Moroccan Tiles Buying Guide
"Moroccan tile" covers a genuinely diverse family of styles, each with its own character and best use, and understanding the differences helps in choosing the right one for a specific room.
A tradition of handcraft
Traditional Moroccan tilemaking, for Zellige in particular, involves shaping clay by hand and sun-drying it before firing, with glazes often drawn from natural pigments creating subtle, genuine colour variation from tile to tile. This hands-on process means no two tiles are identical, a quality that reads as considered character rather than inconsistency once installed.
Understanding the styles
Zellige tiles are the most recognisable Moroccan style: handcrafted, glazed clay tiles, often made from clay sourced near Fez, hand-shaped, sun-dried, then kiln-fired, with the glaze applied before a second firing that gives each tile its distinctive, slightly uneven shimmer. Zellige suits a kitchen splashback, bathroom feature wall or shower lining particularly well.
Bejmat tiles bring a more rustic, grounded character: generally chunkier, rectangular clay tiles, often unglazed or lightly glazed, with a genuinely organic, uneven surface. Their solid build suits flooring well, bringing warmth and texture to a hallway, living room or kitchen.
Encaustic-inspired cement tiles differ structurally from the others: rather than being kiln-fired, a blend of cement, sand, marble dust and pigment is poured into a patterned mould and hydraulically pressed, meaning the pattern runs through the entire tile rather than sitting as a surface layer. These suit both floors and walls, and work particularly well as a feature tile in an entrance or kitchen.
Zellij mosaic work takes Zellige further, with artisans hand-cutting small glazed pieces, known as furmah, into intricate geometric patterns. Pre-made mosaic tiles echoing this technique bring a genuinely jewel-like accent to a niche, border or feature wall.
Why Moroccan tiles hold up well
Traditional Zellige has genuinely graced buildings for centuries, and well-laid encaustic cement or Bejmat tiles last for generations, a durable investment when properly cared for. Their adaptability is equally genuine: suited to a bohemian bathroom, a rustic farmhouse kitchen, or textural contrast in a minimalist space, and extending comfortably into an outdoor application as well.
Where to use Moroccan tiles
Kitchen splashbacks suit Zellige's light-reflecting quality particularly well, whether in one considered colour or a deliberate mix of shades, while patterned cement tiles make a bolder statement against modern or traditional cabinetry. Bathrooms suit a shower lined in Zellige, deep blues or calming greens among the options, or encaustic cement underfoot for genuine pattern and personality; Bejmat brings a warmer, more rustic welcome instead. Living areas and hallways suit a fireplace surround in patterned cement or Zellige, or a tough, considered entryway floor in encaustic cement.
A few products worth knowing
The Tamarama range offers P3-rated, cushioned-edge porcelain in 300x300mm, suited to a genuinely practical everyday application. Alicante, a European-made cushioned-edge porcelain in 316x316mm, and Airlie, in 200x200mm, both bring a Moroccan-inspired matte finish at an accessible price point. Evelyn, a handmade Zellige and Bejmat range, and Malee, a handmade Spanish ceramic, bring genuine artisanal character. Sicily, Italian-made in Zellige and Bejmat formats, and Soluna, in 150x150mm porcelain, round out the collection.
Choosing an alternative material
Classic Moroccan tiles are clay or cement, though the same aesthetic is achievable in other materials. Ceramic tiles offer a Moroccan-inspired look with genuinely easier care, printed patterns mimicking encaustic designs or glazes echoing Zellige's shimmer. Porcelain brings genuine toughness, low porosity and strong stain resistance, well suited to a busy area or wet room, with current manufacturing replicating Zellige-style glazes or encaustic patterns convincingly. Natural stone, travertine-look or limestone among them, brings an earthy, complementary tone, though it needs sealing and specific ongoing care.
Installation and care
Good surface preparation matters, clean, level and stable, and handmade tiles like Zellige vary slightly in thickness, worth discussing directly with an experienced tiler. A tight grout line suits Zellige's character well, while cement tiles may need sealing before grouting to prevent staining. Mixing tiles from different boxes during installation helps distribute natural variation evenly across the finished surface, and a small grout gap, 1mm to 3mm, accommodates the slight size variation handmade tiles carry.
For ongoing care, a pH-neutral cleaner suits glazed Zellige well, while unglazed Bejmat and encaustic cement, being more absorbent, benefit from sealing to protect against staining. Harsh, acidic or abrasive cleaners should be avoided across the board.
What are Moroccan tiles, and what makes them unique?
Moroccan tiles, often referred to as Zellige tiles, are handcrafted ceramic tiles known for their intricate geometric patterns and vibrant colours. Each tile is individually shaped by artisans, resulting in slight variations that contribute to their genuinely unique, authentic appearance.
How should Moroccan tiles be installed to accommodate their unique characteristics?
Given their handcrafted nature, mixing tiles from different boxes during installation helps achieve a balanced, harmonious look. Leaving a small grout gap, 1mm to 3mm, also helps accommodate slight variations in tile size for a more uniform overall appearance.
What maintenance is required for Moroccan tiles?
Regular cleaning with a soft cloth and mild, non-abrasive cleaner is generally sufficient. For unglazed tiles specifically, applying a sealant helps protect the surface from staining and moisture. Harsh chemicals or abrasive cleaners should be avoided, since they can damage the finish.
Can Moroccan tiles be used in wet areas like bathrooms and kitchens?
Yes, provided the specific tile and finish suit wet-area use. Glazed Zellige works well on shower walls given its water-resistant surface, while a porcelain or well-sealed cement tile suits a bathroom floor, provided it carries an appropriate slip resistance rating for the application.
How can I create custom Moroccan tile patterns for my space?
Creating a custom pattern generally starts with gathering inspiration, selecting colours, and choosing a layout that suits the room's style, sketching the design and consulting a tile professional before committing. Slight variation in tile size and colour is normal given the handmade nature of these tiles, and contributes genuinely to their character rather than detracting from it.
What slip resistance rating do I need for a bathroom floor?
Australian Standards (AS 4586) require a minimum P3 rating for a domestic bathroom floor, and P4 or P5 for a wet area like a shower recess. Checking the specific tile's rating before ordering for floor use matters, and matte or textured porcelain generally offers better grip than a polished or gloss finish.
What is the difference between ceramic and porcelain tiles?
Porcelain is fired at higher temperatures and is denser, less porous and harder than ceramic, making it more water-resistant and durable, suited to both indoor and outdoor use including high-traffic floors. Ceramic is lighter and easier to cut, a practical choice for walls and splashbacks. For a bathroom floor or wet area specifically, porcelain is generally the preferred option.
Completing the room
Moroccan tiles are easiest to select once the room's other fixtures, vanity, tapware or cabinetry, are settled, since colour and finish should complement those choices rather than being decided in isolation. Browse the full tiles collection for complementary formats and finishes to pair with a Moroccan tile selection.
