Checks are a timeless pattern that never seem to go out of style. From iconic ginghams to bold tartans, the check pattern has a way of adding instant character and classic charm to any room. With endless versatility, checks continue to be a staple choice for home interiors. Join us as we navigate the world of checks, sharing some of our favourite products and tips to help you style them with confidence and create the perfect, check-inspired scheme.

Decoding the Check
Checks have been a mainstay in fashion and interior design for centuries. Offering a unique blend of timeless elegance and playful personality, it’s no wonder they remain an enduring choice for homes across the world. Checks are a great way to add visual interest and play well with a variety of design styles, from rustic farmhouse to modern minimalist. Over time, different check patterns have emerged and evolved, each with its own distinct character. By understanding the different types available and the looks they create, you can incorporate this classic pattern into your home in a way that complements your personal style. See below for some common options:
- Gingham: The quintessential summer check, gingham is typically a small, evenly spaced woven grid of white and another colour that appears in different shades where the lines cross. This classic pattern, with its simple squares, evokes a cheerful and rustic feel. Perfect for kitchens, bedrooms, and outdoor spaces.
- Plaid: A bolder pattern with larger, multi-tonal crisscross effects, a plaid is synonymous with Scottish heritage, offering a touch of warmth, rugged charm and cosiness. Often seen in tones of red, green, and yellow, plaids are a more classic choice ideal for living rooms, bedrooms, and cosy corners.
- Tartan: A specific type of plaid, tartan is a traditional Scottish pattern with distinct colours and regular, intersecting lines and squares, most famously associated with clans. A heritage choice that pairs well with neutral tones to let the pattern shine.
- Houndstooth: An intricate, broken check pattern with a distinctive tooth-like shape, ideal for a sophisticated statement with an edge.
From curtains, blinds and wallpaper to rugs, cushions and throws, there are endless ways to introduce checks into your home.
Fabrics
We are delighted to offer an extensive range of check fabrics, featured in collections from some of the top fabric houses. Discover superb designs available by the metre, suitable for curtains, roman blinds, cushions and / or upholstery. In a plethora of colour ways, each piece has been carefully crafted to complement current interior design trends.
The Ian Mankin range is a great starting point if you love the check look. Gorgeous Ginghams like Avon Check and Suffolk Check Large sit alongside more rustic choices such as the 1485 Hemsby and Kintyre Checks. Choose from contemporary neutrals and coastal blues to romantic pinks and more classic palettes of red and green. We also love the Warwick Bridlington and Staithes fabric from the versatile Scarborough Fair collection, the relaxed Linwood Danube fabric made from 100% linen and the Prestigious Textiles Vintage Weaves Arlington fabric, with light tones of Blossom and Sage complementing our Floral Romantic trend.

For a contemporary take, consider the superb checks in the Prestigious Textiles Hamptons and Malta collections. If you’re looking for a more classically-inspired, country look, you may wish to consider the magnificent Sanderson Country House Byron fabric, a beautiful plaid created from wool-blend yarns or the Braemar, Ghillie and Bowmont fabrics by Mulberry Home, all produced from 100% wool for a tactile and time-honoured look. Other great choices include the Glenmore fabric from the Clarke & Clarke Edgeworth collection, Laura Ashley’s Alfriston fabric, or designs from the Heritage and Lomond collections by Prestigious Textiles.
Check fabrics in softer tones can also work well for Children’s bedrooms, nurseries and playrooms. The Prestigious Textiles Big Adventure Hopscotch fabric is a stunning example. In playful palettes of Candyfloss or Reef, this fabric co-ordinates effortlessly with other designs in the range to create fun and imaginative schemes.


Wallpapers
If you’re feeling confident, why not opt for a beautiful check wallcovering. Simply paper a feature wall or cover all the walls for an enveloping feel. The Laura Ashley Gingham wallpaper is a stunning option (shown opposite). In Pale Amethyst Purple tones, this design is warm and welcoming with a classic country feel. Enjoy the wallpaper in your living room, or even your little one’s nursery for an elegant yet playful scheme.
You could also consider the striking Cath Kidston Painted Gingham wallpaper. Featuring a large-scale gingham print, this charmingly nostalgic design is full of character and available in 3 bold colour ways to create a bright and airy aesthetic. Alternatively, for a dark and moody look, consider the deep Rothero Check wallpaper by Joules.

Roller Blinds
Extend this classic pattern to your windows with a superb check roller blind.
The Louvolite Lomond roller blind (shown below in the Wild Hare colour way) offers a contemporary and stylish look. Its clean check design creates a versatile backdrop whilst its blackout properties makes this blind an ideal choice for bedrooms or media rooms.
Accessories
Sumptuous accessories such as cushions and throws are a quick and simple way of adding check patterns to your interior decor.
The Laura Ashley Dylan throw is a beautiful choice with its classically simple, woven check design and tassel edge (shown below in Grape). Available in 6 colour ways, this stylish throw will add texture and comfort to your living space.
Bedding
If you’re looking for something subtle and understated, our versatile range of white bedding features some stunning, paired back check designs.
Consider the Luxe & Wilde Lorton bedding set for an air of stylish simplicity (shown below) or go for a luxurious Laura Ashley design such as Granton, adorning a micro-check, or Bromfield with it’s large woven check.



