Mosaic art is the perfect way to elevate your home’s elegance!
This blog will describe 10 types of mosaic art you can commission to add that ‘wow’ factor to your space.
10 simple yet elegant designs to instantly make your home more stylish. To mark your space with mosaic art matching your personality.
Table of Contents
What Is Mosaic Art?
A form of art and decor which man has been practising since he gained the sense of beautifying things. Mosaic artwork is type of craft where small tiles (also known as tesserae) are set together to create designs.
There are so many different types of mosaic art. A style may be found to suit every space, minimalistic, retro, contemporary or classical.
The beauty of mosaic artwork is that it allows for the expression of your style and taste. Feelings can be expressed through swirling, splashing patterns in abstract mosaic art.
For people who love the great outdoors, nature-inspired mosaics are a great choice. Plants, animals and different landscapes may be depicted in different types of natural mosaics just like in paintings.
The difference is that mosaics carry more feel and character. A range of materials may be used to give the look you would like for your space.
- Natural stone: Looks best in classical spaces or for outdoor mosaics. Widely used in mosaics by MEC Artworks. They give a soft, refined look.
- Glass: One of the most demanded materials for all types of mosaic artwork. One of the main materials used by MEC Artworks. Glass can be given a glossy or matted finish as is required.
- Ceramics: Suitable mostly for wall mosaic art. Ceramics mosaics can be crafted for indoor and outdoor spaces.
- Porcelain: Used mostly for bathrooms, kitchens and outdoor type of mosaic art.
1. Mosaic Wall Art and Murals
Different types of mosaic art may be used to decorate walls in homes in the U.K. One reason why mosaic wall art is opted for is when a homeowner wishes to balance the rest of the decor of their living room or bedroom.
Imagine a room with heavy wood furniture. Mahogany wood tables and sofas etc. Heavy, dark coloured curtains and dark-shaded, richly carpeted floors. All very classy-looking and stylish but articles that give a sombre feel to the whole space.
The best way to address this decor problem would be to have a mosaic in light hues crafted on a main wall in that room. The mosaic wall art will help to lighten up and brighten the atmosphere and decor of the heavily furnished space.
Mosaic murals may be commissioned to suit the existing decor of the space, too. In a modernly decorated house, an elegant abstract backsplash, a mosaic portrait or a nature-inspired mural can be a great backdrop for a stylish living room.
Care must be taken to choose the size of the mosaic wall art in accordance with the rest of the space’s size too. In a small sitting room, a wall mosaic in bright, flashy colours with a lot of imagery or patterns may make the room look overbright or stuffed.
Similarly in a large living room or bedroom, a mosaic wall art of a small size may not have the same impact that a larger piece of mosaic art would have.
Mosaic wall art is great choice in the range of types of mosaic art. However care must be taken to choose the size and style that will suit that particular room.
2. Mosaic Floor Tiles and Mosaic Rugs
The modern replacement for fabric carpets and rugs.
Mosaic floor tiles and rug types of mosaic art can be designed for indoor floors like living rooms or foyer areas of grand homes.
They are also suitable for outdoor floors like courtyards and patios.
For indoor floor mosaic tiles marble is the most suitable material. It gives a beautiful finish and looks great for many years, if cared for properly.
Heavy furniture and objects must not be dragged across it as they may cause scratches to the surface of the tiles. Non-abrasive, mild cleaning agents should be used for cleaning mosaic rugs and tiles.
Stone is the most common choice for outdoor floor mosaics. Stone is a natural material and holds up well in all kinds of weather. Stone performs well in temperature changes. The slight rubbing of surfaces that may be caused by water and foot traffic adds more character to stone mosaics.
The many problems that accompany fabric rugs may be avoided when floor tiles are used in place of them. Fabric carpet and rugs need to be washed and cleaned which is a much longer procedure than the simple wiping or mopping that is required in floor mosaics.
Fabric rugs may be the cause of allergies and illnesses if not kept clean. Lint and fluff are a reason for respiratory problems as particles can lodge themselves in the throat. This problem can be avoided if floor tiles are used.
Floor tile and rug types of mosaic art are decor that can last ages. Unlike carpets they do not go out of style or need to be replaced after every few years.
3. Victorian-Style Hallway Mosaic Floors
Victorian-style hallway mosaics are one of the perfect types of mosaic art to give your home that Victoria era class and style!
Victorian-style homes often had a kind of architecture where all the rooms of a house would generally open in a common corridor. That corridor would be like the connecting point of all the rooms in the house.
This style helped to preserve the privacy of the occupants of each room and was also a convenient point to meet. Generally these hallways were connected to the front door of the house. Thus the decor in the hallway was the house’s first impression for guests.
What better than to have a hallway mosaic crafted for a rich and luxurious first impression? As hallways naturally experience heavy foot traffic, it was essential that material chosen for Victorian floor tiles in hallways was suitable for frequent, heavy usage.
