Fixer Upper Vs. Christina On The Coast: How Each Tackled The Checkered Bath Trend

Checkerboard tile is a timeless option, so it's no wonder two household names have just revealed the classic choice in two very different ways. "Fixer Upper" stars Chip and Joanna Gaines just shared an Instagram post from a recent project where they featured brown and white checkered tile inside a modern bathroom with a trendy color pop, while "Christina On The Coast's" Christina Hall showed off one of her newest Tennessee flips, complete with a tan and white checkered shower sure to inspire designers and homeowners alike. While both spaces exude their own personality and creativity, the tile provides a luxurious yet playful air that simply can't be beat.

While the classic black and white tiles often spring to mind first, you can get the checkered tile trend in other colors like brown and tan, which seems to be turning heads this year. If the stars of HGTV are utilizing this trend in their flips, it seems like a great option, especially since tiles can completely revamp your space.

The Gaines' recent Instagram post catches the eye with their brown and white checkerboard bathroom, which extends from the floor to the walls in a clean, crisp, and playful design. The earthy, medium shade of brown is sharp against the layout, so it feels both notable and inviting. What really pulls this color and pattern together is the pop of blue used for the divider between shower and sink — a chalky lake house-inspired hue that complements the brown and white tiles while keeping the room from feeling too busy. It's the ideal combination if you want a retro bathroom with a modern twist. Think '70s coastal couture without the shag carpets. Simple wood elements enhance the colors, and rattan, wicker, and metal elements pull the whole area together in a flawless finish.

If you want to give the brown checkerboard trend a try, you can find the tiles at Harvey Maria or try stick-and-peel from Bleucoin. Keep to non-textured tiles to create a clean design. The blue is what really sets this bathroom apart, and you can find the same shade from Magnolia – it's called Superior and is a chalk paint that's great for bathroom walls. You can copy the "Fixer Upper" star's style by adding in wicker baskets like this seagrass option from Target and this floating wood vanity from Walmart. Place metals like gold and brass on top to finish off the beachy, retro aesthetic.

Christina Hall also gave the checkerboard tile trend a fresh look with slightly lighter, more soft neutral tiles in tan and white. She also only used them in the shower itself, keeping the rest of the room simple and airy, which also worked to make the tiles the feature. Dark enough to produce the classic checkerboard design, Hall paired this section with plain whites, creams, browns, and beiges in the flooring and fixtures. The finish feels sophisticated and could easily fit in a variety of home themes and layouts. It's not as playful as the Gaines' bathroom, but this is definitely more accessible for someone who likes the brown checkerboard but didn't want quite as much square footage dedicated to it.

To nail Hall's bathroom, you can find similar checkerboard tiles at Home Depot and keep the walls in a white palette. Smaller fixtures like the drawer and cupboard handles (as well as the faucet) can be gold or brass to complement the tiles, and a simple mirror with matte black or brass around the frame will help the accents flow throughout the entire room. In her post, Hall doesn't show a shower curtain for the shower/bath combination, and this will cover your checkerboard when closed, so keep that in mind when shopping for one. A white or cream curtain will keep with the airy vibe, while brown might darken the room slightly but wouldn't be out of place if you choose to match the darker tiles.