Tadelakt Is the Key to a Warm, Organic Bathroom Aesthetic

Sometimes, the latest interior design trend is the best way to solve a decor dilemma—smart home appliances, updated materials, and popular color schemes can really elevate a space. But other times, looking to the past provides the answers you need to update your home and truly make it shine. If you’re looking to give your bathroom a refresh this season, you might be better off opting for traditional over trendy. Enter tadelakt.

Tadelakt is a waterproof plaster finish that first appeared in ancient Morocco, and is now gaining traction here in the U.S. With a beautiful, organic texture that can be dyed to match any decor scheme, tadelakt just might be the secret to the upgraded bathroom design you’ve been looking for.

The material allows for seamless application, and boasts a texture that’s similar to Italian plaster. But because of its waterproof finish, it can be used inside a bathroom in place of tiles on the walls for a rich, sophisticated look.

If this isn’t a material you’ve heard of before, you’re not alone—here’s everything you need to know about the Moroccan material, plus expert tips for integrating it into your own home.

Julie Soefer

Tadelakt dates back thousands of years to ancient Morocco, where it was used to finish bathrooms and saunas (thanks to its waterproof qualities!). Its name means “to rub in” or “massage” in Arabic, a testament to its application process, which is carried on by artisans to this day. Made of natural lime plaster, each treatment is carefully tended to and one of a kind.

“Tadelakt is a waterproof lime plaster, and it has been commonly and traditionally used in Moroccan architecture for the longest time,” says Mehreen Baldoni, creative director of Mehreen Baldoni Interiors. “Due to its