This Checkered Floor Upgrade Heightens the Style of Every Home

03.10.2023 - 15:39 / bhg.com / Maggie Gillette

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.

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