Victorian-style hallway mosaics are quite popular in classical style homes in the UK. Marble and natural stone are generally the materials of preference for their robust strength. Ceramic, porcelain, glass and terrazzo may also be used if they gel better with the look and decor of the house.
Signature patterns for hallway types of mosaic art are mostly different geometric patterns. Border-styles or any motifs of a client’s choice may be crafted for their custom bespoke hallway mosaic.
4. Roman Mosaic Floors
Want a bit of Roman style grandeur in your space?
Roman mosaic floors are one of the most in demand types of mosaic art out of all Roman mosaic styles.
Mosaic medallions for pool floors, courtyards and patios. Roman style scalloped floor tiles to cover your home’s entrance area. Greek-key mosaic bordering, laurel wreaths and Roman mosaic figures.
These are some of the Roman mosaic floor styles that are regularly commissioned from MEC Artworks for luxury homes worldwide.
The grand Roman era brings to mind unmatched luxury, opulence and creativity. The same is added to your space when you install a luxury Roman mosaic floor.
Of all the types of mosaic art, Roman mosaic floors perhaps best reflect a taste for Greccio-Roman culture and art.
5. Mosaic Bathroom Tiles and Shower Walls
Mosaics in wet areas serve decor and functional purposes. Mosaic bathroom tiles are an apt choice as they not only decorate the bathroom but also serve as anti-slip surfaces especially for floor tiles.
Glass may be selected for bathroom backsplashes and shower walls as they are almost non-porous and do not spoil even after continuous contact with water.
Glass also reflects light beautifully and is easy to clean and maintain.
However bathroom floor tiles, are crafted with natural stones like marble and travertine. An overall rough finish is preferred for bathroom floor tiles to provide friction and avoid slipping.
Glass, ceramic and porcelain may also be used for bathroom floor tiles but care must be taken to use the correct grade material which is appropriate for wet areas and heavy foot traffic.
Design patterns are completely dependent on the homeowner’s taste and existing colour palettes of the bathroom.
A top-choice in the types of mosaic art for its decorative and functional usage.
6. Mosaic Backsplashes for Kitchens
Another ideal space for various types of mosaic art.
From kitchen backsplashes to kitchen counter and island mosaics, the kitchen has much scope for the use of decorative mosaic tiles.
Mosaic kitchen backsplashes are a perfect way to ensure neatness and beauty in your cooking space. They are much loved in UK homes as they are easy to maintain and also prevent the kitchen from getting too messy.
In contrast with mosaics, paint and emulsions do not work that well on the walls behind the stove as they often get splashed with oil and other materials which are difficult to remove. Frequent cleaning with detergents and cleaning agents wears off the paint. This gives the kitchen an unkempt look.
A mosaic backsplash is the solution to these problems. Mostly crafted in high-quality heat-resistant glass, these backsplashes are easy to clean as stains maybe easily wiped off them.
They also look gorgeous and can be customised to the client’s taste and the kitchen’s existing style.
7. Swimming Pool Mosaics
Tired of your single coloured pool tiles?
Want to make a ‘splash’ with your pool makeover?
Then a swimming pool mosaic is what you are looking for. Mosaics may be commissioned for one or all kinds of surface in a pool. Many types of mosaic art may be crafted on the various surfaces in a pool. These include
- Pool floor
- Pool walls
- Pool stairs
- Pool surround floors
- Feature wall in the pool area
Clients often choose to decorate their pool floor, pool walls and pool stairs in a consistent pattern. Sometimes the pool floor is the main focal point with single coloured pool mosaic tiles for the pool walls.
Pool mosaics are a specialty of MEC Artworks. We have designed and created pool mosaics for several private pools in homes worldwide.
Mosaics for pool decor are not only a fabulous but a lasting way too. Pool mosaics if installed correctly do not need to be changed or repaired for decades.
MEC Artworks delivers completed pool mosaic projects worldwide and also provides remote support during installation if required.
Design patterns for pool mosaic can be customised in accordance with the homeowners style and taste.
We have created pool mosaics in simplistic patterns like monochromatic pool tiles to classical floral pool mosaics and sea-life depictions for pools across three continents.
8. Garden Mosaics for UK Gardens
How about we add flowers that never wilt and birds that don’t fly away to your garden decor!
Gardens in the UK provide many opportunities for varying types of mosaic art. A range of materials maybe used to craft garden mosaics like glass, ceramics, porcelain and the best which gels with the natural atmosphere outside, natural stone.
Materials used should be of outdoor-grade quality so that they can brave the effects of weathering by wind, sun, snow and rain.
Garden mosaics are included in the best types of mosaic to make a favourable impression of your house’s decor. By presenting a well-kept, beautiful garden to visitors, we give them the message that our interiors are also up to the mark.
