Muted colors and luxurious materials are taking checkered floors to the next level.
Certain style classics are eternal—think the iconic little black dress, the perfectly tailored suit, or the tried and true, fitted button-down. In interior design, too, some features just never go out of style. Right now, the timeless checkered floor is having a moment—but tastemakers are trying a new spin on the look. Industrial Vinyl Flooring
While our first thought of a checkerboard pattern is likely black and white (and often linoleum), designers have been mixing up the colors and materials they’re using to create the checks. The updated version of this style is softer, low-contrast, made of luxurious materials, and well-suited for just about any style of home. If you're interested in bringing a muted checkered look to your kitchen or bathroom, you're in the right place—here's everything you need to know about why the design is trending now, plus how to make it suit your style.
On the whole, traditional heritage designs have been resurfacing as of late—people are seeking grounded and familiar styles more and more.
“Like any good trend, we always see classic design elements find their way back into modern interpretations, and a checkered floor is a classic detail to any home,” says Jenn Feldman, founder of Jenn Feldman Designs.
Both a classic and a trend, the checkered floor movement has the added bonus of staying power. When you choose a design scheme that has already stood the test of time, you know that you won’t have to switch things out next season—a benefit that's particularly crucial for a semi-permanent, quite expensive fixture like flooring. This is a look that is indisputably a sound financial decision, aside from its standout style.
Though this style works in such a wide variety of design schemes, there are definitely things you can do to best highlight a checkered floor, plus a few things you may want to avoid. The first question to ask is where installing a checkered floor makes the most sense in your space.
"I see a lot of checkered floors in entry halls, kitchens, and mudrooms as they have always been great spaces to explore tile and checkered combinations," Feldman says. "Since these areas also have higher traffic than the rest of the home, the use of stone ensures that family life can stay clean and tidy."
On the other hand, some rooms simply aren't well-suited for this design.
"With checkered floors, size really does matter," says Feldman. "You should definitely stay away from tight areas because it doesn't give the checkered floor breathing room and causes the space to feel tight, claustrophobic, and chaotic."
Likewise, you want to keep scale in mind when choosing your tile. A tiny pattern that might look lovely in a bathroom could easily get lost in an oversized entry, and large tiles that would be wonderful in a kitchen might appear fragmented and confusing in a small hallway—it's all about balance.
One of the reasons that this style works so well in so many homes is that designers and homeowners are making creative decisions about how the pattern is created. If your house is full of pastels, you're not out of the running for this checkered feature—you can simply create a soft, soothing style by mixing colors already present in your design scheme.
"Updated material finishes and textures can upscale the idea of checkered floors, along with the color palettes," Feldman says.
The look can be achieved using everything from basic ceramic tiles to luxe marble, depending on your lifestyle and budget. If the traditional, black-and-white, linoleum style feels most authentic to you, though, don't fret—just because more muted versions are trending now doesn't mean you can't go with the timeless style of checks.
"With the correct scale and use of material, there are plenty of great areas to explore checkered floor patterns around a home," Feldman says. "Remember, a great space comes together with the sum of all the parts, so having detail in the floor means you need to control other areas to let this pattern shine."
Wide Plank Hardwood Flooring By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts.