Checkerboard Tiles

Checkerboard tiles are bold, stylish and surprisingly versatile, but getting it right isn't just about black and white squares. It's also about how you lay them and what colours you use together. The details make a difference. Read the following FAQs to understand all you need to ensure checkerboard tiles work in your home.

 

Can you create a checkerboard design using plain tiles?

You don't have to buy printed tiles to get a checkerboard look, although they do exist. Some collections come with a checkerboard pattern already built into each tile, so it can be installed with no planning required. If you want to get a quick look with little planning, this option is great.

If you want flexibility, you need to consider plain, solid colour tiles. You can lay them in alternate colours to create your own checkerboard; square-on, diagonal, bold or subtle. And, importantly, you can select the exact colours, finishes and spacing that work for your space.

 

What colours work well in a checkerboard pattern?

Creating a checkerboard pattern with black and white floor tiles is the undisputed classic; bold, clean and endlessly versatile. It brings instant contrast and a timeless elegance that suits everything from period hallways to modern bathrooms.

But checkerboard doesn’t have to mean monochrome. Soft pairings like sage green with cream, blush pink with white, or dove grey with ink blue offer a more gentle, contemporary twist. These more muted combinations create a calmer look while keeping the essence of a checkerboard pattern.

 

What materials work best for checkerboard tiles?

Porcelain is hard to beat as an option for checkerboard bathroom tiles, as it’s tough, water-resistant and low maintenance. For floors, matt finishes are a smart choice. They offer better grip and a more grounded, architectural feel. On walls, glossy ceramic tiles can add a bit of shine, bouncing light around and giving the space extra depth, especially when used to create a bold checkerboard layout.

 

What pairs well with checkerboard tiles?

Checkerboard floor tiles do a lot of visual heavy lifting, so the aim should be to let them do what they're good at and lead the show. Keep your coatings simple and neutral; plain walls, clean lines and natural materials such as wood, linen or stone. This will create balance and avoid the space feeling chaotic.

Black hardware and brass fittings cut through the pattern with sharp contrast. Matt black taps and shower fixtures, for example, add a modern edge in bathrooms, while brass handles pair well with checkerboard kitchen tiles. Warm metallics, pastels and earthy tones can also help to dilute some of the graphic weight. Think brushed gold accent or beige patterned backsplashes, allowing a daring checkerboard floor to breathe in welcoming spaces.