Tips for Styling Checks
The beauty of checks lies in their versatility. They can either stand alone or pair effortlessly with other designs to bring a particular look together. Here’s some styling tips to help get you started:
- Consider the Style: Choose the right check for your chosen design style. Casual ginghams in soft greens and pinks lend themselves beautifully to our floral romantic trend, whilst bright, playful tones and pastels work well for uplifting children’s schemes. If you’d prefer a more classic country aesthetic, you may wish to consider a plaid.
- Start Small: If you love the check design but don’t want to commit to a full scheme, start by introducing checks gradually with a few accent pieces like throws, cushions or a small rug.
- Think about Scale: Choose check patterns that are proportionate to the size of the room. Too many small checks can feel busy in a large space, while large checks can overwhelm a small one.
- Create Balance: Use solid colours to anchor the room. If you opt for a bold check as the feature of your scheme (i.e. a wallpapered feature wall or window dressing), balance it out with complementing paint colours and simpler pieces such as plain accessories that pick up on colour accents within your main design. This will create a cohesive scheme without detracting from the main design element.
- Mix and Match: Don’t be afraid to combine different check patterns and sizes for a more eclectic look. A gingham fabric layered with a plaid in a cohesive colour palette can introduce an element of contrast that creates visual interest. Equally, checks can pair well with other patterns such as florals and stripes to enhance your chosen look.
The Home Of Interiors Inspiration
We’ve pulled together 3 stylish mood boards incorporating different checks and accessories to help inspire and get those creative juices flowing. Discover how different colours, finishes and textural pairings combine and complement the checks to create varying aesthetics. Here’s just a few ways you can work the pattern:

Tonal Schemes
Our first mood board features the Bainbridge fabric in Denim, a popular classic woollen plaid by Warwick. To start, we’ve paired this design with the beautiful plain Prestigious Textiles Whisp fabric. In the Jade and Denim colour ways, this versatile semi-sheer picks up on the deeper navy, indigo and softer mineral shades presented in the check to complement it tonally. It also delivers a linen-look that fits synonymously with the natural feel of the Bainbridge design.
For the walls, the Romo Inez wallpaper in Twilight, Stratus and Shadow works beautifully. This creates a complementary plain yet tactile backdrop that will add depth and dimension to the space without detracting from the main check fabric. We’ve also included the Laura Ashley bespoke painted 40mm wooden curtain pole with Artichoke finials in Dusky Seaspray to complete the look. Each design in this mood board works together through colour, providing a tonal scheme that oozes timelessness and charm. In this instance, the coastal palette would sit effortlessly in modern settings.
Metallic Gold Accents
If you like the check look in more traditional tones of green, you could add a touch of luxury and style with some soft metallic gold accents. In the mood board opposite, we’ve teamed 2 varying checks, different in scale yet complementary in colour. The Ian Mankin Oban Check and Nairn Check fabrics in Sage pair beautifully for cosiness and visual interest.
The Sanderson One Sixty Hollyhocks wallpaper in Gold Metallic/Tan also works well with the fabrics, bringing a certain warmth and sophistication to the scheme. Its gold metallic base creates interest whilst its earthy palette complements the fabrics tonally. By combining checks with other patterned elements such as florals, these designs can work in harmony to create a country look that is both homely and effective. A curtain pole in wood or gold metallic finishes will also tie the look together. We’ve included the Hallis Hudson 45mm Ashbridge Kew Wooden Curtain Pole in Champagne/Gold and the 45mm Eden Ball wooden curtain pole in Cocoa to help offset the scheme.


Classic with a Contemporary Twist
Our third mood board is synonymous with classic style, featuring the Prestigious Textiles Brodie and Galloway fabrics in Auburn and Rustic tones. For the complementary plain, we have chosen the alluring Villa Nova Barcelona velvet in the rich Russet colour way. This co-ordinates beautifully with the checks to help accentuate their design and style.
To add a contemporary twist, we’ve worked the patterns with the sleek Silent Gliss 30mm Metropole, shown opposite in the Taupe finish with Spear finials. The Jones Lunar 28mm metal curtain pole with sphere finials in the Spun Brass finish also complements the patterns for a touch of rustic charm. To complete the look, the Romo Jiboa Outdoor Braid in Cocoon and Henna have been included for the perfect finishing touches.
Overview
Whether you’re a seasoned design enthusiast or just starting to explore your style, checks offer a fantastic way to add personality and visual interest to your home.
If you would like any help, advice or samples sending out, please do get in touch. If you would like any help pulling a full room solution together, we do offer a bespoke design service and can provide fabric, design and paint colour advice to help you create a home you love. We can also make up your perfect window dressings with our bespoke, made to measure curtain and roman blind making service.
Email sales@thehomeofinteriors.co.uk or call us on 01590 615775.
Follow us on Instagram and Facebook: @myhomeofinteriors