Joanna Gaines' Stylish Fixer Upper Floor Reno Is Right On Track With A New Trend

Joanna Gaines is known for her love of clean white walls and natural hardwood, and has an unmatched ability to merge timeless and traditional with new, fresh, and modern. And, although she's well known for the signature style that made Magnolia famous, Gaines' latest designs showcase her versatility and prove that she's as on top of her game as ever. In an Instagram post, the star revealed some of her latest projects. And, two of these featured a bold and expertly executed design element that's been trending lately — checkerboard floors.

Sharing spaces featuring hues from her new paint color collection, a few standout features included the checkerboard flooring used for a kitchen and a bathroom. Currently on trend, these contrasting tile floors have been taking over the design world, with experts loving the look in entryways, and like Gaines, in kitchens and bathrooms. Other HGTV alums like Nate Berkus, think this flooring trend is here to stay. So if you're curious about using checkerboard patterns in your home decor, we're exploring everything you need to know about this dynamic look. So, get inspired by how the "Fixer Upper" guru puts an elegant spin on this style and incorporate checkerboard flooring in your own home.

This bold flooring trend does exactly as its namesake implies, arranging tiles in a checkerboard pattern. The look can also be achieved using paint, or another material like vinyl flooring. And, while we may be seeing the trend surge in contemporary designs, the history of checkerboard floor tiles goes back to ancient Egypt and Rome. As it's enjoyed resurgences throughout the years, from first-century Italian temples to seventeenth-century Westminster Abbey, black and white checkerboard has been an enduring design motif.

Gaines' take on the trend looks modern, new, and fresh because she puts a spin on the classic checkerboard colors. Instead, the HGTV star uses subtle textured cream and beige tiles for the kitchen. In the bathroom, she goes bold by creating cream and cognac (an earthy reddish brown) checkerboard-painted patterning that extends off the floors and onto the walls. Both are a playful, yet understated takes on the trend, and her use of earthy neutrals creates a visually stimulating pattern that doesn't overpower the room. But, Gaines is also a fan of the classic monochrome look too. She has also utilized black and white tiles for an entryway on "Fixer Upper: The Lakehouse", a modern kitchen in "Fixer Upper" season 5, episode 4, and a regal conservatory in a renovation fit for royalty on "Fixer Upper: The Castle" proving that the classic look is here to stay.

The best trends are timeless, yet can be modified and personalized by era or preference. And, thankfully, the checkerboard floor tile trend fits the bill. Of course, there's always the option to go for bold, classic black-and-white tiles, or neutral-colored tiles for a Joanna Gaines-inspired look. But, there are other ways to personalize this trend to make it stand out such as playing tile size. While the most common square tiles are about 12 or 18 inches, using smaller tiles can help you create a more dramatic look in a small space, while bigger tiles work well in large, open spaces.

For a more daring aesthetic, you can choose to go bright and bold. Ryann Trombetti explains on the Style By Emily Henderson blog, "Over the past few years, we've seen the checkered pattern in every color possible." She adds, "Another note on the checkered tile is how the color choice can inform the style you are going for. Classic green or red will give off a more retro vibe immediately." 

Other high-contrast colors can give an edgy, modern look, while white with blue can set the stage for a Southwestern or Mediterranean aesthetic. If you love the idea, but you're not quite ready to go bold, you might also opt for a more subtle take on the trend. This can be done by using two similar colors like creamy white tiles veined with gray paired with light gray tiles with white veining.