Vintage Tiles Are Having a Moment: How to Use Them Without Looking Like a Pinterest Fail (part 1)

image: K.I.+Designs

Look, I get it. You were innocently scrolling through Instagram at 2 AM (we've all been there), and suddenly you're spiraling down a rabbit hole of Spanish revival bathrooms with hand-painted Talavera tiles that make your current subway tile situation look like it's having an identity crisis. Next thing you know, you're googling "vintage tiles near me" and wondering if your landlord would notice if you just... replaced the entire kitchen backsplash.

Welcome to 2025, where vintage tiles have officially become the main character of interior design. And I'm not talking about your grandma's avocado green bathroom situation (though honestly, those are kind of having a moment too but that's a therapy session for another day).

Searches for vintage tiles have exploded by over 1,100% since last fall, which means we're all collectively having the same Pinterest-induced fever dream. But here's the thing: there's a fine line between "Wow, did you hire Kelly Wearstler?" and "Did you rob a 1970s Italian restaurant?"

Let me help you stay on the right side of that line.

Why Vintage Tiles Are Suddenly Everywhere (And Why You Care)

First, let's address the elephant in the room: Why are we suddenly obsessed with tiles that our parents probably ripped out during their "everything must be beige" phase of the early 2000s?

It's the anti-algorithm aesthetic. In a world where AI can generate a "perfectly designed" room in 3.5 seconds, vintage tiles are gloriously imperfect, unrepeatable, and tell a story. They're the design equivalent of shopping at a record store instead of just hitting shuffle on Spotify. They have character, that thing we've all been desperately trying to inject into our homes ever since we realized that the minimalist Scandinavian look made us feel like we were living in an IKEA showroom.

Sustainability is sexy now. Unlike fast fashion (or fast furniture, looking at you, particle board nightstand that collapsed after six months), vintage tiles are built to last. Using reclaimed or vintage tiles means you're not contributing to new manufacturing, and you get to feel smug about it at dinner parties. Win-win.

They're conversation starters. "Oh these? Found them at a salvage yard in Barcelona" sounds infinitely cooler than "Yeah, I got them at Home Depot." Even if you actually got them on Facebook Marketplace from someone named Derek in the suburbs.

The Golden Rules: How to Do Vintage Tiles Without the Pinterest Fail

Rule #1: Pick Your Main Character

This is not the time to channel your inner maximalist and throwing every tile you've ever loved into one space. Vintage tiles need to be the star, not part of an ensemble cast fighting for screen time.

The Power Move: Use vintage tiles in ONE high-impact area per room. Think:

• A kitchen backsplash (classic, always works)

• A bathroom floor (bold, but so worth it)

• A fireplace surround (instant focal point)

• An accent wall in an entryway (hello, drama)

What you DON'T want is vintage tile on the floor, walls, AND countertop. That's not eclectic; that's visual chaos. Even Wes Anderson knows when to chill.

Rule #2: Let Modern Be the Supporting Act

Here's where people mess up: they find gorgeous vintage Moroccan zellige tiles and think, "You know what would go great with this? More vintage everything!" Suddenly they're living in what looks like a flea market had a baby with a time machine.

The Fix: Pair vintage tiles with clean, modern elements. Think:

• Sleek matte black fixtures against colorful vintage tiles

• Minimalist floating shelves in a bathroom with patterned floor tiles

• Contemporary furniture in a kitchen with a vintage tile backsplash

• Simple white or neutral walls to let the tiles breathe

It's like styling a vintage band tee, you pair it with modern jeans, not bell-bottoms and a fringed vest (unless you're going to Coachella, in which case, godspeed).

Rule #3: Embrace Imperfection (But Not Disaster)

Part of the charm of vintage tiles is their quirks, slight variations in color, hand-painted details that aren't quite symmetrical, that one tile that's slightly different from the rest. This is GOOD. This is what you paid for (or what you're about to overpay for on Etsy).

However, there's a difference between "charmingly imperfect" and "structurally questionable."

Make sure your vintage tiles are actually usable:

• Check for cracks that could worsen with installation

• Verify they're suitable for wet areas if you're using them in bathrooms

• Ensure you have enough (or can find matching ones) to complete your project

• Consider sealing them properly, especially for floors and areas that get wet

Pro tip: Buy 10-15% more than you think you need. Trust me on this. You don't want to be that person frantically messaging strangers on OfferUp three months later because you broke a tile and now you need to replace half your backsplash.

Where to Actually Find Vintage Tiles (That Don't Cost More Than Your Rent)

The Treasure Hunt Approach

Architectural Salvage Yards: This is where the magic happens. These places are like Narnia for design nerds. Expect to get dusty, bring a tape measure, and prepare for the possibility of finding something completely different from what you came for. The best ones have that "organized chaos" vibe where a Victorian fireplace surround is casually next to a mid-century modern sink.

Estate Sales: Early bird gets the worm here. Like, genuinely early. Think "is this a reasonable hour to be awake on a Saturday?" early. But you can find incredible tiles from people who renovated 40 years ago and saved the leftovers. Sometimes you'll even find original boxes.

Facebook Marketplace & Craigslist: Yes, you'll have to wade through 47 listings for "vintage" tiles that are actually just leftover Home Depot purchases from 2015. But occasionally you'll strike gold. Set up alerts for terms like "reclaimed tile," "vintage tile," "antique tile," and be ready to move fast. That set of 1920s hexagon tiles won't last long at $50 for 20 square feet.

The "I Have Money and No Time" Approach

Specialty Vintage Tile Retailers: Companies like Fireclay Tile, Cle Tile, and Granada Tile offer vintage-inspired (and sometimes actual vintage) tiles with the convenience of, you know, actually being able to calculate how many you need and having them shipped to your door. Yes, it's more expensive. No, you won't spend your Saturday wrestling with strangers over a box of 1960s terracotta tiles.

Etsy & eBay: Great for small projects or accent pieces. Just read the descriptions VERY carefully, check measurements obsessively, and understand return policies before you buy those "antique Portuguese azulejos" that turn out to be the size of drink coasters.

The Bottom Line

Vintage tiles are having a moment, but unlike some design trends (RIP, barn doors on everything), this one has substance. They're beautiful, sustainable, and add genuine character to your space when done right.

The key is restraint, balance, and being honest about your skill level. Use them as a focal point, not a free-for-all. Pair them with modern elements. Get help if you need it. And for the love of all that is holy, buy extra tiles.

Now if you'll excuse me, I have a 6 AM estate sale to get to. Those 1920s hex tiles aren't going to buy themselves.