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Check It Out: Making the Most of Check Patterns

Check patterns are on the rise in the design world. Learn how to incorporate them in your spaces.

By Heather Kane Kohler

Jun 2023

Check patterns
Photo by Brandon AlmsDesignworks Ink Kitchen Planners, $13.50 at The Market; SWIG Flip n Sip Tumbler, $35 at The Market; SWIG lunchbox, $44 at The Market; Pindler Marlowe fabric in blossom, $89.40 per yard at James Home Decor; Schumacher Elton Cotton Check in sage and yellow, $136 per yard at James Home Decor; Schumacher Camden Cotton Check in raspberry, $136 per yard at Resource Room; Schumacher Hansen Embroidery in neutral, $196 per yard at Resource Room; Bassett McNab Foundation in five colorways, $211 per yard at Resource Room; Walker Zangler Pop Culture cubes white glass mosaic, $23.20 per sheet at Unique Tile; Tiles Unlimited Gouache tile in eight colorways, $7.12 each at Unique Tile Purchase Photo

From traditional country styles to vibrant edgy looks, decorating with checks is both versatile and on trend. Ditsy ginghams make for lovely drapery and bedding, while larger checkerboard prints are more popular for rugs, backsplashes and even wall coverings. Traditional blues and greens are always classic, but to add a fun spin on things go for multi-color checks in pretty pastels or vibrant sherbet hues like orange and fuchsia. For a little bit of rock ’n’ roll try a splash of black and white checks in your space. To make sure the look feels current and not '50s diner, pick a smaller scale check and aim for creamy whites as opposed to stark bright white. No matter your style or your space, adding checks is a great way to layer interesting patterns and play with color. The prints pair perfectly with other patterns like florals and paisleys. You can even mix different checks and plaids together just to make sure you have a variety of different scales at play. 

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