How to Find a Nice Chess Board for Your Home

Chess should be fun to play whether you are playing from home, park, or in a chess club. And part of that is finding the right board.

Your chess board must be just how you like it. If, for example, you intend to use it as décor, it should be elegant and stylish. If you plan on using it a lot, then it should be durable. There are nice chess boards in both use cases.

So how do you find such a chess board for your home?

Tips for Finding a Nice Chess Board for Your Home

1. Determine the Primary Use of the Chessboard

What do you want a chess board for? Do you intend to use the chessboard as a decorative element (alongside other chess items), for gaming purposes, or both?

Take unique chess boards like this Straight Up Chess Board, for example. Although it is also useful for playing a game of chess, it is honestly more of a decoration for many.

These Signature Contemporary Luxury Chess Boards, on the other hand, focus on gaming (though they are beautiful).

2. What Design Suits You Best?

Design is essentially the primary determinant of the chessboard’s usability. It influences the chessboard’s user-friendliness and capability to achieve its intended purpose, making it an essential factor to consider when looking for a nice chessboard for your home.

The idea here is to select a chess board featuring all the necessary elements for its intended purposes. If, for example, you are looking for a chessboard for serious gameplay, you should go for a board designed for serious gaming, like a standard tournament chessboard.

If you are a beginner wishing to improve your gameplay, you may want to consider computer chessboards such as The DGT Projects Electronic Chess Board (E-Board). These boards feature an AI-powered chess trainer and other useful features for improving your chess skills.

3. Define the Most Suitable Chess Board Style

The Chessboard’s style determines its compatibility with its users and integration with other home furniture. A nice chessboard should match its user's style and communicate their unique taste seamlessly.

Here, the point is to get a board with specific design aesthetics that match your unique taste and style. It should communicate your tastes and overall individuality clearly and precisely, like any other home décor.

Generally, you should consider a chessboard that matches your style without compromising its gaming functionality. A board like the Vavona Burl & Maple Superior Traditional Chess Board is a perfect choice for anyone with a taste for luxury and classics. It features a classic look that is appealing to chess fans with an interest in vintage.

4. Decide the Chess Board Size

Like the design, the size of the chess board also influences its functionality. It influences its suitability as a home décor or gaming piece.

The giant chessboard sets, for example, are perfect home decor suitable for backyards and large rooms. Chess tables, on the other hand, make perfect living room or home office decorative elements. They are also highly functional, featuring inlaid tournament-size chessboards.

When deciding the chessboard’s size, you need to consider the available space, your chess mates, and other chess items you'll be pairing it with, as well as your preferences.

It should be compatible with your chessmen and other chess set pieces, and most importantly, it should feel comfortable to game on. You do not want to settle for a too bulky or small chessboard for your space.

5. Construction Materials

Construction materials determine the chessboard’s durability, texture, and appeal.  

When it comes to materials, personal taste and preferences carry the weight. That means you should consider a chess board made of materials that appeal to you. 

You may want to consider chessboards that correspond with your other chess items and other home furniture. The point is to choose a chess board that feels nice, looks nice, and integrates well with other items in the room.

Still, you may need to keep the location you will use it from and your playmates in mind. If you will be using it in an outdoor space, and if your chess mates are not careful, you will want to consider a board made of sturdy materials that are resistant to harsh weather conditions and can sustain a few knocks.

Another factor you may also want to consider is the frequency at which you will be using the chessboard. If you will be using it frequently, you should ensure it is made of durable materials.

Lastly, you should also remember the ease of cleaning and maintaining the chessboard. Note that some materials are easier to clean and care for than others.

Wood chess boards, for example, are visually appealing, add a tactile feel to a chess game, and, depending on their finish, may be easy to clean. However, they are more susceptible to the rigors of frequent gaming and harsh weather conditions than plastic ones.

Final Words

A nice chess board is essential at-home equipment for any chess enthusiast. It symbolizes love for the timeless game of chess and your appreciation for quality. It can also add style and class to your home, making it a must-have item, regardless of whether you are a regular player or a chess collector.

While hundreds of good chessboards in the market can be considered "nice," finding the best one for you depends primarily on personal preferences and needs. Remember, a nice chessboard is typically the one that matches your taste and style and satisfies all your needs.

At the House of Staunton, we have all kinds of chessboards and sets, from classic boards to contemporary, custom, and luxury ones. Here, you will find, alongside other chess items, a variety of nice chess boards tailor-made to satisfy your specific needs and preferences.