Fall is officially here, which means it’s time to shake up your decor a bit (if you haven’t already, that is) for the season. And while there are seemingly endless ways you can do that, one no-fail option is to switch out your current fabric patterns or prints for more fall-friendly ones. What ones might those be you ask? Well, one place to look is within the fashion world. Much of what is popular this fall in the home stems from what hit the runway during Fashion Week.
Again, this year, it’s all about mixing and matching prints— and by pairing those prints with some of the unexpected fall color trends, you’ve got yourself one exciting look.
Brace Yourself: Pantone’s Autumn/Winter Color Palette for 2020/2021 is Here
Let’s see what’s in store regarding textile prints in the home for fall:
Animal Prints
It may seem as though bravery is a prerequisite for using animal prints, but it’s really not. Animal prints can be so much fun! If you aren’t sure what print you prefer, or where to put them, start small. Test the waters with some decorative pillows or a comfy throw to ward off cool nights. Like it? Take it a step further and consider an area rug, window treatments, or an upholstered chair (like in the picture above). The key, however, is to stick with one or two prints at a time. You want to make a statement, not cause confusion.
Can’t decide what animal print to use in your home? Leopard is the most popular choice, with tiger, zebra, snakeskin, and cow as runners-up. Read our blog on animal prints for more tips.
Paisley
Although Iranian in origin, this twisted teardrop shape got its western name from the town of Paisley, in West Scotland, a center for textiles where paisley designs were produced. Regardless, paisley is a pattern we just can’t seem to live without. And rightfully so. The nice thing about paisley patterns is that they’re more than beautiful— they’re versatile as well, making it flexible to work with any design style. To say that new paisley designs are taking the original Persian pattern to innovative heights is an understatement. That, combined with mixing different color schemes, pattern sizes, and arrangements, makes it easy to create uniquely modern statements in your home.
Read our related blog Punch It Up With Paisley to learn more about how to incorporate this stunning pattern into your home decor.
Herringbone
Herringbone is a V-shaped zigzag pattern that is usually made from tweed/twill fabric. Its name comes from its visual similarity to the bone structure of a herring fish. Although this pattern appears similar to the chevron pattern, it is notably different, in how the colors of the zig-zags are alternated in each direction. The herringbone pattern dates back to the Roman Empire (Opus spicatum), where it was used in road paving systems, and in the textiles and jewelry of the ancient Egyptian elite. The texture of most herringbone fabrics is perfect in places that you want to feel warm and cozy.
Houndstooth
Houndstooth dates back to the early 1800s in Scotland. The pattern is characterized by an almost checked appearance. Rather than squares, however, it is made up of a specific repeating geometric block. The protruding jagged point that defines each block resembles a tooth, hence the name. Houndstooth is like herringbone in that it is often a perfect fabric for enhancing the warmth and coziness of a space.
Checks & Plaid
Checks and plaids are classics that are often associated with the fall and winter seasons. These patterns can be a variety of things: serious, laid back, and even playful. Today, you can find checks and plaid in a wide array of sizes and colors, making it easier than ever to use them in your home. Whether you are uber preppy, prefer farmhouse flair, or something in between, these two patterns have got you covered.
Stripes
There’s nothing quite as timeless as stripes. We often see them during the summer, but they are also one of the best fall/winter trends for you to try. Stripes can literally be used anywhere. Use them on window treatments, bedding, upholstery, rugs–wherever! It really doesn’t matter where you put them, stripes won’t disappoint.
Argyle
Derived from Scottish tartan, argyle is a timeless classic that has been popular in both fashion and home decor. Argyle pattern is made of diamonds. While the word is sometimes used to refer to an individual diamond in the design, it more commonly refers to the pattern as a whole. Most argyle contains layers of overlapping motifs, which include an overlay of intercrossing diagonal lines on solid diamonds.
Pinstripe
You probably associate the term pinstripe with business attire— and while it is certainly popular in that form, pinstripes can look incredibly fashionable in the home as well. Essentially, pinstripes are a pattern of very thin stripes of any color running in parallel formation. The great thing about pinstripes is that they can be both masculine and feminine. Manly-chic, if you will. What makes pinstripes different from the classic stripe pattern? The width. While classic stripes are wider, pinstripes on the other hand, are very thin. In many cases, about 1⁄30 inch (0.85 mm) in width.
Florals
I honestly don’t think we’ll ever go a season without floral prints. Florals have been trendy for several years and they only seem to be getting more and more popular. This year, keep an eye out for florals that are showcased on dark backgrounds. Not only are they fitting for the season, but the prints are also even more eye-catching. Try some out on accent pillows and wallpaper.
Ready to refresh your home for the upcoming season? We offer several fabrics that fall into each of these trend categories, so be sure to stop by or browse our selection online before you start your decorating project.
