Ancient Indian flooring recalls a patch of ground decorated with coloured decorative sand made of rice flower or flower petals. To date we call it ‘rangoli’, which represents the simplest form of Indian flooring tiles. With the resources of our rich heritage of India, various empires have recognised the value of indigenous materials to use for Indian flooring tiles. Vernacular Indian flooring tiles are a testament to the craftsmanship and diversity of culture in India. Let’s explore the flooring types native to the interior flooring of our country.
Athangudi Tiles (also known as Chettinad or Karaikundi Tiles) originated from the small-scale villages of Athangudi in the Chettinad region of Tamil Nadu. These tiles take inspiration from Victorian style designs. The skill passed on through generations, retaining the legacy of Chettinad.
Coloured cement slurry mixes with oxide paint. It is further cured on a 3 mm thick glass sheet of a particular size and pattern. A specialty of Konapattu province, the dye originates from bronze (pithalai) in a framework of square sections without the use of electricity or fire.
Athangudi tiles are most suitable for Indian Flooring as they are sustainable, eco-friendly, and long-lasting. Its composition is river sand, cement, and iron oxides, which are natural, locally available materials. The sizes available are 6”x6”, 8″x8″, and 10”x10”, ranging between Rs. 60 and 65 per kg, in red, light green, yellow, blue, grey, black, and white colours.
The natural warm red earthy tint of the terracotta tiles is true to the beauty of urban and rural Indian flooring materials in Rajasthan, West Bengal, and parts of Uttar Pradesh.
Constituted from oxides and clay, baked and assembled to perfection, each tile is unique in its appeal. Its eco-friendly, durable, low-maintenance, moisture-resistant, and long-lasting quality make it one of the best choices for Indian flooring.
Initially, hand-crafted labour has been replaced by the advancement of current technology in machine-cut geometrical shapes. It is usually 300 mm x 300 mm in various patterns of Rs. 28 per sq. ft.
Cuddapah, or Kadapa, roots from a district in south-central Andhra Pradesh, found and mostly sourced from the Betamcharla area, supplied pan India. Karnataka too springs this natural stone. This black lime stone originates from river basins and hilly terrains that contain silica, iron, etc. Made from sedimentary rocks, it is rich in calcium carbonate, giving it a black tint.
Quarried from the origin, they are cut to the desired shapes, sizes, and thickness of 16 to 20 mm, depending on the purpose and structure. It is slip-resistant, oil-resistant, easy to care for, and time-honoured, forging its aesthetic look from black, grey, and yellow tones.
Market availability of natural, brushed, honed, and polished surface finishes, offering profuse visuals to intensify the interior in an Indian context.
Naturally available limestone of granulated diversity births the mining zones of Kota, Rajasthan, boasting an earthy landmark and creating a tradition to follow in Indian flooring. Known for real bluish-green and brown hues, it seamlessly blends with various themes of Indian interior culture.
The versatility, aesthetic appeal, toughness, non-slip, economic viability, and natural cooling effect are features enriching the popularity of the stone. The most commonly used size is 600 mm x 600 mm for Rs. 20 per sq. ft.
Commonly known as oxide flooring, the Indian Patent Stone (IPS) is ubiquitous in rural houses as India’s interior flooring. Resilient-grade flooring, an amalgamation of grey and white cement with metal oxides and sand, is a sturdy composition offering strength and adaptability along with an immense choice of colour curated to the client’s preference.
Minimal care and easy installation make it cost-effective flooring for Indian interiors. Standard rates vary from Rs. 60 to Rs. 80 per sq. ft. and of thickness 20 to 25 mm, depending on labour charges, size of room, and design needed. There are typologies of IPS flooring extending from plain to coloured, decorative, stained, or polished.
Dated back to the Indus Valley Civilization in India, the word marble exudes luxury in every sense with its smooth, wavy veins, always in style for Indian flooring options. Hence, it is called the royal stone, which reminds us of the famous Taj Mahal. The main production is in the state of Rajasthan, and a few others are in Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh.
Combination of calcite, dolomite, and, in some cases, serpentine, which is extracted, sawed, and polished to be cut to use for Indian interior flooring. The numerous choices and designs available in India, based on the patterns, are Makrana, Banaswara, Spider Green, Onyx, Pink, Yellow, Brown, etc., ranging from Rs. 400 to Rs. 40 for the chosen type.
The ever-lasting charm, customisation, and choice of palette make it one of the first preferences in present times.
This igneous rock, formed from molten materials cooled and solidified, is mainly found in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, and Odisha. Made entirely of crystals, including quartz and feldspar. Due to natural forces, mechanical erosion, or vertical lifting, granite is exposed on the surface of the earth, where it is further extracted and mined.
With the large quantity of silica, it is highly resistant to decay. Its properties of fire and heat resistance, being well polished, free of cracks, water-resistant, and grainy make it well suited for Indian interiors as well as exteriors. A vast range of colour combinations, namely Indian black marquina, ivory beige, silk granite, honey brown, emerald pearl, etc., are worthy of consideration. The price ranges from Rs. 72 to Rs. 195 per sq. ft.
