There’s something undeniably captivating about a classic checkerboard floor. This timeless pattern, often found in a black-and-white colorway, adds a sense of sophistication to any space. One of our favorite ways to take this iconic look even further is by pairing your checkered floor with patterned wallpaper–and we’ve got insider tips to help you achieve this look.
Today we’re thrilled to share expert advice from our own Minna Etters, a talented Showroom Design Consultant in our New York City Showroom. With a background in interior design and a passion for creating unique spaces that stand the test of time, Minna will be guiding you through four essential tips for pairing checkered floor tile with patterned wallpaper.
Meet Minna
Born and raised in Indianapolis, Minna attended college in Chicago to complete her degree in Interior Architecture and later moved to NYC for a new creative adventure. After working as an interior designer for commercial firms, her love of ceramic tile happily led her to a Design Consultant position at Fireclay where she now helps clients create their dream interiors.
Take it away, Minna!
Tip #1: Color Match
Let’s start simple by talking about color! Whether you’re starting with tile and finding a matching wallpaper or vice versa, color is a great way to pair the two. Match your tile to the dominant color of the wallpaper to create a more monochromatic look. Or, choose an accent color from the wallpaper that you want to emphasize. Using color as your tool will help make your space feel beautiful and cohesive.
Tile: 3x3 Mist + Cardamom, 2x8 Mist | Design + Image: Claire Thomas
Tip #2: Go Organic
Mix your checkerboard with organic patterns! These patterns can be floral, soft shapes, or anything that rejects the grid. Blending a geometric pattern with an organic pattern creates a sense of balance and harmony in the space. With this technique, your eyes can easily graze the room without being forced to choose between competing patterns.
Tile: 8x8 Raven Matte, Felspar + Hunter Green | Design: Jenny Siegwart | Image: Handsome Salt | Installer: Noble + Proper
Tip #3: Be Bold
Embrace maximalism with your design and go bold! You’ll want to use some color theory and techniques above to get this just right. Choose colors that are complementary or opposite on the color wheel. Match your tile colors to colors from the wallpaper pattern. Select patterns that contrast your checkerboard for the ultimate maximalist space.
Tile: 4x4 Dawn + Feldspar Gloss | Design + Image: Dazey Den
Tip #4: Have Fun
At the end of the day, there are no set rules! Have fun with your selections and design a space for yourself. Pick tile colors and wallpaper patterns that bring you joy and that you want to look at every day!
Tile: 4x4 Hunter Green + Ivory | Design: West End interiors | Image: RCM Photo + Video
