11 Stunning Erin Napier Designs That Were Out Of The Ordinary

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If you're on the hunt for unique design inspiration, Erin Napier is all about blending originality with timeless decor. Her interiors prove you can curate a stylish space that doesn't look like everybody else's home. Trends come and go, but your decor should always represent your personality. If you find yourself marching to the beat of your own drum when it comes to interior design, you might just find a kindred spirit in Erin Napier.

Erin hosts HGTV's "Home Town" with her husband, Ben, and they work together to renovate homes in their hometown of Laurel, Mississippi. Their goal isn't to do a quick flip that won't stand the test of time; they're truly passionate about curating homes for their friends and family to live in and love for generations to come. If you're wondering how to decorate your home like HGTV's Erin Napier, consider her most daring design ideas. Steal tips from her creative renovations — from kitchen cabinets in unexpected colors to wallpaper with playful patterns — and embrace an interior that's out of the ordinary.

Some designers might turn up their noses at a black-and brown combo, but not Erin. In Season 8, Episode 17 of "Home Town," she decided to take a major design risk by combining black kitchen countertops with brown subway tiles on the backsplash. This is just one of many of Erin Napier's brilliant kitchen design ideas you'll want to recreate in your own home. She discussed the approach with her contractor: "How do you feel about black and brown together? Because a lot of people say this is a controversial choice, but I like them together." While it may not be for everyone, the untraditional pairing can make an impact when done well.

Black interiors are on trend for 2026 – and if you want to embrace the look without overwhelming your space, Erin's technique of blending black and brown is a great way to ease in. Beyond a brown backsplash, you can also opt for natural wood cabinets with black countertops. Rather than a harsh carbon black, go for a smokier, slightly lighter variation to help the colors blend instead of clash. You can also use a warm-toned black for less contrast.

When designers reference Scandinavian decor, it can often seem synonymous with a neutral color palette. However, Erin proved you can create a cozy, Nordic-inspired space while still playing with moody tones. She takes exactly that approach in a special episode of "Home Town," Season 9, Episode 1. By using light wood to contrast the teal tone she chose for the kitchen cabinets, Erin turned a couple's second-choice home into their front-runner.

This renovation proves that you can explore an aesthetic without leaving your personality behind. With Scandinavian design, there are plenty of eye-catching ideas to consider. For example, a colorful rug is a playful way to introduce color while keeping furniture colors and silhouettes minimal. It creates a focal point while still maintaining a streamlined appearance. Textiles in general are a great way to add a bit of pizzazz. Consider going bold with items like curtains, pillows, or throw blankets. As long as you keep the lines clean and the decor minimal, your interior will still have that Scandinavian feel. To start defining your color palette, here are 15 of the best colors to decorate with for a Scandinavian aesthetic.

In Season 1, Episode 8, Erin struggled to find a pattern she liked enough for the accent wall in a client's dining room. In the end, they were wowed by a one-of-a-kind print painted by Erin herself. She explained: "We wanted to find a wallpaper, and I couldn't find the perfect thing. So I painted flowers and then we had it turned into custom wallpaper!" Her creation featured a repeating pattern of peach-colored roses with sage green and blue leaves.

There are several services you can use to create your own wallpaper. Photowall and RebelWalls both allow you to upload your own image for printing. For those who don't have a knack for fine art, you can find options like the HeloHo Peel and Stick Wallpaper that have a similar look to Erin's design. If you're working with a strict budget, you can always paint your own mural instead of printing wallpaper. Murals can create a perfectly imperfect look, ideal for an eclectic interior. For another creative idea, consider making custom wallpaper using old book pages.

Not only does Erin make bold choices when curating interiors for her clients, but she also takes major chances with the exterior design. In Season 1, Episode 7, she decided to paint the front door bright orange — and that wasn't her only eye-catching upgrade. She also used teal shingles for a unique roof. Upon the reveal, Erin exclaimed: "I wanted to mix it up and go with a color roof that no one else on this street has!"

When it comes to designing your home, don't forget about the power of curb appeal. Erin's design demonstrates that the outside of your home sets the tone for the inside. From the front door to the roof, there are several exterior house color ideas that can make your home look more inviting. Brightly colored front doors are trending, and you can choose anything from a pastel pink to a teal blue depending on your personal taste. Dark front door colors are also stylish and, according to Zillow, black front doors have been shown to increase resale value. For your roof, if the teal shingles selected by Erin don't match your aesthetic, consider a similar alternative like navy blue or hunter green.

Rather than creating a typical gallery wall, Erin took the empty wall in an even quirkier direction in Season 1, Episode 2. Because her client loved baking, she decorated the kitchen wall with some unexpected decor. Upon the reveal, she said: "I know you're a baker, so I wanted to get a collection of vintage rolling pins. Felt like a fun way to make that wall." The design featured several solid wood rolling pins arranged across the wall — quirky yet still perfectly kitchen-appropriate.

