Decorating
How Can Terrazzo Give Your Home a Style Update?
Here’s how...
Until not long ago, terrazzo was most frequently seen as flooring or a wall surface in early- to mid-20th century apartment blocks and public buildings. But the material, which in fact dates back, in a recognisable form, to 18th century Italy, has been having quite a comeback moment and is popping up in many guises in lots of cool homes on Houzz.
Terrazzo is a hard, cool, flecked surface, traditionally set in place by pouring and levelling it on site. It’s made up of chips of marble, granite, quartz, glass or other suitable material, typically set in concrete but also sometimes in epoxy resin. Once set, the surface is polished until it’s smooth.
Increasingly, terrazzo is appearing not only as something other than flooring (it makes a fantastic worktop, table top or splashback), but also in different formats. Read on to discover the stylish possibilities.
Terrazzo is a hard, cool, flecked surface, traditionally set in place by pouring and levelling it on site. It’s made up of chips of marble, granite, quartz, glass or other suitable material, typically set in concrete but also sometimes in epoxy resin. Once set, the surface is polished until it’s smooth.
Increasingly, terrazzo is appearing not only as something other than flooring (it makes a fantastic worktop, table top or splashback), but also in different formats. Read on to discover the stylish possibilities.
Mix but match
This dinky kitchen island/breakfast bar is painted to tie in with the kitchen units. But look closely and you’ll see the worktops in each section are different: the island has a feature top made of terrazzo.
In this space, the mix of textures – all tied in tonally – is key to the look, from the distressed-brick-effect wallpaper splashback to the lively floor. It’s key, therefore, that the colours in the terrazzo were carefully chosen to connect, too.
As already mentioned, terrazzo comes in all sorts of shades and designs, as you’ll see as you scroll through the rooms in this story. So shop around to find just the right effect, as you would searching for a slab of marble or a worktop in any other material – and go bespoke if necessary.
This dinky kitchen island/breakfast bar is painted to tie in with the kitchen units. But look closely and you’ll see the worktops in each section are different: the island has a feature top made of terrazzo.
In this space, the mix of textures – all tied in tonally – is key to the look, from the distressed-brick-effect wallpaper splashback to the lively floor. It’s key, therefore, that the colours in the terrazzo were carefully chosen to connect, too.
As already mentioned, terrazzo comes in all sorts of shades and designs, as you’ll see as you scroll through the rooms in this story. So shop around to find just the right effect, as you would searching for a slab of marble or a worktop in any other material – and go bespoke if necessary.
Try tiles
While traditionally you probably think of terrazzo as a solid surface, created to fill an entire floor or – as just seen – create a seamless work surface, you can now also get terrazzo tiles.
These are excellently versatile and provide somewhat of an update on our collectively beloved encaustic tiles, because they can also be constructed to form patterns, as seen here. A tiled tabletop or a small splashback will also give you a flavour of this trend without you having to commit wholeheartedly unless, of course…
While traditionally you probably think of terrazzo as a solid surface, created to fill an entire floor or – as just seen – create a seamless work surface, you can now also get terrazzo tiles.
These are excellently versatile and provide somewhat of an update on our collectively beloved encaustic tiles, because they can also be constructed to form patterns, as seen here. A tiled tabletop or a small splashback will also give you a flavour of this trend without you having to commit wholeheartedly unless, of course…
…you’re so sure you love the look that you’re ready to sign up for a big expanse. Here, a floor gets the terrazzo tile treatment and the lovely flecked pattern, characteristic of this material, really shines.
As with any tiles that form a pattern, choose your grout with care so as not to disrupt the flow. Also bear in mind how chilly concrete and natural stone can be – regret at not installing underfloor heating is a common homeowner lament. Electric can be a more budget-friendly option than a water-run system.
Read expert advice on what you need to know about underfloor heating
As with any tiles that form a pattern, choose your grout with care so as not to disrupt the flow. Also bear in mind how chilly concrete and natural stone can be – regret at not installing underfloor heating is a common homeowner lament. Electric can be a more budget-friendly option than a water-run system.
Read expert advice on what you need to know about underfloor heating
Accessorise for an on-trend accent
Another commitment-lite option for incorporating this trend into your home is to choose accessories rather than going for a big ticket item.
