The Terracotta Trend 4 Ways: Warm Earthen Tones For Your Interior

Over the past couple of years, terracotta has made a resurgence as a design trend and we are fully here for it.

Now, before you get all worked up remembering how hard we tried to collectively move past the dreary terracotta tones that dominated the 80s, you should know that we’re not talking about that frumpy orange-tinged brown, which, let’s call a spade a spade, was unsettlingly fecal in color.

No, the modern iteration of terracotta that we see taking over design feeds on the Gram and Pinterest puts emphasis on the toasty burnt orange and varying shades of pink that cloud and streak the traditional earthenware material.

Source: @Ezzwilson

We’re talking about warm neutrals from sandstone to sienna red; colors that evoke an old-world charm, full of earthy energy, that cast out adobe vibes but don’t go so far as to make you feel like you’re live in one of the clay huts of Bedrock City from The Flintstones.

To Tile or Not to Tile?

Though the terracotta trend pulls inspiration from the ancient ceramic tiles, it’s less focused on incorporating them than it is on finding new and modern applications for the color palette. Still, the best way to get the full range of rustic, earthen colors in your home is with the tiles themselves.

Source: Pinterest

Terracotta tiles are readily found all over the world, so you shouldn’t have any trouble tracking them down. They also come in hundreds of variations for you to choose from, like the Mexican Saltillo pictured above.

There are some drawbacks to installing these tiles in your home, though. In addition to the price tag and the fact that they can be messy and time-consuming to install, terracotta tiles are porous and need to be treated regularly with a sealant to avoid mold and rot stains from developing.

Source: This is Glamorous

One way to skip the hassle of installing and upkeeping tiles is to opt for tile stickers instead. You get the same look for a fraction of the effort and price. Quadrostyle sells patterned sticker panels for your floors that make covering them a cinch. You can get your entire kitchen or living room done and ready to walk on in a day. They’re water resistant so you don’t have to worry about rotting, as you would with authentic terracotta tiles, and they’re made of durable vinyl that will stand up to foot traffic, pets, spills, and more.

Source: Rock in Deco

Our newest collection, The New Bohemians, taps into the terracotta trend with designs like Tomette, which mimics antique French terracotta hex tiles, including their characteristic light orange and pink hues.

 

The collection also features modern takes on the classics, such as the bold Salon design, as well as broader, more ornate interpretations like Palma. 

 

 

That said, you don’t need tiles or even tile stickers, to incorporate the terracotta trend into your home. As mentioned before, this trend is about color and there are a million ways to work these rich, warm shades into your interior design to match your personal style.

From minimal to bohemian, the appeal of terracotta is universal and democratic. To give you an idea of just how versatile this palette is, here are a few examples of how to apply it in several very different style settings.

Modern Farmhouse

Source: Remodelista

Because terracotta tiles like the aforementioned French hex match the rustic, yet chic vibe of any farmhouse home, they’re a natural match. Installing terracotta tiles on the kitchen floor, for example, is an easy way to work in this trend, especially if your kitchen is already dominated by complementary tones like navy, graphite, and cream.

 

Source: The Rustic Pelican, CreatingComfortLab

The thing about farmhouse homes, though, is that you don’t want to go overboard. Too much of the clay-colored palette will suffocate your space and take away the open, airy, country charm. So, when introducing terracotta tones, the trick is to do it in the accents. Like this painted pendant lamp, for example, or this ceramic dinnerware set. Store your dishes on an exposed shelf for extra design points.

Source: Pinterest

Sprinkle your surfaces with ceramic accessories like pots, pitchers, and vases in varied shades of red. Or capitalize on the uber-comfy farmhouse feel by stocking up on colorful comfort accessories like pillows and blankets in burnt orange and clay tones to make your interior all the earthier.

Mid-Century Modern

Source: Pinterest

The terracotta aesthetic is a natural match for mid-century modern style, as the entire palette is already a staple feature. Rose pinks and rusty oranges and reds look great next to mid-century modern wood furniture and have long been incorporated into this style of interior design.

 

Source: Home Polish, Domino

Two popular ways to mix the terracotta palette into your mid-century modern home are to focus on upholstery and walls. The mid-century look is all about contrast and color blocking, and a natural way to create color blocks in your home is by using colorful upholstery, like these chairs with pink and sand hues, respectively.

Source: dismoderndesign

Another way to color block your home is to add a statement wall or bold, colored wall art, like these prints from Etsy shop diamoderndesign. Choose a color like Sherwin Williams’s Cavern Clay, the 2018 color of the year, to tap into the earthy vibe.

Art Deco

Source: Apartment Therapy

Fans of the bold and dramatic will love the way art deco looks with a terracotta makeover. In this case, an option is to focus on one of the fundamental elements of the style: exuberant geometric patterns.

 

Get the look with an angular wallpaper, like Maximus, which not only incorporates terracotta, but also dark navy. The striking contrast and stellar motif make it the perfect art deco embellishment.

Source: House Beautiful

Source: ThePillowCoverStore

Another fun way to work with this palette is by using luxurious materials and sculptural accents. For a style that emphasizes opulent luxury, this is your opportunity to go all out. Velvet sofas in burnt orange or deep pinks are a great way to tie the style and trend together.

Spanish Style

Source: Home Décor Designs

Terracotta tiles have always been a fixture in Spanish-style homes. Now, people living in these gorgeous villa-inspired abodes that dominate the California Coast and Southwest, are incorporating even more of the orange tones into their décor.

Source: Chairish

Leather upholstery is not only a staple of the Hacienda home style, it often comes in terracotta tones, like clay, rust, and burnt orange. We love these leather and iron bar stools as a way to add new levels to your space and turn up the terracotta.

Source: Lovely Homeldea

Finally, try out statement textiles that embolden, like these burnt orange linens from Etsy shop Lovely Homeldea. The airy material is a welcome contrast to the heavy Spanish-style ornamentation, such a substantial wood tables and grand stucco fireplaces.

 

 

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