Checkerboard flooring are a traditional. They are going to by no means exit of favor. I need to settle that up entrance on this submit as a result of I don’t need to mince my phrases right here. At present’s submit isn’t about this alternating flooring sample being out of vogue; truly, fairly the other. Checkerboard is completely in every single place, due in nice half to how accessible it has grow to be with the various implausible renter-friendly peel-and-stick merchandise there are in the marketplace. It’s the darling flooring selection of many a design content material creator; a cure-all for including character to trendy or conventional rooms alike.
For that purpose, in the event you’re something like me, you is perhaps rising bored with seeing this because the default in house after house after house. Engaging? Sure! Novel or modern? No. For these after one thing with simply as a lot graphic punch that feels more energizing and a bit extra intriguing, I’ve some new concepts for you! All the 10 different patterns I rounded up as we speak have comparable hallmarks of checkerboard:
- Alternating colours (usually in excessive distinction)
- Geometric and graphic, principally made from squares and rectangles
- Timeless enchantment, as one thing that will work in lots of room kinds
- Tidy however punchy
Now, earlier than persevering with, I need to warn you: I made up all of those tile sample names. None of those are official, so please don’t go to your contractor or tile setter and say, “Please give me the two-color basketweave” or “Have you learnt methods to do an alternating rectangle checkerboard?” as a result of they may doubtless have a look at you with a scrunchy, confused face. BUT, you may absolutely present them some images, they usually’ll perceive!
#1: Alternating Rectangle Checkerboard
That is probably the most diverse and filled-out possibility, and relying on the colour selection and materials choice, this combo of skinny and thick rectangles can really feel tremendous trendy (in contrast to checkerboard) or prefer it’s been there for 100 years.
It’s onerous for me to inform right here if we’re coping with squares or extensive rectangles separated by slender rectangles, however frankly, both could be a contemporary tackle checkerboard patterns. The important thing right here is the assembly of the corners of every lengthy and thin tile.
I initially picked this, considering the cream and rust sections had been two separate tiles put collectively to create a grid, however now I understand they’re truly one tile, and that is simply sq. tiles laid on prime of one another, however flipped forwards and backwards in every row. Both method, inspiration can nonetheless be pulled from it if utilizing stable coloured tiles.
This one, which I discovered but once more on Zia Tile’s profile, is analogous however with out the horizontal shift. The IKEA-like palette isn’t for everybody (together with me, TBH), however the sample itself is kind of amenable to coming to life in some ways relying on coloration selection. I like how clear and tidy that is, which might work rather well in a extra up to date house, although I might positively see it in one thing extra traditional if achieved in marble, terracotta, or zellige.
You’ll be able to see how totally different that sample feels in additional impartial, earthy tones (and in marble). This one, by Studio Keeta, includes a longer rectangle, which fits the ground of an area like this one to guide the attention alongside the cool structure.
If two colours aren’t sufficient for you, this tri-color marble utility is tremendous eye-catching. Sort of a damaged stripe with one other damaged stripe operating via it perpendicularly, custom-designed by the duo behind Ome Dezin.
A refined tweak in proportions makes such a distinction, because the sq. and squatter rectangle really feel much less trendy, like one thing timeworn in a home from the final century (and I don’t imply the Nineteen Nineties). Canales & Co. Interiors went with a low-contrast coloration pairing, which actually has my coronary heart for the time being.
#2: Similar-Tile Sq. Grid
I didn’t go into this submit considering I would come with, nicely, just a few sq. tiles of the identical coloration collectively. BUT HEAR ME OUT! It checks some shared packing containers: Streamlined, traditional, and attention-grabbing in the event you decide a saturated tone.
Perhaps it’s the opposite gadgets within the room mirrored on the excessive gloss end, or possibly the tiles are barely diverse, however the latter—completed with a hand-glazed tile—retains this model from trying overly ’80s. Designer Andrew Brown used the stable grid in a rest room within the Dominican Republic, revealed in Veranda journal.
Okay, so not precisely stable in coloration, however I wished to incorporate it anyway as a result of it’s a single tile with candy little nook particulars that come collectively to create one thing bigger than itself, identical to checkerboard. W Design Collective used a Delft-inspired tile in each the lavatory and what appears like a kitchen or pantry, and I simply like it.
#3: Two-Shade Basketweave
This complete house, by Elena Uchaeva, is so heat, inviting, and exquisite, and the flooring are a giant a part of that design gold equation. Right here on this hallway, she went with a basketweave sample with a brownish-red heart and grout traces. It is perhaps loads of motion for some eyes preferring calm, seamless patterns, however to me, it’s simply sufficient curiosity in an in any other case peaceable area.
