Zellige Tile in Dallas: What It Is, Why It's Trending, and Where to See 20+ Colors In Person

If you've been scrolling through kitchen and bathroom inspiration lately, you've almost certainly stopped on a backsplash that caught the light in a way that felt almost alive. Irregular edges. A glaze that shifts from tile to tile. Colors that seem deeper in person than in any photo. That's Zellige tile — and it's having a major moment in DFW design right now.

Burlington Design Gallery, located in Irving, TX with a second location in the Dallas Design District (Amara Stone & Tile Boutique), is one of the only showrooms in the Dallas-Fort Worth area where you can see the full Asli Zellige collection — more than 20 colors — in person, side by side, in natural light. No waiting on samples. No guessing from a screen. Same-day selection.

This guide covers everything you need to know: what Zellige actually is, why designers are obsessing over it, which colors are trending, and how to decide if authentic Zellige or a Zellige-look tile is the right choice for your project.

What Is Zellige Tile?

Zellige (pronounced zeh-LEEJ) is a handmade Moroccan tile with roots going back over a thousand years in the city of Fez, Morocco. Each tile is formed from raw, unrefined clay — sourced from the local hillsides — shaped by hand, hand-dipped in a natural glaze, and fired in a traditional earthen kiln.

The kiln's uneven heat distribution is not a flaw — it's the point. That unevenness is what creates the stunning color variation, the subtle crazing, the way light plays differently across each tile. No two pieces of Zellige are identical. That is, by design, the entire idea.

Authentic Zellige tile is characterized by:

• Slight irregularities in size and shape — each tile is hand-chiseled

• Pits and texture in the glaze surface — signs of authentic hand-craftsmanship

• Color variation from tile to tile, even within the same box

• A glossy, light-reflective glaze that shifts beautifully with natural and artificial light

• Chipped or uneven edges — not defects, but the authentic Moroccan finish

This is a tile that carries history in every piece. When you install Zellige, you're not putting up a product — you're installing a centuries-old craft tradition.

Why Is Zellige Tile Trending Right Now?

Design culture has been moving away from the overly perfect and polished for several years now. Marble-look porcelain that looked flawless? Replaced by the real thing with real veining. Perfectly uniform subway tile?

Being swapped out for materials with character and variation. Zellige sits exactly at the intersection of those shifts.

Interior designers across DFW are speccing Zellige for kitchen backsplashes, bathroom shower walls, powder room feature walls, outdoor bars, and even pool surrounds.

The reasons are consistent: it photographs beautifully, it ages gracefully, and it makes a space feel curated and personal in a way that manufactured tile simply cannot replicate.

Zellige also pairs exceptionally well with the materials trending in DFW luxury homes right now — quartzite countertops, warm white oak flooring, plaster walls, and brushed metal fixtures. It doesn't fight for attention. It contributes to a layered, collected aesthetic that feels timeless rather than trendy.

The ASLI Collection at Burlington Design Gallery: Authentic Moroccan Zellige in Dallas

Burlington Design Gallery's ASLI Collection — one of the most comprehensive Zellige selections available at a showroom in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.

The ASLI Collection includes:

• 20+ Zellige colors in the 4"x4" format, including Bright White, Smoke White, Sea Salt, Greige, Wet Sand, Palm Desert, Haze Green, Savannah Moss, Zen, Amalfi Blue, Tahoe Blue, Spruce, Juniper, Indigo, Fog, Good Night Grey, Black Matte, Dragon Green, Red Dahlia, and Royal Velvet

• Bejmat (2"x6" brick format) in Smoke White, Whisper Blue, Fez Green, Palm Desert, and Blue Lagoon

• Bahia mosaic in Bright White and Smoke White

• Select colors available in 2"x2" mesh-mounted format for easier installation

What makes this significant for DFW designers and homeowners: you can see every one of these colors in person at our Irving showroom or Dallas Design District boutique.

Compare Amalfi Blue next to Haze Green. Hold Greige against Wet Sand in natural light. Watch how Black Matte shifts under different lighting conditions.

This is the kind of decision that no sample chip, no website photo, and no digital color tool can make for you.

The ASLI Collection is sold by full box only (10.77 SF per box for 4"x4" and 2"x6" formats). As with all authentic Zellige, we recommend ordering a 20% overage to account for the natural variation in sizing and any cuts required during installation.

Authentic Zellige vs. Zellige-Look Tile: Which Is Right for Your Project?

One of the most common questions we hear at Burlington is: "Do I need authentic Zellige, or will a look-alike tile work for my project?" The honest answer is: it depends on what you value most, and both are excellent options.

Burlington also carries the WOW Collection — a Zellige-aesthetic porcelain tile line that delivers the visual character of Moroccan tile at a more accessible price point, with more dimensional consistency and easier installation.

Choose Authentic Zellige (ASLI Collection) if:

• You want the genuine article — the handmade variation, the history, the imperfection-as-beauty

• Your project is a high-end kitchen or bathroom where the material itself is part of the design story

• You or your client are comfortable with the characteristic variation in size, color, and edge finish

• You have an experienced tile installer familiar with working with handmade materials

Choose the WOW Collection (Zellige-Look) if:

• You love the Zellige aesthetic but want more consistency in sizing and finish

• Your budget calls for a more accessible price point without sacrificing the look

• The project is a rental property, commercial space, or high-traffic area where durability and uniformity matter

• Your installer prefers working with a more predictable tile format

Both collections are available to view side by side at Burlington Design Gallery. We'll never push you toward one or the other — our job is to help you find the right fit for your specific project, budget, and installation requirements.