Now where to use mosaics in gardens?
There are quite a few delightful options.
- Mosaic garden walls
- Walkway mosaics
- Patio mosaics
- Fountain or pond mosaics
- Bench mosaics
- Planter mosaics
are some of the options that one may go for. Natural beauty may not remain all year around in gardens as most areas in the UK have very cold winters where plants die and trees become bare.
Garden mosaics can serve to keep these outdoor areas somewhat inviting, even in the winter season.
9. Photo Mosaics and Portrait Mosaics
A beautiful, everlasting way to preserve a memory or a moment in time.
Photo and portrait mosaics are made by creating digital images of a photo or portrait provided by the client.
The pixel method is used to create photo mosaics. In this method each pixel in the digital render is represented by one tessera in the actual artwork.
Our team of Italian-trained artisans at MEC Artworks use hand-cut glass, stone or ceramic to create such photo mosaics. Each tesserae has to be chiseled into the shape of the pixel developed in the digital photo.
The tesserae may be in a number of irregular shapes which are best obtained by the hand-cutting method.
Colour palettes and styles can be customised as per the client’s wishes. Portrait mosaics may be black and white or in full colour. They may also be created according to different styles like
- Caricature style: where the image is given an unrealistic, cartoon-character like feel.
- Realistic pictures: Mosaic depictions of regular portraits or pictures.
- Pixelated images: One pixel to one tessera mosaics.
- Classical style images: Mosaic images are given an old-style feel similar to the ancient Roman style.
- Silhouette images: Mosaic images in which outlines are defined with darker shades.
Different types of mosaic art styles can be used to create portrait and photo mosaics.
10. Islamic and Geometric Mosaics
Islamic mosaics include calligraphic mosaics which display Quranic verses or the names of Allah and the prophet Muhammed.
Geometric mosaics inspired by Islamic culture and tradition include arabesques, interlocking polygons, complicated stars and other similar shapes.
Islamic and geometric types of mosaic art are common in prayer rooms, living rooms, hallways and outdoor spaces too.
Calligraphic ones are generally commissioned by Muslims. However geometric mosaics are admired and requested by non-Muslim clients too. The interlocking polygons and arabesques, a signature of Islamic geometry, have feel of orderliness and calm to them that make them great decor for bedrooms and other living spaces in UK homes.
The Moroccan Zellige mosaic art is amongst the popular types of mosaic art commissioned by clients.
It is mostly crafted in some standard colour contrasts like blue and white or terracotta with mustard. Colour shades can also be customised to suit the surrounding furniture and decor scheme.
How to Commission a Mosaic in the UK
Ready to get a personalised bespoke mosaic to elevate your home decor? We at MEC Artworks would love to create your dream mosaic for you.
Hop on to a call with us and let’s get started!
What are the main types of mosaic art?
Mosaic art also includes different styles and techniques including
Geometric mosaics containing repeating shapes and symmetrical patterns. Abstract mosaics that use colours, shapes, and textures to express ideas and emotions. Figure mosaics which depict people, animals, plants, and everyday scenes with humans and animals in them. Photo mosaics that create a mosaic version of a picture with tiles. Portrait mosaics depicting a person’s face or figure through carefully arranged tesserae. Islamic mosaics which have intricate geometric patterns and calligraphic mosaics that display Quranic Verses.
Which type of mosaic is best for a hallway floor?
Geometric mosaics are a great choice for hallway floors because their repeating patterns, contrasting colours, and decorative borders create an elegant, welcoming entrance. Victorian-inspired designs are particularly popular in UK period homes, while contemporary geometric patterns suit modern interiors in that area. The flooring should also be durable and slip-resistant for everyday foot traffic.
Can mosaic be used outdoors in the UK climate?
Certainly! mosaics can be used outdoors in the UK climate, provided they are made from weather-resistant materials and installed with suitable exterior-grade adhesives and grout. Porcelain, frost-resistant ceramic, and suitable natural stone are popular choices for garden paths, patios, walls, and water features, as they can withstand rain, temperature fluctuations, and frost when correctly specified and installed.
Can a mosaic be made from a family photo?
Yes, a bespoke photo mosaic can be created from a family photograph using small coloured tiles or hundreds of miniature photos arranged to reproduce the original image. They can make meaningful wall art for living rooms, hallways, and family spaces, with the design customised to suit the home’s décor and preferred size.
How much does a commissioned mosaic cost?
Each mosaic is different. The cost of a commissioned mosaic depends on its size, intricacy of design , quality of material used, level of craftsmanship, and installation requirements. Typically, a simple decorative panel will cost less than a large, intricate, handcrafted mural or bespoke floor mosaic. MEC Artworks offers transparent pricing systems with premium quality material and craftsmanship to make sure you get your money’s worth.