If you are planning a home renovation in East Texas, two of the most impactful areas to focus on are your kitchen and your bathroom. These rooms aren’t just where you spend the most time; they are also the primary drivers of your property value. For many residents living near the water in Athens, a high-quality remodel isn't just about looks, it’s about choosing materials that can handle humidity, heavy foot traffic, and the occasional muddy footprint from a day at the lake.
At Apex Custom Floors, we’ve spent over 15 years helping North and East Texas homeowners navigate these choices. As a BBB Accredited contractor, we’ve seen trends come and go, but the demand for professional-grade tile and flooring remains constant. Whether you are looking for a sleek kitchen backsplash or a spa-like custom shower, here are ten of the best design ideas tailored specifically for homes in our region.
1. The Full-Height Slab Backsplash
One of the biggest shifts we’ve seen in kitchen design is the move away from small, busy tiles in favor of the full-height slab backsplash. Instead of using dozens of individual tiles, a single, continuous piece of stone or porcelain is installed from the countertop all the way up to the bottom of the cabinets.
For homeowners in Athens, this is a practical choice as much as an aesthetic one. Because there are no grout lines to scrub, it is incredibly easy to clean. If you do a lot of cooking, you won't have to worry about grease or tomato sauce staining the grout behind your range. This look works perfectly with modern or transitional home styles and creates a seamless, high-end feel that makes a kitchen look twice its actual size.
2. Curbless Walk-In Showers with Frameless Glass
The "curb" is the small step you usually have to take to enter a shower. Removing that curb creates a seamless transition from the bathroom floor directly into the shower area. This is a hallmark of modern custom showers and is highly sought after for both its beauty and its accessibility.
In many Ennis renovations, we recommend curbless designs for homeowners looking to "age in place" or simply create a more open, airy bathroom. When paired with frameless glass panels, the entire room feels larger. To make this work, our team ensures a perfectly pitched floor to guide water toward the drain, often utilizing advanced waterproofing systems that prevent leaks and mold growth beneath the tile.
3. Handcrafted Zellige Tile for Texture and Shine
If you prefer a kitchen with a bit more character and a "lived-in" feel, zellige-style tiles are a fantastic option. These tiles are known for their slight variations in color, thickness, and texture. When the light hits them, they shimmer and reflect in different directions, giving your kitchen backsplash a depth that standard subway tile can't match.
We often see these installed in homes near Cedar Creek Lake or Richland Chambers Lake, where the natural sunlight is abundant. The glossy finish of the tile helps bounce light around the room, which is especially helpful if your kitchen doesn't have many windows. It’s a classic look that feels both historic and modern at the same time.
4. Large-Format Porcelain Panels for Showers
Cleaning grout is nobody’s favorite weekend chore. That is why large-format porcelain panels have become so popular for bathroom remodels. These panels can be as large as 4 feet by 8 feet, meaning you can often cover an entire shower wall with just one or two pieces.
These panels mimic the look of natural marble, granite, or even concrete without the maintenance requirements of real stone. For a busy household in Hillsboro, porcelain is the ideal material because it is non-porous and resistant to hard water stains. When we install these, we focus on technical precision to ensure the seams are nearly invisible and the waterproofing is absolute.
5. Stone Polymer Composite Flooring Transitions
While we often talk about walls, the floor underneath your kitchen and bath is just as important. Many homeowners are now choosing stone polymer composite (SPC) flooring because of its incredible durability and waterproof nature.
SPC flooring is a type of luxury vinyl plank that features a rigid core made from limestone and stabilizers. This makes it much denser and more resistant to dents than standard vinyl. In a kitchen setting, it can handle dropped pots and spilled water with ease. We often design kitchens where the SPC flooring runs right up to a tile backsplash, creating a durable, cohesive look that can stand up to the humidity of a Texas summer.
6. Built-In Niches and Benches
A custom shower isn't truly custom unless it's built for your specific needs. Adding a recessed shower niche for your shampoos and soaps, or a built-in bench for shaving and relaxing, elevates the space from a simple bathroom to a private spa.