Jaisalmer’s treasure, the Yellow Sandstone, is a sedimentary rock formed from the association of sand-sized grains of minerals such as quartz, feldspar, etc. Ordinarily, the stone showcases a scale of yellow hues, from pale to golden, due to the presence of iron oxide minerals. This gives it a singular impression, mimicking the desert landscape.
Durable and weather-resistant are two standout features of the Jaisalmer stone. It is available in various sizes cut to requirement in multiples of 300 mm, of thickness 20–50 mm, priced at about Rs. 75 per sq. ft. Finishing is polished, brushed, honed, sandblasted, and hammered.
Teak wood dates back to ancient times for over a thousand years, from the Mughal empire, for its beauty and strength, to the British Raj, for its export value, to modern times, for India’s economy and culture.
Sturdy, problem-resistant, and high-oil content gives teak wood a magnificent sheen when cut. From 8–11 mm thickness and a rate starting from Rs. 60 per sq. ft. onwards, depending on the type of finish.
Mosaic flooring is a classic style that brings a sense of nostalgia to any Desi household. An art piece, an arrangement of marble, stone, or crystal, coarsely cut into a flat adhesive surface, was previously a “middle-class” flooring two centuries ago but has now gained popularity. Mosaic can also be made of pieces of glass and broken tile, which is decorative in nature even as a DIY project.
This type of flooring gives pops of vibrancy and glamour to a space, with easy adaptability and uniqueness. Sizes obtainable are from 200 mm to 1200 mm in geometrical shape, at a cost of Rs. 70 per sq. ft.
In contrast to the traditional Indian flooring tiles, the present era of modern flooring speaks of an array of flooring materials along with the latest technological advancements, including cork, laminate, carpet, vinyl, epoxy, etc. Blending unusual materials and curating design innovations that are in play with the current environmental conditions to suit sustainable options in cost, availability, and eco-friendliness are the keys to modern flooring styles, when compared to Indian flooring tiles a few centuries earlier. But the use of historical Indian flooring tiles has always proven to be ever-lasting in function and appeal and has gained importance to preserve and enrich the culture of Indian flooring.
Content Writing And Research By: Ar. Disha Shetty
This home is envisioned as a quiet dialogue between space and stillness, where the in-between becomes as meaningful as the built. Every element is guided by the philosophy of restraint: not to fill space, but to shape experience. It’s a home designed to breathe, to hold pause, and to allow the rhythms of family life […]
For architect duo Rakshanda Moog and Dev Thakkar of Den Studio, designing their first home (and debut interior project) came together the way most meaningful things do. Gradually and instinctively. “We started with minimalism,” they say, “but somewhere along the way, the house asked for more character.” Perched on an upper floor with unobstructed views […]
Nestled within a tranquil urban setting, Earthy Enclave stands as a testament to earthy houses and contemporary design that intertwines warmth, functionality, and artistry. This residence is not merely a structure but a narrative, a home sculpted by emotions and aesthetics, where every design decision balances intuition with intention. From the outset, the homeowner’s desire […]
From the very first glimpse, this home makes a quiet yet assertive statement — a story of considered elegance woven through the interplay of textures, geometry, and an emotive material palette. It isn’t just a residence, but a journey of values, and a deliberate pause from the chaos of urbanity. A poetic 4 bedroom design […]
Referred by his cousin, who initially approached us for a large residential bungalow, Dilip Jain sought our expertise for his newly purchased 4 BHK luxury apartment in Akota. While the builder had completed the civil work for the kitchen and bathrooms, the client was unsatisfied with the final results. We took the initiative to transform […]
The Wabi Sabi Interior design of this residence was done in 71 days, including designing & execution. Contrary to our standard practice of a step-by-step design process, the process here was pretty fluid & more based on intuitions, visualizations, sketches & discussions. Only sketches were made, which proceeded to working drawings; no 3D visualization was […]
AMOGH 18 reflects AURA DESIGN HAUS’s core design ethos: to create spaces that are as timeless as they are contemporary. The project is a testament to the belief that minimal interiors, when thoughtfully executed, can be both warm and expressive. It’s a residence where sophistication meets simplicity, and where every detail is an invitation to […]
In the heart of a lush Ahmedabad neighborhood, a bare-shell duplex flat is transformed into a soulful sanctuary by Aura Design Atelier. Titled The Layered Narrative, this 2500 sq ft Indian apartment balances warmth, restraint, and personality, interweaving the lives of its residents through materials, light, and spatial flow. From the onset, the home reflects […]
Imagine this for a design brief: Design an apartment for 3 generations. The family’s young kids have an endless love for the sea and the sky, grandparents’ sensibilities are deeply rooted in traditional Indian styles, and the young parents are all about modern minimalism. The home has to integrate these diverse styles through eclectic interior […]
The Juhu Beach Apartment revamp project, executed by Ikshana Design Studio, was an ambitious transformation aimed at redefining a small yet cozy residence into a contemporary, light-filled home. The objective was to create a space that felt expansive and seamlessly connected to its coastal surroundings, all while maintaining the existing property. Given a reasonable budget, […]