Joanna Gaines' Moody Mudroom Renovation Breathes Fresh Air Into Classic Diamond Tiles

A household name in the interior design world, Joanna Gaines is a pro at transforming ordinary and rundown homes into charming spaces, from a modern coastal aesthetic for a living room to her signature rustic touches in a bungalow bedroom. If you watch her popular HGTV show, "Fixer Upper," which she co-hosts with her husband, Chip Gaines, you understand why many look to her for design inspo. You may even know that her interior decor aesthetic historically leans into the modern farmhouse style, with bright, airy spaces and a rustic appeal. But contemporary viewers of her Magnolia Network show, "Mini Reni," will tell you that she's just as skilled at designing dramatic, evocative spaces. Such is the case in one episode, where she gives her client's mudroom a moody makeover.

In Season 1, Episode 5 of "Mini Reni," Gaines designs a gorgeous mudroom using dark blue-gray hues throughout cabinetry and the ceiling to set the mood. To offset some of that rich, dark paint, she adds adorable floral wallpaper. But it's her sweet diamond flooring idea that not only brightens up the space but also adds dramatic appeal. She uses creamy white and brown cement tiles arranged diagonally, creating a subtle contrast with the deep, smoky paint. These contrasting elements help avoid making the area look too dark or feel heavy, especially with the additional elements, including a built-in bench with white upholstery. The result is a cozy mudroom that doesn't feel weighed down, thanks to the flooring choice tying it all together.

The cocooning effect from applying dark tones around a room can instantly create a cozy and inviting atmosphere, which is perfect for a mudroom entryway. One of the mistakes to avoid when designing a moody room is not using contrasting elements; that's where the flooring comes in. In fact, your choice of flooring is so important that Joanna Gaines herself explains that her hack for picking the right hard finishes is starting from the ground up. Coordinating your floors and primary paint shade is essential to emulating a look like the one Gaines created.

Referring to her moody mudroom transformation, Gaines uses diamond-shaped cement tiles that directly contrast with the smoky blue-gray ceiling. Per Gaines, this balance creates a sweet, cottage feel. Not only that, but tiles that move diagonally also bring high energy into the space, adding to the moodiness of your mudroom. To emulate the subtle contrast like Gaines did, you'll want to add a light shade (similar to the creamy white tile) along with an extra pop of color. Neutral, earthy shades, such as light terracotta or even a bright, dusty blush, can tone down the rich hues.

From here, you can decide on a primary paint shade. In a corresponding blog post, it's revealed that Gaines used a Magnolia interior paint called Coffee Nook, which is a dark smoky gray with cool blue undertones. The dark, muted blue-gray color looks timeless, but if it's too rich for your taste, you may opt for other deep undertones, like Pigeon by Farrow & Ball, which is an ashy green that imbues a natural coziness.