Go Mad for Plaid

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The season is changing and we’re obsessing over plaids! Find out how you can weave this print into your home today.


Posted 9/30/22


As the summer heat dissipates, kids go back to school, and coffeehouse marketing begins to shout all things pumpkin, we begin to yearn for the comforts and familiar cozy of #sweaterweather. And for our design team, this means getting excited about our all-time favorite Fall-inspired print – PLAID!!  

There’s just something deliciously refined yet laid-back about checked patterns and prints in the plaid family. Their reminiscent quality of European sophistication and country cottages beckons a blanket or at least the smell of an apple spice candle in the air. So, we’ve rounded up some design inspiration to help make any room in your home feel just as cozy… no matter the season. 

Keep it classic

It’s a go-to in fashion for a reason – and it’s not just for lumberjacks and flannels. Classic plaid is a print that’s been around for ages helping to make anything it touches more elevated yet still accessible. On walls, it brings a clean geometry that’s never too busy. On floors, it adds dimension and warmth to simpler spaces.

A little advice: keep the color range in the pattern tight (we’re partial to light neutrals) and it won’t compete with other elements in the room.







black and white plaid wallpaper, vaulted shiplap ceiling, clawfoot tub, toilet and sink, open window, antique vintage style

Photo credit: Vogue

multicolor plaid rug, white walls hallway, wooden banquet side table, modern glass stair railingPhoto credit: Stanton Carpet

Try tartan

Nothing says Scottish charm like a tartan plaid. But no, don’t worry, we’re not suggesting decorating with kilts. Instead, we’re inspired by this print to add a touch of traditional to any room. When infused into décor, and design, it can make a space feel lived-in and personal regardless of how new the build or fresh the move-in. This pattern longs to be paired with other elements of worldly charm like coffee-hued leather, turned leg wooden furnishings, and woolen fabrics. Consider it for any space where you’d like to set the mood for snuggling.


tartan plaid wooden bar stools kitchen bar

Photo credit: The Unique Nest

living room den with red walls, male face painting, green and red tartan plaid curtains, brown leather couch, plaid pillows, floral ottomanPhoto credit: Emily Jane Johnston

Check the box

One of the great things about plaid is its pattern versatility. When it comes to life as checkerboard or tattersall check prints, it reads as effortless elegance pairing nicely with most any design aesthetic. This explains why checks are a much-loved “elevated basic” for flooring, especially for adding interest in smaller rooms or up the staircase as stand-out runners. 


tan and white tile flooring in brick wall interior transitional style decor with white bench

Photo credit: Jean Stoffer Design

tattersal plaid stair runner in grey and white on light wood and white painted staircase with gallery wall

   Photo credit: Homes by KMB

Get griddy 

If you’re drawn to plaids but the above varieties all seem to be too much of a commitment, perhaps grid checks are the right answer for you! Just as fashion-forward as their pattern cousins, grids’ deconstructed simplicity can evoke a similar sense of sophistication while being perceived as a solid from a distance. It’s the best of both worlds if you ask us!   

 

square grid pattern area rug, wood ladder to upstairs, white linen couch and dark brown coffee table

Photo credit: Core Interior Design

brown grid pattern carpet rug flooring, brown leather seat with black and white buffalo check pillow Photo credit: Shaw Carpet

Still not sure how best to feed your need for plaid? Start by deciding which print varietal catches your eye. Then, select the room in need of a touch of traditional. From there, you’ll need to determine just how big a swing you want to take. Looking for low risk? Opt for easy to swap-out drapery, removable wallpaper, or throw blankets. 

Ready to design a custom area rug or stair runner, tile backsplash, or go big with full wall-to-wall carpeting? Stop by one of our showrooms or schedule an In-Home Shopping appointment today! Our Experts are here to help.
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