Zellige Tile Backsplash: Best Colors, Cost and Pros and Cons
A zellige tile backsplash is one of the best-looking choices for a kitchen wall, and one of the easiest to live with. The glaze handles heat, steam and splatter, the hand-cut surface hides small imperfections, and the cost works out to about $25 per square foot once you add installation. The trade-offs are real but small: the surface is uneven, the grout needs sealing, and the tile costs more than factory ceramic. White, cream and soft neutral shades are the most popular choice, and they are where zellige looks its best.
In this article
- Which zellige colors work best for a kitchen backsplash?
- How much does a zellige backsplash cost?
- What are the pros and cons?
- What goes with a zellige backsplash?
- How do you clean and care for it?
- FAQ
Which zellige colors work best for a kitchen backsplash?
Neutrals. White, cream, ivory and greige are what most people search for when they plan a zellige backsplash, and they suit almost any cabinet, counter or floor. A hand-glazed neutral is never one flat color, so a white wall reads as soft and layered instead of clinical.
Three Handtile shades cover most kitchens. They are all 4x4 squares at $21 per square foot.
| Shade | What it looks like | Best with |
|---|---|---|
| Blanc White | Our warmest white. Shifts between soft cream, pale grey and natural clay tones. | White cabinets, light wood, brass |
| Off-White | A soft white with subtle grey and beige undertones, never bright white. | Warm stone counters, cream or sage cabinets |
| Argile Greige | Between grey and taupe, with a semi-gloss glaze that catches light in soft waves. | Dark cabinets, black fixtures, walnut |
If you cannot choose between two whites, the shade can look different on your wall than on a screen. Our free tile sample lets you hold it next to your counter in your own light. Our guide to off-white zellige explains the undertones in more detail.
How much does a zellige backsplash cost?
About $25 per square foot, installed: $21 for the tile and roughly $4 for installation. A typical 30 square foot kitchen backsplash comes to around $855 once you order 15% extra for cuts and breakage. Handmade tile does cost more than mass-produced ceramic, but a backsplash uses so little tile that the difference stays small.
| Backsplash area | Tile to order (+15%) | Tile at $21/sq ft | Install at $4/sq ft | Approx. total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20 sq ft | 23 sq ft | $483 | $80 | $563 |
| 30 sq ft | 35 sq ft | $735 | $120 | $855 |
| 40 sq ft | 46 sq ft | $966 | $160 | $1,126 |
Grout, sealer and thinset are extra, and installer rates vary by region and by how many outlets and corners the wall has. Our overage guide explains how much extra to order, and the full cost guide breaks down the rest.
What are the pros and cons of a zellige backsplash?
The pros are the glaze, the durability on a wall and the character. The cons are the uneven surface, the grout upkeep and the price compared with factory tile. For most kitchens the pros win, because a backsplash is a wall, not a floor.
Pros
- Light. The glossy glaze reflects light and brightens a kitchen. Mineral Tiles says it "captures and reflects light, brightening your space and adding visual depth to walls."
- Heat and steam. Mineral Tiles also notes that "Zellige tiles are fired in kilns, making them resistant to heat and humidity," which suits the wall behind a range.
- One of a kind. "Every Zellige tile is hand-molded, cut, and glazed, meaning no two tiles are exactly alike." A zellige wall has no repeating pattern.
- Forgiving. Small chips and pits blend into the surface, which is why a hand-cut wall ages well. Our post on white zellige imperfections shows what is normal.
Cons
- Uneven surface. The tiles vary in thickness, so the wall is not perfectly flat. That is part of the look, but it surprises people who expect machine-flat tile. See why zellige is never perfectly flat.
- Grout upkeep. Grout lines should be sealed. More on this below.
- Price. "Handcrafted zellige tiles are pricier than mass-produced tiles," according to Mineral Tiles.
- Installation skill. The same source recommends professional installation for even spacing and alignment. Our guide on installing zellige yourself covers when a careful DIYer can manage it.
What goes with a zellige tile backsplash?
White cabinets and warm stone are the classic pairing. A warm white or cream zellige picks up the creamy tones in a quartzite counter such as Taj Mahal, while the uneven glaze keeps an all-white kitchen from feeling flat. Brass, unlacquered fixtures and light wood shelves all work well, as covered in our post on zellige with brass fixtures.
For a darker kitchen, a greige tile such as Argile gives walnut or black cabinets a soft, grounded backdrop. Grout color matters here too, so read our grout color guide before you choose.
Reads white from a distance, with cream, grey and clay layers up close.
Warm and natural, with subtle grey and beige undertones.
Between grey and taupe, with a semi-gloss glaze.
How do you clean and care for a zellige backsplash?
Wipe the tiles with a soft cloth and a pH-neutral cleaner, and seal the grout. Edward Martin recommends "warm water and a pH-neutral cleaner" and advises against harsh chemicals that can etch the glaze. The same source suggests resealing grout every 12 to 18 months, and annually in a busy kitchen, because steam and splatter wear a sealer down faster.
Behind a range, wipe grease off promptly and run the hood when you cook. Our guides on cleaning zellige and sealing zellige cover the products to use and the ones to avoid.
How do you finish the edges?
A backsplash usually ends at a window, a shelf or an open wall, and zellige has no matching bullnose piece. You can use metal trim, a sanded raw edge, a miter, or run the tile wall to wall. We compare all five in how to finish zellige tile edges.
Frequently asked questions
Is zellige a good choice for a kitchen backsplash?
Yes. The kiln-fired glaze resists heat and humidity, and the handmade surface hides everyday wear. It is a wall finish, so it avoids the chipping that makes zellige a harder choice on floors.
How much does a zellige backsplash cost per square foot?
About $25 installed: $21 for Handtile 4x4 squares plus roughly $4 for installation. Order about 15% extra tile.
What color zellige is best for a white kitchen?
Blanc White or Off-White. Both are warm whites with tonal variation, so they avoid the stark look of flat white tile. Order a sample and view it beside your cabinets in daylight.
Does a zellige backsplash need grout?
Yes, grout is standard and it should be sealed. Because the tiles have irregular edges, the grout line is part of the look. See our grout spacing and color post.
Can I install a zellige backsplash myself?
A careful DIYer can, but the uneven thickness makes spacing and alignment harder than with factory tile. Many homeowners hire a tile setter for the backsplash, which adds about $4 per square foot.
See the color on your own wall
Order a free tile sample, hold it against your counter and cabinets, then choose your shade.
Get a free tile sample →Handmade in Fes, Morocco. Ships to all US states.
Sources: Mineral Tiles, The Pros and Cons of Zellige Tiles; Edward Martin, Can You Truly Clean A Zellige Tile Backsplash In A Busy Kitchen?