Skip to content
Plaid, tartan, gingham. They all look like lines crossing, so it's easy to mix them up. But the one you pick changes how a room feels. One can make a den feel like a cozy cabin. Another can make a kitchen feel like a picnic. This guide shows you how to tell them apart, and which one fits your walls and your furniture. If you'd like to browse as you read, our plaid wallpaper collection is a good place to start.
What Is Plaid Fabric, and How Is It Different From Tartan and Gingham
Let's start with the basics. Here is the plain plaid fabric definition: plaid is a pattern of stripes that cross each other, in different widths and colors. It's a pattern, not a type of cloth. So plaid material fabric can be woven or printed, in cotton, wool, or a blend. Black and white plaid fabric types and materials go from light cotton to thick wool. The word itself comes from an old Gaelic word for blanket.
Tartan is a plaid with rules. It follows a set order of colored bands, called a sett, and real tartans belong to Scottish clans. In North America, people use the two words for the same thing. Just remember this: every tartan is a plaid, but not every plaid is a tartan.
Gingham is the simple one. It has even squares in one color and white, and it feels light and fresh. Buffalo check is gingham's bigger, bolder cousin, with large blocks in two colors, usually red and black.
Plaid Upholstery Fabric and Plaid Curtain Fabric: What to Check Before You Buy by the Yard
Sofas and chairs need tough fabric. Plaid upholstery fabric should be tightly woven and heavy enough for everyday use. Many sources suggest around 15,000 double rubs as a starting point for seating you use a lot. That's a durability test, and a higher number means stronger fabric. Tartan plaid upholstery fabric is traditionally wool. It's warm and strong, but it needs gentler cleaning than a cotton blend. Planning a fabric plaid upholstery project? Buy extra. The lines have to match across seams and cushions, and that uses more fabric.
Curtains are easier. Plaid curtain fabric and plaid drapery fabric hang instead of taking wear, so a lighter cloth works well. Plaid cotton fabric is a friendly choice, and tartan plaid cotton fabric gives you the classic look without the weight of wool. Want the real thing? Tartan plaid fabric by the yard is usually wool, so check the fiber before you order. Our Check/Plaid Fabric collection lets you shop plaid fabric by the yard by brand and color. Not sure where to begin? Blue plaid upholstery fabric is a safe first pick.
Blue Plaid Fabric, Green Plaid Fabric, and Red and Black Plaid Fabric: Choosing a Color
Color changes the mood fast. Blue plaid fabric is the easy classic, and it fits almost any room. Green plaid fabric feels right in a den, study, or library. Red plaid fabric is warm and a little festive, while red and black plaid fabric is the bold, lumberjack look. Pink plaid fabric softens a bedroom or nursery. Brown plaid fabric looks great next to leather and wood. For a crisp, modern twist, try buffalo plaid fabric black and white.
Green Plaid Wallpaper, Blue Plaid Wallpaper, and Tartan Plaid Wallpaper for Walls
Plaid wallpaper brings warmth and structure to a room. It looks lovely in a den, study, bedroom, dining room, or kitchen. Green plaid wallpaper and blue plaid wallpaper are the easiest to live with, because both feel classic without feeling heavy. Tartan plaid wallpaper has that traditional multi-color look and suits a formal room. Pink plaid wallpaper is a sweet choice for a powder room or bedroom. And black plaid wallpaper, brown plaid wallpaper, or any dark plaid wallpaper will make a room feel snug and cozy.
One tip: let the wall be the star. If the plaid is strong, keep the sofa and curtains solid or lightly textured so the room doesn't feel busy. For a real example, take a look at the Buffalo Check in Spa Blue from Thibaut. It's a non-woven vinyl with a straight match, and it's sold as a 9-yard double roll, so order in multiples of two. Thibaut calls it a performance wallcovering, made for busy rooms like kitchens.
Pink Gingham Wallpaper and Blue Gingham Wallpaper: When Gingham Beats Plaid
Want something lighter and more cheerful? Go with gingham. Gingham wallpaper has small, even checks, so it feels calmer than most plaids. It's a natural for kitchens, laundry rooms, and nurseries. Pink gingham wallpaper and blue gingham wallpaper are the favorites, and green gingham wallpaper is a fresh third choice. Here's a fun fact: gingham was a striped cloth when it first reached Europe in the 17th century. The checks came later.
The look works in fabric too. The Avon Gingham Plaid in Indigo and Sky from Schumacher is 100% cotton, 54 inches wide, with a straight match. It's a lovely choice for curtains or pillows.
Plaid Peel and Stick Wallpaper: Where It Works and Where to Skip It
Plaid peel and stick wallpaper is a good way to try the look without a big commitment, especially if you rent. It sticks best to smooth, clean, painted walls, so skip textured walls and spots with steam or grease. When you hang it, go slowly. Plaid wallpaper peel and stick sheets are easier to line up when you check often. With peel and stick plaid wallpaper, look every few feet to make sure the lines are still straight, because plaid shows any drift right away.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is plaid fabric?
Plaid fabric has a pattern of crossing stripes in different widths and colors. It's a pattern, not a fiber, so it can be cotton, wool, or a blend.
Is plaid the same as tartan?
Not quite. Tartan is a plaid with a set order of colored bands, called a sett, and it's tied to Scottish clans. In North America, people often use the two words the same way.
Is gingham a plaid?
Gingham is a check, with even squares in one color and white. People often group it with plaid, but it's simpler and lighter than most plaids.
What is buffalo plaid?
Buffalo plaid, also called buffalo check, is a pattern of large two-color blocks, usually red and black. Think of it as gingham made big and bold.
Can plaid fabric be used for upholstery?
Yes, as long as it's heavy and tightly woven enough for seating. Check the durability rating, and buy extra so the pattern can match.
Final Thoughts
Choosing comes down to scale and surface. Small, even checks like gingham feel light, so they suit curtains, kitchens, and nurseries. Bigger blocks and multi-color plaids feel bold, so they suit sofas, dens, and feature walls. Whatever you pick, order a sample first. Plaid is picky about matching, and a sample helps you be sure.
Not sure which one fits your room? We've been helping people choose patterns like plaid since 1969. Reach out through our contact page or stop by the Lynchburg showroom, and we'll help you find the right one.
