8 Of The Most Stunning Floor Design Choices We've Seen On Fixer Upper
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While replacing flooring can seem like a daunting investment, choosing the right material can transform your entire interior. Chip and Joanna Gaines are known for their charming, farmhouse-chic renovations near Waco, Texas. With Chip as the builder and Joanna as the designer, the married couple makes the perfect pair to turn teardowns into little pieces of luxury. Although their flooring choices might not be as well-known as their barn doors and shiplap exteriors, the flooring is arguably the unsung hero of several iconic renovations.
Unlike certain design elements that can be easy to anticipate, their flooring choices are more unpredictable. Their taste in flooring is vast and varied, leading to a range of stunning, unexpected concepts. If you're searching for the perfect flooring option for your own home, take a cue from Chip and Joanna and select the best flooring material to fit your unique space. From quaint rusticity to sleek modernism, there are multiple options that will add significant value to your property.
Brand-new pine for an open concept
After being abandoned for over 10 years, this home required more than a little TLC. In Season 3, Episode 8 of "Fixer Upper," Chip and Joanna Gaines completely gutted the interior of an inherited family home. To put the structural issues lightly, the snake infestation was the least of their problems. The original floor of the great room was covered in old tile that was crumbling beneath their feet. The interior and exterior cedar trim was the star of the finished space, so Joanna chose brand-new pine floors to complement the bright wood.
The great room already had a large, open floor plan, so she chose a material that would work all the way from wall-to-wall. The beauty of a gut renovation is that the sky is the limit when it comes to choosing materials. If you're looking for something sturdy and timeless, you can't go wrong with natural wood. Pine is often chosen for its naturally light finish and soft surface that doesn't sacrifice longevity. It has been used in homes for centuries, offering a timeless appeal. Discover a selection of pine flooring options at Home Depot.
An eye-popping playroom
In Season 3, Episode 1, a couple scored a major deal on a four-bedroom home for only $50,000. With $275,000 to spend on renovations, Chip and Joanna Gaines were able to execute and exceed their vision for the home. While the flooring was replaced throughout, the playroom stood out as the most stunning transformation. Originally, the space for the kids was covered in a very questionable green carpet. Chip and Joanna chose to give the play space a funky touch by adding wood floors and painting them with black and white diagonal stripes.
Wood floors act as an excellent base, but the makeover doesn't have to end there. While the concept has become a controversial debate among designers, there are several reasons why you should consider painting your hardwood floors. However, selecting the right kind of paint is imperative. If you want to minimize visible blemishes and imperfections, Rust-Oleum, available at Home Depot, is the industry standard. Make sure to prep your floors properly by lightly sanding them down and applying primer.
From orange to modern and moody
First-time homebuyers Kimberly and Blake Batson wanted a space that would reflect the joy of beginning their life together. In Season 2, Episode 1, Chip and Joanna seek to retain the home's original character while giving it a contemporary upgrade. The front door opens straight into the living space, which originally had orange-toned wood floors. Because the wood was in decent condition, they decided to restore it rather than cover it. The upgraded floors make this living room a memorable "Fixer Upper" makeover.
Joanna opted for a darker stain to create a contemporary atmosphere. While she typically favors light and bright flooring, her selection for this historic home is proof that every interior is different. If you're looking for a striking way to modernize your home, staining your floors darker can be an unexpected way to add visible depth and dimension. You can use a professional stain or DIY your own product to darken wood floors. Vinegar and steel wool can be used to create a budget-friendly stain. Otherwise, you can try Varathane from Walmart.
Brick for the Beanstalk Bungalow
Season 3, Episode 12, is known as the "Beanstalk Bungalow" episode because of its historic, fairytale appearance. The clients emphasized that they didn't want their home to look brand-new. Chip and Joanna Gaines made an effort to create a sense of old-world charm within the space — most notably the dining space. The original floors appeared to be painted concrete, offering a relatively easy base to start with. However, rather than choosing a simple flooring option, Chip and Joanna opted for authentic herringbone patterned brick floors.
