Mosaics in the bathroom are on trend. The tiled patterns are made up of small elements and offer a variety of materials, shapes and colours for extravagant design solutions. What many fans of design don’t know is the decorative wall embellishment could be found in temples and secular buildings as far back as the ancient world.
Mosaics in the bathroom are on trend. The tiled patterns are made up of small elements and offer a variety of materials, shapes and colours for extravagant design solutions. What many fans of design don’t know is the decorative wall embellishment could be found in temples and secular buildings as far back as the ancient world.
Early Greek tile murals were made of natural pebbles. The Romans worked with evenly carved stone cubes so that they could be laid more precisely. This also enabled them to cut down on joints. The small cubes also helped them to draw highly accurate lines and create colour gradients. One impressive example has four million tiles spanning 15 square metres: the Alexander Mosaic in Pompeii.
Early Christian artists used glass stones that strongly reflected the light. They were perfect for furnishing the spaces inside churches. Some of the most significant works can still be seen at a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Ravenna.
The Byzantine Empire also brought mosaic art to places of worship. When the Ottoman Empire took over and converted the churches into mosques, they were concealed under plaster and paint – or were destroyed. Gold tesserae mosaics originally spanned a 10,000 square metre space in Hagia Sophia in Istanbul. Although the famous Deësis mosaic has since been uncovered, Hagia Sophia was turned into a museum in 1935 and then converted back to a mosque for the second time in 2020, so the work of art is now covered with curtains.
Geometric patterns are traditional in Islam. Due to Islamic aniconism, typical tile mosaics do not portray people, but geometric shapes and calligraphy. It should be noted that both of these are highly complex to create.
In 2007, scientists in Iran discovered aperiodic patterns on buildings dating back to the 15th century. Mathematicians only discovered these patterns for themselves 30 years ago. There is still some disagreement as to whether the ‘quasi-crystalline’ geometry is accidental or whether Oriental architecture was 500 years ahead of us. But one thing is for sure: Islamic mosaic art is impressive.
These colourful little tiles being made by hand is a thing of the past. But even when they are laid out on mats before adorning walls, the craftsmanship is still just as radiant as ever – especially in the bathroom.
Mosaic tiles catch the eye and breathe life into a room. They come in every shade of colour, in edge lengths starting from one centimetre and in square, rectangular, round and oval shapes. Choosing the size and shape of the tiles will depend on the size of your bathroom and the desired effect.
Combining materials is great for achieving bold effects in other ways. Tile manufacturers can make almost anything possible here these days.
Mosaic tiles can create very different effects. But above all, they visually divide the room. So we recommend not using them throughout: Add character to your walls and emphasise one area of your bathroom with intense colours and shiny surfaces.
In another place, use solid matt colours for an understated look. Play with shapes and patterns. Use surface textures with 3D effects for a hint of extravagance. Textured tile surfaces are also highly functional: They conceal limescale and other unpleasant deposits. We recommend deliberately matching mosaic walls with bathroom furniture and taps.
You will see: The wall surface and furnishings will draw attention to each other.