#4: Diamond (& Sq.) Accent Grid
This flooring tile design, with its diamonds and clipped squares, is as traditional as conventional checkerboard however with far much less market saturation. It’s additionally decrease in distinction and far more refined, which might swimsuit the house of somebody who needs a contact of graphic punch however with out the depth of checkerboard.
The mosaic flooring on this lavatory by Meghan Eisenberg is attractive! The little element of the added white sq. makes an attention-grabbing however understated assertion. Similar black-and-white combo, only a bit totally different.
#5: Alternating Sq. Dimension Grid
Just like the primary class on this submit, this sample appears to be getting much more play recently, and I LOVE it. It’s comprised of a giant sq. and a small sq. put in in an interspersed diagonal course.
I’m so smitten with this kitchen area in a rental cabin close to Large Bear Lake, California. The ground has a lot affect however nonetheless feels so grounded, doubtless due to the terra-cotta hue.
Right here’s a smaller model, with an extra coloration bigger sq. to get a bit nearer to the beloved checkerboard scheme.
Keep in mind I discussed two photos from Elena Uchaeva? That is one other area within the stunning house I shared below the basketweave part. This flooring is a very totally different sample, however constructed out of the identical colours, which creates cohesion all through the house, however with a definite character for every room.
#6: Checkerboard Border
Perhaps this one is dishonest, like utilizing the phrase within the definition of that phrase. BUT I nonetheless need to level it out instead as a result of it’s like a checkerboard amuse-bouche. Only a peppering of the look in order that it’s not the entire visible meal, simply a part of it. You may do that in any utility, much like the lavatory above, on a flooring, on a wall, anyplace actually. Be certain that the dimensions of the tile matches the floor it’s on.
#7: Plaid
Caitlin wrote about plaid tile beforehand, so in the event you love this look, I counsel you go learn her deep dive (nobody can do a deep dive like that girl!), however I collected a number of extra examples right here as a viable checkerboard substitute. In some circumstances, it’s a extra intricate plaid mosaic; in others, it’s only a reconfigured checkerboard with an extra coloration within the combine.
Right here’s an instance of the extra detailed mosaic plaid (a.ok.a. dearer, as a result of extra tiles equals extra cuts and extra specialty to put out appropriately). Nevertheless it positive is preppy and enjoyable, huh?
This plaid design is made utilizing the identical measurement tile throughout the board, however in three colours, specified by a plaid-like motif.
#8: Stacked Checker Grid
In case you actually love checkerboard and don’t need to veer too far astray, let me introduce you to what I’m calling the “stacked checker grid.” At this level, I’m form of simply throwing names like one does spaghetti on the partitions, however principally, it’s a checkerboard grid made from stacked tiles of both non-square shapes to create an precise sq., or small squares which create a bigger sq..
I discovered this informal snapshot of a gorgeous lavatory by Sarah Sherman Samuel on her feed, and the ground right here is an ideal instance of this. Two rectangles in the identical coloration come collectively to create a single visible sq.. The grout line within the center creates extra texture and curiosity.
And right here, 4 small squares of every coloration mix to create a bigger sq., leading to a checker grid however with just a little extra oomph.
#9: Scattered Shade Sq. Grid
For a little bit of a extra eclectic and visually natural vibe, there’s the “scattered coloration sq. grid” tile set up method, which principally consists of taking not less than three colours of the identical measurement sq. tile and seemingly randomly scattering them throughout your floor. It’s enjoyable, quirky, and cute.
#10: Micro Checkerboard
And eventually, one other “you’re dishonest” second right here, however I stand with its inclusion regardless. The micro checkerboard mosaic (bonus factors for a border in a special sample) is an possibility that works in a smaller area, akin to a rest room, entryway, or compact kitchen. I’d hold the grout darkish right here to restrict how soiled it might get, nevertheless it provides an edginess you may’t appear to get with bigger 12-by-12 tiles.
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There you could have it, my 10 checkerboard tile alternate options in the event you love the look however need to be a bit totally different. As you may see, it doesn’t take a giant shift to get a contemporary perspective on the traditional motif. They’re all beautiful and have their deserves, as does the unique, after all, and it’s enjoyable to discover slight offshoots of beloved designs. If in case you have one other you’d wish to see me get into, simply let me know within the feedback.
Till subsequent time, associates.
Opening Picture Credit: Left: Design by Mallory Wackerman | Photograph by Lyle Nelson | From: Mallory’s Nineteen Fifties DIY Kitchen Makeover (You Gained’t Imagine This Earlier than and After) | Proper: Design by Brady Tolbert | Photograph by Tessa Neustadt | From: Brady’s Kitchen Reveal
