7 Gorgeous Zellige Tile Ideas for Your Kitchen
Add a little shimmer to your cooking zone with some of these beautiful Moroccan tiles
Amanda Pollard
23 April 2019
Senior Editor at Houzz UK and Ireland. Journalist and editor specialising in interiors and architecture.
Senior Editor at Houzz UK and Ireland. Journalist and editor specialising in interiors... More
If you’re looking for a material that will give extra depth and interest to your kitchen, consider laying a wall of zellige tiles. These Moroccan designs feature translucent glazes that give them a rippled surface and intense colour, which brings beautiful shine and texture to any space.
Work with wood
This vast, open-plan space has an industrial feel, with metal-framed windows and a grey concrete floor. To give the room some warmth, the designer used textured materials, such as natural wood, reeded glass and a wall of zellige tiles.
The matt oak units are beautifully offset by the shimmering tiles – and without the two finishes, the room wouldn’t have quite the same depth.
This vast, open-plan space has an industrial feel, with metal-framed windows and a grey concrete floor. To give the room some warmth, the designer used textured materials, such as natural wood, reeded glass and a wall of zellige tiles.
The matt oak units are beautifully offset by the shimmering tiles – and without the two finishes, the room wouldn’t have quite the same depth.
Get glowing
The zellige tiles on this kitchen wall cast a glow that transforms the whole of the open-plan area. The pale cabinets, grey floor and black furniture form a practical base, which is then given an iridescent boost by the tiles.
The designer has chosen a ceiling pendant made from shells, which replicates the surface of the tiles and creates balance.
The zellige tiles on this kitchen wall cast a glow that transforms the whole of the open-plan area. The pale cabinets, grey floor and black furniture form a practical base, which is then given an iridescent boost by the tiles.
The designer has chosen a ceiling pendant made from shells, which replicates the surface of the tiles and creates balance.
Light up
If you’re going for coloured tiles, zellige designs are a great choice, as the pearlescent layers make the colour even more intense.
The yellow tiles in this kitchen form a vivid contrast to the white and wood cabinets, and the variations in tone add an extra element of character. Under-cabinet lighting casts a glow across the tiles, which highlights the uneven finish.
If you’re going for coloured tiles, zellige designs are a great choice, as the pearlescent layers make the colour even more intense.
The yellow tiles in this kitchen form a vivid contrast to the white and wood cabinets, and the variations in tone add an extra element of character. Under-cabinet lighting casts a glow across the tiles, which highlights the uneven finish.
Be subtle
Zellige tiles can turn a simple scheme into something a little more special. Here, the classic blue Shaker cabinets are complemented by a wall of white tiles. To add interest, though, the designers have opted for these uneven Moroccan designs rather than a plain, flat surface.
The irregular finish creates a patchwork effect, which gives glossy depth to the scheme.
Zellige tiles can turn a simple scheme into something a little more special. Here, the classic blue Shaker cabinets are complemented by a wall of white tiles. To add interest, though, the designers have opted for these uneven Moroccan designs rather than a plain, flat surface.
The irregular finish creates a patchwork effect, which gives glossy depth to the scheme.
Go high
We often lay tiles as a splashback directly above the worktop, but in this kitchen, the designers have positioned them higher. A marble worktop continues up the wall to protect the surface, and the tiles add a darker contrast above.
The olive shade could have been slightly imposing above the bright white below, but the glossy surface of the zellige design reflects the light and casts a shimmer.
Find tilers and worktop professionals in your area.
We often lay tiles as a splashback directly above the worktop, but in this kitchen, the designers have positioned them higher. A marble worktop continues up the wall to protect the surface, and the tiles add a darker contrast above.
The olive shade could have been slightly imposing above the bright white below, but the glossy surface of the zellige design reflects the light and casts a shimmer.
Find tilers and worktop professionals in your area.
Cover all angles
Bring even more interest to a wall of zellige tiles by laying them in a herringbone pattern, as the designer has done here. The layout gives the surface even more texture and amplifies the iridescence of the tiles.
It works particularly well in this kitchen, as it’s such a sharp contrast to the plain white cupboards.
Bring even more interest to a wall of zellige tiles by laying them in a herringbone pattern, as the designer has done here. The layout gives the surface even more texture and amplifies the iridescence of the tiles.
It works particularly well in this kitchen, as it’s such a sharp contrast to the plain white cupboards.
Draw to scale
For something completely different, choose fishscale zellige tiles. These ones combine the blue and pale gold shades of the kitchen to create a pattern that resembles the sea.
The playful curvy design sits alongside the straight edges of the rest of the space – and, once again, the glazed surface adds a shimmer to the room.
Tell us…
Are you a fan of zellige tiles and would you use them in your home? Share your thoughts in the Comments section.
For something completely different, choose fishscale zellige tiles. These ones combine the blue and pale gold shades of the kitchen to create a pattern that resembles the sea.
The playful curvy design sits alongside the straight edges of the rest of the space – and, once again, the glazed surface adds a shimmer to the room.
Tell us…
Are you a fan of zellige tiles and would you use them in your home? Share your thoughts in the Comments section.
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Been seeing more of these on Houzz renos lately. These examples are delightful and take the 'boring' out of tiles.
Absolutely adore the zellige tiles!
Love the look of these tiles, their small size means that for me there is far too much grouting to use as a splash back.