The Bold Revival Of Black And White Tiles: A Modern Take On A Classic Look

Tile can transform the look of any room, especially when you select bold patterns in contrasting black and white. Whether you love the look of classic, checkerboard tile flooring or you want a contemporary honeycomb tile backsplash, you’ll find stunning modern takes on enduring black and white designs with MSI tile.

A black and white motif is versatile and balanced. It creates a sense of refinement paired with the visual thrill of high contrast. In other words, you’ll enjoy a traditional, luxury aesthetic that easily transitions to modern style sensibilities.

With a wide selection of porcelain and ceramic tiles in checkerboard, geometric, and encaustic designs, our collection of black and white tiles has something for every home and design preference.

Making Traditional On-Trend

The beauty of black and white tiles lies in their power to elevate the artistry of any home style, from maximalist Victorians to sleek mid-century modern structures and rustic farmhouse interiors.

Which of our eye-catching tile designs is the perfect fit for your kitchen backsplash tile or bathroom vanity? Here are a few of our most popular tile selections for your consideration.

Checkerboard Styles

When you want to incorporate black and white elements into your kitchen, bath, or other interior design, a checkerboard is among the most beloved patterns you can choose. If you’re looking to break from the typical 8”x8” diner-style tile flooring, there are several options that can update the look.

Casa Tuxedo offers the perfect pairing of refined style and modern sensibilities. Each 17”x17” matte porcelain tile features a chic pattern of black and white squares separated by smaller gray inset tiles.

Furthermore, each color is made to capture distinct natural stone marble visuals, with veining patterns designed to add dimension and character. It’s a tasteful choice for flooring in a high-end bathroom, complete with a freestanding tub, gold hardware, and a furniture-style vanity topped with a white, marble-look counter.

If you’re interested in a design that reads brighter, consider Casa Bianchi, featuring 17”x17” matte porcelain tiles in a marble-inspired design. Each tile is marked with a pattern resembling smaller white tile squares separated by gray grout lines. At every other corner is a black inset tile, creating a fresh take on the black and white trend.

Add chic styling to a contemporary living room with an accent tile wall in Casa Bianchi and neutral furnishings, including a cream couch and ottoman, and mid-tone wood tables and shelving.

For an updated take on classic checkerboard, focus on the backsplash with Zest Midnight & Star Tiles. Combining our black Midnight and bright white Star tiles in 4”x4” sizing makes for a bold, statement backsplash in a traditional kitchen with cream cabinets and beige wood flooring and countertops.

The handmade look of the tile and a shimmery, satin finish add touches of dimension and shine to catch the eye.

Geometric Styles

The uniformity of a geometric pattern take a design to the next level, and our black and white styles, ranging from simple to complex, do not disappoint.

If you gravitate toward striking patterns, you’ll love the effortless style of Retro Fretwork, featuring a marble lattice pattern of white picket tile lines crisscrossing over black squares. This design adds ample movement and personality to a sleek, white bathroom with a floating vanity and mirror frame in contrasting espresso.

Equally stunning is Rhombix Nero, a polished marble design in alternating rings of black and white diamonds. Create a focal point in your living room with this statement wall tile, complemented by plush, gray furnishings and wood, glass, and metal accent pieces.

For slightly more organic appeal, opt for Black and White 1” Hexagon, featuring mainly white tiles with a random smattering of black tiles in matte porcelain.

Based on Victorian floor tile in a charming, honeycomb pattern, this design is a lovely backsplash for a bathroom vanity. Show it off with a floor-to-ceiling application backing a white, floating vanity and countertop, paired with contrasting, large-format black hexagon flooring tile.

Encaustic Styles

The decorative look of encaustic tile is faithfully recreated in shades of black and white to delight softer sensibilities. These porcelain tile interpretations capture the hand-crafted charm of traditional cement tiles while offering the durability, easy maintenance, and long-lasting beauty of modern materials.

Starting with Sakura Encaustic Tile, which features a complex geometric pattern that offsets black diamond and shuriken shapes with contrasting white in an almost floral design.

The versatile interplay of seemingly soft and sharp lines makes for an attractive addition to a spa-like bathroom when used for an accent wall behind a simple, bench-like wood vanity with double vessel sinks. A matte finish complements the casual tranquility of the space.

For a more defined floral influence, you can’t go wrong with Kasbah Encaustic Tile. The black backdrop is accented by cruciform white flowers with a gray center to soften the contrast. A matte finish lends this formal look a more relaxed vibe.

While the design adds beauty and visual interest to any room in the home, it’s particularly impactful when used in an outdoor setting. Nestled amid lush greenery, your poolside patio appears dazzlingly graphic and serves as the perfect base for a wood dining table and rattan chairs.

Black and White Gets a Rebrand

With updated checkerboard, geometric, and encaustic styles to choose from, it’s easy to embrace a black and white motif without foregoing modern styling preferences. Durable porcelain and natural stone materials offer the utility you expect with the lasting beauty you crave.

If you’re ready to get your home upgrade underway, visit an MSI showroom or find a dealer nearby to view samples in person. You can also chat with us now online to learn more and explore where to buy black and white tile.