The 8 Best Neutral Zellige Tiles (Backsplash or Bathroom) -

There’s no doubt that Zellige tile is a popular choice for kitchen backsplashes and bathroom shower surrounds. With a gentle, artisanal look, Zellige shows up in home styles ranging from vintage and traditional to modern and country.

But that doesn’t mean it should. Not every kitchen can handle the curated, lived-in look of Zellige tile. Pay close attention to the details: imperfections, grout colors, layout, and color palette, as this particular style offers variation from tile to tile. That’s why I’m sharing 8 of my favorite Zellige, or Zellige-inspired tiles. This way, you can sample and compare a range to find the best one for you and your humble abode.

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REMEMBER, just as with paint colors and husbands, never grab just one and call it the winner. Compare a range of to see the ebb and flow in color, depth, and temperature (and chest hair).

TO MAKE IT EASIER…

There’s no shortage of suppliers and samples. To simplify the process…

I’ve gathered the best Zellige tiles and brands from ONE MAGICAL PLACE*, so you don’t need to run around to every tile store collecting random samples and the common cold.
You get front-door delivery… tomorrow.
If you haven’t chosen your cabinet color or countertop yet, I’ve got links for those, too, so you can mix and match your entire kitchen palette!

Kylie M & DesignShop lets you mix & match from the comfort of your home – have fun!

*USA only, for now, sorry to my Canadian friends (no pun intended with the ‘sorry’).

BEFORE ORDERING TILES

Not all of the tiles below are ‘true Zellige tiles’. Some are field tiles that can mimic the look of Zellige. More often, these tiles have rectified edges, for a less ‘hand-crafted’ look (but not always). Some homes need a simpler tile vs. a true Zellige.
Don’t judge them by their online image. Computer screens and websites often show fugly versions of what are actually gorgeous tiles. Judge them in person.
Take note of the available options in the tiles you love, such as textures, crackle, gloss, irregular edges, rectified edges, etc.

Most importantly, Zellige tile can vary a LOT from tile to tile. I recommend ordering at least 3 of each tile, so you can see its full expression.

THE BEST ZELLIGE TILES (OR ZELLIGE-LOOK)

I’d love to show you exact images of each tile in action. However, I don’t have those (I only use my own images). Instead, I’ll share kitchens of my Online Color Consulting clients who have used similar-looking tiles – a little eye candy and color inspiration for you!

But on that note, if you end up using one of these tiles in your home, PLEASE SEND PHOTOS (gratuitous dog or cat cameos also appreciated).

Farrow & Ball Color Matches (F&B shown above)

TILE 1: ARTISTIC TILE ZELLIGE, SAND

When we think of Zellige tile, our minds often go to white or green, as they are among the more popular colors. However, this tile (Sand) has my heart. With its beige-taupe base, it offers a casual warmth to a kitchen or bathroom without being too bossy.

Don’t judge it by its online image, which makes it look multi-toned. It’s not – it’s one solid color.

LINK: ARTISTIC TILE ZELLIGE
SIZE: 4 x 4
COLOR: Sand (not as tan as you’d think)

Also, if I can find a good image from the supplier, I’ll include it, like this one.

TILE 2: ARTISTIC TILE ZELLIGE, CLOUD WHITE

If your ideal Zellige tile is white, check out this bad boy. With the typical hand-crafted look and uneven edges, Artistic Tile hits it out of the park.

LINK: ARTISTIC TILE ZELLIGE
SIZE: 4 x 4
COLOR: Cloud White

Supplier image

TILE 3: BEDROSIANS TILE & STONE CLOE, WHITE

Cloe is definitely a popular girl. But whereas many of that type talk behind your back and make out with your boyfriend, this girl is all class and charm (kind of like me…right?).

Also, a tile doesn’t need to be an actual, hand-crafted Zellige tile to LOOK like one.

LINK: BEDROSIAN TILE & STONE
SIZE: 2.5 x 8 | 5 x 5
COLOR: White

Supplier image

Just remember: Even though the label says ‘white’ doesn’t mean it’s solid. Order 3-4 tiles to see the full range of its palette.

Cashmere Kitchen Ideas: Cabinets, Colors, & More

Designing a kitchen from scratch?

I have great Starter Sets to help you on your way. Mix-and-match and have some fun!

TILES: Remember to order 3-4 of your favorite Zellige tiles, to see their full range (or as much of it as possible)
CABINETS: Check out these Curated White Cabinet Colors for the best mix-and-match options.
COUNTERTOPS: Order my 6 favorite countertops (Starter Set 1 | Starter Set 2)

TILE 4: BEDROSIAN’S TILE & STONE CLOE, GREY

Cloe comes in many colors, including grey and beige. Heck, you can even get blue, green, or black if those hit your happy place!

