Mosaic tiles are timeless, and they’ve seemingly always been in style. What’s more, they show no signs of falling out of favour any time soon.
Mosaic tiles can easily complement classy, unique, and modern house tiles. When it comes to interior design, visual enhancements are not the only measure of success; adding value to your home is a sign of success as well.
An addition such as a ceramic tile installation of mosaic tile will make any room far more intriguing. If you want to recreate or define your essence within the home, adding mosaic tiles is an excellent idea.
Don’t know where to start? No problem! We’ve provided a list of ideas to help you figure out what suits you best.
No matter if you try the tiles on your walls, countertops, or floors, or if they’re porcelain, glass or ceramic tiles—mosaic will give any home a luxurious and sophisticated look. Keep reading for more inspiration, from accent walls to backsplashes, to a cute enclosure for your patio. There’s something for everyone and every style.
What Are Mosaic Tiles?
When mosaics first came onto the scene, they were tediously applied individually, and the small tiles all came together to form a large surface of complex and unified patterns.
However, modern mosaics have removed the tedium, and they are now easy to use sheets of tiles that are pre-attached, making the installation process much more manageable.
A modern mosaic tile consists of smaller ceramic tile squares, which are usually two-inch squares or smaller. These are all glued to a sheet of mesh fibreglass.
Conveniently, the tiles are perfectly spaced on the sheets so that the gaps in the tiles are the exact width needed for grout seams. For this reason, mosaic tiles are much easier and faster to install than individual small tiles.
How Are Mosaic Tiles Made?
Mosaic sheets can be uniform in both shape and colour, or they vary in shapes and colours to achieve different design effects. Traditionally mosaic sheets are made up of ceramic. However, other mosaics are glass tile, unglazed terracotta tiles, natural stone, and porcelain tile.
Typically, mosaic sheets are small square tiles, but you can also find them in other geometric shapes such as rectangles, etc.
What’s more, they can even put different shapes together on the same sheet. For borders and other accent applications, there are narrow sheets of mosaic tiles that you can use.
The technique involved in installing mosaic tile sheets is virtually the same as when installing standard ceramic tile.
The primary difference is that the cutting can be easier at times because fitting partial sheets is as simple as snipping the fibreglass backing to create custom-shaped sheets.
What Are the Types of Mosaic?
Due to mosaics’ ingenuity and versatility, they are one of the most used materials in new construction, decoration and renovation work alike.
The following factors are what make up the various classifications of mosaic tiles:
According to its shape:
- It can be octagonal, square, hexagonal, rectangular and even irregular.
- It can be dependent on what material the mosaic comes from
Here are the most prominent types of mosaics that you can find on the market:
Glass Mosaic
When it comes to swimming pools, this is one of the most utilised options. That has mostly to do with its durability and resistance to humidity. Moreover, they require little to no maintenance and are simple to clean.
Glass mosaics happen to be one of the most versatile mosaics to choose from. It adapts to any decor thanks to the fact that the designs that they come in are seemingly endless.
Metal Mosaic
Thanks to the unique design of metal mosaics, these mosaics offer a special look to any room that they go in. This material has a massive variation of finishes and textures, making them ideal for your home.
If the goal is to give a room a modern feel, add mosaics for an industrial touch in a classy and sophisticated way.
Natural Stone Mosaic
Natural stones allow for the design of high-quality mosaics while also having a wide range of possibilities for formats, colours, finishes and formats. Put this mosaic type in any room to age an elegant feel to it.
Furthermore, use this type of mosaic in avant-garde places or minimalist places. You are sure to settle on a choice that will fit together with the entire scheme of your decor.
To sum it up, natural stone is a superb choice for indoor and outdoor applications due to its resistance to wear and tear.
Natural Wood Mosaics
Natural wood mosaics are a favourite when it comes to placing them on walls of indoor spaces. These mosaics offer an authentic look to any wall that they adorn.
Apart from the unique design qualities these mosaics offer, they also provide some practical applications outside of aesthetics. These mosaics can enhance the warmth in the areas that they occupy. So they are highly functional as well as aesthetically pleasing all at the same time.
Mosaics Mix
This mix of mosaics combines different materials such as resin, glass, stone, metal and more.
The blending of mosaics makes them a welcomed addition to all kinds of industrial, classic, and modern environments. You are assured of finding a combination of mosaics that suits your decor or your design taste without a hitch.
How Are Mosaic Tiles Used?
First, it’s essential to establish the utility that mosaic tiles provide before enumerating the different mosaics and their distinct characteristics.
To begin with, mosaics can serve as purely decorative elements that can complement the existing decor in a room, home or building. Furthermore, they can be added to a whole wall and be the main decorative element as well.
