The Checkered and Checkerboard Pattern
The checkerboard pattern has been part of my life since my late teens, mostly as a floor. Growing up, I traveled to France a lot and fell in love with the way it looked in old French estates and farmhouses. There is something about the geometry and symmetry of it that I just can’t get enough of. From an apartment in Germany to our first place after getting married to the home we still live in today, every place I have lived has had some version of a checkerboard floor somewhere in it.
Below, I will walk you through everything you need to know about this pattern and show you how I have used it in my own home.
What is the checkerboard pattern?
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A checkerboard pattern is made up of equal-sized squares in two alternating colors, traditionally black and white. It gets its name from the game board used in checkers and chess and has been a staple in European interior design for centuries, especially in entryways, kitchens, and bathrooms.
While black and white is the classic combination, the pattern works beautifully in almost any two colors. Right now, the biggest trend is warm neutrals like rust, tan, and terracotta, which feel a lot more livable and less graphic than the high contrast version. I have had both in my own home, and they could not feel more different from each other. The checkerboard is also sometimes confused with the harlequin pattern, which looks similar but with one key difference that I will explain below.
Checkerboard pattern versus harlequin pattern
I have both checkered patterns in our home. A Harlequin checkered pattern floor layout (which is when the squares are on a 90-degree angle) and the checkerboard patterned floor. Let me show you examples.
Let me show you my porch. I decided on a tan Harlequin checkerboard since our bathroom has had the tan or terracotta-colored checkerboard floor for the past 22 years.
We have old checkerboard tile in two bathrooms. One, I simply worked with it and used it as a direction to design the entire bathroom around it, and it looks beautiful, as you can see. And the other bathroom, I added stickers to the plain tan checkerboard tile floor.
I added the checkered Ikea SIMHALL pillow (not available anymore) to our fireplace area.
In my last post I shared this kitchen designed by Claire Brody because of the terracotta floor and today I’m showing it again with the checkerboard patterned backsplash as an example.
Thoughts on other types of checks
Check patterns such as Gingham, Shepherd’s Check, Buffalo Check, and Prince of Wales Check are way more traditional and they all have some sort of lighter check square thrown into the solid-colored square pattern that the checkerboard pattern has.
The graph check is linear and more modern. It is basically a grid pattern and reminds me of math class.
Another even more modern version of the standard checkerboard pattern is the wavy checkered pattern. For me, it’s a bit much and overwhelming to look at. I almost get dizzy looking at that wavy psychedelic pattern. But with that said I have increasingly seen that wavy check pattern in fashion and on fabric as well.
Checkerboard Pattern in Home Decor and Fashion
Recently, I have seen a spike in brown, rust, and tan checkerboard patterns, and I can’t get enough of it. This color combo puts a modern twist on the classic and shows up everywhere right now, from home decor to fashion.
Let me show you some of my favorite finds.
- checkered patterned sweatpants (HERE)
- ivory and rust-colored checkered-patterned wool sweater (HERE or HERE)
- checkboard pants (HERE)
- rusty orange-colored checkered patterned vans (HERE)
- rust and tan-colored checkered patterned wool sweater (sold out)
- wooden checkered patterned charcuterie boards (HERE or HERE)
- ivory and tan checkered patterned pillow (HERE)
- ivory and rust-colored checkered patterned fleece hoodie (similar one HERE, or sleeveless HERE)
- terracotta/tan and ivory checkered throw blanket (HERE, HERE, or HERE)
- brown and ivory-colored checkered patterned towel (HERE)
- brown and tan checkered jacket (sold out)
- checkerboard rugs (HERE and HERE)
- rust and terracotta-colored checkerboard dish towel (HERE)
- rust and tan checkers tablecloth (HERE)
- rust checkerboard fashion accessories (iPhone cases HERE and HERE, tan checkered leather tote HERE, or checkerboard tote bag HERE)
- checkerboard shower curtain (HERE)
- checkered touch lamp (HERE)
- checkered pendant lamp (HERE)
- checkered stool (HERE or HERE)
- checkered ottoman (HERE)
- checkered headboard (HERE)
- checkered chair (HERE or HERE)
- checkerboard removable wallpaper (HERE)
- checkerboard folding chair (HERE)
- checkerboard coasters (HERE)
- checkered planter (HERE)
So are you loving this pattern as much as I do, or have you had enough of it already?
Tschüß,
You are so right! The terracotta front door is wonderful for your porch. Your rock work and painted porch are great together!
Thanks so much Jill. I’m so happy with it
I absolutely loved this post! The checkered pattern is such a timeless classic, and it’s amazing to see how it’s making a comeback in modern design. The examples you shared are truly inspiring, especially the use of bold colors. Can’t wait to incorporate some checkered elements into my home!