The Trendy Bathroom Tiles That Are Never Worth Buying

When it comes to designing the perfect bathroom, tile choice can make or break the whole look. If timeless beauty and handmade charm is what you're after for this space, your heart might just settle on a unique zellige tile layout to transform your space. Zellige tile is beloved by many homeowners with an eye for unique designs. However, if you prioritize easy maintenance, zellige tiles are not the best investment in your bathroom renovation journey.

With their rich texture, subtle variations, and glossy finish, zellige tiles can undoubtedly visually elevate any bathroom. But as enchanting as these traditionally Moroccan tiles look, they also pose one major caveat: cleaning them can become a serious chore. Even if you're up for the challenge, the delicate and porous nature of zellige tiles means you can't scrub them hard or use just any cleaning tool and solution without risking damage. Excessive scrubbing can result in visible scratches on the tile surface, and abrasive cleaning products can also damage the tiles' delicate glaze.

The main thing about zellige tiles is that they're handcrafted, so you know each tile is truly one-of-a-kind. Unfortunately, this also means each tile is slightly uneven in shape and thickness, so surfaces aren't flat and grout lines aren't consistent. Cue water, soap residue, and grime collecting in the crevices, making regular cleaning more time-consuming and frustrating. Because of the time and effort that goes into making them by hand, zellige tiles are also among the more expensive bathroom material options. While zellige will set you back somewhere between $15 and $60 per square foot, more affordable options like porcelain will only cost you $2 to $13 per square foot.

Zellige tiles are especially not worth installing inside the shower and around sinks. Constant moisture, humidity, and soap exposure make buildup almost inevitable, and scrubbing every crevice gets old fast. If these are precisely the areas where you pictured installing zellige tile accents, you'd better be prepared for a full-time cleaning job trying to clean your way from grimy to glamorous zellige tiles.

The good news is that there are other tile options that can still bring the look you envisioned while making bathroom cleaning easier. For example, you can opt for porcelain tiles that mimic zellige. These are more uniform, nonporous, and much easier to keep clean. A shower wall made of glass tiles is also a perfect low-maintenance option that offers a similar shiny, light-reflecting surface and a handcrafted vibe.