LINK: BEDROSIAN’S TILE & STONE CLOE
SIZE: 2. 5 x 8 | 5 x 5
COLOR: Grey

If you want more warmth, Cloe is also available in a more ‘beige-inspired’ color blend.

How to Warm Up a Gray Home

TILE 5: RIAD TILE ZELLIGE, SNOW

If your perfect Zellige tile is soft and muted, with gentle taupe undertones, this is the tile for you.

LINK: RIAD TILE ZELLIGE
SIZE: 2 x 6 | 2 x 2 | 4 x 4
COLOR: Snow

Not the exact tile, just a pretty pic of Zellige in action!

The Best White Paint Color (singular)

TILE 6: RIAD TILE ZELLIGE, NATURAL WHITE

If you love the Riad blend, but want to compare a sample with a bit more depth, Natural Whitre (which sure as heck ain’t ‘natural white’) could hit the spot.

I’ll be the first one to say that its online image is FRIGGIN’ HORRENDOUS. However, I have a sample right in front of my eyes in my hot lil’ hands, and it’s beautiful.

Of the non-white options, this one is my personal favorite.

LINK: RIAD TILE ZELLIGE
SIZE: 2 x 6 | 2 x 2 | 4 x 4
COLOR: Natural White

TILE 7: BEDROSIANS TILE & STONE ZAGORA

Coming in HOT on Riad’s heels is Zagora. Also, notice that Tile #2 is similar, but has more size options.

LINK: BEDROSIANS ZAGORA
SIZE: 4 x 4
COLOR: Neige Blanc

TILE 8: ANN SACKS CANYON LAKE, STONE GLOSS

Brought to you by Ann Sacks and my girl-crush, Shea, of Studio McGee, the Canyon Lake Zellige tile offers a beautiful, organic warmth. This is a field tile, not a full ‘Zellige’, but its cleaner edges offer a different approach, while still offering a handcrafted look.

Supplier image | The Best Off-White & Light Cabinet Colors

LINK: ANN SACKS, CANYON LAKE, STUDIO MCGEE
SIZE: 2 x 6 | 4 x 4
COLOR: Stone Gloss

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Oooo, there’s no end of questions about this popular tile – let’s see if I can knock off a few of the top ones.

IS ZELLIGE TILE TIMELESS OR JUST IN STYLE RIGHT NOW?

It’s actually a bit of both. Right now, Zellige, and Zellige-look tiles are popular, for sure. As for being timeless, they are, so long as they suit the home they’re in. Many homes are too transitional or modern to support the more curated look of this tile. Zellige often suits Mediterranean and Spanish style homes, as well as more ‘curated’ vintage homes. While it’s HOT for the Modern Farmhouse look, that stretches an authentic Zellige tile’s comfort zone.

Does this bathroom suit Zellige tile? YOU BET YOUR CUTE LIL’ BOOTY IT DOES…

If you love the look, consider a porcelain tile that mimics Zellige, a) you won’t have to seal it and b) if you choose a tile with rectified (straight) edges, it will help this tile transition with the average home’s style.

WHAT GROUT COLOR SHOULD BE USED WITH ZELLIGE TILE?

It depends on the look you want.

LOW CONTRAST: If you want to blend the edges of the tile (especially since Zellige tiles often have uneven edges) match your grout to the main color of the tile. For the sake of longevity and moderation, I usually suggest this approach.

MEDIUM CONTRAST: Many Zellige tiles have varying colors/shades. If you want a bit of contrast, but nothing harsh, find the ‘medium-depth’ color in your tile – not the lightest or the darkest, and match this with your grout, as shown below…

Find the lightest tile and the darkest, then notice where the grout sits – in between!

You can also go the opposite way if you have a lighter tile, like this one below…

This grout is a few shades lighter than the tile, but still in the same muted family (eg., it’s not beige or cream).

HIGHER-CONTRAST: If you want to highlight the uneven edges of each tile and reeeally lean into that rustic look, choose a grout color in the same family (e.g. gray, beige, warm, cool, etc), but make it several tones darker or lighter than the main color of your tile. Just be cautious as this can overglorify those uneven, chipped looking edges.

While this next home can pull it off, being a bit more ‘curated and collected’ in its approach, the grout definitely highlights the imperfections and differences between the tiles…

It’s GORGEOUS, but personally, I would’ve chosen a more moderate, muted grout color.

WILL THE TILE LOOK WAVY OR UNEVEN ONCE INSTALLED?

A true Zellige tile with uneven edges will look a bit uneven – that’s the idea. It’s not always meant to look perfect. If this makes you twitchy, consider tiles with clean, rectified edges, or look at porcelain tiles that pick up the Zellige look.