Few flooring options create a classic kitchen look quite like a checkerboard pattern. It's timeless, visually interesting, and adds a bit of personality to the space, especially in more minimal designs. For most of us, it's at the top of the kitchen wish list.
But it's also a huge job to change your kitchen flooring – swapping wooden flooring for brand new tiles is a task that renders your cooking space unusable. And let's not even talk about the cost. Which is why painting on this classic pattern is so tempting – same rustic look, less upheaval, less cost, and actually, you could DIY it in a weekend.
More often than not, trending DIY kitchen projects leave much to be desired. They usually totally miss the mark and look like a cheapened version of the design you were really going for. Painted countertops, I'm looking at you.
But painting a checkerboard pattern onto wooden flooring is far from tacky and dysfunctional. It elevates old floorboards and gives them a new lease of life. And when it's executed with care and attention, it can look even more timeless than the classic tiles.
'I have executed two different hand-painted checkerboard floors in the last few years that have achieved wonderful, unique results,' says interior designer Julia Chasman, who designed the kitchen pictured above.
'In both cases, my client wanted a colorful kitchen and a floor that would be fun, and echo the embrace of color and pattern elsewhere in their kitchen designs. We executed both of them ourselves with a decorative painter and our regular house painter,' she explains.
There are so many benefits to this flooring design. For one, you don't have to pull up any existing floors, nor do you have to cover the expense of tiles. But it also gives you more flexibility in the design, from the color you choose to the scale of the pattern. And unlike many other creative trends, it won't date.
'The appeal here is a timeless one; almost any floor can be painted, be it wood or concrete, or even existing tile. The checkerboard pattern has been around forever, and bespeaks a homey, casual style that is warm and classic. The checkerboard pattern has symbolic meaning dating back to ancient times, representing the duality of good and evil,' Julia explains.
From designers to home owners and even paint experts, everyone is finding new excitement for this unexpected approach, giving a classic pattern a new and refreshed feel, yet one that still feels right at home in an older property.
'If you have a time-worn floor in your kitchen, creating a checkerboard effect is a great way to update what you have. Diamonds or squares are easy to paint and look good in any style of kitchen – contemporary or country style,' says paint expert Annie Sloan.
Unlike more intricate patterns and designs, with careful planning, even a less-experienced decorator can nail this trend. And it reintroduces flooring as an exciting part of your kitchen design, as Joa Studholme, color curator at Farrow & Ball, explains.
'Very often, people put flooring at the bottom of the list when designing an interior, but that shouldn’t be the case. Painted floors are incredibly cost-effective and totally transformative, either as a statement piece, a dramatic burst, an anchoring detail, or just a way to breathe new life into a room,' she says.
And most importantly, this unconventional flooring look is far more practical than you might have thought. 'Another benefit is the ability to touch up your floor in years to come, if you want to correct the inevitable nicks and scratches. Keep a handy supply of touch-up paint in your pantry or utility closet for this purpose,' says Julia.
'But know that these signs of use and life can also be embraced as part of the patina of your kitchen – much like the occasional ring on a kitchen countertop, or the darkening of unlacquered metal in your faucet or hardware.'
The durability of your painted design will depend on the paint quality and finish you choose. Something low sheen and made to last will be easy to clean and be less prone to scuffs and scratches.
'Every home has rooms that would benefit from an easily washable floor. Flat Eggshell is wonderfully washable. But it should be considered just as much for its decorative qualities. With its low sheen, it covers a multitude of sins, bringing both old and new floors to life,' Joa adds.
How good your painted checkerboard kitchen floor looks depends entirely on the execution. It's about precision, neat lines, and perfect preparation. It sounds intimidating, I know – but designers have plenty of advice to get it right.
'Planning, clearing the room, and working out the scale of the pattern are very important. I find marking out with string is really helpful at this stage,' says Annie, who says it's important to sand your floors before painting for a smooth surface.
'Find the centre of the floor and then mark out your diamond or square shapes using string, a ruler, and Blu Tack. Use a pencil and a steel ruler and draw over the string lines to create a perfect grid. Use masking tape to mark out the shapes if you are not confident painting them in freehand,' she explains.
How you design the checkerboard pattern will depend entirely on your kitchen layout and size, as well as the architectural features in the room. 'Remember to angle your checkerboard pattern on a diagonal if possible, to elongate your room in the direction most pleasing to the eye. This is a way to make your kitchen look bigger or smaller, whatever makes the most design sense,' says Julia.
'A border around the room of a few inches – maybe in a third contrasting color – can elevate the design to a truly professional look. Add little details too – like a smaller version of your checkerboard within a given square. These are the benefits of a handmade scheme,' she suggests.
For a symmetrical look, Annie suggests starting your checkerboard pattern from the center of the room. 'Always design the checkerboard pattern from the center, bearing in mind how it will look around a main feature in the room, such as a doorway or fireplace. You can choose a color that is close in tone to the original floor, or use a darker color for a very striking contrast.'
You mustn't go in and create your checkerboard pattern with masking tape and paint it all in one go. This will leave you with tape-sized gaps between every square, which will completely ruin the look. Marking out with string and then masking the squares color-by-color might sound time-consuming, but it will guarantee the best results.
'Paint your colors one at a time, allowing paint to dry fully between coats. When you're done painting, be sure to add one or two coats of a clear polyurethane or lacquer sealer to protect your floor before it's walked on,' Julia adds.
Once you have painted your checkerboard pattern (with one or two coats, depending on the quality of the paint you are using), make sure you seal the floors to ensure they remain hard-wearing and easy to clean. For a clear finish, try Varathane's Water-Based Floor Polyurethane from Lowe's.
If you were wondering what's replacing checkerboard floor tiles, it's painted alternatives. There's something more textured and interesting about a painted look – it feels layered and lived-in, something everyone is craving from their kitchens right now. And while checkerboard tiles aren't going anywhere, this approach is an option worth considering.