During the framing stage of our shower projects, we can customize the size and placement of these features. We often use mosaic tile as an accent inside the niche to tie in with the kitchen backsplash or other elements of the home. This attention to detail is what separates a professional tile flooring contractor from a general handyman.
7. Vertical Stack Subway Tile
Subway tile is a classic, but the traditional "running bond" pattern (like a brick wall) can sometimes feel a bit dated. A simple way to modernize the look for your Athens kitchen is to stack the tiles vertically.
Vertical stacking draws the eye upward, which makes low ceilings feel much higher. It’s a clean, organized look that works well in modern farmhouses or minimalist urban designs. Whether you choose a matte finish or a classic gloss, this pattern adds a designer touch without the high price tag of more exotic materials.
8. Mixed Materials: Wood-Look and Stone
We are seeing a trend where homeowners mix the warmth of wood-look flooring with the sleekness of stone tile. For example, you might have engineered hardwood in your living area that transitions into a beautifully tiled kitchen or bathroom.
In areas like Ennis, where homes often have open-concept layouts, getting these transitions right is critical. We use professional transition strips or "flush-mount" techniques to ensure there is no tripping hazard and the look remains seamless. Mixing textures, like the grain of the wood and the smooth surface of a porcelain backsplash, adds visual interest and warmth to your home.
9. Geometric and Patterned Floor Accents
If your kitchen or bathroom walls are relatively neutral, the floor is the perfect place to play with patterns. Hexagon tiles, herringbone patterns, or even "cement-look" patterned tiles can create a stunning focal point.
In a custom shower, a patterned floor can hide water spots and add grip, which is essential for safety. In a kitchen, a patterned tile area can act as a "rug" under an island or breakfast nook. Our team at Apex Custom Floors has over 15 years of experience laying complex patterns, ensuring that every line is straight and every joint is perfect.
10. Integrated Lighting and Rain Heads
Finally, don't forget the fixtures. A custom shower should be an experience. Integrating LED lighting into a niche or along the ceiling can change the mood of the room instantly. Pair that with a ceiling-mounted rain shower head and a handheld sprayer for the ultimate luxury.
In the kitchen, under-cabinet lighting is a must. It highlights your new backsplash and provides essential task lighting for cooking. When we plan your remodel, we think about how these elements will interact with the materials we are installing to ensure your home looks its best day or night.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a custom shower installation take?
Most custom shower projects take between one to two weeks. This includes the demolition of the old unit, installing the waterproofing system, laying the tile, and allowing the grout to cure before the final cleanup.
Is stone polymer composite better than regular LVP?
For most Texas homeowners, yes. The rigid core of stone polymer composite makes it more stable in our fluctuating temperatures and much more resistant to impacts. It’s the perfect choice for high-traffic kitchens.
Can I buy my own materials and have you install them?
While we provide full-service installation, many homeowners prefer to select their own materials. Apex Custom Floors actually sells flooring materials directly to you! If you have a specific vision in mind, we can help you source the perfect tile or plank.
Do you offer a warranty on your work?
Yes, we provide a one-year workmanship warranty on all our installations. We take pride in our "clean and organized" job site philosophy and our commitment to results that last.
Professional Installation Matters
A beautiful tile or floor is only as good as the installation. At Apex Custom Floors, we handle the technical side so you can enjoy the results. From ensuring your subfloor is level to applying the final seal on your grout, we treat every home in North and East Texas as if it were our own.
Whether you are in Athens, Ennis, or Hillsboro, we are ready to help you bring these ideas to life.
Looking for materials? Apex Custom Floors sells flooring materials directly to you! Call Apex Custom Floors at 903-229-9556.
Contact Us
Apex Custom Floors
(903) 229-9556
https://apexcustomfloors.com/
Ready to start your next project? Contact us today for a Free Estimate and let’s make your kitchen and bathroom the highlights of your home.
