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You are here: Home / Design / Checkerboard vs Harlequin Floor Tile Patterns

Checkerboard vs Harlequin Floor Tile Patterns

March 26, 2022 • Design

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Checkerboard vs Harlequin? Let’s talk about your options when it comes to designing the direction of your floor tiles. Get to know the difference between Harlequin and checkerboard flooring so that you know exactly what to do with your space.

Technically speaking, the pattern we installed in our mudroom is actually called Harlequin flooring.  But for the sake of familiarity, we use the term checkerboard flooring.

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Even major designers uses this term regardless of the technicalities. But I want you to know the difference between checkerboard and harlequin flooring so you can get clear on the look and vibe you are after.

Checkerboard vs Harlequin: Design Differences

The checkerboard flooring design is technically when the tiles are arranged on the floor in a straight pattern–similar to a chess or checkers game board. The square pieces of tile are laid parallel to the focal wall and the direction of the room.

black and white floor tiling in a cottage style kitchen
Robert McKinley

Contrast this to a Harlequin floor which is installed at a diagonal. It takes on a diamond shape when facing the focal wall or main flow of the room.

black and white harlequin flooring in a long entryway
Ben Pentreath

The difference in installation is whether you are lining up the square edges with the wall, or starting the tile at a diagonal.

Treasures and Travels Blog

These pretty blue and white checkerboard floor tiles look diagonal because of the angle of the photo. But you can see it is technically a checkerboard design because of how the flat edges of the tile line up with the walls.

Whereas this beautiful space has the points for the squares lined up with the wall and the tile flows through the room at a diagonal.

black and white diagonal floor tiling in a light and airy porch space
Bria Hammel

Should you choose the checkerboard or harlquin pattern?

Of course, that is personal preference, but I’ll shed some light on my own thoughts based on what I have observed.

The straight-on checkerboard pattern does give more of a retro diner vibe. That is the typical angle in which we are most familiar with those types of spaces.

The Harlequin angled pattern is a little more timeless. It also evokes more of a Renaissance vibe since that is where the diamond pattern may have originated.

painted harlequin tile floors in a dining room
Wildflower Home

However, there is always room for rule-breaking and making it work no matter what. One of my favorite examples of a squared checkerboard pattern is in this room, which feels very European and timeless.

rustic black and white floor tiles in an old-world European living space
Architectural Digest

Perhaps it is the varying shades of stone, or the wood tones surrounding it, but it all works beautifully together. It looks nothing like a diner!

And this darling cottagecore dining room appears to be also in a checkerboard squared-off pattern, and it absolutely works.

cottagecore dining room that features checkerboard floor tiles that are in a squared-off pattern
House and Home

It’s worth it to take the floor tiles and play around with the angle to see what you prefer. Just keep in mind that the harlequin pattern is more difficult to install. But well worth it in my opinion!

I’d love to hear what you think about both options! Do you have a preference when it comes to harlequin or checkerboard? Let me know in the comments!

Be sure to catch up on the rest of this series all about checkerboard flooring!

  • Day 1: Our Mudroom Checkerboard Flooring
  • Day 2: 12 Timeless Black and White Checkerboard Flooring Ideas
  • Day 3: Checkerboard vs Harlequin Flooring. What is the difference?
  • Day 4: How to Choose the Color, Material and Finish for your Checkerboard Floors
  • Day 5: How to Choose the right size of tile for your space
  • Day 6: Where to Buy Tile for Checkerboard Flooring

I’m Cami! Welcome to my blog TIDBITS. Follow me along for beautiful home decor ideas and inspiration for do-it-yourself living
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Comments

  1. Meredith Warden says

    September 29, 2022

    I love these photos of the harlequin pattern and the checkerboard patterned floors. I’m having the harlequin pattern installed throughout a closet and master bathroom and am so excited about how timeless it looks. Great job explaining them too!

    Reply
    • camitidbits says

      October 3, 2022

      Glad you found my post helpful!

      Reply
  2. Linda says

    March 26, 2022

    Cami thank you for all this info and showing us your fabulous floors. I bet hubby had some sore knees after his labor of love. I would love to have a place to install the harlequin pattern in my home, esp. the light gray and off white I like so much, maybe some day! You should be so proud off all you’ve accomplished in your home in such a short time, it’s homey and so lovely!

    Reply

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Welcome to my blog, TIDBITS! I am a homeschool Mom to 4 and a fanatical DIY'er. I absolutely love home - and I love to inspire others as the keeper of their homes!

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I love sharing my ideas and tutorials! I ask that you respect my work and follow these guidelines. 1. All images are property of Tidbits blog. 2. Feel free to use 1 or 2 images on your own webpages, provided a link back to my blog is clearly available. 3. Do not remove any watermark or crop/edit my images in any way, unless given written consent by myself. 4. All tutorials/ideas/designs are for personal use only and are not to be copied and distributed in any way. 5. Sharing and pinning through social media is always welcome!

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