There are many, many choices out there – from tableware items like these, to upholstered chairs, cushions, tables, wall prints and even rugs that have a terrazzo-like look to them, or feature just a small amount of the fashionable material.
Another commitment-lite option for incorporating this trend into your home is to choose accessories rather than going for a big ticket item.
There are many, many choices out there – from tableware items like these, to upholstered chairs, cushions, tables, wall prints and even rugs that have a terrazzo-like look to them, or feature just a small amount of the fashionable material.
Go large
Terrazzo doesn’t need to stay traditional. Choose a version that updates the original 1960s delicately flecked pattern and be bold with it.
Don’t think that a feature like this needs a huge stage, either: this micro kitchen is part of a very weeny flat, but again everything is pulled together with a thought-through palette.
See the rest of this flat by clicking into the photo and on the right you’ll see a link to view the rest of the project.
Terrazzo doesn’t need to stay traditional. Choose a version that updates the original 1960s delicately flecked pattern and be bold with it.
Don’t think that a feature like this needs a huge stage, either: this micro kitchen is part of a very weeny flat, but again everything is pulled together with a thought-through palette.
See the rest of this flat by clicking into the photo and on the right you’ll see a link to view the rest of the project.
Make it 3D
Why stop at flat surfaces? Anything that can be constructed from concrete – terrazzo’s usual base material – can probably be made from terrazzo.
This bathroom basin is a good example and makes for a standout feature. The design goes right down to the floor, which means a lot of terrazzo, but, since it’ll be especially heavy in this format, that’s not a bad idea. At the moulding stage, you could build in a niche lower down for storing hand towels or spare soap and toothbrushes.
If you’re getting something like this made bespoke, it would be worth seeking out a tradesperson via the company supplying the material, as it’ll take someone with experience of terrazzo it to get it right. Try a company that creates poured terrazzo floors and see if they’ll work on something like this.
Get advice in our newly updated discussions section
Why stop at flat surfaces? Anything that can be constructed from concrete – terrazzo’s usual base material – can probably be made from terrazzo.
This bathroom basin is a good example and makes for a standout feature. The design goes right down to the floor, which means a lot of terrazzo, but, since it’ll be especially heavy in this format, that’s not a bad idea. At the moulding stage, you could build in a niche lower down for storing hand towels or spare soap and toothbrushes.
If you’re getting something like this made bespoke, it would be worth seeking out a tradesperson via the company supplying the material, as it’ll take someone with experience of terrazzo it to get it right. Try a company that creates poured terrazzo floors and see if they’ll work on something like this.
Get advice in our newly updated discussions section
Create a moveable feature
You could get an incredible and vast decorative feature like this folding screen/bed panel made from real terrazzo… though it would weigh a ton! In the living area of this apartment (click on the link below to see it), armchairs upholstered in matching ‘terrazzo’ fabric are a visual link to the bedroom screen. The decorative brass frame, meanwhile, adds an element of luxury.
While this is a supersized version of the idea, scaling it down – say to head height and just two panels – could make for a pretty room divider. Or simply get your fabric stretched (at a picture framer’s) over a canvas frame and hang it on a wall.
Check out the rest of this creatively designed flat
Would you incorporate terrazzo into your home? Tell us what you think in the Comments section.
You could get an incredible and vast decorative feature like this folding screen/bed panel made from real terrazzo… though it would weigh a ton! In the living area of this apartment (click on the link below to see it), armchairs upholstered in matching ‘terrazzo’ fabric are a visual link to the bedroom screen. The decorative brass frame, meanwhile, adds an element of luxury.
While this is a supersized version of the idea, scaling it down – say to head height and just two panels – could make for a pretty room divider. Or simply get your fabric stretched (at a picture framer’s) over a canvas frame and hang it on a wall.
Check out the rest of this creatively designed flat
Would you incorporate terrazzo into your home? Tell us what you think in the Comments section.
The beauty of terrazzo is that it’s easy to tailor it to its surroundings. In the example of this cool, calming kitchen floor, its success lies not just in the fact the palette coordinates so well with the island’s icy blue, but the bespoke surface has been made from local flint and slate chippings to tie it into its setting.
A good thing to know about terrazzo is that, although the base material will often be concrete (not typically considered especially eco-friendly), the rest can be up to 80% recycled material – waste collected from the stone and marble industries. So if you’re keen to boost reuse in your project, this could be the surface for you.