Chic Spaces in Chevron
There are more ways than one to incorporate the chevron in your home. Read on to find out how and where
From decorating ancient Greek pottery to appearing on military insignia in the middle ages (and even today), to becoming a current global trend in fashion and decor, the chevron has stood the test of time as an unwavering design element. Its bold, graphic pattern lends itself easily to being incorporated into everything, from clothing to linen to crockery to design accessories.
The V-shaped mark is classic yet modern; something that can be used in a myriad of ways in your home, be it in soft furnishings, walls, floors or furniture. Here are some inspirations.
The V-shaped mark is classic yet modern; something that can be used in a myriad of ways in your home, be it in soft furnishings, walls, floors or furniture. Here are some inspirations.
A chevron rug in bright colours is a quick style update, whether in the living room or the bedroom.
Tip: For maximum visual effect, place the rug so that it lies under at least three-fourths of the bed and extends at least twelve inches out from its sides and foot.
Learn the rules for floor rugs and how to break them
Tip: For maximum visual effect, place the rug so that it lies under at least three-fourths of the bed and extends at least twelve inches out from its sides and foot.
Learn the rules for floor rugs and how to break them
Wood can be zigzag. too
When we install a hardwood or faux-parquet floor, the inclination is to go with the standard layout, that is, tiles laid out in straight lines. The zigzag pattern is worth trying: it immediately perks up a bland floor and makes a room look bigger. This sleek monochrome kitchen looks so much more exciting with a chevron wood floor.
Tip: Given that wood is pretty much uniform in colour with very few or negligible shades, this design stands out more if the surface is large or the surroundings are plain, because then you can see the full pattern in all its glory.
When we install a hardwood or faux-parquet floor, the inclination is to go with the standard layout, that is, tiles laid out in straight lines. The zigzag pattern is worth trying: it immediately perks up a bland floor and makes a room look bigger. This sleek monochrome kitchen looks so much more exciting with a chevron wood floor.
Tip: Given that wood is pretty much uniform in colour with very few or negligible shades, this design stands out more if the surface is large or the surroundings are plain, because then you can see the full pattern in all its glory.
Using chevron in the foyer, especially in a dark colour, creates a strong first impression. Here, the contrast between the dark floor and the white walls accentuates the pattern on the floor.
Never-fail black and white
The classic combination of black and white stays true for the chevron design in floor coverings or tiles, as it does in most other design elements. Despite the splashes of colour provided by the cushions and chest of drawers in this bedroom, the eye is riveted to the floor. The lines bring a flowiness to the room, seeming to elongate it.
The classic combination of black and white stays true for the chevron design in floor coverings or tiles, as it does in most other design elements. Despite the splashes of colour provided by the cushions and chest of drawers in this bedroom, the eye is riveted to the floor. The lines bring a flowiness to the room, seeming to elongate it.
Whether in a large bedroom or a small space like this foyer, filling the floor with a large black-and-white pattern (in the form of tiles here) gives a polished finish, apart from providing a high-contrast focal point.
Upholstered in chevron
If the idea of upholstering an entire sofa in a striking chevron print is overwhelming, take a look at this: just a piece of furniture or two in chevron, highlighted with a single flashy cushion.
If the idea of upholstering an entire sofa in a striking chevron print is overwhelming, take a look at this: just a piece of furniture or two in chevron, highlighted with a single flashy cushion.
Alternatively, a more delicate design of chevron brings elegance, as seen in these seat cushions, which still manage to stand out in a monochromatic setting.
Zigzag wallpaper
Muted chevron prints are equally striking, as seen in this wallpaper, particularly as it covers a large expanse of wall. The neutral colours of the wall provide a perfect foil to the rest of the elements in the room, creating a perfect balance amongst the varied contrasting details.
Muted chevron prints are equally striking, as seen in this wallpaper, particularly as it covers a large expanse of wall. The neutral colours of the wall provide a perfect foil to the rest of the elements in the room, creating a perfect balance amongst the varied contrasting details.
Through thick…
Another great use of the chevron is in backsplashes. Combining the broad chevron stripes with a similar-but-not-same herringbone pattern on the floor creates an intriguing look in this kitchen.
