Erin Napier's Beautiful Bathroom Tile Designs That Are Too Good Not To Use
If you love cozy bathrooms with a splash of personality, steal inspiration from Erin Napier. She and her husband, Ben Napier, are the co-hosts of "Home Town" on HGTV. They revitalize historic homes in Laurel, Mississippi, with special attention to the homeowner's personal style. Erin blends each client's unique aesthetic with her signature vintage Americana approach. The result is a one-of-a-kind interior with tons of texture.
When redesigning your home, make sure not to overlook the importance of personalizing your bathroom. If your bathroom doesn't reflect your personality, it's time to add some stunning tile work. Erin Napier has upgraded countless bathrooms with beautiful tile, and you can easily take a cue from her best designs. From sleek and chic to boho and botanical, these Erin Napier-inspired bathroom tile ideas can revamp your space in an instant. Find your favorite concept and apply her tips and tricks to upgrade your own interior.
Textured shower tiles that mimic the look of leaves
In Season 9, Episode 10 of "Home Town," Erin Napier covered a shower wall with unique, leaf-shaped tiles. These added an earthy touch to the organic-inspired space. "I wanted to choose a shower tile that felt like nature," she explained. "These leaves felt soft and pretty." This is a stunning idea to bring biophilic design to your bathroom, especially if real greenery is out of the question. Organic-style bathrooms are currently trending, so these leafy tiles are the perfect addition if you want your space to look both modern and timeless.
Napier paired the light blue, leaf-patterned tile with a few key elements throughout the space. The countertop was an ivory quartz, and the cabinets were raw wood. These neutral elements allowed the tile to stand out while still maintaining the nature-inspired theme. While Napier tiled the shower with these botanical beauties, you can also incorporate the same style into smaller areas like your backsplash. These Generic Store Sheets of Ivy Glass Mosaic Tiles are an easy way to capture a similar look.
Large-scale marble tiles with super-thin grout lines
In Season 9, Episode 1, the client really wanted her bathroom to look like it belonged in a five-star hotel. To achieve a sleek, luxurious look, Erin Napier installed large-scale, marble tiles that extended from the floor all the way up the shower wall. "So easy to clean, that was the goal. I wanted it to feel like a five-star hotel with the thinnest and fewest grout lines possible," Napier explained. Picking the right tile size is key to pulling your space together, and large-scale tiles can give you a low-maintenance, contemporary look.
The marble pattern on Napier's tiles wasn't particularly subtle, which is actually in line with recent trends. In fact, Napier also chose a contrasting marble surface for the countertop. Mixing and matching two different stone types is a designer-approved approach. The key is to pair one bolder surface with a more neutral counterpart. In this case, the shower tiles displayed noticeable gray speckling, and the countertop was a beige stone with subtler variation.
Two matching accent walls with patterned ceramic tile
In Season 1, Episode 10, Erin Napier chose a bold, patterned tile for the shower's back wall, then carried the same design onto a half-wall behind the tub. These matching surfaces introduced a lively, vintage flair that brightened the otherwise sleek space. Rather than a single accent wall of tile, the two matching areas made the pop of pattern look curated and intentional. This is one expert, unique bathroom design idea you shouldn't overlook.
Napier chose a Mediterranean-style pattern with a brown border and blue details. They mimic the look of encaustic mosaic tiles, adding an Old World touch. If an entire wall — or half-wall — of patterned tiles sounds intimidating, you can also pepper your solid-colored tile wall with a few accent tiles. These Casablanca Market Mediterranean Ceramic Azur Decorative Tiles are a stunning option, or you can try out the look with these temporary Am Amaonm Removable Square Vintage Tile Stickers.
A light, bright patterned tile on the bathroom floor
As soon as Erin Napier mentioned using a patterned tile in Season 2, Episode 1, the client responded by saying patterned tiles are her "love language." Erin ended up selecting a light blue and ochre tile with a Moroccan-inspired pattern for the bathroom floor. The bold design added a playful twist while keeping things light and bright. "I cannot get over the tiles," the client said upon seeing the reveal.
If you don't want to renovate your entire bathroom, floor tiles can be a more accessible way to transform your space. For your shower walls, there are several essential steps, like installing your cement board and waterproofing. When it comes to tiling the floor, you often only need a level, solid surface to begin. You can also experiment with peel-and-stick floor tiles that would otherwise not be suitable for your shower. These Morcart Peel and Stick Floor Tiles offer a similar color palette and Moroccan style.
A waterfall of black, matte, hexagonal tiles
Erin Napier sought to create a contemporary, waterfall effect for her "cool" client in Season 8, Episode 2. She took an ultra-modern, black hexagonal tile and used it for both the back shower wall and the floor. "This is your waterfall moment here," she told the client. "The tile carries down over the shelf, down to the floor, all the way to the closet wall." She paired the black tiles with larger, light taupe tiles and gold hardware. These additions prevented the black tile from making the space feel too dark.
Although dark tiles might seem more appropriate for a large space, the waterfall effect is actually a stunning small bathroom idea that will make your space seem bigger. By continuing the same tile from the shower wall across the floor, the space appears elongated, rather than closed in. You can also apply the same effect from your sink backsplash down to the floor. If you're still worried about the black tile making your bathroom feel smaller, opt for a glossy variation that will reflect light instead.
Zellige shower wall tiles paired with basket weave floor tiles
The renovation from Season 7, Episode 15, is proof that you don't have to stick to a single tile style. Erin Napier chose to tile the shower with square, pale green zellige tiles. For the floor, she opted for a contrasting basket weave tile pattern with a black and white palette. This blend of trendy and timeless creates a unique visual balance.
