Mosaic floors have been around for thousands of years, since they were used in ancient Rome to create unique focal points in public buildings and palaces. Today, mosaic floors and medallions continue to be a popular option for people interested in adding a touch of art and beauty to their homes or businesses.
Mosaics typically are used for central medallions, borders or other accents. If you’re considering adding mosaic details to your floors, here’s what you need to know to get the best results:
• Color: In general, using a large amount of a dark color will make your space appear smaller, while lighter colors tend to open up a smaller space. To ensure your floor will work with any color scheme, stick with basic colors like browns, greens, gold and maroons and avoid pastels or large expanses of a single non-neutral color.
• Size or scope: Are you going to use a central mosaic, a design that repeats across the floor, a mosaic border or some combination of those elements? Consider the scale of your room: While an all-over pattern might be overwhelming in a small room, it could work well in a larger room with more floor space. Likewise, if you’re using only a central medallion, you want to be sure it’s scaled to suit the size of the floor space.
• Overall design: Mosaics can be designed in just about any shape or pattern. Just remember: A mosaic is literally set in stone, so take time to create a design that’s as timeless as possible. If you can, it’s a good idea to sketch a “life-size” version of the design on a large sheet of brown craft paper (or several) and place the paper on the floor where the mosaic will be used.
Of course, you also want to consider how furniture and area rugs will be used in the room. There’s no point in designing an intricate mosaic if other objects will cover most of it.
Mosaic flooring can add beauty and depth to a room, and when composed of terrazzo, it’s an easy-to-maintain option that can last for decades and beyond. Choose your design and options wisely, and you’ll have a one-of-a-kind work of art that sets truly sets your home apart.
