This Outdated Kitchen Flooring Is Finally Coming Back (And Needs Less Cleaning)

Choosing the perfect material for your flooring can be a calculation of aesthetics, durability, and the ever-evolving wheel of flooring trends. While modern day homes are often filled with natural stone tiles or beautiful hardwood, another possibility may be coming back into style. Terracotta tiles, which were very popular around the turn of the millennium, are again growing in popularity with designers and homeowners. Terracotta fits with a variety of aesthetics, where it offers warmth, a handcrafted feel, and rustic charm. It is also easier to keep clean, since the earthy colors and textures are excellent for disguising everyday dirt.

Many designers are turning to this classic material for floors, not just in kitchens and baths, but throughout the home. Isfira Jensen, of Jensen & Co., tells The Spruce, that terracotta has an "ability to mask dirt naturally. Its pattern allows for dirt in areas like mudrooms and kitchens to go largely unnoticed." Grazzie Williams, of Ca Pietra, says "'Terracotta is experiencing a resurgence, offering everything we desire in our homes. Its warmth and rustic charm create an inviting atmosphere, while its rich tones evoke a connection to nature and distant landscapes. Versatile and timeless, it complements every interior style and property type effortlessly" (via Homes & Gardens).

Floors made from terracotta can evoke a number of classic styles, from European villas in Italy and the South of France, to chic southwestern and Spanish mission-style interiors. Terra cotta tiles owe their beauty and durability to the long periods they spend baking in the sun, giving them variations in color, texture, and shape. Many also contain unique indentation marks incurred during the creation process, like pressed leaves and cat paws. The result is an old world look with lots of character and texture.

In addition, there is an abundance of beautiful styles for terracotta tiles, including classic square, rectangular, hexagonal, and arabesque shapes. You can lay rectangular tiles in an even grid, or lay them out in various directions or a herringbone format. You can also find different shades of tiles, from deep red ones to more muted taupes and tans. The earthy colors succeed in hiding a lot of everyday dirt and resist the streaks other flooring materials are prone to. Tiles also come in a variety of textures, from matte to super high gloss. 

While beautiful and classic, there are some drawbacks that may make you rethink choosing terracotta floors for your home. While the texture and shading of the tiles can disguise dirt and make cleaning needed less frequently, terracotta tiles can often have a more porous finish than other tile materials, which can lead to staining and discoloration. Proper sealing can remedy these problems, but it needs to be redone every two or three years to protect the tiles. If you have terracotta flooring, you will want to avoid harsh cleaning agents and use a ph-neutral soap and a damp cloth or mop to clean them.  

Terracotta tiles can also chip or crack if something heavy is dropped on them, and repairs can be difficult. While this budget-friendly material only costs around $3 to $7 per square foot to install, imperfections from tile to tile can make them less DIY-friendly due to the unevenness and variations. But as long as you seal your tiles and let a professional handle installation, terracotta is a low-maintenance choice for any home's interior or exterior.