Terrazzo in the bathroom - how to incorporate it?

Terrazzo consists of small pieces of basalt, granite or marble that are bonded together with cement or a resin binder. When the tile dries and hardens, it visually resembles colored stone. Whether cement or resin was used makes a big difference for the final properties of the material. Some of the advantages of cement terrazzo are high resistance to UV rays, frost and cold. Besides, it doesn’t get scratched and doesn’t absorb liquids. On the other hand, resin terrazzo is relatively slim, flexible, hardens quicker and can be dyed any color. Its disadvantages are higher price and no resistance to weather conditions. So it shouldn’t be used outdoors, but it works just fine in the bathroom.

The surface of terrazzo isn’t always the same. It can be perfectly smooth, which is achieved by grinding, or have rough surface with visible pores. A thing to remember is that terrazzo placed on the floor shouldn’t be slippery, so as not to increase the risk of falling.

Since the bathroom has a specific microclimate, all finishing materials used there should be durable and resistant to moisture. Terrazzo gres meets all these requirements. It resemble stone not only visually, but also in its properties. It is resistant to abrasion and doesn’t get damaged, even if something heavy falls on it. A big advantage of terrazzo is that it doesn’t absorb liquids, so it doesn’t get discolored easily.

Let’s not forget about its appearance: a terrazzo bathroom looks splendid! While interiors with granite or marble feel rather cool, terrazzo brings new energy to the arrangement. It enlivens it and reduces the requirement for decorations. Besides, as it’s available in various colors and patterns, every arrangement will look completely different.

Terrazzo gained popularity in Italy in the interwar period. Then it was widely used, for example, in interiors of the communist period in Poland. It would seem, therefore, that it will go specially well with retro style. But, that’s not all! For several years terrazzo has been experiencing a renaissance. It is popular among both renowned interior designers and private investors looking for something unique.

Terrazzo tiles work lovely with modern decor, adding zest to it. We can place them where ceramic tiles and mosaics are usually used. They will look great on the floor and walls, and as finishing material for a bathtub or a countertop. An interesting suggestion is a terrazzo washbasin, which will surely catch everyone’s attention.

Colorful terrazzo can be made of small pieces or slightly larger ones, which will work well in more daring style. Both of them will create a splendid interior, but we need to use them well. Modern terrazzo is very distinctive and we shouldn’t use too much of it, so putting it on all the walls and the floor isn’t the best idea. The interior would look chaotic and smaller, and perhaps would even create a sense of unease, and it doesn’t favor peace and relaxation, which should reign in the bathroom.

A much better suggestion is to lay terrazzo in one area. For example, we can place it on the floor, on one wall, around the bathtub or around the shower. Investors who are looking for something original, but don’t like too extravagant decorations, can consider a subtle accent; a terrazzo window sill can bring a good result.

Since terrazzo may make the bathroom look smaller, the question arises whether it can be incorporated into interiors of small size at all. Yes, we can venture to use it, but it should be a small addition and not the main finishing material. Besides, instead of using traditional cement tiles, it is better to opt for resin terrazzo. It is much thinner, which means it will take up less space.

Many people have trouble choosing finishing materials for something as distinct as terrazzo. However, with its extremely graceful pattern, many raw materials should match it. It will look amazing with other stones, like granite, marble and slate, and it can also be combined with mat and glazed ceramic tiles. Mixing terrazzo with wood, on the other hand, will give a warm composition, and here we specially recommend calm gray tones. Modern interiors aren’t all about subdued colors, there are also those that are full of energy and contrast with each other. Multi-colored terrazzo on the wall will go well with furniture with lacquered fronts.

Although terrazzo looks great with many colors and materials, there are some that should be avoided. First of all, colorful floral patterns should be dismissed. Floral motifs are gaining ground in interior trends, but they aren’t the right company for terrazzo. Combining it with geometric shapes will look just as bad, and an excess of patterns is never advisable, which can be perfectly seen here. Terrazzo is colorful and distinctive, so it goes best with plain materials.

Given its parameters, terrazzo is the perfect material for the bathroom, but to extend its life, we should remember about its proper care. All we need for ordinary everyday cleaning are a cloth to remove dust and a moist sponge. If we want to use a cleaning product, it is best to choose one with a neutral pH so that no streaks are left on the surface. A good idea would be to get a special impregnator for terrazzo, which will help preserve its surface, and thus protect it from damage and extend its life.