If you feel like your bathroom color scheme is too stark and outdated, Napier's renovation is proof that you don't have to start at square one. Keep your neutral tiles as they are and add a trendy tile in just one area of your bathroom. This will save you money and capitalize on the mixed tile trend. You can even go as small as tiling a shower niche or a one-row backsplash above your sink. If you're interested in Napier's pale green Moroccan tiles, this is how you can skip the grout and still keep the charm of a DIY zellige tile backsplash.
Tropical palm tiles in the shower for a whimsical touch
In Season 7, Episode 18, Erin designed a nod to her clients' island living past. She opted for ivory tiles in the shower, but she used them to frame a bold, lush botanical tile mural. The centerpiece showcased tropical foliage, creating a wallpaper-like effect. "It's like taking an outdoor shower in the tropics," the client said. This surprise pop of visual interest added just enough character without looking childish.
A tile mural can be a beautiful way to add a centerpiece to your bathroom. Beyond the island-themed tile mural in Erin's renovation, you can also opt for a more traditional verdure or chinoiserie-inspired design. These styles often feature intricate botanical or scenic elements that can bring a sense of elegance to your space. Alternatively, a modern, geometric tile mural is ideal if you're seeking a more contemporary option. If you want a bolder look, you can install a tile mural across an entire shower wall. For something subtler, consider a tile mural backsplash.
Handmade shower tile inspired by the look of sea glass
Erin Napier wanted to give her client in Season 7, Episode 10, a spa-like bathroom with a personalized touch. She tiled the shower with glossy, handcrafted tiles in various shades of teal and blue-green. Upon the reveal, she explained her choice to the homeowners: "It reminded me of the story of your sea glass necklace that your daughter made." This sentimental touch made the stunning installation even sweeter for them.
If you love the sea glass-inspired look, there are several ways to incorporate it in your bathroom. Glass tiles are the perfect low-maintenance option for your shower. Their shiny surface isn't just pretty to look at; it's also easy to clean. For a dynamic option, try these LSDECO Glass Mosaic Tiles. For something more streamlined, try these Lovdeco Light Green Glass Subway Tiles. To complete the Napier-inspired look, choose a bathroom mirror with a natural wood frame.
A strip of oyster shell-inspired mini mosaics in the shower
Erin Napier designed a sleek, luxurious bathroom in Season 6, Episode 11. However, she wanted to add a pop of shimmering, visual interest to the shower. She installed a thick strip of iridescent mini-mosaic tiles across the shower. Erin said, "It reminded me of, like, an oyster shell sort of finish." The client agreed, "There's texture. That tile isn't just flat."
An accent band is a great way to add some visual interest without overwhelming your bathroom. You can install it horizontally or vertically, usually at the height of your shower niche. Large, neutral wall tiles are timeless and easy to clean, but an accent strip makes it possible to add a playful touch. These CNK Tile Store White Square Groutless Pearl Shell Tiles are a perfect dupe for Napier's choice. For an even trendier option, consider a herringbone pattern like these Tenedos Genuine Mother of Pearl Tiles.
Jade green shower tiles for a Spanish-inspired look
In Season 7, Episode 13, Erin Napier gave her brother- and sister-in-law a bathroom with Spanish flair. As soon as she saw the handcrafted, jade green tiles, she knew they were perfect for the shower. "St. Augustine was settled by the Spanish," Napier said. "This house that they rented in St. Augustine had beautiful hand-painted Spanish tiles. I wanted to give them a pretty Spanish tile, paying homage to their trip to St. Augustine."
There are several ways you can modify Napier's concept to suit your style. Beyond a traditional, square tile, you can choose a jade, handcrafted tile in a chevron pattern for a modern twist. Tonally, you can also experiment with softer shades of green like sage. For an even bolder look, try an ombre effect and transition from a darker green to a lighter green.
Vertical sage green glass tile in the shower
Erin Napier designed a storybook-inspired home with an earthy color palette and a whimsical touch in Season 5, Episode 9. To carry that theme into the bathroom, she chose vertically stacked subway tiles, which are a major current trend, for the shower walls. Their glossy, sage-green finish added an enchanted woodland vibe while visually elongating the space. The finished result was a chic space that didn't sacrifice any personality.
This renovation is proof that you can continue the theme of your home into your bathroom, no matter how quirky. Erin chose a similar sage color for the bathroom cabinets as well as a light green paint color for the walls. The singular color palette emphasized the homeowner's unique style. This is proof that you shouldn't be afraid to commit to a color palette, and that monochromatic tiles might be the key to a spa-like bathroom space.
Navy blue subway tile with grout to match the walls
In Season 4, Episode 9, Erin Napier wanted to create a masculine master suite that would still have widespread appeal. The bathroom itself was light and bright, but she chose dark navy subway tiles for the shower. As she told her husband, Ben Napier, "It's going to go all the way up to the ceiling. The walls will be painted, like, a deep cream color. So, the grout is going to match the paint color." Upon the reveal, she concluded: "A master suite is what makes a house resellable someday."
If you want to prioritize a timeless home for resale value, consider this trick from Erin. The bold, navy tile color was offset by the classic subway tile pattern. Blending a statement shade with a traditional tile shape and layout will create the perfect mix of personal yet appealing. Other timeless surrounding elements include chrome hardware, neutral walls, and wood cabinets.