With that being said, these tiles can be put in various places like the bathroom, floors, facades, swimming pool or kitchen and more. It’s virtually assured that you’ll find the ideal spot for mosaics to complement your home.
To make an informed decision, always consider shapes, colours, materials, textures, and the rest of the elements present within the room.
Furthermore, it will behove you to seek out high-quality materials that are durable and resistant to things such as weather, heat, stains and more.
Want to bring a dull, lacking wall space to life? Look no further than Walls and Floors authentic mosaic tiles!
Are Mosaic Tiles Good for Bathroom Floors?
Mosaic tiles are indeed an excellent option for bathroom floors and suitable flooring for even bathroom showers. This is because mosaics typically have surfaces that are textured.
So when the surfaces are wet with water, these surfaces can be effective in still providing grip. Therefore, you don’t have to worry about the surface becoming slippery due to water which can be very hazardous in a shower.
The aesthetics are versatile as well because you can choose many different textures, colours and even sizes. These tiles can even adjust to the slope of your specific shower easily.
These adjustments will typically demand that the tiles be cut in irregular shapes and pieces to accommodate the slope, challenging. However, with mosaic tiles, this process can be done very quickly.
The general rule of thumb is that mosaic tiles are terrific for bathroom floors because they offer traction, durability and aesthetic appeal.
Can You Use Mosaic Tiles on Shower Walls?
Tessellation tiles look great when lining your shower wall and the shower pan. It’s a chic choice that will never get old. In addition to making a space more attractive, it has the same practicality as larger tiles. They’re resilient, hygienic, and versatile.
Are Mosaic Tiles Hard to Install?
While you should always consult a professional if you’re not familiar with interior design installation techniques, mosaics aren’t terribly difficult to install. Thanks to the new mesh backing, installing the tiles is simple enough.
Surprisingly, picking the material, shape, and style you want is more complex than putting the time in your home. Mosaics are similar to tessellation tiles and are easy to cut to fit around outlets and fixtures.
Are Mosaic Tiles Expensive?
Here are the reasons that mosaic tiles tend to cost a little more:
Mosaic tile design: The primary reason that mosaic tiles are costly is the intricacy of the design. Plaid tiles are specialty designs that cost more than solid-coloured tiles. How difficult they are to manufacture will also make the mosaic cost more.
Additionally, expensive materials like high-quality glass are also a factor. For example, patchwork tiles cost more because of the intricate designs on each tile.
16 Trendy Mosaic Tile Ideas For Your Home
Adding sleek and modern white hexagon mosaic tiles is a lovely addition for brightening dull kitchens or bathrooms.
These tiles look lovely as a backsplash or lining the shower, or even behind the basin in a bathroom. The matt finish and porcelain material make for a classic style that looks clean and inviting.
Unique Features:
- Matt finish
- Made from porcelain (durable)
- White colour
The traditional chequered floor in neutral colours like black and white are both original and flattering.
As a feature, the mosaic tiles will grab everyone’s attention no matter where you apply them. Popular choices are the hallway, the kitchen, a bathroom, and even a lounge area. You can even try them around your garden in a patio or terrace space.
Unique Features:
- Matt finish
- Made from porcelain (durable)
- Black and white colour
Smokey black and charcoal brings a polished look to your home, whether you use it for the floors or walls. The hexagon shape is timeless, and you can make the grout black or white. The most intriguing is to use the pixel Black mosaic tiles as a backsplash in a modern kitchen.
Unique Features:
- Modern matt finish
- Made from porcelain (durable)
- Black and charcoal colour
These tiles are similar to the white and black chequered mosaic tiles but with a bolder colour. Adding crimson to any room while contrasting it against black makes a statement.
Use these mosaic tiles on an accent wall in a small closet, a home entryway, or a bathroom. Make sure you put it in a space that you want to stand out.
Unique Features:
- Matt finish
- Made from porcelain (durable)
- Black and red colour
The honeycomb design of these matt Mosaic tiles is perfect for making a dull bathroom come alive. You can also use these small tiles as a backsplash or in a personal office. If you choose white grout, it makes the room brighter and stylish.
Unique Features:
- Matt finish
- Made from porcelain (durable)
- White colour
Bring the sea to your bathroom with the pixel Sea Blend Mosaic tiles. The hues of blue are refreshing, and the vibrant colours will look great against kitchens with white cabinetry or dark brown.
You can also use these mosaic tiles in your outdoor swimming pool to make it look calm and relaxed.
Unique Features:
- Gloss finish
- Made from porcelain (durable)
- Blue colour
The combination of marble and the small repeating squares makes for an excellent feature wall in the bathroom, kitchen, or living area.