What to Know Before Buying Zellige Tile

Whether you're an interior designer speccing a project or a homeowner researching your first Zellige installation, here are the practical details worth knowing before you commit.

• Order 20% overage. Because every Zellige tile varies slightly in size and shape, you'll need more tile than the square footage of your space. Plan for 20% extra — and order all of it at once, since dye lots can vary between production runs.

• Use an experienced installer. Zellige requires a skilled installer who knows how to work with handmade tile. The irregular edges and thickness variations require a flexible, medium-bed thinset and a patient hand. Ask us for installer recommendations if you need them.

• Mix tiles from multiple boxes. Before installation begins, blend tiles from every box you purchased to evenly distribute the natural color and size variation across the entire installation.

• Soak glazed tiles before setting. Authentic Zellige tiles should be soaked in room-temperature water for 1-2 minutes before installation to ensure proper adhesion with the thinset.

• Grout with care. Use an unsanded grout in a color that complements — not fights — the tile variation. Grout in small sections and wipe clean as you go. Seal after grout has fully cured.

• See it before you commit. This is the most important advice we can give. Zellige looks different in person than in any photo. The light reflection, the texture, the variation across multiple tiles — none of that translates through a screen. If you're seriously considering Zellige for your project, come in and see it.

Where to See Zellige Tile In Person in Dallas-Fort Worth

Burlington Design Gallery is one of the only showrooms in the Dallas-Fort Worth area where you can view a comprehensive Zellige collection in person — not from samples, not from a website, but full tiles displayed in a 55,000 square foot showroom alongside the stone slabs, hardwood flooring, and hardscape materials that complete your project.

That matters more than it might seem. Zellige paired next to the right quartzite countertop — something you can only do when both materials are in the same room — is a completely different design experience than selecting each material separately from different showrooms.

Burlington is the only DFW showroom where you can source stone, tile, hardwood, and outdoor hardscape all in one visit.

Visit us at:

• Burlington Design Gallery — 8001 Bent Branch Drive, Irving, TX 75063 | 55,000 SF showroom | Monday–Friday 8am–5pm, Saturday 9am–1pm

• Amara Stone & Tile Boutique — Dallas Design District | Monday–Friday 8am–5pm

Interior designers and trade professionals are invited to apply for the BDG VIP Trade Program — exclusive trade pricing, priority slab holds, private showroom tours, and a dedicated designer liaison. Apply at burlingtondesigngallery.com/bdg-vip or DM @burlingtondesigngallery the word TRADE.

Frequently Asked Questions About Zellige Tile

Where can I see Zellige tile in person in Dallas?

Burlington Design Gallery carries one of the most comprehensive in-stock Zellige selections in DFW — the ASLI Collection with 20+ colors — available to view in person at our Irving showroom (8001 Bent Branch Drive) or our Dallas Design District boutique (Amara Stone & Tile). No appointment needed.

How much does Zellige tile cost?

Authentic Zellige tile is a premium material, typically running higher per square foot than standard ceramic or porcelain. At Burlington Design Gallery, pricing varies by color and format. Trade professionals receive exclusive pricing through the BDG VIP Trade Program. Visit either showroom location for current pricing.

Is Zellige tile hard to install?

Authentic Zellige requires a skilled installer experienced with handmade tile. The natural size and thickness variation means standard installation methods for machine-made tile don't apply. Use a medium-bed thinset, mix tiles from multiple boxes before installation, and work with an installer who has Zellige experience.

What is the difference between Zellige and Bejmat?

Both Zellige and Bejmat are traditional Moroccan handmade tiles made using the same clay and glazing process. The difference is shape: Zellige is the classic 4"x4" square format, while Bejmat is a 2"x6" brick or rectangular format. Both share the same handcrafted character, color variation, and light-reflective glaze. Burlington carries both in our ASLI Collection.

Can Zellige tile be used outdoors?

Yes — authentic Zellige from the Da Vinci Marble line is suitable for outdoor applications including walls, outdoor kitchen backsplashes, and covered patios. However, it is not frost-resistant, so outdoor use in climates with freezing temperatures should be evaluated carefully. In DFW's climate, outdoor Zellige installations are entirely appropriate with proper installation and sealing. Our team can advise on best practices for your specific project.

Ready to See Zellige In Person?

Zellige tile is one of those materials that simply has to be experienced in person to be fully understood. The photographs are beautiful. The reality is better.

Burlington Design Gallery in Irving, TX and our Dallas Design District boutique (Amara Stone & Tile) carry the complete Zellige ASLI Collection alongside our WOW Collection Zellige-look tiles — so you can compare both in the same visit and make the decision that's right for your project.

Come see us:

• Burlington Design Gallery | 8001 Bent Branch Drive, Irving, TX 75063 | Mon–Fri 8am–5pm, Sat 9am–1pm

• Amara Stone & Tile | Dallas Design District | Mon–Fri 8am–5pm

• Designers: apply for trade pricing at burlingtondesigngallery.com/bdg-vip

Questions? Call us at 469-248-3210 or DM @burlingtondesigngallery on Instagram.