6 Tile Trends HGTV Stars Are Tired Of Seeing
Trends come and go, especially when it comes to tile. From ceramic and porcelain to stone and glass mosaic, tile comes in a wide variety of materials, with colors and shapes and sizes galore. Selecting tile can feel like an overwhelming task, especially when you consider that the choice you make now will affect the feel of your space for years to come. Pick the wrong pattern or color, and your bathroom or kitchen could feel outdated in just a few short years. Aesthetics aside, dated tile could also impact your home value. However, no one wants to go ripping out tiles every time interior design trends change. So how do you know which tile trends to steer clear of? You look to the pros, of course — and who better to turn to than HGTV's design and renovation show experts. These veterans of interiors, like Erin Napier and Joanna Gaines, have their finger on the pulse, as well as some strong opinions and advice around tile.
Besides tracking down which tile styles HGTV's stars are tired of, we've also sourced a few of their best tips. Some advise homeowners to stick to neutrals, while others give the go-ahead to play with patterns. If you are drawn to some of the more daring tile trends from these HGTV's designers, but are feeling uncertain, you can always change your floor in a flash with peel-and-stick tiles instead.
Erin Napier is opting for color and warmth instead of cold white subway tile
The stars of HGTV's "Home Town" have seen their fair share of seriously outdated tile while renovating countless homes in Laurel, Mississippi. But white subway tile is the dying kitchen trend Erin Napier is happy to put to rest. Instead, the designer leans into marble in modern shapes,colorful backsplashes, and imperfection. In her own kitchen renovation, she replaced the subway tile with "glazed weathered Clé zellige tiles that have imperfect, irregular edges that throw the sunlight around," Napier wrote on Laurel Mercantile. This created a fresh yet timeless feel.
Jonathan Scott swaps outdated tile countertops for solid surfaces that are easier to clean
"Property Brothers'" Jonathan Scott is another HGTV star that thinks all-white kitchens are on their way out, but his pet peeve is actually tiled countertops. Scott tore out tiled countertops more than once during Season 7 of the popular show. "I hate tile counters... They just suck up all of the grime and the grease," Scott said during an episode of "Property Brothers" (via Realtor.com). Instead, the Property Brothers opt for lightly veined marble, quartz, and solid surface countertops that are much easier to clean and maintain.
Christina Haack avoids brightly colored tiles in favor of neutral and organic patterns
Tiled countertops aren't the only dated kitchen trend that HGTV stars are over seeing in homes. During Season 3 of "Christina on the Coast," real estate and flipping expert Christina Hall made clever use of tiles to create a stunning kitchen backsplash. But, she was careful not to use bold or brash colors. Instead, she encouraged homeowners to incorporate neutral hues, paired with patterns, metallic sheens, and unexpected textures to make a statement without resorting to bold shades that will look dated over time.
Mina Starsiak Hawk says accent tile strips can make your shower look dated
HGTV's "Good Bones" star Mina Starsiak Hawk isn't one to let dated details linger in her renovations, so we're not surprised at this design trend that Hawk is ready to put to bed. She feels that accent tile strips or decorative bands belong in the past, although some experts say stripes are making a comeback. Instead of making a permanent commitment to tiles you may get tired of before long, you may want to temporarily try striped rugs or towels to subtly incorporate the look.
Emily Henderson suggests mixing square tiles with subway to keep things interesting
Sleek and easy to clean, subway tiles may be a solid choice if you want a classic look. However, many designers are moving toward more interesting styles, such as skinny tall tiles. If your heart is set on subway tile, HGTV's Emily Henderson suggests to mix subway and square tile sizes to keep things more interesting (via her blog). She also recommends avoiding dark grout so that "you almost don't even notice the variation, your eye just moves around easily," Henderson wrote on her blog.
Joanna Gaines swaps patterned tiles for a more organic look
HGTV star Joanna Gaines has always been a fan of black and white, even opting for the combo in the Magnolia Market bathrooms (via Instagram). But while she used patterned tiles in the past, Gaines appears to have ditched the trend for tiles that are more organic looking. During Season 1 of "Fixer Upper: Welcome Home," she used matte black terracotta tiles in a masculine bathroom, and warm terracotta tiles to create a floor with old world charm in another bathroom. More recently, in "Fixer Upper: The Lakehouse," she used volcanic ash tiles set in a checkerboard pattern, and loved that it felt more varied and organic.