Are you redoing a tile floor in your current home or building a new home with a blank slate? Would you like to add something unique to the floor layout that will stand out more than typical tile patterns? Or, would you like to add a mural effect to a wall inside or outside the house? If so, then a granite medallion may be just what you're looking for. Attractive and functional, granite medallions are also a flexible addition to your home.

What is a Granite Medallion?

You may have seen granite medallions on the floor in lobbies of office buildings or in some stores. A granite medallion is essentially many pieces of granite cut and assembled into a pattern or design similar to a mosaic. However, in this case the pieces of granite form one large, easy-to-install tile. These attractive granite tiles can work beyond office lobbies, functioning on a smaller-scale in more casual settings. Consider just a few of the places granite medallions show up and how you might translate that in your own house.

Where Should You Place a Granite Medallion?

Entryways and foyers are an excellent place for decorative tile. A granite medallion, whether in the center of the entrance or on a side wall, adds visual interest in an unexpected place and will be sure to catch any guest's attention.

Kitchens are also a nice spot for a granite medallion. This addition would add a punch of color and statement in a monochromatic kitchen. But it's also a way to include art in a space that's often purely functional.

Bathrooms provide more than one opportunity for a granite medallion. The center of the room on the floor might be the perfect position, or the center of the shower floor or wall. Either way, it's an interesting touch to a room that can be a challenge to decorate.

You can also install granite medallions outside. Create a terrace atmosphere on your patio or deck by installing a medallion on the patio itself or perhaps a path through the garden. Or, add one or more on a surrounding wall. Granite medallions are easy maintenance and can be a nice way to add art out-of-doors without having to worry about it.

If you have a pool with plans to change things up a bit or you're installing a new one soon, consider a medallion for the pool floor. It's an attractive view from in and out of the pool and again adds art to a space where there often isn't any.

Remember that granite is a resilient material and will withstand even high-traffic areas. So don't be afraid to install a granite medallion in parts of the house that get frequent use. Granite on its own is a low-maintenance, high-impact natural product.

So if you're planning a tile renovation, or are starting from scratch, consider adding a granite medallion in your entryway or foyer, kitchen, bathroom or shower, patio or deck, or pool. It's stunning, natural art that will make a statement in any setting.