Most people may only associate tartan with Scottish clans, or believe it should be strictly reserved for the Christmas period. But it’s a trend that returns year after year, and it’s incredibly versatile, making it the ideal pattern to incorporate into your home.
There are so many myths surrounding the fabric, such as the colouring is strictly limited to red, or that the pattern is only confined to thick fabrics such as wool. But they’re simply not true – you can find tartan anywhere, in all manner of fabrics and any palette to suit your home décor colour scheme.
If you’re looking for inspiration on how to zhuzh up your home, or usually stray away from bold patterns and prints in your furnishing or décor, read on as we guide you through all things tartan.
If you’re new to tartan, go dark
As previously mentioned, tartan patterns come in many colours and forms – although the traditional rich red is most common. If you’re looking to avoid brash colours, or fear the red is giving off too much of a festive vibe, why not opt for a darker colour?
From greens and blues, to greys, there are plenty of options. Some of the brighter patterns can be quite overwhelming on the eye too, so if you’re looking for subtle, dark is the way to go. But also keep the colour of your tartan within your already existing colour palette. For example, in the bedroom, a monochrome bed frame looks killer with luxurious bed linen in a dark grey tartan, amongst crisp white pillows.
Little touches go a long way
It’s easy to get overwhelmed by such a bold colour and print, but you needn’t ‘go hard or go home’. Just incorporating some small touches can go a long way – and still, add a surprisingly big impact. By adding a few tartan features to your living space, you can create somewhere cosy, yet elegant.
Something as simple as some scatter cushions for your sofa adds a pop of colour and add texture to furnishings – as Lucy at Kaleidoscope suggests:
“Tartan cushions are a subtle and elegant way of incorporating this trend into your home, however as tartan is quite a bold pattern, be careful not to go over the top.”
Alternatively, a cosy throw will mix things up nicely – and you don’t just need to drape them over your sofas and armchairs. A tartan-patterned throw over the bed will add a striking aesthetic.
Let tartan take to the floor
If you’re feeling a little braver, and those little accents and accessories are not enough, why not consider a tartan carpet? Granted, it’s not to everyone’s taste – and it is a bold statement – but it can look great in the right environment. An office or even bedroom with a rustic vibe will be complemented by a rich tartan carpet. If it’s too bold, why not try a statement rug instead?
If a completely tartan carpeted room is too much of a big jump, you could always use a patterned carpet as a stair runner. Its linear design makes it ideal, giving the illusion of height, with the straight lines drawing the eye in. White painted stairs will go with most colours, while dark wood complements a bold red tartan.