It may be an ancient material, but terrazzo is a stalwart in the modern interior design playbook. Its myriad colours, shapes and sizes make it endlessly versatile, whilst its smooth polished surface makes it a water resistant and hardworking material for the bathroom – let these archival projects be the inspiration you need for your next bathroom overhaul.

A bold blue bathroom in Ireland

kld interiors, dmvf architecture
Ruth Maria Murphy

Terrazzo effect tiles are a clever and often more cost effective way of introducing the pleasing, speckled pattern of terrazzo into a space. In this sapphire-toned bathroom, designer Roisin Lafferty sourced ‘Venice Villa’ tiles from CTD and paired them with petrol-blue piano-key-shaped tiles from Cinca. The vanity unit is a custom design by the studio.

The Italian-inspired bathroom in London

the london home of emily johnson, director of 1882 ltd bedroom hallway bathroom
Shana Trajanoska

Terrazzo takes a sexy turn in this London home, with homeowner Emily Johnson describing it as her ‘Italian porn star’ bathroom ‘inspired by something Dimore Studio did one year for Salone del Mobile’. The floor and half of the walls are laid with ‘Terrazzo Nouveau Ivory Matt’ porcelain tiles and teamed with ‘Oskar Shell Gloss’ tiles on the top half of the wall.

What's everyone reading?

The spa-like bathroom in Copenhagen

stylish terrazzo bathroom
Birgitta Wolfgang Bjørnvad / Sisters Agency

This soothing bathroom is a counterpoint to rest of the home, which is decorated in a vivid palette of yellow, purple and pink. The eucalyptus green ceiling, terrazzo floor and cabinetry in lightly smoked oak create a sanctuary-like feel, with a statement freestanding tub by Swedish bathroom brand Bathlife.

A terrazzo bathroom in a Brutalist icon

minimalist terrazzo bathroom
ANNA STATHAKI

Square ‘Prismatic’ wall tiles in ‘Matt White’ by Johnson Tiles and recessed ‘Milazzo’ terrazzo tiles by Otto Tiles create a clean, crisp finish in this compact bathroom. Located in the Barbican’s Lauderdale tower and designed by Andrew Griffiths, the interiors are a subtle homage to the iconic estate’s modernist values while providing a cocooning, city centre refuge.

The bathroom where terrazzo meets tangerine

terrazzo orange and chrome bathroom
Yohann Fontaine

Terrazzo features frequently in the work of interdisciplinary designer Anthony Authié of Zyva Studio. It was central to his furniture collection with tile company Mosaic Factory, while he used it to dramatic effect in the bathroom of French Youtuber Squeezie. The chunky terrazzo in black, tan and cream is complemented by pops of vibrant orange and high-shine chrome elements.

The Parisian bathroom that glints with gold

girodroux delpy home in paris bathroom
Stephan Julliard

Cooler ice-blue tones run throughout this stylish Parisian home designed by Girodroux & Delpy. In the bathroom, speckled blue terrazzo has been carried from the bespoke vanity unit onto the other surfaces. The ‘Henri M’ mirrors are by Girodroux & Delpy and the ‘SS150’ wall lights are by Michael Anastassiades.

The shower with a view in Sydney

terrazzo shower room with garden view
Derek Swalwell

Design firm Kennedy Nolan sourced terrazzo tiles from Australian brand Signorino for this shower room in a contemporary Sydney home. Part of a rich materials palette of concrete, steel and terracotta, the warm speckled surface evokes the earthiness of the outdoors, ideal for a bathroom that enjoys a view of the garden beyond.

Black and beige in an iconic home

este loft rodo una pelicula de oscar y ahora una reforma lo ha convertido en un hogar de diseno sin borrar su memoria industrial
JASON VARNEY

This handsome bathroom – located in the iconic loft building featured in film Philadelphia – was reimagined by designer Hope Velocette in the home’s most recent renovation. The rich timber of the original ceiling beams is complemented by the black and beige terrazzo tiles, while black hardware adds drama to the scheme.

The pared-back palette in London

minimalist grey terrazo bathroom with sleek black shower head
Ståle Eriksen

This London home is a lesson in calm neutrality. The minimalist bathroom is clad in a soft grey terrazzo which pairs with the rest of the home’s soothing materials palette, namely Douglas fir plywood and oak. ‘It’s minimalist,’ says architect and homeowner Jonty Hallett, ‘but not a sanitised take on minimalism. It’s comfortable, warm and welcoming.’

A Memphis-inspired palette in Maine

rainbow home in maine by an aesthetic pursuit
Claire Esparros

This home and showroom in Maine is defined by unabashed colour. The work of design firm An Aesthetic Pursuit, the zingy colour combination of cornflower blue and tangerine features throughout the home. In the bathroom, chunky beige terrazzo is the ideal neutral base for the zingy palette; the studio designed the bespoke vanity unit and topped it with a blue concrete ‘Pill’ basin by Nood Co.