Why Terracotta Wall Decor Is Making A Comeback In Modern Interiors

Terracotta was once considered an item that would only be found at your grandmother’s place. This is definitely no longer the case.

When visiting any contemporary home today, you can be sure that terracotta will be featured somewhere on the wall and not as an afterthought, but rather as the main event.

So why is this happening? Well, there are three reasons behind this shift: craftsmanship, colour, and suspicion of anything mass-produced.

Why There Is Such A Push For Terracotta?

• Terracotta wall decoration is not something that has emerged recently. Terracotta is one of the oldest decorative materials used by humans. What is new is its application.
• In the past century, terracotta has been used externally in houses for things like roof tiles, planters, and courtyard paving. Not much terracotta was used indoors.
• All that has changed now. Interior designers now use terracotta as wall decoration in its own right and not as an external decoration that sometimes finds its way inside.

Terracotta: From Ethnic Material to Design Trend

For decades, terracotta remained in the “ethnic” or “rustic” design categories. Today, terracotta is found not only in rustic spaces but in Scandinavian apartments and even minimalistic lofts and maximalistic galleries.

This change took place thanks to the new approach of designers who started considering terracotta primarily as a material that gives a unique texture and colour to space rather than an ethnic material.

The proof of this is the way terracotta is presented today - in its photos and stylistic compositions. It is no longer accompanied exclusively by woven items such as rattan furniture.

Terracotta Wall Art - The Making of It

• Each individual terracotta wall artwork possesses tiny differences. Fingerprints within the clay. Slightly asymmetrical shapes due to forming. Minor cracks caused by firing.
• They do not indicate defects in any way. On the contrary, they are signs of human craftsmanship.
• It is becoming increasingly important nowadays, when markets are flooded with canvases printed with wall artworks, that buyers seek to obtain wall artworks which cannot be mass-produced.
• Creation of an individual terracotta wall artwork normally takes several days in its making. Clay has to be formed, dried slowly in order not to cause any cracks, and fired at high temperature in order to solidify it forever. Skipping any of those stages will lead to weakening of the artwork; therefore, there is no quick way out of this situation.
• Those aspects of its production make it distinct from any factory-made item.

The Appeal of Earthy Colours in Today's Modern Home

The trend in interior colours has changed from cool greys to white, shifting to a much warmer and grounded tone. Consider terracotta, clay, rust, and sand.

This is no mere whim. This is part of the larger trend towards homes that are warm and inviting rather than showroom perfect.

The use of terracotta wall decor is easy when it comes to interior colour since it fits in with the earth tone that the modern designer seeks to incorporate in paints and other home materials.

Moreover, there is the psychology involved, where warm colours such as terracotta tend to give a sense of comfort and grounding to people.

Sustainability Is Shaping Decor Trends

Increasing numbers of consumers are concerned about where their home decor items are sourced and manufactured. The answer to these concerns lies in terracotta.

• It is made from all-natural clay, not artificial material
• It is not made through any sort of chemical printing process
• It is usually handmade by craftspeople rather than manufactured on an assembly line
• At the end of its lifecycle, it is biodegradable, which cannot be said for plastic prints

It is all part of a larger trend of consumers opting for high-quality products instead of low-quality decor that needs replacing every couple of years.

Moreover, this is part of a broader trend regarding how homes are being furnished. Just like with fast fashion, fast decor is increasingly becoming unpopular among buyers who are looking for products that last longer.

Does Terracotta Work In Modern and Minimal Interiors?

This is the most frequently asked question by clients who are shifting from their traditional homes to their new modern ones.

And the answer is yes, but only through restraint. The idea of having a terracotta piece on a neutral background will be considered intentional and sculptural, rather than decorative.

It all boils down to utilising the texture of terracotta, and doing so requires you to have only one piece, as opposed to many small pieces.

In addition to the scale of a terracotta piece, its modernity is influenced by the size as well, as a bigger terracotta piece from a Handmade collection is more modern-looking than many small ones.

How To Style Terracotta Wall Decor In Your Home

• Style it against neutral or off-white walls for maximum texture.
• Combine it with felt or thread wall decor for added interest without creating too much busyness.
• Style it as an anchor piece, using a few large pieces rather than many small ones.
• Make sure natural light falls directly on it; shadows enhance its handmade quality.
• Avoid decorating the space around it so that the terracotta is always the star of the show.

For a particular room in mind, we have terracotta wall decor in various sizes from doorways to whole walls in living rooms.

Conclusion

Terracotta wall decor is not just popular because of its nostalgic value. Rather, it appeals to people because of their genuine needs at the moment. If you are trying to style an empty wall, terracotta decor provides texture and authenticity that flat prints cannot. But if you want something in lighter tones that gives a very minimal yet impactful look, you can also explore our Felt Art collection, specially made from Australian merino wool.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is terracotta?
Terracotta refers to natural clay that is shaped and baked under high temperatures to become hardened. Terracotta is an Italian term that translates to "baked earth." This material has been used to make sculptures, pottery, and architectural designs for millennia. Terracotta has a naturally warm reddish-brown colour due to iron oxides present in the clay.

Is terracotta wall decor durable?
Absolutely. Fired terracotta is a tough material that will survive long indoors without demanding much maintenance. Terracotta is much more durable than one would think.

Is terracotta wall decor suitable for modern homes?
Absolutely, especially when used as one statement piece against neutral backgrounds. The texture contrasts with the rest of the interior but does not overwhelm it.

What colours should be used with terracotta wall decor?
Terracotta naturally complements creams, sage greens, warm whites, and browns. It can also be a good choice for contrasting with black accents on walls.

How to clean terracotta wall decor?
One can use a dry, soft brush or a microfiber cloth. One should avoid using water and harsh chemicals because they may affect the finish of the clay.