Caroline is a writer living in New York City. When she’s not covering art, interiors, and celebrity lifestyles, she’s usually buying sneakers, eating cupcakes, or hanging with her rescue bunnies, Daisy and Daffodil. Kelsey is a writer, editor, and photographer. She has lived on a ship and in a travel trailer, but feels most at home in her midcentury Florida bungalow that she styles with thrifted and antique finds. When she’s not writing about travel, interiors, commerce, or food, you can find her tending to her tropical garden.
We independently select these products—if you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission. All prices were accurate at the time of publishing.
Fabric patterns come in all kinds of colors, shapes, sizes, repeats, and schemes. That’s why picking the right fabric patterns—and mixing prints—can be tricky. So we called on a handful of our favorite designers to help us break down the basics behind some of the most popular fabric patterns out there. From chevron to polka dots and beyond, here’s everything you need to know about the 34 most common fabric patterns.
Once you know the names of these patterns and what defines each of them, you’ll be ready to pattern shop and mix like a pro.
1. Broken Stripes
The broken stripe aesthetic, also called off-set stripes, puts a modern, geometric twist on classic bands. You can count on beautifully imperfect, almost optical illusion-like patterns that give any room a modern bent and work well with most design styles.
2. Batik
Characterized by the use of dye-resistant wax to paint or block print patterns on fabric — commonly cotton or silk — batik designs take form when the wax is boiled off after repeated rounds of dip dying. Imagery can range from simple to incredibly ornate, and the technique is especially prevalent in India, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Africa.
3. Windowpane
The windowpane fabric pattern resembles checkerboard, but instead of solid squares, this grid-like design has thin, even lines and one unified solid background — much like how French door window grilles, or muntins, separate sections of glass. Clean and minimal, the windowpane look often works as a mix-and-match neutral, especially on duvet covers and bedding.
4. Ombré
The word ombré itself is of French origin, meaning “shadow,” which indicates the pattern’s slow gradient change in saturation from light to dark. The soft color transition evokes nature subtly — think sunrises, sunsets, and ocean waves. Lamp shades and light fixtures are often ombré to mimic the habits of natural light, but this can be featured on everything from bedding and upholstery to rugs and curtains. You’ll also find reverse ombré prints, which feature dark to light transitions.
5. Honeycomb
True to its name, honeycomb draws inspiration from bee hives. Historically, this geometric style, also referred to as a hexagonal pattern, has been prevalent throughout architecture and design. Today, it’s frequently used in floor tiles, as well as on rugs, wallpaper designs, or upholstery.
6. Crewel
Crewel work uses wool yarn to develop a highly detailed style of embroidery, resulting in a dimensional, textured fabric that looks handmade. This art form as we know it today initially gained popularity in 17th-century England to depict nature-inspired stories and motifs.
7. Basketweave
Designed to resemble the crisscross weave of a basket, basketweave patterns are either woven or printed onto a fabric to create a symmetrical effect. “As a traditional woven, a basketweave fabric canintroduce warmth to a room to balance out more neutral and subdued tones,” says Ella Hall, founder ofStitchroom. “When used correctly, thehandmade texture is a great contrast to a muted palette andcan also complement a minimalist style.”
8. Brocade
“A typicallyshuttle-woven fabric most commonly made withsilver or gold thread, brocade has a raised appearancesimilar to embroidery,” Hall says. No surprise then that you’re most likely to find brocades in more traditionally designed spaces. “The ornamental features of this fabric pattern bring a rich and elegant touch to accentuate classic furniture pieces,” she adds.
9. Checkered
One of the most popular and instantly recognizable patterns on the market, checked or checkered, fabrics feature a simple checkerboard-style design with alternating colored squares. “Checked fabric has traditionally worked well in farmhouse modern and country design, and while it might originate there, a more contemporary twist has recently brought the countryside to more urbanized spaces,” Hall says. “This fabric trend is perfect for banquettes with high traffic trying to make a statement through its upholstery fabrication.”
