Bathroom Tile Inspiration To Take From Joanna Gaines
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Time and time again, Joanna Gaines gets tiling right. We can see this in bathrooms across many episodes of "Fixer Upper," where the tiles are always the main attraction. Gaines makes the tiles central to each home's personality, from classic squares lining the mirrors to geometric shapes forming picture frame backgrounds.
If you're looking for bathroom tile inspiration in your own home, look no further than the stunning shapes and colors that adorn her bathroom projects. Watching Gaines transform imposing spaces into charming newlywed abodes will inspire your own bathroom revamps. While changing up tiles can be daunting, it can be worth it knowing tiles are never an afterthought in the place you probably spend a lot of your time in during mornings and late evenings. From clay picks to handmade finds, tiles can reshape the entire mood of your bathroom.
Earth-toned tiles bring cozy vibes
This bathroom tile from episode three of "Fixer Upper: Colorado Mountain House" leans into rich, earthy colors. The walls feature an array of small square tiles in varying shades of brown — some in rusty tones, others in dark and light colors. The tiles are finished with gloss, which allows some light to move freely on their surface. A distinct feature of this space is the picture-frame tile comprising a lineup of beige and brown geometric tiles.
Many people choose bright whites and cream-colored tiles in bathrooms. But if you want to replicate similar warmth in your own bathroom, or even in your shower, brown will create better visual interest. Go for slightly smaller tiles, in those earthy colors that Gaines chooses for the shower here. Gaines likely used this zellige line, similar to her tile work in this house's kitchen backsplash and powder room. Handmade squares can also be found at Etsy for that custom feel.
If you're going for a subtle tonal change, choose tiles with tonal variations, since this will create shading. Go deeper in design with the picture-frame tile on the back wall, which you can mimic with a decorative tile frame. This background can work elsewhere, too, like on a tiled bathroom floor. This is definitely a zellige tile layout that will transform your space.
Unusually-shaped tiles are different but timeless
In episode nine of "Fixer Upper: Welcome Home", the bathroom Joanna Gaines transforms is pretty classic, and the tiles make it extra special. Here, Gaines applies white hexagonal tiles with darker inserts along the floor, shower, and half of the shower walls. Dark, slim trim lines tie the space together.
If this is the kind of design that's just right for your bathroom, consider a similar pattern by layering mosaic tile across your floor and bathroom walls. These can be in different shapes too, like penny rounds, octagon and dot tiles, or classic diamond shapes. They typically come in 1- or 2-inch shapes, so they're slightly easier to install, and you can space them more cohesively.
In this bathroom, Gaines lines them up on the wall with finishing strips, giving a unified look. Lots of places carry these strips alongside coordinating tiles, such as these. But make sure to keep your colors unified, as your bathroom should have Gaines' intentional aesthetic rather than a busy layout.
Two-color patterned tiles are classic
Does your bathroom need a new look that mixes classic elements with something fun? If so, this bathroom is worth a look. Everything in episode six has a historic charm that makes every space feel royal. The bathroom features a bright white and forest green tile pattern that animates the floor.
This bathroom tile is timeless, so you want to recreate a space that also uses tile to ground your space beyond today's trends. Choose a two-tone tile and match it to the bathroom wall to get that cohesive, livable look that Gaines strived for in the castle's bathroom. That two-tone could be classic white and black or a cream and navy.
White tiles provide balance against boldly colored bathrooms
Returning to the bathroom in episode three, we can see soft white tiles above the dark green wainscotting, providing a bold, tasteful contrast. These tiles feature some light grey veining, which adds movement and avoids a plain, sterile aesthetic.
While this is an easy pattern to replicate, it looks like Gaines used real marble in this episode. It may be worth deciding if you want to do the same. But costs can vary: real marble can cost up to $40 per square, like this white marble subway tile. Whether you choose real marble or another type of neutral-toned subway tile like these porcelain ones, it can work great if you want to mimic the look. Plus, consider balancing them against a bold color in your bathroom.
Scalloped trim will bring whimsy charm to your walls
The tile in episode three adds a feminine flourish. Here, Gaines goes for soft, beige, and cream colored tiles that make a statement with vintage, floral patterns on every few tiles. On top, those tiles are finished with a scalloped trim. Brown walls wrap the rest of the bathroom, feeling warm and whimsical at once.
To get the same look, choose tiles in your own bathroom with a similar motif. It doesn't have to be floral, but you can consider another soft pattern on every other tile, such as something botanical like vine leaves, or even a geometric shape if you want an element that's more modern. These tiles offer distinctive patterns with delicate floral motifs for a quirky bathroom. Pair it with a light and airy trim. For a less girly aesthetic, opt for natural stone lining.
