Terrazzo bathrooms – 12 ideas and design advice
This is the place to be if you need some inspiration for your terrazzo bathroom. This intriguing substance is not only highly functional and long-lasting but also adds personality and visual interest to a bathroom.
Bathrooms with terrazzo floors or walls might make one long for a sun-drenched vacation in the Italian countryside. Is there anything we can think of? Terrazzo will likely remain a top choice as we all want to convert our bathrooms into opulent, stress-free retreats.
TERRAZZO BATHROOMS – IDEAS, TIPS AND DESIGN ADVICE
Bathroom wall ideas can be hard to come by, but terrazzo could be precisely what you’re looking for. Besides being fascinating, trendy, colorful, and textured, it is also functional.
It takes a little practice to master the art of terrazzo in the bathroom, so we’ll walk you through the steps of choosing a color scheme and a material with the help of the pros.
1. COMBINE DIFFERENT STYLES OF TERRAZZO
Bathrooms with terrazzo floors can be subtly designed, allowing you to blend several types or appearances of this richly textured material. That means you may mix and match terrazzo tiles for the bathroom floor with tiles for countertops or shower walls for a unique look.
True terrazzo typically consists of cement or resin, although various variations exist. The design development firm ASH NYC mixed the two varieties of terrazzo for this bathroom in The Siren Hotel.
The cementitious terrazzo flooring is comfortable underfoot and long-lasting, but it needs to be resealed annually to maintain its pristine condition. Installing terrazzo in a checkerboard pattern is an elegant visual trick for softening the material’s dramatic effect.
Resin-based terrazzo, like the basin, is visually striking because of its vivid color options and smooth, sanitary texture that is easier to clean and less prone to cracking than cement-based terrazzo, which necessitates sealing.
2. MATCH THE WALL AND FLOOR TO DOUBLE THE IMPACT
Studio Ogee creates a stunning focal point by extending the terrazzo from the shower floor down the wall in this modern bathroom.
“One of the great perks of working with terrazzo is just how adaptable it can be,” says Nicoline Sandwith, director of Studio Ogee. It’s effective on so many fronts; you get a pattern, color, and a feeling of energy and motion all at once.
The speckles “nearly blur” from a distance, creating an unexpectedly clear and smooth appearance ideal for a contemporary bathroom.
The designer has made terrazzo more palatable to female tastes by coordinating the tile’s powder pink granules with the door’s Temple by Paint & Paper Library paint. Adding brass hardware in a warm gold tone further softens terrazzo’s otherwise harsh industrial origins.
3. USE TERRAZZO TO ENLIVEN SMALL BATHROOMS
Simply Bathrooms Ltd lets the terrazzo tiles do all the talking in this small but daring bathroom by selecting simple monotone furnishings and furniture.
“We never shy away from color in a little bathroom because it provides tremendous depth into a small space,” explains director Neil Harrold. Without needing a sophisticated design with many tile styles, the terrazzo’s natural patterning offers interest and color.
Terrazzo tiles are ideal for shower niches because their pattern continues even after being cut, making the edges seem as lovely as the rest of the tile.
4. CHOOSE LARGE-SCALE TERRAZZO TO MAKE A STATEMENT
In search of a modern look for your bathroom? The specks’ sizes make a big difference. By selecting the largest aggregates possible as the significant marbles, designer Max Lamb achieved his goal of “celebrating the stoniness of stone” in creating Marmoreal for Dzeko.
Brent Dzekciorius, a founder of Dzek, argues that because of the larger format, more of the intricacies in the stones’ textures and colors are brought out. Natural and artificial elements coexist in harmony. This Berlin shower room by David Kohn Architects demonstrates how marmoreal’s random patterning produces warm natural energy and may be utilized as a prominent surface on floors and walls, or it can be used in complementary components like fireplace hearths to complete more muted interiors.
5. USE TERRAZZO AS A SMALL AND SINGLE FOCAL POINT
Love terrazzo floors but worry your bathroom will look cluttered? This excellent freestanding unit by Italian designer firm Globo Ceramica is a great example of how you can invest in a single focal point while still keeping things under control. Adding this to your list of main bathroom designs is an excellent option because it will serve as a showpiece without overwhelming the space.
Designer Kirsten Wain from West One Bathrooms says, “A terrazzo basin, flecked with several hues, is a wonderful way to bring paint colors and brassware finishes together.” The basin’s deeper speckles complement the black brass fixtures here, but brushed brass would do the trick for a softer touch.
If you’re not ready to commit to a basin, you might want to look into terrazzo accessories like soap dispensers, toothbrush holders, and trays.
6. USE PRACTICAL TERRAZZO LOOKALIKE PORCELAIN TILES
Porcelain tiles that mimic the terrazzo look can be installed in a bathroom for much less than the cost of natural terrazzo per square foot, requiring almost no upkeep.
Louisa Morgan of Mandarin Stone says, “Traditional terrazzo frequently has constraints linked with cost and the thickness of the tiles which can affect their usage.” Using porcelain tiles that take their design cues from terrazzo is a great way to get the eye-catching look of natural terrazzo without sacrificing any of porcelain tile’s many functional benefits. Ceramics with printed images are highly long-lasting, low-maintenance, and come in various thicknesses.
