Terrazzo is a composite material of marble, quartz, granite, or glass chips set in cement or resin, experiencing a massive design revival from 2017-2020 after decades out of fashion.
History
Terrazzo originated in 15th-century Venice:
- Workers used marble scraps from wealthy homes
- Set chips in clay, polished smooth
- Became popular in mid-century modern architecture (1950s-60s)
- Fell out of favor (1980s-2000s) as dated
2017-2020 Revival
Terrazzo exploded across design industries:
Interior design:
- Flooring in hotels, restaurants, homes
- Bathroom vanities and shower walls
- Kitchen backsplashes
- Statement stairs
Product design:
- Phone cases and tech accessories
- Planters and home goods
- Furniture (tables, lighting)
- Stationery and packaging
Fashion:
- Sneakers (Nike, Adidas terrazzo colorways)
- Nail art
- Clothing prints
Why It Came Back
Visual appeal:
- Playful, colorful speckled pattern
- Nostalgic yet fresh
- Adds texture without being busy
- Works in minimalist or maximalist spaces
Practical benefits:
- Extremely durable (lasts 75+ years)
- Low maintenance
- Sustainable (uses stone scraps)
- Hygienic and water-resistant
Social media:
- Highly photogenic
- Pinterest searches up 300% (2018)
- Instagram-worthy “dopamine decor”
Color Trends
2017-2019: Colorful, large chips
- Bright pinks, yellows, blues
- Statement-making
2020-2022: Muted, smaller chips
- Neutrals (white, beige, gray)
- Subtle sophistication
- Modern take on classic
Applications
Flooring:
- Entryways, bathrooms, kitchens
- Commercial spaces (retail, hospitality)
- Outdoor patios
Surfaces:
- Countertops
- Tabletops
- Wall cladding
Decor:
- Planters, vases
- Coasters, trays
- Lighting fixtures
Installation & Cost
Traditional terrazzo:
- Poured in place, polished
- Expensive ($50-$100/sq ft installed)
- Requires skilled artisans
- Heavy (structural considerations)
Terrazzo tiles:
- Pre-made tiles
- More affordable ($10-$30/sq ft)
- DIY-friendly
- Lighter weight
Terrazzo-look alternatives:
- Vinyl flooring with terrazzo print
- Wallpaper
- Painted finishes
Peak & Decline
Terrazzo peaked 2018-2020, then faced fatigue:
- Oversaturation in design blogs
- “Trendy” perception
- Difficulty removing if tastes change
- High installation costs deterring adoption
By 2022, shifted to classic rather than trendy status.
Sustainability
Terrazzo aligns with eco-design:
- Uses waste materials (stone scraps)
- Extremely long lifespan (reduces replacement)
- Low VOCs compared to other flooring
- Fully recyclable
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