Another great use of the chevron is in backsplashes. Combining the broad chevron stripes with a similar-but-not-same herringbone pattern on the floor creates an intriguing look in this kitchen.
…or thin
Do not worry if the backsplash area is too large or too small. Whatever the size of the surface, the chevron pattern can fit in anywhere.
Do not worry if the backsplash area is too large or too small. Whatever the size of the surface, the chevron pattern can fit in anywhere.
Over the top
The bathroom is the ideal place to go to town with a zigzag pattern. Arranging tiles in unusual layouts or using striking designs are good ways to add interest to your washspace. Here, the tiles on the different surfaces lie in opposing directions of the pattern, and yet the look is harmonious, because they are in the same colour.
The bathroom is the ideal place to go to town with a zigzag pattern. Arranging tiles in unusual layouts or using striking designs are good ways to add interest to your washspace. Here, the tiles on the different surfaces lie in opposing directions of the pattern, and yet the look is harmonious, because they are in the same colour.
These long black tiles look super chic laid diagonally from top to bottom, creating a chevron pattern, in this shower enclosure. The look is all the more stunning thanks to the bronze metal fittings.
Painted on
The easiest way to incorporate the chevron into your home, if you don’t want to go to the trouble of installing tiles, wallpaper and so on, is to DIY. Any piece of furniture – such as this chest of drawers – can be painted with the help of well-placed tapes to ensure straight lines, et voila! you have a quirky piece of furniture.
The easiest way to incorporate the chevron into your home, if you don’t want to go to the trouble of installing tiles, wallpaper and so on, is to DIY. Any piece of furniture – such as this chest of drawers – can be painted with the help of well-placed tapes to ensure straight lines, et voila! you have a quirky piece of furniture.
The alternating colour patterns, both in the previous picture and in the bathroom here, give a 3D-like depth to the rooms.
Accent wall
When it comes to walls, the size of the wall determines the best way to use any pattern, particularly a graphic design like the chevron. On a large wall such as this one, feel free to use longer and broader tiles for the entire wall. The plain wood floor and the straight-beamed ceiling allows for the wall pattern to be truly noticeable.
When it comes to walls, the size of the wall determines the best way to use any pattern, particularly a graphic design like the chevron. On a large wall such as this one, feel free to use longer and broader tiles for the entire wall. The plain wood floor and the straight-beamed ceiling allows for the wall pattern to be truly noticeable.
There’s a method in the multicolour madness
More is good when it comes to multicoloured zigzags. The thin horizontal stripes on the duvet are complemented by the thicker vertical ones on the wall. The fact that they are at an angle with each other and not flowing in the same direction is an added visual effect.
More is good when it comes to multicoloured zigzags. The thin horizontal stripes on the duvet are complemented by the thicker vertical ones on the wall. The fact that they are at an angle with each other and not flowing in the same direction is an added visual effect.
A monochrome living room makes the perfect backdrop for a colourful chevron pattern. The high-energy, busy-looking cushion breathes life into an otherwise quiet, homogeneous living room.
A little bit goes a long way
There’s something delightful about stumbling across a little secret. The chevron pattern concealed on the inside of this lampshade isn’t exactly hidden from view, but it’s obscured just enough to make you feel as if you’ve uncovered a little gem.
Read more:
Decor Tips: A Guide to Working With Patterns
5 Patterns That Will Make You Go OMG
Tell us:
How would you use graphic patterns? Do share your ideas in the Comments section below.
There’s something delightful about stumbling across a little secret. The chevron pattern concealed on the inside of this lampshade isn’t exactly hidden from view, but it’s obscured just enough to make you feel as if you’ve uncovered a little gem.
Read more:
Decor Tips: A Guide to Working With Patterns
5 Patterns That Will Make You Go OMG
Tell us:
How would you use graphic patterns? Do share your ideas in the Comments section below.
A vividly patterned chevron rug can link furniture pieces in a large living room by anchoring them with its eye-catching impact. This bright hand-woven rug brings energy into an otherwise plain space and makes the room look bigger.