7. GO DARK FOR A SOPHISTICATED TWIST
We’re all familiar with terrazzo’s lighthearted side—hello, retro fun in ice-cream hues—but turn up the darkness, and terrazzo bathrooms become significantly more mature and elegant, making them ideal for spa bathroom ideas.
The designers at Melbourne’s Biasol used Fibonacci Stone’s luxurious black Eventide terrazzo throughout the room to create a mood of quiet seclusion. The effect is intense yet comforting.
Jean-Pierre Biasol, the company’s founder and creative director, ‘Chiaroscuro, translating to “light-dark” in Italian, inspired and led the design language as we harmonized natural light and dark surfaces to create both spacious and intimate environments that have a relaxing impact.
8. USE TERRAZZO AS A HALF-WALL WITH TILES
Half walls are a safe way to introduce terrazzo into a room, as they concentrate the material’s speckly bustle below eye level, where it can’t be seen. Above the terrazzo, tranquil green subway tiles provide an instant calm atmosphere.
Meanwhile, the roll-top bath’s increased floor exposure showcases the terrazzo’s eye-catching pattern. It’s important to note that terrazzo, made from cement, porcelain, or another material, is an excellent heat conductor and therefore pairs well with underfloor heating.
9. MIX TERRAZZO WITH NATURAL MATERIALS FOR A MUTED LOOK
We’ve all gotten the message that this year’s neutrals are all the rage, but how can an unconventional material like terrazzo be expected to follow the trend? Hive LA Home, a US-based interior design firm, suggests grounding a terrazzo bathroom with natural materials like this wall-hung oak vanity’s oak cabinetry and natural marble counters.
Basins made of concrete and terrazzo made from cement, both in subdued tones, contribute to the overall impression of calm, simplicity, and movement. Adding white walls and muted backsplash tiles creates a relaxing space that embraces the neutral trend.
10. PLAY WITH DIFFERENT SCALES OF THE SAME PATTERN
When decorating with wallpaper and fabrics, it is common practice to play with scale using multiple sizes of the same pattern. Furthermore, this method permits the employment of a continuous color scheme from floor to ceiling without compromising the ability to distinguish between flat and curved surfaces.
Reed Harris’ Medley terrazzo-inspired tiles let you use the same approach in the bathroom and are available in three patterns ranging from small-scale Minimal Pink to enormous Rock Pink.
Wide-scale patterns should be used sparingly to have maximum impact without becoming overwhelming, whereas small-scale patterns should be used throughout large regions to give the eyes a break.
11. GO FLOOR TO CEILING IN TERRAZZO BATHROOMS\
Bathrooms with terrazzo on the floor and walls create a cohesive area, and opting for larger, more evenly spaced flecks is preferable if you adore this material. The result will be a more relaxing atmosphere, but it’s best to exercise restraint and use terrazzo only for a small wall section, like a panel or backsplash, rather than covering the entire surface. The terrazzo used in the bathrooms mentioned above is tasteful and understated.
12. CREATE A FOCAL POINT WITH A TERRAZZO WALL
Shower room design ideas incorporating terrazzo are a terrific option if you want to add visual appeal without overwhelming your guests. Here, in a long, narrow bathroom with a shower, bath, vanity, and more, it forms a focal point that attracts the eye along the room’s length, while its light hues and delicate pattern improve the space.
IS TERRAZZO SUITABLE FOR BATHROOMS?
Terrazzo is indeed an excellent choice for wet spaces.
‘Terrazzo tiles are no longer only for floors; they also make a fashionable choice for backsplashes and accent walls. According to the specialists at Ca’ Pietra, terrazzo is an excellent choice for any room, indoors or out, whether you’re going for an industrial appearance or an open floor plan.
Natural terrazzo has the character and charm of something old and handmade, and its durability and suitability for high-traffic houses are enhanced by the marble component it typically contains. Genuine terrazzo tiles, used over time, develop an attractive patina.
Tiles resembling terrazzo can be found in various sizes and materials, such as the replica offered by porcelain. Tiles made from porcelain are low-maintenance and lightweight, making them ideal for use as wall cladding.
Determine the slip-rating before installing them in a wet area such as a bathroom.
CAN TERRAZZO BE USED IN A SHOWER?
In a nutshell, terrazzo can be used in a wet area like a shower. However, terrazzo is a practical, robust surface that can withstand the wear and tear and moist conditions of a shower room, although terrazzo-look porcelain tiles are lighter and may be more beneficial for partition walls, for example. The terrazzo in a bathroom shower needs to be nonslip.
WHAT IS TERRAZZO MADE OF?
According to the specialists at Ca’ Pietra, terrazzo has been around since the 15th century and was first developed in Venice by combining several types of natural stone and glass.
‘Recycled glass and natural stones like marble, granite, and quartz are traditionally combined to make terrazzo tiles. Afterward, it is given either a polished, honed or sandblasted finish.
WHY IS TERRAZZO SO EXPENSIVE?
The specialists say at Ca’ Pietra that the production of terrazzo is a lengthy and costly procedure that results in an expensive final product.
Tiles that simulate terrazzo are less expensive than the real thing while yet being durable. For a realistic terrazzo tile look, porcelain is your best bet. Because of its extreme resilience, porcelain tile is an excellent replacement for natural stone that doesn’t sacrifice aesthetics.
In addition, “the wide variety of sizes available makes them a breeze to set up.”