10. Chevron
Marked by a pattern of zigzagging stripes, chevron fabrics have long been a favorite of designers looking to infuse contemporary flair into a subdued space. “Modern interpretations of the chevron motif have brought new life to the classic that cansometimesfeel overwhelming,” Hall says. “Try selecting a chevron with subtle tonal differences or a textured chevron to contribute to your sofa’spillowscape.”
11. Chinoiserie
Drawing from traditional Chinese motifs, chinoiserie-style fabrics often feature elaborate scenes of florals, animals, pagodas, and children. “Chinoiserie is a romanticized print that adds a level of sophistication to upholstery,” Hall says. “Whether with curtains, chair upholstery or throw pillows, chinoiserie fabrics always make a decorative statement.”
12. Chintz
“Once associated with English country homes and famous designers like Mario Buatta (known as the ‘Prince of Chintz’),and ‘American country’ designers like Nancy Lancaster and Sister Parish, chintz is making a comeback in grand-millennial homes across the globe,” says interior designer Ariel Okin. “It can be identified by its exuberant florals and elegant, sophisticated nature.”
13. Damask
“Martha Stewart is a big fan of damask, and this rich-looking fabric has been used everywhere from English castles to Park Avenue apartments,” Okin says. “A reversible, print-heavy look, damask is typically filled with swirling patterns and looks beautiful in jewel tones. This look works well when executed in silks and taffetas in dramatic, grand rooms.”
14. Ditsy
“A ditsy print typically has flowers (but not always) that are small in scale and is an all-over pattern with a random repeat,” Okin says. “It’s very whimsical and not at all linear or geometric in nature. Ditsy patterns fit perfectly in country and city homes alike.”
15. Flame Stitch
“Also known as bargello or a Florentine stitch, flame stitch needlework combines long, vertical stitches and bold colors into zigzagging peaks and valleys,” Okin says. “This look was very popular in the 1960s and has a psychedelic element to it, so it’s perfect for funky spaces with a retro vibe.”
16. Fleur-de-Lis
“A fleur-de-lis is a stylized three-petal or four-petal lily, which was originally a symbol of purity dating back to the Middle Ages,” Okin says. “It’s also the symbol for the Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority. In homes, this fabric can be found in spaces with a French country vibe.”
17. Floral
“While somewhat self-explanatory in design, floral patterns really run the gamut in terms of range—they can be small, large, realistic, abstract, and more,” Okin says. “The one common thread with all floral patterns? They’re beautiful and feminine in nature.”
18. Geometric
“Geometric is a really broad term that can be used to describe anything that uses lines or shapes either alone or in repetition,” interior designer Tali Roth says. “My favorite geometric pattern is also one of the simplest ones: A good old-fashioned stripe. I’ve been known to use stripes in upholstery and rugs in my interior spaces, but they can really be used anywhere.”
19. Gingham
“Consider gingham a slightly more complex checkerboard pattern,” Roth says. “Ginghams usually have three colors or shades involved, and one is usually white. The second tends to be black, blue, or red, but can obviously be anything. The third shade is a mix of the first two, so if you have white and black, the third shade is gray. Gingham is a great accent pattern—I love it on a throw blanket, but I recently put a black and white gingham chair in a house we did upstate, and it looked great!”
20. Greek Key
“The Greek Key pattern is as old as time, really, and it’s more traditional than anything I tend to use,” Roth says. “The pattern is made from a continuous line that repeatedly bends back on itself to create squared spirals. I think of it as a border pattern more than anything else and works well on curtains or bed linens.”
21. Harlequin
Like a checkerboard pattern, harlequin fabrics feature alternating diamonds instead of squares. “Think of harlequin patterns as a fancy term for diamonds,” Roth says. “I love this sort of pattern for any kind of floor covering—you could even paint the pattern on existing concrete or wood floors to liven up any space.”