Cool grey tones contrasting against black, white, or a vibrant colour such as teal shoes the versatility of this collection. Marble is a classic favourite for home decor, and that won’t change anytime soon.
Unique Features:
- Semi-polished finish
- Made from marble (durable)
- Multicolour (Grey)
The Niebla Foggy light blue mosaic tiles are slip-resistant and frost resistant. You can use them in your outdoor pools but not on an external floor. These tiles don’t aren’t suitable for walls.
Unique Features:
- Matt finish
- Made from glass
- Blue colour
A glossy finish adds a luxurious feel to already trendy white hexagon wall tiles. You can use these mosaic tiles on the floors or walls, but they look great around your patio as well. It takes low effort to make a room look modern, or you can add splashes of colour to make it pop.
Unique Features:
- Gloss finish
- Made from porcelain (durable)
- White colour
Using montage tiles like the classy herringbone design makes your room more aesthetically pleasing.
White tiles can make the space look brighter and more extensive. You can also change the colour of the grout to match your furniture. One of the best ways to feature a Herringbone design in your home is the living space around a fireplace or as an accent wall.
Unique Features:
- Matt finish
- Made from porcelain (durable)
- White colour
Inject a stylish period look into your home or garden by introducing these Churchill Midnight Mosaic Tiles. they’re made from durable porcelain, so they’re frostproof and can be used in the garden to create a patio area
Unique Features:
- Matt finish
- Made from porcelain (durable)
- Black and charcoal colour
Perfect for the bathroom, kitchen, living room, or den, copper mosaic tiles make the room warmer and vibrant. The earthy colours look good with rustic themes, tones of brown, and even industrial themes.
The glass tiles tie the decor together with the partially polished finish. We recommend a feature wall for the best use of the cooler tiles.
Unique Features:
- Semi-polished finish
- Made from glass
- Brown and copper colour
As the name implies, these glass tiles bring an element of magic to any space. The mixture of gloss and matt finishes makes the tiles the focal point.
Giving off a brilliant combination of brown, red, and gold hues, these tiles will transform your wall and decor into a rustic-chic masterpiece.
Unique Features:
- Semi-polished finish
- Made from glass
- Brown, red, and gold shades of colour
The small white hexagon mosaic tiles with a high gloss finish are anything but ordinary. Mix and match with other colours, change the grout black, or leave it white; several options are available. The best place to feature these tiles is as a kitchen backsplash.
Unique Features:
- Gloss finish
- Made from porcelain (durable)
- White colour
- Small
These mosaic tiles look fabulous in a bathroom shower enclosure using calm and relaxing grey tones that almost appear white. It brightens up the area, and the textured surface adds to the appeal.
The mixed hexagon mosaic tiles are made from 98 per cent recycled glass. That makes them an eco-friendly choice that also looks great adorning your bathroom walls or floors.
Unique Features:
- Mixed finish
- Made from glass
- Shades of grey colour
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are the responses to the most commonly asked questions regarding mosaic tiles and home decor:
What Are Mosaic Tiles Called?
You might also hear mosaic tiles called tesserae or tessera if it’s only one. Mosaics are generally cube-shaped.
What Do You Put under Mosaic Tiles?
The majority of mosaic tiles come with a flexible and thin piece of fibreglass mesh on the back. It makes the installation smoother and more rapid.
Is Mosaic Tile Slippery?
Typically, you don’t have to worry about mosaics being too slippery to walk on because of the space between each piece.
Two millimetres is generally enough space to provide traction so that you won’t slip while walking out, placing your hand on the wall.
Are Mosaic Tiles Waterproof?
Mosaic tiles must get sealed correctly to become waterproof. Three primary sealant types are perfect for mosaic. You can choose between the concrete, membrane-forming, or penetrating kind of sealant. For more information on how to make mosaic tiles waterproof, check here.
Is Mosaic Tile Hard to Clean?
Mosaic tiles are easy to clean and keep looking nice for an extended period. Keep in mind that backsplash tiles and clear glass are shiny surfaces that will leave footprints, water spots, and fingerprints. So you will have to wipe them down regularly to keep the sparkle.
Final Thoughts
Mosaic tiles are one of the most beautiful ways to make an area stand out. Starting in about 2018, interior designers began realising the value of this classic decor style.
With massive expressive potential and modern manufacturing processes, mosaic tiles have risen to a new level of popularity.
You can find mosaics in various colours, formats, and finish specialities that drastically transform any room or surface. A wide range of patterns, dimensions, and shapes means that you have endless possibilities to decorate your home.