Not Traditional Flooring: The Beautiful Tile Erin Napier Prefers In A Bathroom

If you've ever thought bathroom flooring can feel a little same-y, you wouldn't be alone. While white tile and wood-look vinyl are among the most common choices, there are plenty of ways to use tile to give a bathroom more personality. Erin Napier of HGTV's "Home Town" is particularly skilled at making tile feel anything but predictable, often mixing traditional materials and patterns to create spaces that feel both timeless and fresh. And if you're looking for a bathroom flooring idea that feels a little left of center, she might just have the answer.

You'll find it in Season 7, Episode 15, of "Home Town." For the bathroom renovation, Napier chose a basketweave tile pattern that runs across both the main bathroom floor and the shower floor. The small-scale pattern adds visual and textural interest without overwhelming the space, while the black-and-grey palette creates a classic foundation for the pale green zellige tiles in the shower. It's a good example of Napier's knack for combining different tile styles while keeping the overall look cohesive, and if you're searching for an alternative flooring idea while remodeling your bathroom, it's one worth borrowing. 

Besides knowing the best types of tile for bathroom floors, Napier also knows that great designs often do something a little unexpected. In her own home, she chose printed wood flooring that combines the warmth of natural wood with white diamond-shaped accents, mimicking the look of traditional tile inlaid into the floorboards. In an Instagram post, she said the design was "inspired by European bistro tile but with the warmth of this old Tudor and all its 1920s millwork." The choice is another example of how Napier uses flooring to acknowledge a home's history while still giving it a distinctive, modern twist.

That same instinct comes through in the bathroom featured on "Home Town." The small-scale basketweave pattern immediately draws the eye, but its classic geometric shape keeps it from competing with the green zellige tile above it. Feeling inspired by the episode? Napier used the matte white and gray basketweave mosaic tile from Anatolia, part of the brand's Soho collection. You don't have to opt for an exact look, though. The collection offers five contrasting insert colors (the shade between the weave), giving you the option to find a variation that suits your personal space.