You can easily copy Erin's DIY by mounting your own rolling pins on the wall. This Miokin Rolling Pin Holder Display Rack makes it easy to hang the pins in a sleek and secure way. If you don't want to cover the entire wall, consider a product like the Pioneer Woman Ceramic French Rolling Pin Holder. It even includes a decorative ceramic rolling pin with a floral design. Ceramic rolling pins are another clever way to add color to your kitchen if you want to avoid the all-wood look.

In Season 2, Episode 10, the homeowners wanted to repurpose their ornately carved wooden beams but couldn't figure out how to make them work in their new space. Erin had a brilliant idea, and she and Ben crafted a stunning piece for the bedroom. She said, "You've been trying to figure out what to do with them for a long time and I just saw them as a headboard." She mounted one beam on each side and one across the top of a headboard to create a decorative border.

Making your own headboard is an underrated way to customize any sleeping space. There are plenty of easy DIY headboards that can upgrade your bedroom. If you don't have access to old beams, try turning a vintage door into a unique headboard. You can often thrift old doors, and you can either hang them horizontally as-is, or hand-paint your own designs. If you're not skilled at DIY projects but you love the look of Erin's headboard, try a similar style like the KultureDeco Queen Wood Headboard.

The design concept in Season 4, Episode 15, might be controversial, but Erin's client loved the final result. Erin decided to paint a diamond-style pattern with black and white paint directly on the hardwood floor. This daring choice proves that taking chances can pay off when it comes to adding personal style. It also demonstrates that you don't need to restrict yourself to rugs when bringing design intrigue into your flooring.  

Beyond the diamond pattern Erin painted on her client's floor, there are several patterns you can explore. A painted checkerboard is a popular option, and lighter colors will still allow the wood grain to show through. You might think dark-painted floors would be better at hiding dirt, but they can actually look dustier than you'd expect. Any painted floor is going to show wear and tear, so the patina is something to embrace rather than fight. If you want to take on a similar project, make sure you brush up on everything you need to know before painting your floors.

In Season 1, Episode 5, the Napiers wanted to add thoughtful splashes of their clients' personalities throughout the historic home. Erin had the brilliantly quirky idea to enhance the walls with functional fishing poles, and the centerpiece was a vintage-style wooden swordfish. Designing an accent wall based on her clients' interests is a common theme in "Home Town" interiors — a beautiful way to ensure a space feels personal and one-of-a-kind.

It may go without saying, but you don't have to use fishing poles to create your 3D accent wall if fishing isn't your passion. This concept is all about taking what you love and putting it on display. For example, if you're a plant lover, you may consider designing a stunning living wall of indoor plants. If you're an avid surfer, surfboards can also make striking wall decor. For music enthusiasts, a display of vinyl records is a great conversation starter. Any three-dimensional piece will add visual interest to a room, and if it has to do with your hobbies in a unique and personal way.

In Season 8, Episode 20 of "Home Town," Erin wanted to find a way to add extra storage in the kitchen, but the only space available was above the sink. Moreover, the window above the sink was essential for bringing in natural light. To utilize the space while still allowing light to stream through, she came up with a brilliant solution to build a custom plate rack in front of the window. 

If you don't have the ability to build custom shelves across your kitchen window, there are plenty of alternative shelving options to use instead. For letting maximum light into your space, consider transparent shelving like these ZerzSemp 3-Tier Hanging Clear Plant Shelves that can be used to store jars, cups, and bowls. If your window isn't suitable for a hanging option, try a shelving system that can be set directly over your sink, like the Moukabal Dish Drying Rack.

Most designers would go light and bright in the entryway, but Napier isn't most designers. In the very first episode of "Home Town," she took a chance and traded the light approach for a striking black shade. Napier explained her unorthodox choice: "The first thing I want you to feel is welcomed and like you're in an embrace, so I chose a dark color for in here so you feel immediately cozy when you come inside." Exactly as intended, her client described walking into the home as feeling like a hug.

If you want to try a deep color in your entryway, you're not just limited to just black. If you like the look of black but are worried it may feel to harsh, you can get that moody depth with a softer shade like charcoal or brown-black. Alternately, navy blue is a timeless shade that will still add drama to any foyer. To prevent the space from looking unwelcoming, Erin chose to create an eclectic gallery wall of family photos. Adding personal pieces of wall decor can instantly make your dark-toned space look cozy.

Beadboard is an uncommon backsplash these days, but in Season 8, Episode 4, Napier made the decision to preserve original paneling in a client's the kitchen. Instead of putting in a new backsplash altogether, she painted the existing beadboard a vibrant, retro-inspired peach tone. Erin confirmed that the original texture of the paneled design added a lot of character to the space because of its unique installation. Although beadboard is typically installed vertically, this kitchen had vertical beadboard only as a border above the countertop. Up the rest of the wall, it is placed horizontally. 

For homeowners eager to create a rustic, old world-inspired kitchen, beadboard can be a fascinating and underutilized backsplash option. Beadboard can be made from both solid or manufactured wood. In a kitchen installation, manufactured wood may be a safer choice, as real wood can be prone to warping with exposure to moisture. If you are set on real wood, make sure to use a semi-gloss paint for enhanced water-resistance. When it comes to the paint color, the possibilities are endless. Beyond a retro peach, you can explore playful options like teal, lavender, or sunshine yellow.