Wallpaper - Checkmate

Our Checkmate wallpaper, designed by Haley Knighten, reimagines the classic checkerboard motif with an earthy palette of olive green, beige, brown, and off-white. What we particularly like about this design is its painterly visual character. The squares carry subtle tonal variations and softly defined edges, giving the geometric repeat a relaxed, hand-painted look reminiscent of traditional oil paint techniques. The structured grid brings a balanced rhythm to the wall, while the muted tones keep the overall effect grounded and understated. Produced as custom made-to-measure wallpaper, each order is printed to fit your specific wall dimensions on durable, PVC-free paper with a delicate surface structure.

In the room

We see Checkmate working exceptionally well across both living rooms and dining areas, where its structured grid helps define the space without overwhelming it. In an open-plan dining room, the repeating squares bring visual order behind a dining table, framing the seating area while harmonising with everyday activity. For a living room, this pattern can be used across an entire room or placed on a wider feature wall behind a sofa. Because the grid is regular yet softened by earthy tones, it maintains its balance even on walls interrupted by doorways or large windows. In rooms with generous daylight, the subtle differences between the olive green and beige squares become particularly visible, while softer artificial lighting brings out the deeper brown undertones in the evening.

Styling it

The balanced geometry and earthy character of our mural wallpapers pair naturally with both heritage-inspired and contemporary interior schemes. We would combine this design with warm, understated furniture that lets the checkerboard repeat anchor the room. Mid-tone or dark wood pieces, such as a walnut sideboard or an antique timber dining table, echo the rich brown tones in the pattern without competing with its rhythm.

To keep the room feeling balanced, we suggest keeping surrounding textiles relatively simple. Plain linen upholstery, simple wool throws, or unpatterned curtains in neutral tones help the wall remain the focal point. Matte black metal lighting or aged brass hardware can also be introduced to echo the classic heritage roots of the geometric layout.

Colour combinations

The palette of our wallpaper is anchored by army green, soft olive, muted beige, warm brown, and off-white. When choosing colours for surrounding walls, woodwork, or built-in cabinetry, we recommend drawing directly from these earthy base tones.

A warm off-white or soft linen shade on adjacent walls creates an airy, cohesive transition that keeps the room bright. If you prefer a richer and more intimate setting, painting the skirting boards, door frames, or surrounding trim in a matching deep olive green or chocolate brown reinforces the architectural structure of the space.

About our wallpaper

At Wallism, all our wallpapers are made-to-measure based on your exact wall dimensions. This on-demand approach helps reduce unnecessary excess compared with purchasing standard rolls. Our wallpapers are PVC-free and feature a subtle physical structure in the paper that handles beautifully during installation. Designed to be straightforward and simple to hang, our wall murals offer an effortless way to transform your home.