Everyone's Kitchen Had It In The 60s — Now It's The Style We Want In Our Homes

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Back in the 1960s, there was one feature that was all the rage in home kitchens and diners alike: checkerboard. But at some point along the way, these once-timeless tile floors went out of fashion. So much so, that having them in your home could make your interior look dated and out-of-style. Since then, homeowners transitioned to more modern, sleek, and monochromatic kitchens. Now, nearly 60 years later, checkerboard is finally back in style. No longer confined to kitchen floors, it's taking over furniture and decor, too. 

There are two main ways to approach this trend: with maximalism, or with minimalism. In the former case, bright and bold-colored checkerboard designs are used to create fun, funky, and playful interiors. With the latter, you'll see larger tiles, matte materials, and lower contrast between hues and colors. This allows checkered tiles to fit with sleek and modern interiors without making the space look too busy.

While this is a common flooring pattern, the checkerboard revival goes beyond floor tiles. This type of pattern can be found in wallpaper, decor, and furniture. It also shows up in bath towels, rugs, and bed sheets. You can even find it in gardens, where grass and stone can be used to create a checkerboard path. And of course, there are tons of super affordable ways to DIY the checkerboard look on a budget. This goes to show that something everyone owned in the '60s can be back in style in new and unexpected ways decades later. And it's not just checkerboards: you can also use a similar alternative pattern, like diamonds. 

If you're drawn to a clean, minimalist aesthetic, you'll want the two colors in the checkerboard pattern to be low contrast. It's wise to use a base color that's either white or black to achieve that classic checkerboard look. For example, you could use a light gray and white tiles to create a checkerboard floor or backsplash. Another minimalist option is white and beige, like this Wake in Cloud 4-piece sheet set. 

For maximalists, the choice of colors is wide open. You might use a white base to help the second color pop, or opt for two colors that are bold, bright, and retro, like orange and pink. In some cases, you might have more than two colors, like with this multicolored checkerboard rug from RoomTalks. The visual appeal lies in the colors fitting each other nicely despite being loud. The goal isn't to blend into the decor, but to add to it. 

If you're not sure you want to commit to a maximalist take on the checkerboard trend, start small. You can find tons of smaller decor pieces like rugs, trays, and cushion covers that have the checkerboard pattern on them. You can also introduce checkerboard into your home with kettles, toasters, and vases. In the bedroom, instead of painting your walls, swap out solid-colored bed sheets and curtains for their checkered counterparts. As time goes by, you can get larger pieces, like dressers, couches, or chairs if you still like the look. For a contemporary twist, consider modern takes on the pattern, like this Urban Lifestyle wavy blue checkerboard runner rug.