Checkerboard Flooring Getting Less Black and White
A long-time staple of upscale homes, the traditional black-and-white checkered floor isn’t going away, but it’s diversifying its color palate.
NEW YORK – Checkerboard flooring has graced many foyers, laundry rooms and porches of upscale homes over the last decade or so. Now it may be on the cusp of its next phase.
The highly versatile and durable pattern, experts say, is trending toward softer palettes and scaling back the level of contrast between colors.
Checkered floors complement classical, traditional, Spanish colonial and East Coast residential styles, according to real estate and design pros, and they can be introduced at a variety of price points. Options range from basic hardwood floors painted in checkerboard fashion to hand-picked black and white marble. Tiles may also be laid diagonally for a more elegant feel or laid straight for a more playful and contemporary vibe.
Realty professionals agree that checkered floors probably will not yield much in terms of a direct return on investment but could influence offer prices.
“If someone wants to pay $70 million for a house but it connects with them emotionally, they might be willing to pay $75 million,” explains Los Angeles developer and broker Santiago Arana of The Agency. “It’s not about the amount of money you put into it, it’s about finding an emotional connection.”
Source: Wall Street Journal (11/02/23) Paynter, Sarah
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