The Enduring Appeal of Zellige

Design

May 30

A Guide to One of Our Favorite Tiles

If you've spent any time dreaming about kitchens, bathrooms, or that elusive perfect mudroom, chances are you’ve come across zellige tile—shiny, uneven, rich in color and character. It’s the kind of tile that immediately stands out for what it isn’t: flat, uniform, or mass-produced. Instead, zellige feels alive—each piece a little different from the next, catching the light in unexpected ways, humming with history.

Zellige has been having a moment in the design world, but its story is far from new. In fact, it’s been around for over a thousand years.

A Quick History Lesson

Zellige (pronounced ZELL-ij) originated in Morocco, where artisans have been crafting these glazed terracotta tiles by hand since at least the 10th century. Traditional zellige is found throughout North African architecture—lining courtyards, fountains, and palaces in Fez and beyond. The technique is rooted in Islamic art and geometry, where repetition and variation play a key role in both design and symbolism.

What makes zellige special isn’t just its look—it’s the process. The clay is sourced from Morocco’s Fez region, known for its unique mineral content. Artisans shape and dry the tiles by hand, then fire them in kilns powered by olive pits (yes, really). The glazing is done tile by tile, and once they’re fired a second time, each one is chipped and cut into its final shape using a hammer and chisel. The result? A batch of tiles that feel more like individual works of art than building materials.

Why We Love It (and Keep Coming Back to It)

One of the reasons zellige has remained relevant for centuries is its versatility. Despite its deep roots in traditional design, it fits just as beautifully in a minimalist modern bathroom as it does in a farmhouse kitchen or a Mediterranean-style sunroom. There’s something about the balance of imperfection and refinement that makes zellige feel timeless.

At Upstate Down, we tend to reach for materials that have soul—elements that bring texture, patina, and a little bit of irregularity to a space. Zellige delivers on all fronts. It doesn’t try too hard. It doesn’t scream for attention. But somehow, it always elevates a room.

Where to Use It

Zellige works just about anywhere tile makes sense—but there are a few places where it really shines:

Kitchens: It makes a fantastic backsplash, especially in small or narrow spaces where its reflective surface can bounce light around and bring in warmth.
Bathrooms: From full shower walls to a small sink splash, zellige’s glossy, uneven texture adds depth without overwhelming.
Fireplace surrounds: If you're lucky enough to have a wood stove or fireplace, this tile adds a layer of quiet elegance.
Entryways & Mudrooms: Durable and eye-catching, it holds up well underfoot and brings a hit of texture to utilitarian spaces.
Nooks, bars, laundry rooms: Sometimes it’s the smaller spaces where zellige sings the loudest. A little goes a long way.

In short, it’s not just a tile. It’s a mood.

But—Let’s Talk About Installation

As much as we love zellige, we won’t pretend it’s the easiest material to work with. It’s handmade, and with that comes variation—in shape, thickness, glaze, and tone. That’s part of its charm, but it also means that installing it takes time, patience, and a skilled tile setter who knows how to work with irregular surfaces.

A few things to keep in mind:

You’ll need extra: Most experts recommend ordering at least 15–20% more than your measured square footage to allow for sorting, color balance, and the occasional breakage.
Grout lines should be minimal: Some prefer to “butt-joint” the tiles (setting them edge to edge) for a seamless look, but even if you use grout, keep it tight and color-matched for a natural finish.
Surface prep is key: Because the tiles are uneven in thickness, your installer may need to float the wall or use more adhesive in places to create a level surface.
Wet areas need extra care: Zellige can be used in showers and bathrooms, but waterproofing and sealing are essential. The tiles themselves are glazed, but the surface underneath must be properly prepared.

It’s not necessarily a project for a weekend warrior, but if you hire the right installer (and have a little patience), the results are well worth it.

Final Thoughts: Perfectly Imperfect

Zellige is one of those rare materials that doesn’t just decorate a space—it adds depth, story, and a kind of quiet beauty that builds over time. It’s not perfect, and that’s exactly the point. Like so many elements in a well-loved home, it reveals more the longer you live with it: a soft edge here, a pooled glaze there, a reflection that catches just right in the late afternoon sun.

For those of us who appreciate the layered, the lived-in, and the not-so-cookie-cutter, zellige is a tile that never gets old.