Tile Trends And Styles HGTV Stars Love

Choosing the right style of tile can feel overwhelming, but your favorite HGTV stars are here to help. There are practically endless options when it comes to selecting a tile type, pattern, and color scheme. Take a cue from the pros and narrow down your selection to their top-rated trends and styles. From Christina Haack's modern aesthetic to Hilary Farr's classy approach, there is a tile concept for every interior. 

The goal is to create a design that looks timeless but still updated. Tile provides the perfect opportunity to play with a pop of color, unexpected pattern, or an interesting layout. It's all about adding visual interest that still feels cohesive. We've already covered the tile trends HGTV stars are tired of seeing, and now it's time to round up the styles they love. Find inspiration for your next tiling project and curate the perfect kitchen backsplash, bathroom floor, and beyond.

On "Rock the Block," Alison Victoria and Mike Holmes nailed this ombré bathroom tile design, creating a one-of-a-kind look. The two teamed up on Season 2, Episode 3, and used a series of small rectangular tiles, to create a design that turned gradually from navy blue at the top of the wall to white at the bottom. Victoria admired the work in progress, stating in the HGTV YouTube clip, "This is ombré at its finest." Holmes chimed in, "I love the tile because it's so different, right? It's just, you never see the combination of colors," adding that the grouting would be a make-or-break element. Because they wanted the color to seamlessly transition, Holmes and Victoria couldn't use the same grout across the entire design. However, the extra labor was well worth it.

Although an ombré tile design might take more planning when it comes to layout and grouting, the result can be striking. If the design showcased by Victoria and Holmes is too intricate, you can also explore a two-toned tile look. Choose two tiles in two different shades of the same color family. This will give a somewhat similar visual effect to the ombré design, without requiring you to interlay several shades of tile and grout. For example, try tiling the upper half of your wall in Cloe Gloss Baby Blue Ceramic Tiles, and the lower half in the deeper blue shade of the same tile.

During Season 3, Episode 1 of "Christina on the Coast," Christina Haack proved that you don't have to stick to a strictly modern or vintage style when it comes to designing your backsplash. Instead of choosing between a tiled or solid stone surface, she proposed a unique solution. In a clip of the HGTV episode on YouTube, Haack described her idea, saying, "What I'm thinking is, we run the same countertop up about 14" backsplash and then incorporate the zellige. So, it's a nice blend of the California contemporary look and mid-century modern vibe."

A "countersplash" on its own is certainly trendy, but it can take away the opportunity to add texture with a tile backsplash. Haack's solution allows you to try this modern trend and still play with a tiled design. Zellige tiles, as highlighted by Haack, are handcrafted clay tiles with a glazed surface. With a Moroccan origin and a history that spans centuries, these handmade tiles make a major design statement. Haack chose off-white, subway-style zellige tiles to complement the airy interior. You can find similar Moroccan Handmade Zellige Tiles on Amazon. 

In "Erin'spired" for HGTV, Erin Napier talked through her process of choosing a bold, patterned tile to set the tone for her client's kitchen. She spoke to her team explaining, "If we could, like, tile and lighten and brighten the inside back wall and find a way to bring color, a very colorful Spanish tile that looks hand-painted, as a focal point in the kitchen, and then just build out from there. Let a tile make the entire house's palette!" Her lead designer, Amanda, came up with an idea to save money by using a Spanish-style porcelain tile instead of a handcrafted version.

While tile can be an excellent accent piece, it can also serve as the centerpiece for your kitchen. The oven range is an ideal space to create a focal point in your kitchen. If you want to create a similar look to Napier's, you can save money by purchasing a set like Talavera's Mixed Design Tile Sampler. Because it is such a small space, this is a great opportunity to buy a package of patterned tile without placing a larger order. For an even more budget-friendly (or renter-friendly) solution, try these heat- and moisture-resistant Longking Peel-and-Stick Spanish tiles.

Drew Scott showcased a stunning guest bathroom in the YouTube clip of the home they built for their parents. He chose a light blue zellige-style tile to cover the shower. Ecstatic that his mom was on board with his bold choice, he said, "I love the tile choice in here, too. Again, my mom was so open to something new and fresh and use of color."

If you're searching for bathroom tile ideas to revamp your space, you can create a unique look with a fun shade. Blue is an ideal hue for your bathroom because it will add a pop of visual interest while still creating a calming, spa-like space. Scott went with brushed gold fixtures to contrast the cool tone, which is a great way to create visual balance. To mimic Scott's design, opt for zellige tiles in a muted, dusty blue. If you want to go with a bolder hue, the Daltile Square Ceramic Tiles in Electric Blue will make a statement. Then, complement the cool color with a gold faucet like Gabrylly's Shower System.

