HGTV Star Jonathan Scott's Top Tips For Using Tile Flooring In The Bathroom

While aesthetics are key in designing a bathroom, safety is just as vital. By adopting these design tips from HGTV's "Property Brothers" star Jonathan Scott, you can achieve an elegant contemporary bathroom without compromising on essential safety elements. In a video tour of Jonathan Scott and Zooey Deschanel's bathroom on the Drew & Jonathan YouTube channel, Jonathan answers a question from a viewer about floor tiles that eliminate the risk of slipping accidents. This viewer raises an important point; according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), slippery bathroom floors pose a risk for adults of all ages. In 2008, over 234,000 people were admitted to emergency departments throughout the U.S. for bathroom-related accidents, with falls accounting for 81.1% of all injuries. Scott knows the value of non-slip bathroom floor materials, and designed his bathroom with safety in mind. For added protection, the HGTV star chose small mosaic tiles for his shower and tiles with honed finish for the rest of the bathroom. 

Scott has opted for the honed finish look in the past, not only in the bathroom, but in the kitchen as well. It's also one of the Property Brothers' unique countertop finishes to upgrade kitchens. Honed tile has many benefits. It is incredibly versatile, stylish, and practical, plus it tends to hide scratches and stains more easily. Let's dive into Jonathan Scott's top tips for incorporating non-slip surfaces into his bathroom design, while preserving the high-end and modern visual appeal. 

In the YouTube video tour of his home, Jonathan Scott emphasizes that polished tile floors can become very slippery when wet, making them a potential hazard in the bathroom. To combat this, the HGTV star suggests using honed tile in the bathroom, which is essentially the opposite of a polished floor. Honed tile is achieved by grinding down the surface to achieve a smooth, matte-like finish, which provides more grip than polished tile, which has a reflective and shiny surface. Honed tile is also suitable for kitchens, foyers, and mud rooms, where floors are likely to get wet more often. Nearly all types of natural stone can be given an elegant honed finish, including marble, granite, soapstone, limestone, and travertine.

To prevent slip hazards in the shower, Scott used small mosaic tiles for the shower floor. In the video, he explains that small tiles have a lot of grout lines throughout. "The grout is like a gripper; you're not going to slip on the grout as much, so having the smaller tile is great," says Scott. Mosaic tiles offer a lot of anti-slip protection and are resistant to high humidity and moisture, making them a stylish choice in bathrooms and around swimming pools. The drawback is that the grout lines must be cleaned frequently to prevent mold and mildew, which could weaken the grout over time. Using mold-resistant grout in your bathroom could be a good solution, however, it may be more costly. It's also important to consult a professional first as this type of grout may damage the tile if you're not careful.