Decorating
Decorating: Chequerboard Inspiration for Every Room
Chequerboard floors aren’t just for bathrooms. Be inspired by these schemes proving checks can smarten any space, upstairs or down
The classic black and white chequerboard tiled floor has long been a favourite in the bathroom. But with a design so classic, why keep it in one place? Spread the monochrome effect throughout the house for a bold statement that will be sure to turn heads.
In the hall
The hallway sees a lot of traffic, so a hard floor is a practical choice compared to carpet. Lay vinyl or tiles, or simply paint existing floorboards, masking off the squares. Prep the surface well to create a key and then use a specialist floor paint to ensure longevity.
Be inspired by more monochrome schemes that celebrate cool contrast
The hallway sees a lot of traffic, so a hard floor is a practical choice compared to carpet. Lay vinyl or tiles, or simply paint existing floorboards, masking off the squares. Prep the surface well to create a key and then use a specialist floor paint to ensure longevity.
Be inspired by more monochrome schemes that celebrate cool contrast
In the living room
The owners of this room have opted for a pared-back, midcentury look that works beautifully with the chequerboard floor. With such a bold design, it’s a good idea to keep other elements minimal. To soften the look, consider adding a rug.
The owners of this room have opted for a pared-back, midcentury look that works beautifully with the chequerboard floor. With such a bold design, it’s a good idea to keep other elements minimal. To soften the look, consider adding a rug.
In the kitchen
Classic chequerboard tiles look clean and smart in a kitchen setting. They particularly suit a monochrome scheme, as here. If you’re a fan of colour, the good news is a floor like this would look good with any shade, so try pairing a black and white floor with colourful units or kitchen accessories.
Discover how to make a classic white scheme work in your kitchen
Classic chequerboard tiles look clean and smart in a kitchen setting. They particularly suit a monochrome scheme, as here. If you’re a fan of colour, the good news is a floor like this would look good with any shade, so try pairing a black and white floor with colourful units or kitchen accessories.
Discover how to make a classic white scheme work in your kitchen
In the dining room
This clean, contemporary dining room is given an injection of energy with a black and white floor. The neon-pink chair legs add a bright note without detracting from the checked expanse.
This clean, contemporary dining room is given an injection of energy with a black and white floor. The neon-pink chair legs add a bright note without detracting from the checked expanse.
In the bedroom
This is a bold look for a bedroom, but it’s kept from being too busy with the all-white expanse of wall and bed linen. As with the living room, try adding a rug, such as a natural sheepskin, to bring warmth and cosiness into the space.
This is a bold look for a bedroom, but it’s kept from being too busy with the all-white expanse of wall and bed linen. As with the living room, try adding a rug, such as a natural sheepskin, to bring warmth and cosiness into the space.
In a rented home
Laying a black and white floor or painting floorboards might not be an option if you rent your home. If you’re a fan of monochrome chequerboard, then you can easily get the look with a bold print rug. While the one pictured is not a classic chessboard pattern, it brings drama and boldness to the room in a similar way.
Laying a black and white floor or painting floorboards might not be an option if you rent your home. If you’re a fan of monochrome chequerboard, then you can easily get the look with a bold print rug. While the one pictured is not a classic chessboard pattern, it brings drama and boldness to the room in a similar way.
Tiles outside your home – in a porch and even down the path – can look fantastic. While the pattern here isn’t strictly a chessboard of black and white, the effect is similar. The best thing about this look is that it can easily be scaled down according to the size of your porch.