22. Herringbone
“Herringbone is similar to chevron, but instead of two perpendicular diagonal lines meeting at one point, each line passes the last by just a little, so the lines end up looking somewhat woven,” Roth explains. Herringbone lines are often thin and feature gaps or breaks between the zigzags, making them a more contemporary alternative to stripes or chevron.
23. Houndstooth
“The name houndstooth comes from whoever invented the pattern, thinking the checks that make it up look like dog’s teeth, but I think they look more like little bugs,” Roth says. “In my opinion, the pattern is quite handsome and masculine, and it’s a strong accent in a room. I’d use it on a pillow or throw blanket in a study.”
24. Ikat
“An ikat fabric is one woven with tie-dyed yarns, which ultimately gives the chosen design a feathered or hazy look,” says Jess Blumberg of Dale Blumberg Interiors.“I’ve upholstered a large wingback chair in a very graphic ikat, and I’ve also mixed a bunch of more traditional ikat throw pillows together to finish off a lounge-y Southeast Asian-inspired hangout space.”
25. Jacquard
Often referred to as brocade, the term jacquard refers to fabrics that are woven on a Jacquard loom, which was originally invented in 1801. “Jacquard fabrics are oneswith patterns (sometimes raised) that are woven rather than printed onto thefabric,” Blumberg says.“Some popular jacquard patterns are florals, geometrics, and damasks.”
26. Animal Prints
Designed to mimic the coats of wild animals such as leopards, cheetahs, zebras, and tigers, animal print fabrics are often used to make a statement in a room. “Animal printed fabrics can be used for a pop of something fun and graphic, but can also be used more as a neutral, because they pretty much go with everything,” Blumberg says.
27. Medallion
Available in a range of colorways and styles, medallion fabric patterns feature a symmetrical, diamond-esque medallion motif. “A medallion pattern has one or a repeating number of a more complex circular or oval design elements,” Blumberg explains. “I’ll often choose a fabric with varying medallions and work with my pillow maker to pick and choose the specific ones we like best for a collection of pillows on a sofa.”
28. Ogee
“The repeated ogee pattern is somewhat similar to a trellis pattern but instead of straight lines interlocking, an S-like curved shape with two arches that come to a point intersect to create an interesting graphic,” Blumberg says. Try this pattern on throw pillows throughout your home to usher in some eclectic boho vibes.
29. Paisley
The paisley pattern consists of a teardrop-shaped motif with a curved upper end and is generally used in more preppy or bohemian spaces,” Blumberg says. “I like to go with super vibrant colored paisley fabrics as an ode to classic style, but with a twist.”
30. Polka Dot
“Dainty to large in scale, polka dot patterns feature small rounded dots that soften angularity in a repeat pattern,” explains interior designer Becky Shea. “Polka dots are a fun application when used in drapes or throw pillows. A small polka dot print is a great way to inject a little color in a subtle way that complements a space without taking center stage.”
31. Stripes
“Clean and linear, stripe patterns elongate and give directional sense to a space by way of contrasting tones on adjacent planes,” Shea says. “Stripes are great when used on rugs, pillows, throws, and chair upholstery. I especially love adding a stripe fabric to a chair in the living room or bedroom that has a heavy emphasis on solids, giving the stripe the opportunity to be a little warmer or lighter in tone to contrast and complement its counterparts.”
32. Tartan Plaid
“A stripe pattern that crosses at right angles forming a square-like design, tartan was originally applied to wool fabric but has since evolved to work on all fabric types,” says Shea. “Plaid is transitional across all methods of design so it works well in any space from modern to traditional.”
33. Toile
“A linen or canvas cloth used for painting complete decorative scenes on a typically white background, toile is frequently used in traditional spaces,” Shea says. “Toile often features fun picnic scenes or pastoral motifs that are hand-drawn or printed.”
34. Trellis
“A modern, yet classic architectural pattern that repeats geometrically, trellis prints are often used for drapery, since it’s a great way to anchor a room and add volume,” Shea says. “A unique character trait that trellis patterns have that other patterns don’t is that they work really well with other patterns without competing.”
