This Instagrammer Took the Checkerboard Floor Trend to the Next Level, and It Looks So Good

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Arielle Tschinkel
Arielle Tschinkel
Arielle Tschinkel is a freelance pop culture and lifestyle writer whose work has appeared on Shape.com, WomansWorld.com, FirstforWomen.com, Insider, HelloGiggles, and more. She loves all things Disney and is making her way to every park around the world, and is a die-hard…read more
published Mar 10, 2023
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When you think of checkerboard flooring, you probably think of the classic black-and-white linoleum and ceramic tiles that dominated in decades past and has made a retro-inspired comeback in recent years. If you’ve got the patience (and plenty of paint and primer), one design guru detailed how she transformed the traditional wood floors in a bedroom of her U.K. home into a pastel-colored checkered masterpiece.

Social media user Sophia (aka @thiscolourfulnest) recently shared the process behind her “checkerboard floor makeover,” unveiling hand-painted pink and purple checkered flooring which she calls her “favorite floor in the house.” She also explained how followers can DIY on their own floors, and the great thing is that just about any color combination would work depending on your design and decor preferences.

Beginning with clean floors, Sophia recommends filling “any holes or dents with good quality wood filler.” You’ll then “sand the floor boards lightly using 60 or 80 grit, followed by 120 grit,” thoroughly cleaning afterwards. She suggests priming with “a good quality primer” (she used Zinsser Bullseye), using “a large roller and paint brushes for the corners.”

“Once the primer is dry, paint the lighter of the two colors you have chosen all over the floorboards,” she wrote. “I used a medium size brush to cut in the edges and a large roller on the boards. Two coats should be enough!”

Next, you’ll “give each coat plenty of time to dry out in between,” adding, “it’s best to walk on it in socks/bare feet for at least 24 hours afterwards.”

When you’re ready to get checkering, Sophia suggests deciding the size of the squares you’d like, using Frog Tape for some extra assurance. “Use the small roller to paint the top coat once the seal has dried. I did two coats,” she added. “If you’re using frog tape, remove the tape as soon as you can (it works best to remove it when the paint hasn’t completely dried).”

And there you have it: a stunning feature floor that serves as a unique style statement in just about any space where your wood floors might need a bit of a refresh. Of course, vibrant candy hues might not be your personal choice, but it looks right at home in her whimsical, maximalist abode.