The Outdated Interior Design Trend That's Making A Comeback With A Modern Upgrade

While design trends can come and go, many cycle back every few years, bringing a fresh take on traditional patterns and materials. This is very true of plaids, which emerge every so often as a design obsession and trend, making its way into fashion and home décor lines. Most notably, you will see the stripes on smaller décor items, upholstered furniture, curtains, and elements like wallpaper. While the mention of plaid may evoke an ugly 1970s sofa or the chunky buffalo checks that have recently pervaded farmhouse-inspired spaces, this new twist on plaid is contemporary and chic. Innovations in the layout and scale have made plaid fresh again and perfect to incorporate in your home.

Plaid is an especially attractive pattern for more maximalist-style rooms, which often liberally mix patterns in different scales and varieties. Gingham and checkerboard plaids are often best used in cottage, vintage, or shabby-chic styles. It also suits preppy and dark academia aesthetics, where plaid is a very common element, along with rich textures like corduroy and tweed. Further, the crosshatch stripes is a stellar masculine design option if you're looking to add interest to your space. You can also blend plaids with other prints for the perfect pattern mixing that's trendy and modern.

To avoid dated plaid patterns, look for designs that experiment with wider lines and checks. The larger scale varies the stripes, making them feel less formal and more cozy than traditional plaids like tartan. You can also incorporate modern plaid designs in favored neutrals and rich hues, like chocolate brown, crisp olive green, dark burgundy, deep turquoise, and other similar shades that add a subtle pop of color to even the most minimalist spaces.

For large doses of plaid, seek out sofas or chairs decked in the intersecting stripes that coordinate with your other furniture and décor. Plaid wallpaper can also be a dramatic way to create interest on bare walls and make a room feel cozier, whether used as an accent or a main design feature. Curtains are another great way to add plaid into any room, whether they are thick tartan drapes or soft summery ginghams. For small accents of plaid, consider adding items like throw pillows, lampshades, picture frames, and vases. Further, you can try layering different sizes and scales of plaid in similar colors for a more dynamic design. You'll be on trend with the large-scale pattern that adds a stylish, contemporary touch to your space.