Design & Inspiration

Black and White Tile: A Designer’s Secret Weapon

Black and White Tile A Designers Secret Weapon

There’s a reason black and white tile remains a design staple – it’s simply iconic. From classic checkerboard patterns to modern geometric designs, this versatile palette allows for endless creative expression. At Fireclay, we celebrate this enduring aesthetic with a range of black and white options, each designed to elevate your vision.

Choose from numerous handcrafted shades and three materials – ceramic, glass, and brick – when you specify from Fireclay. Whether you’re looking for the perfect touch of textureslip-resistant floor options, or a modern backsplash, we have the black and white tile you’re looking for.

Black and White Tile Art Deco Checkerboard Bathroom Floor

Tile: Slip-Resistant 6x6 Raven MatteFrost Matte | Design: Autumn HacheyJillian Smith-Moher | Image: Lauren Miller Photography | Installer: Hotel Julie

Make an impactful statement with our artisan mosaic tile in this classic color combination. We can sheet your mosaic tile in virtually any pattern you request, from checkerboard to floral to custom designs. Vanessa Carlton’s dramatic bathroom below, designed by Sarah Sherman Samuel, features a stunning 1x1 mosaic tile floor bordered by a custom stripe design. The result is at once design-forward and timeless.

Black and White Mosaic Tile Dramatic Black Bathroom Sarah Sherman Samuel

Tile: 1x1 HaliteAkoya6x6 Akoya | Design: Sarah Sherman Samuel | Image: Joseph Bradshaw

Another high-contrast option is our Handpainted Tile, available in dozens of patterns and motifs with the option to customize your glaze colors. Channel old-world elegance with traditional black and white Handpainted tiles, or use a configuration of our modern Block Shop x Fireclay tiles to create a truly one-of-a-kind installation.

Create a slip-resistant checkerboard floor with black and white matte glazes, available on our ceramic tiles. These glazes have a DCOF value above .42, so they’re suitable for both residential and commercial floor applications. Plus, we offer multiple black and white shades to choose from – and more, if you’d like to slip another color into the mix like the boutique hotel below.

Black and White Tile with Green Checkerboard Floor

Tile: 8x8 Raven MatteFeldsparHunter Green | Design: Jenny Siegwart | Image: Handsome Salt | Installer: Noble + Proper

The best way to find the perfect black and white for your project is with color samples. Trade clients get unlimited free samples, along with best-in-class service, perks and rewards – join our trade program here. Not in the trade? Get up to 5 free samples when you chat with one of our friendly tile reps, who can work with you to recommend personalized samples for your project. Book an appointment here.

Black and White Tile Inspiration

From checkered floors to classic backsplashes, we’ve rounded up our favorite installations featuring black and white tile to inspire your next project.

Black and White Tile Art Deco Bathroom Wainscot
Black and White Tile Glossy Squiggle Checkerboard Tile Floor
Black and White Tile Handpainted Floral Kitchen Backsplash
Black and White Tile Modern Glass Pinwheel Bathroom Floor
Black and White Tile Modern Handpainted Kitchen Floor

Tile: 8x8 Fallow custom colorway of Raven Matte + Halite | Design + Image: Elena Lohse | Installer: This House 5000

Black and White Tile Handpainted Moroccan Inspired Floor Tile
Black and White Tile Modern Geometric Hearth Bench

Tile: 6x6 Dot Dash 1, 2, 4, 6, 7 + 8 Charcoal Motif from the Handpainted Block Shop x Fireclay Tile Collection | Design: Rae Rockwell | Image: S. Cole Kiburz

Black and White Tile Custom Mosaic Bathroom Floor

Tile: 1x1 Carbon + Feldspar, 4x4 Manzanita Gloss | Design: Fireclay Tile | Image: Julie Goldstone | Installer: Fireclay Tile

Black and White Tile Checkered Pool Waterline

Tile: 3x3 Raven Matte + Feldspar | Design + Image: Ashely Petrone of Arrows & Bow | Location: Florida – please note, our Original Ceramic Tile is not recommended for exterior pools anywhere other than Southern California, southern Florida, and Hawaii. For all other areas, we recommend Natural Press or Glass Tile

Black and White Tile Modern Traditional Eclectic Handpainted Bathroom Floor
Black and White Tile Art Deco Checkerboard Kitchen Floor

Tile: Slip-Resistant 6x6 Raven MatteFrost Matte | Design: Autumn HacheyJillian Smith-Moher | Image: Lauren Miller Photography | Installer: Hotel Julie

Black and White Tile Vintage Inspired Hexagon Mosaic Bathroom Floor

Tile: 2" Hexagon Calcite + Raven | Design + Image: Cottage + Sea

Black and White Tile Modern Handpainted Block Shop x Fireclay Tile Kitchen Backsplash

Tile: 6x6 Roundabout 2 + 4 Gesso Motif from the Handpainted Block Shop x Fireclay Tile Collection | Design + Image: GLAM Studio

Black and White Tile Diamond Checkerboard Floor with Custom Mosaic Tile Border

Tile: 1x1 Raven Matte + Feldspar, 6x6 Raven Matte + Feldspar, 2x8 Evergreen | Design: Fireclay Tile | Image: Kofa Boyah | Installer: Fireclay Tile

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