When it comes to decorating with patterns and prints, gingham is one of the most classic of all. Associated with cottagecore and farmhouse design styles, gingham has a nostalgic, cozy look and feel and is a guaranteed way to add vintage charm to your space.
Whether you love decorating with patterns in bold and playful ways or prefer an understated approach, gingham has a place in pretty much every home and interior design style. 'Gingham is as big a crowd-pleaser today as it’s always been, with its natural warmth and coziness,' says designer Julie Chasman of Julie Chasman Design.
To give you some decorating inspiration for this much-loved print, we're turning to the expertise of interior designers. Below, we've rounded up eight ways to style gingham, from the bathroom to the living room, in modern and traditional spaces alike.
8 ways to decorate with gingham
While decorating with gingham may conjure quaint country cottages, the print is actually hugely versatile, and with clever use of scale and color the simple check can be used in any room and in all sorts of properties, from a New England beach house to a luxury townhouse.
Reminiscent of the skirts and tablecloths of French country decor ideas, the small-scale prints are guaranteed to bring vintage charm to kitchen ideas, but when used large scale and in monochrome or bold shades, the check can make an eye-catching feature on a bathroom floor.
1. Choose monochrome gingham for a modern look
Gingham doesn’t just have to be for country cottages – it can be introduced in many ways throughout modern kitchens as this stylish space proves.
Black and white tiles laid in a checked pattern can make a striking kitchen backsplash, while a fabric skirt in a smaller monochrome gingham is a great way to conceal clutter on kitchen island shelves. Made from Ian Mankin's Suffolk check in black, the fabric skirt also serves to soften the strong architectural lines of the kitchen design.
2. Use gingham for a French country table
Think of French country decor and gingham immediately springs to mind, so if you're looking to create an outdoor dining setting with provençal magic you can't go wrong with a gingham tablecloth.
'Wherever you live – weather permitting – a glass of kir, pastis, or Champagne followed by dinner al fresco at a prettily laid table, seated on striped, checked, floral, or Provençal-inspired cushions, will at least give you a stylish sense of the French countryside,' says fabric designer Alison Gee.
Bring a French country feel to your dinner table this summer with this navy gingham tablecloth.
3. Opt for a gingham living room sofa
'In this Martha’s Vineyard farmhouse, we chose a gingham fabric for the living room sofa', explain designers Jesse Carrier and Mara Miller of Carrier and Co. 'We love the pattern play but also the neutrality.'
'We love to use gingham as a bold neutral. As you can see here, we paired it with floral pillows and a kilim ottoman. While gingham is somewhat traditional, it feels more transitional and modern when styled in such a way.'
4. Pair gingham with floral patterns
'Gingham and checks are a repeat look in our interiors, in all sizes and scales,' says interior designer Maggie Griffin, founder of Maggie Griffin Design, who opted for gingham armchairs and floral curtains in this bedroom, tied together by decorating with blue and white throughout the room.
'I consider the pattern neutral,' continues Maggie. 'Paired with bolder florals, toiles, or botanicals, a great check acts as a counterpoint to busier prints.'
Created for a kids' room or nursey room, this gingham chair is a timeless style.
5. Incorporate gingham through smaller accessories
For a pared-back approach to decorating with gingham, incorporate this classic print through smaller accents instead of large furniture. This is demonstrated in this entryway designed by Love and Interiors.
Melanie Love, founder of the design studio explains: 'The understated, graphic charm of gingham pairs beautifully with larger-scale patterns, especially florals. I enjoy incorporating it into a space through accents like lampshades, pillows, and bedding.'
6. Layer gingham and geometric prints
If you love maximalist decor ideas, use gingham as an opportunity to layer plenty of bold patterns through soft furnishings, as seen in this Cathy Nordström bedroom.
'We enjoy mixing different pattern scales on throw pillows, especially geometric designs that strike a balance without being too busy,' says Eugenia Triandos, Principal Designer at Hibou Design & Co. 'A well-placed large-scale gingham patterned rug can enhance the room significantly, alongside geometric patterns that maintain a tasteful presence without feeling overly busy.'
This gingham pillow would look great layered with other prints, patterns and colors.
7. Add a statement gingham bed frame
Keeping bedroom walls neutral helps create a soothing, restful space, so rather than overwhelm the space with a feature wall or bold artwork, why not opt for a statement bed instead?
Covered in a raspberry red gingham fabric by Kravet, this bed really sings when set against walls in Cornforth White by Farrow & Ball, while accessories in the same color help add depth.
8. Create a feature floor in a bathroom
Put a playful twist on the traditional chequerboard bathroom floor by opting for an oversized gingham vinyl bathroom flooring idea and teaming it with a soft frilly sink skirt. Chic and stylish, black and white bathrooms can sometimes feel stark and cold, but the addition of pastel pink gingham helps bring femininity and softness.
Whether your style fully embraces a farmhouse look with rustic decor or leans more modern, decorating with gingham is a great way to add character. From adding small gingham accents to making gingham the centerpiece of a room, this is a classic pattern that designers regularly turn to in interior spaces.
