Terra-cotta: The Old-World Material Making a Comeback

All things cozy and comforting are coming back, and what you’ll see more of in tile is no exception. Recently, we’ve noticed the design world is warming up to rustic, richly-colored terra-cotta tiles. Timeless, earthy, imperfect—this is everything we want to see right now.

When translated from the Latin, “terra cotta” literally means “baked earth.” The rich orange and red clay tiles in the Australian rental above look like just that, imbuing the space with an earthy, natural vibe.

When balanced with a minimalist, mostly-white kitchen, a terra-cotta floor warms up the room without bringing it to a rustic place. Browse through the full tour photographed by Juan Baraja on Yellowtrace to ogle the other beautiful tiles peppered throughout this Madrid home.

Peeking out underneath a graphic striped rug in this living room from La Maison d’Anna G, old-school tile looks surprisingly modern.

Terra cotta doesn’t immediately jump to mind as an obvious choice for a backsplash, but when cut into a picket fence pattern and brushed with white glaze, it makes the space. We spotted the Tabarka tiles above on Rue.

Two types of terra-cotta tiles give the kitchen in this New York apartment personality: Traditional clay-like slabs lend European charm, while patterned tiles add interest behind the sink.

This room from sfgirlbybay has no lack of materials—red terra cotta, checkerboard tile, reclaimed wood, and stone all mingle, yet miraculously seem to get along.

It’s no surprise that many of the most inspiring terra-cotta-tiled homes come from Spain, including the room above featured on AD España. A bright woven rug, vintage metal chairs, and a boho fringe light fixture combine for an eclectic collector style.

Digging the trend? Shop the most beautiful terracotta tiles we’ve ever seen.