Repeated patterned-tiles bring classic charm to any bathroom
Joanna Gaines incorporated lots of old-world charm in episode six, tying the room with floral-shaped, brightly intricate, patterned tiles. These repeated motifs come in light green and dark navy, set against a creamier coloring underneath. This layout feels personal, with every tile appearing almost hand-painted.
A Mediterranean look with patterned cement or clay tiles can work here. Encaustic tiles, especially those with a porcelain finish, often last longer in high-moisture environments. If you want this aesthetic, Wayfair and Zia Tole carry similar options, especially in dark blue and green tones.
You can also seek out fun patterned tiles to really go with the theme. Some brands have a wide range of tiles with Mediterranean motifs and styles. It's a simple upgrade that'll immediately elevate your bathroom aesthetic.
Matte-finished tiles will ground your bathroom
In episode one of "Fixer Upper: Welcome Home," Joanna Gaines helps a newlywed couple revamp an abandoned home into a space they can actually live in — and this bathroom has a timeless bathroom tile color that achieves an invitingly earthy, grounded feel.
If you want a budget-friendly way to make your bathroom feel like a calming spa, choose something DIY-friendly. Consider replicating this look by grabbing matte 2-by-2-inch tiles. You can usually buy them mounted on mesh sheets, and they're small enough so that you don't need a big tile saw to cut them. Simply use a pair of tile cutters. These are great for peace of mind and comfort while working on your next design project. Plus, matte is a less slippery option, perfect for the bathroom.
Glossy tiles will make your bathroom glow and feel larger
In episode three of "Fixer Upper: Colorado Mountain House", Joanna Gaines transforms the guest bathroom into a sweet, lightly-colored oasis. She adds tile to one focal point of the space: the wall behind the bathroom mirror. That backsplash is set with tiny square-shaped tiles that are subtly checkered, with accents of both dark pink and yellow-beige tones. There's a gloss that finishes the wall, complementing the golden coloring of the large mirror against it. The lamps' soft glow reflects off the tiles, complementing their colors and creating a soft ambience.
A powder bathroom might be the best place to experiment with glossy finishes against warm metals like brass or golden-hued fixtures. You'll need to mix square with thin rectangular tiles in zellige style for this eclectic design. These classic squares paired with slim subway tiles create a playful yet cohesive balance. Extra tip: place these behind a vanity since light will bounce between your mirror and fixtures. This works better in a smaller space because that shine adds depth without being too overwhelming in a large bathroom. If this accent wall speaks to you, grab tiles that will reflect more light, such as these zellige tiles.
Handmade tiles are the way to go
Joanna Gaines said goodbye to predictable bathroom tiles in episode three of "Fixer Upper: Colorado Mountain House". These handmade dark green clay squares feel modern and rustic, wrapping the space in rich tones and subtle light reflection.
Everyone loves a handmade tile, not just because they feel artisanal, but because they look irregular and lived-in. Since they're made one by one, pieces often look slightly different from one another, and you just can't beat that organic look that mass-produced tiles are missing.
However, installation can be challenging. These aren't the most DIY-friendly, so it's important to note that spacing must be done carefully if you're doing it yourself. These tiles often have uneven edges, which makes it harder to arrange them uniformly. While they often cost more, you can find tiles from brands that mimic that handmade style without breaking the bank.
Choose tiles that give shading a whole new meaning
Creamy, elongated square tiles wrap the shower and the bottom walls in episode three of "Fixer Upper: Welcome Home". But that's not what makes these tiles special. The real treat is watching these tiles come to life through their shading. It serves as a subtle foundation that gives other fixtures their moment.
Line your space with tiles that are similar in color but showcase subtly different shades. Some brands carry tiles exactly like this, and are often labelled as having a high shade variation. That means your tiles will look exactly as they do here, where some look slightly different depending on movement and light.
Imitation marble will give your bathroom a whole new look
In episode one of "Fixer Upper: Welcome Home", Joanna Gaines does something a little different to this bathroom floor. Instead of opting for real marble, she fitted large porcelain squares with dark grey veining and an imitation marble aesthetic. Recreating this look with natural marble can cost anywhere between $10 to $40 per square foot.
Imitation marble options are much cheaper. In porcelain variations, you can expect to pay between $5 to $10 per square foot. Lay them out in brick-style so that the design feels naturally balanced rather than overly uniform.