorative accent is to use it in furniture to enhance surfaces. Table tops and coffee tables are classic areas that are well-suited to decorative tile accents. When using something like zellige tile, you can get the glossy tile look and the artisan, unique, and handcrafted feel.
8. Create a Headboard Wall With Zellige Tile
Wall panels, dividers, embroidered rugs, and more are ideas for Moroccan-themed bedroom decor. Whether you’re going for a traditional Moroccan look or just want to add interesting tile features to your bedroom design, zellige tile can help you.
A headboard wall is essentially an accent wall in a bedroom to help make the bed a focal point. Zellige tile can be used as an accent wall in a bedroom and to specifically create a headboard wall. This is one of the headboard ideas to consider for your bedroom design.
9. Consider Zellige-Style Tile For a Low-Traffic Floor
In general, traditional zellige tile is not a top choice for a flooring option, especially in high-traffic rooms. It can be used for flooring, but the irregularities can make it difficult and uncomfortable to walk on. Traditional zellige tile is also prone to damage and breakage when used in high-traffic flooring applications.
Walking on it with shoes can also damage or scratch the tiles. Because of this, it is usually reserved for lower-traffic applications when used as flooring, or avoided as flooring altogether. There are lookalike options and zellige-style tiles that can be a better fit for flooring, if that is the look you want. Usually, a zellige-style porcelain tile is used for flooring applications.
Design and Build a Custom Home With CHG
For an earthy, handcrafted, and unique look and feel, zellige tile can be a good option. Plus, there are so many ways to use zellige tile in your home design, so you’re bound to find options that work for the look you want to create.
Working with a custom home builder can ensure you end up with a home design you love that suits your needs while still incorporating the details you want. If you’re ready to get started on your own custom home in Central Pennsylvania or Northeastern Maryland, contact Custom Home Group at 717-284-4090!