If you want your space to look timeless but not overdone, Jillian Harris has a brilliant solution. When designing her own kitchen, she decided to go with a classic subway tile backsplash — with a twist. The tile she chose had a textured, crackled surface. She wrote on her blog, "I ended up going with Frost (in the size 4-by-8) from Fireclay Tile for our kitchen backsplash. It has a nice crackle finish which gives it some nice texture plus it also has that traditional, timeless look I was striving for ... but it's also unique and specially curated!"

Subway tiles have been in and out of favor for the past few years, but their classic appeal is undeniable. However, if you want to modernize their traditional look, you can easily take subway backsplash tiling and make it your own. The crackle finish that Harris fell in love with is a great way to add a trendy touch. You can order the exact same subway tile from Fireclay Tile – or look for a cheaper option, such as the Crackle White Subway Tiles from Squarefeet Depot on Amazon — and use a vertical installation to give the classic shape a more modern vibe.

While the stars of "Good Bones" frequently make bold design choices, they warn against choosing colors and finishes that could be polarizing for resale. This is why they wholeheartedly support the neutral tile trend. Starsiak explained to HGTV, "We try to pick things that are timeless, and whites and light grays, no one is typically mad at those. So, a nice white ceramic, whether it's in a subway or an arabesque or any shape of Carrara marble."

Although bold tiles can be fun, it's no secret why Starsiak and Laine err on the side of caution for their flips. Some homeowners want to imagine an interior with their own stylish touch, rather than having the aesthetic determined for them. However, just because you go neutral doesn't mean you have to be boring. Similar to the Carrara marble mentioned above, natural stones with striations and veining can add visual interest while maintaining an understated look. Veined travertine, slate, and soapstone tiles are some other neutral, natural stone options that won't look overdone.

Christina Haack and Tarek El Moussa released a shimmering line of tiles in partnership with Trend Transformations. Although the sparkling quartz material was Christina's idea, Tarek supported it wholeheartedly. He told People Magazine, "Christina likes bling-y, of course. Honestly, it is the coolest countertop, the best colors, the best bling. Christina did a super good job picking them. They actually went to Italy and went into different mines until they found this specific quartz." Tarek also explained that a darker variation of sparkling quartz can still look masculine.

Quartz is a great alternative to marble because it is more cost-efficient but still captures the organic look. It's also more visibly consistent, which can be helpful for certain tiling projects. Another shimmery alternative that won't break the bank is granite. This Grey Granite Tile from the Tenedos Store has pearly flecks, creating a similar effect to the shimmering line.

Emily Henderson decided to try out the trend of selecting a grout color to match the tile. Although it took a long time to find the perfect color match for her bathroom floor, she was wowed by the final result. She wrote on her blog: "The second Brian and I saw the 'twilight' grout it was a 'hell yes.' Not because on the board it was the most dynamic, but because picturing over the floor of the bathroom we felt it did exactly what we wanted — let that color pop, drawing attention to the texture of the tile shape but NOT a busy pattern — almost like a beautiful sea of handmade blue texture. Incredible."

Choosing a grout color and tile in similar hues can look more uniform and make it easier to keep the grout looking clean. Dark grey, for example, will not stain as easily as white will. Grout in areas that see heavier traffic can also discolor, which means your surface may look uneven over time. For these practical reasons, darker-colored grout can make your space appear clean and cohesive.

If you're unsure whether to go tonal with your grout color or choose something contrasting, decide how much you want the grout lines to stand out. If you want them to be highly visible, choose a color that will somewhat contrast. If you want them to blend in with the tiles for a softer, tonal look (where the grout lines aren't creating a loud pattern), choose a close color match. 

"Love It or List It" star Hilary Farr has a clever tiling tip that will make a small bathroom appear much larger. The designer is a big fan of installing the same tiles all the way up to the ceiling. In Season 12, Episode 12, she employed this technique to visually heighten the space by using monochromatic tiles in a shower. For her own bathroom, she used large format porcelain tiles to mimic the look of marble stretching from wall to wall.

Floor-to-ceiling tiles are a great way to make your bathroom appear bright and airy. Light-colored tiles are typically preferable if your goal is to create a more open space. However, another way to make your bathroom look larger is to consider the layout of the tiles. Try using a chevron pattern that stretches from the floor up the shower wall. The arrow pattern will draw the eye up and elongate the room. You can also install rectangular tiles in a vertical pattern to achieve a similar effect.