As a design writer, it's my job to keep a finger on the pulse when it comes to the latest patterns breaking the interior design space. It's no secret that checkerboard prints have been popular lately (and for a long time before that, dating back to early Roman architecture) — specifically when it comes to accent rugs. But for the design-forward — those who like to keep one step ahead — there's a new way to approach the popular pattern: plaid.
The pretty pattern trend feels like a natural extension of the checkerboard print. It's still bold, but comes with a little more intrigue. Rug trends are "moving away from bold, graphic grids toward something more woven, layered, and nuanced — very much in line with classic plaid, but reinterpreted through natural materials and texture," explains designer Malin Glemme, founder of Scandinavian rug brand LAYERED.
But don't mistake plaid in 2025 for lumberjacks and tartan alternatives. Instead, it's playful, colorful, and with all the timelessness of a checkerboard print, just pushed a little.
Plaid is mixed with a more creative geometric pattern in this stunning Rollakan Ruth Wool plaid rug from LAYERED.
Beyond spotting plaid rugs in new collections from the best rug brands, the reinvented print follows a shift toward materials and patterns in interior design that feel rooted and familiar, but still fresh. Some iterations of 2025's plaid rugs only hint at the traditional plaid pattern, and that's the beauty of it.
"Plaid designs are timeless, but by reworking them in natural fibers and softer forms, they speak to the desire for calm, craftsmanship, and warmth," says Malin Glemme. In a world that often feels overstimulating, these tactile, grounded patterns bring comfort without being boring.
Where traditional plaid often relies on bold color combinations and clear, repeated lines, what’s happening now is more subtle and textural. "Checks are built into the weave rather than just printed or dyed on top," explains Malin. The result is more tactile, modern, and integrated with the material itself. It’s plaid with a twist — relaxed, earthy, and versatile.
Malin Glemme is a Scandinavian designer with a background in fashion. Malin's desire to find a sustainably made designer rug of premium quality led her to creating her own brand, LAYERED, in 2015. Since then, Malin has stived for LAYERED to be at the forefront of global interior design by continuing to make authentic, hand knotted rugs.
A plaid rug can be a cozy base layer, as seen in this kitchen. You can pull the warm red, pink, and orange tones to decorate the rest of the room.
And you needn't sacrifice color, if that's what you are after. Plaid rugs are a fantastic way to introduce the latest color trends to a room.
Malin's advice? "Let the plaid guide the room’s rhythm." If your plaid rug is more textural or maximalist, pair it with soft, neutral tones and natural materials to create harmony.
On the other hand, you can create contrast in design by pairing a softer plaid rug with bolder colors and sculptural shapes if you want something more expressive. "Because the pattern has structure, it works especially well as a base in more eclectic or layered interiors," says Malin. "And don’t shy away from mixing patterns — just keep the overall palette cohesive."
The plaid print on this living room rug becomes even more interpreted and abstract while keeping the same familiar rhythm of traditional plaid.
Below, I've found six of my favorite plaid rugs currently on the market.
When I say I love color, it's an understatement; I want all the color possible. And this Hoxton rug is serving up one of my favorite plaid-adjacent rug looks yet. It's colorful, it's plaid with a twist, and with so many colors to work with, it would suit virtually any space. It's made with 100percent hand-tufted wool and a cotton backing, and it comes in a few different sizing options.
I didn't think I would be looking to IKEA for rug shopping, but when I spotted this geometric take on a plaid rug, I was sold. It's no surprise that this piece is from the brand's Stockholm 2025 collection, as every piece in that selection is oozing with style. However, I love the more neutral yet still bold color combination that this plaid rug offers.
Make way for the modern plaid rug of all the modern plaid rugs. Leave it to Anthropologie to execute traditional with a grounded and contemporary twist perfectly — and this isn't their only fabulous plaid rug, might I add. But the colorway on this scalloped, hand-tufted wool rug is what makes it a favorite Anthropologie rug of mine. It's warm and comforting, yet neutral enough to style anywhere.
You can't look for plaid rugs without seeing what Nordic Knots has to offer. This Tradition 01 rug in blue is the perfect realization of what plaid rugs can be in 2025. Colorful, yet subtle. Bold, yet understated. And if you are loving the look of this piece, it comes in a few other colorways as well.
I have had this rug in my cart for a while now because I knew there was a reason it called to me so much. Now I see that it is the perfect take on the new plaid rug trend. The checks here are so subtle, but you can still detect that familiar pattern. It's perfect for the minimalist who still wants to flaunt their stylish side.
This piece from LAYERED became instant inspiration in my search for plaid rugs. "We’ve most explored this plaid trend through our jute rugs, and this August we’re launching a new quality where the plaid pattern itself is braided into the weave," adds Malin. "It adds depth, softness, and a more organic structure."
Gone are the days when rugs needed to blend into the background; these days, they're the statement piece for so many spaces. So, skip the rugs going out of style in 2025, and opt for a playful pattern like plaid.
