Sustainable practices are taking the forefront in every aspect of our lives, and designers today making a shift to eco-conscious practices and materials. What can be more sustainable than the earth itself? Made of baked clay, terracotta is a versatile material that has stood the test of time—it has even been found in the ruins of ancient civilizations, which says a lot for its durability. Eco-friendly and completely natural, it adds a wonderfully rustic, earthy feel to any interior. It has been used in traditional Indian homes for centuries, in the form of roofing and floor tiles, wall bricks, cookware, pots to hold water, and large and small decorative accessories. With the renewed focus on sustainability in today’s world, terracotta is trending today and has found its way into many designer homes.
All great reasons to use this all-natural material in your home!
How is Terracotta Manufactured?
“Terracotta” translates to “baked earth” in Italian, and this describes how it is manufactured as well. Clay is first filtered to remove dust, small stones, and other particles, and is mixed with water to get the right consistency that is pliable enough to be moulded without falling apart. Before it dries out, it is then quickly pressed into a mould, air-dried and finally fired in a kiln- a process that can take up to two weeks. Terracotta for interior use is normally glazed as well. This gives it a soft, smooth appearance, and also protects the surface.
Terracotta in Interiors: How is it Used?
This lovely material can be used in creative and functional ways in your home design. It is much loved for the rustic charm and warm, cosy ambience it adds to any space. Here are some ideas you can steal for your home!
Floor Tiles
Terracotta tiles look beautiful, feel warm underfoot, and age wonderfully. The natural baking process throws up different shades of rich warm colour, with no two tiles perfectly alike. The earthy colour palette that these tiles add to any room ranges from deep red through earthy brown, dull ochre, and burnt amber. These tiles are available in a variety of sizes and designs ranging from square to hexagonal and curved shapes that can lend an exotic touch to your floors.
Pro Tip: As the tiles can vary in size, it would be wise to use spacers when laying the flooring. This will ensure consistency of line and a neater appearance. Make sure that the tiles are sealed properly to avoid stains. Terracotta is porous, and for this reason is not a wise choice for kitchens, utility rooms, and bathrooms.
Terracotta Wall Tiles
Not just in floors, terracotta looks gorgeous on walls as well. Exposed terracotta brick walls are charming and very commonly used in low-cost architecture. These walls need no embellishment and create a timeless look that will never go out of style. Wall cladding tiles are also available that can re-create the same look. You can even consciously choose to use chipped and imperfect tiles for a shabby chic appearance that is in vogue these days!
Pro Tip: You can take your pick from raw and dull, matt or glazed finishes to suit your décor theme. Classical French-style interiors use highly glazed and perfectly finished tiles, while shabby and rough tiles would go well with farmhouse themes. A terracotta backsplash looks great in the kitchen, but should not be close to the cooking area as it can get damaged with exposure to high humidity.
Planters
Terracotta pots have always been used as planters, both inside and outside the house and pair perfectly well with lush foliage. You can play with different sizes, mix and match a variety of pots, planters and urns for visual interest. Interested in DIY projects? Do try your hand at painting patterns on the surface of the pots using durable acrylic paints.
Terracotta Murals
If you have an artistic bent of mind, you can work wonders in creating decorative murals with bits of broken terracotta. This lovely Spanish theme is put together using bits of terracotta embedded in the plaster wall using cement slurry.
Pro Tip: When putting a mural together, always remember to clean the surface as you go along. Splashes of grouting material or adhesives will not be easy to clean up once they have dried.
Roof and Ceiling under Tiles
Terracotta is widely used as an architectural building material for roofs. But did you know that pretty, patterned ceiling tiles are also available? Terracotta under tiles, as they are called, come with embossed patterns and have acoustic and thermal insulation properties. They also add a delightful touch to a farmhouse themed interior!
Terracotta Statuettes and Accessories
The magic of terracotta can bring the perfect blend of rustic and stylish to your home. Terracotta vases, figurines, statues and sculptures look good in any setting, both indoors or as garden accessories. Pair them with stained glass lamps, colourful handloom rugs or mirror work cushion covers to tie the whole look together.
Keep Your Terracotta Looking As Good As New
Terracotta needs care and attention to keep it looking its best.
- Floors should be swept and mopped every day using a non-chemical cleaning solution or just plain water on a microfibre cloth. The older your floor, the more it will shine with regular cleaning.
- Never use acids, ammonia or vinegar to clean the surface as it will discolour.
- Wall tiles should also be wiped down with water or non-chemical detergent regularly.
- All tiles should be sealed once every three years to prevent stains and prolong their durability. The sealer can be applied with a brush and takes up to 72 hours to dry completely.
- Any spills should be wiped up at once.
- Terracotta that is not glazed will attract dust very easily, so make sure to set up a regular vacuuming routine.
- Terracotta is highly breakable and can get scratched easily. Ensure that all your furniture has padded legs, and make sure that nothing is dragged across the floor. Terracotta vases, pots, and accessories should be handled with great care so that they do not chip or break.
Would you like to use terracotta in your home? Get in touch with our experts at HomeLane for more tips and ideas.