The flooring choice resulted in a space that radiates indoor/outdoor living. Joanna shares on her blog: "The dining room on the back of the house was a light and airy space that ended up taking on the feel of a patio diner in Europe. To really highlight that, I went with a herringbone-patterned brick paver flooring ... " Joanna chose a light-toned brick to keep the space looking open and bright. To achieve a similar look, you can opt for a budget-friendly alternative like these mesh-mounted mosaic tiles from Amazon.
A statement strip of stunning tile
In Season 1, Episode 7, Chip and Joanna Gaines turned a dark entryway into a welcoming space suitable for a family of five. The inspiration for the space was a European-style retreat. They ripped out the vinyl tile flooring in the foyer and replaced it with a strip of decorative tiles surrounded by hardwood. This statement piece sets the tone for the entire interior.
This stylish alternative to a runner is a bit more expensive but worth the visual impact and resale value. Also known as a "tile rug," this is a great way to add a splash of character without having to tile the entire floor. This specific tile design has been dubbed the "Magnolia Blend" by Arto because Chip and Joanna popularized the starry pattern. Cement tiles are ideal for longevity, as their natural patina and rustic imperfections only improve with time. Because it is suitable for interior or exterior installations, you can also use this style of tile for your outdoor spaces.
Hardwood for the Barndominium
Season 3, Episode 7, presented Chip and Joanna Gaines with the major challenge of transforming a bare-bones, 2,650-square-foot barn. To say the floor went through a major transformation would be an understatement. The original flooring was just gravel over dirt. Chip and Joanna chose to install beautiful hardwood floors to create a sleek, timeless living space. The unconventional floor plan included a communal dining space upon entry, with the kitchen and utility spaces on the second floor. The dynamic duo put additional thought into the grand entry room flooring to ensure a stunning introduction to the luxury space.
Chip deemed this renovation the "Barndominium," which reflects its modern interpretation of a converted barn. Hardwood flooring was ideal to maintain a natural feel throughout the interior. If you're looking for an elegant material with a touch of rusticity, hardwood is perfect for its versatility. When it comes to installing your hardwood floor beams, every installation requires a unique set of considerations. Follow our guide on the top mistakes to avoid when installing your new hardwood floors.
Splurging on sleek marble
Jeff and Sara Jones, a young couple moving to the heart of Waco, requested a renovation that radiates an antique, timeless style in Season 3, Episode 9. Chip and Joanna chose to incorporate several European-style elements to give the couple a home filled with ageless character. Upon the reveal, Chip jokes that they spent the entire budget on the entryway. Although it was said in jest, the floors in the foyer are undoubtedly the most show-stopping contributions to the entire interior. "I wanted the Joneses to open up the door to their home and immediately be wowed. It was a dream of Sara's to have a really beautiful and formal entryway ..." Joanna writes on her blog.
Chip and Joanna chose black and white marble tiles to give the entryway a sophisticated appearance. This installation differed drastically from the country-chic interiors that the couple is known for. While marble flooring has pros and cons, your entryway is an ideal space to add a touch of marble without overwhelming the space. It is also durable and easy to clean, making it practical for a foyer. The black marble border, exemplified in this episode, is a great way to make white marble tiles pop. You can explore a range of border design ideas at Stone and Tile.
A B&B gets a cosmetic upgrade
In Season 3, Episode 4, Chip and Joanna Gaines embarked on their own journey to renovate a historic farmhouse. Their goal was to turn the rustic structure into a chic bed and breakfast. In the primary bathroom, they decided to keep most of the original details and focus primarily on the cosmetic upgrades. While the structure of the bathroom remained the same, they ripped out the carpet and added patterned tile for a contemporary touch. Joanna is a consistent fan of black and white tile floors for bathroom renovations.
As is evident in this stunning makeover, ceramic patterned tiles can add a modern touch to any traditional interior. If you're searching for a similar material to recreate the design showcased in this episode, try these tiles from Lowe's. Thin, dark grey grout lines are recommended to create a cohesive appearance. Not only can replacing the flooring enhance the aesthetic appeal of your space, but it can also breathe new life into a traditional interior.