Black and White Buffalo Plaid Kitchen Decor Through The Seasons

Black and white buffalo plaid is a staple in farmhouse and rustic kitchens. But this versatile pattern isn't just relegated to autumn and winter. Buffalo plaid can be incorporated into kitchen designs in creative ways all year round to give spaces warmth, texture and a touch of charm regardless of the season.

We'll provide tips on how to stylishly incorporate it into your kitchen using walls, textiles, flooring and accessories. And we'll give inspirational seasonal styling ideas to show off buffalo check's flexibility.

What Is Buffalo Plaid?

Buffalo plaid features simple black and white criss-crossing lines that form squares in a distinctive checkered pattern. Also referred to as buffalo check, the iconic look has long been associated with rugged clothing worn by lumberjacks and pioneers venturing into the American frontier.

Over time, buffalo plaid grew to represent rustic living and the coziness of a mountain lodge or cabin in the woods. It became symbolic of the American outdoors.

Buffalo Plaid's Resurgence In Home Decor

While buffalo plaid never went out of style in places like lodges and ski villages, the pattern began rising in popularity for home decor over the last decade. The renewed interest connects to the growth of farmhouse style and the return to craftsman details and natural textures.

But buffalo check's flexibility helps it transcend themes and aesthetics. Black and white buffalo plaid adds comfortable charm whether used sparingly in sleek modern spaces or prominently across multiple rooms in a traditional home.

Kitchens often showcase plaid on display, whether covering a wall or island, lining cabinets, or styling a tablescape. The pattern's warming presence offers balance against stainless steel appliances and cool countertops.

Incorporating Buffalo Plaid In Your Kitchen

Ready to add this timeless look to your kitchen? Buffalo plaid can make a bold statement or subtle accent depending on your preference and style. Here are some creative ways to effectively incorporate it into the heart of your home.

Walls

Covering full walls or sections of walls with plaid instantly adds rustic personality. Use buffalo check wallpaper on a statement wall or go for a hand-painted treatment. Painted designs allow you to customize sizing and framing.

Tiling buffalo plaid patterns offers another eye-catching option for backsplashes. Pairing other tiles alongside the plaid prevents it from feeling overwhelming while still acting as a focal point.

Textiles

Incorporating plaid textiles adds warmth and charm to kitchen spaces. Buffalo check cloth can cover dining room chairs, accent window valances, and coordinate as tablecloths or placemats.

For pops of pattern that are easy to change with seasons or rearrange, consider swapping out your dish towels, potholders, appliance covers, and food storage containers to feature the iconic plaid print. These small hits of black and white buffalo plaid add livable personality.

Cabinets and Islands

Painting or applying plaid contact paper onto cabinet fronts makes a courageous statement. For a more subtle look, affix plaid vinyl onto the bottom half of lower cabinet faces just to differentiate the base.

Similarly, full or partial island coverings in black and white buffalo check vinyl or oilcloth fabric inject rustic charm. A little goes a long way on these statement surfaces.

Flooring

Full floor replacements like vinyl plank can feature oversized buffalo plaid prints. More budget-friendly options like area rugs and floor mats demonstrate plaid's flexibility as an accent. Use larger plaid prints near seating areas and entry points.

Accessories

The easiest way to incorporate buffalo check is with decorative kitchen accessories and coordinating accents. Incorporate plaid into canisters, dish towels, aprons, oven mitts, wall art, and serving trays.

Have fun mixing and matching solids and subtle patterns with your buffalo plaid accessories to prevent the bolder black and white print from feeling overwhelming. Grounding tones like wood, black, and white help enhance plaid accents.

Styling With Buffalo Plaid For Each Season

Another way to prevent buffalo plaid's strong aesthetic from feeling stale is to rotate accent pieces and coordinating palette colors as seasons shift. Here's how to refresh this classic for spring, summer, fall and winter.

Spring

Embrace spring by pairing black and white buffalo plaid with soft pastels like robin's egg blue, sweet mint green or cheery coral. White dishes really make the colors pop alongside graphic plaid. Incorporate floral accents like linen curtains with buffalo plaid valances or display bright blooms in a plaid vase.

Summer

For summer, think sunshine and lemons! Add pops of golden yellow or citrus orange against dark plaid. Use buffalo check dish towels in the outdoor kitchen. Incorporate beaded lemon wall hangings and distressed wooden lemon signs with plaid backgrounds. Let plaid placemats and citrus accents give summer tables a fresh, picnicking vibe.

Fall

Buffalo plaid fits fall as comfortably as apple pie. Incorporate barn red and orange tones against black and white backdrop patterns on walls or cabinetry. Natural wood accents, woven baskets, and textural garlands enhance plaid's rustic coziness for autumn. Use plaid oven mitts to remove baked goods from the oven for ultimate seasonal perfection.

Winter

For many, plaid brings to mind snowy, cabin-esque scenes of winter. Have fun with that by embracing traditional red and green against prominent black and white plaid walls or flooring. Incorporate plush plaid pillows and soft blankets into banquette seating areas. Use plaid pie plates and cake stands when hosting friends for cocoa and cookies. The layered texture feels perfectly festive.

Tips For Incorporating Plaid Long-Term

Concerned a statement wall or flooring choice in buffalo plaid might feel dated quickly? No need to worry. A few tips will help this classic pattern feel current long into the future.

Stick to black and white plaid backgrounds with neutral walls like white, light gray or wood tones. This provides a clean backdrop that won't compete as you update accent colors and furnishings over time. Mixing buffalo plaid with other subtle patterns in solids and textures prevents the strong graphic print from overwhelming a space as trends evolve.

The Future Of The Buffalo Plaid Trend

With buffalo plaid's flexibility across styles and seasons paired with the continued popularity of modern farmhouse decor, this pattern doesn't seem to be leaving the design scene anytime soon. Its classic black and white coloring provides a neutral backdrop for changing accent colors and themes.

Buffalo plaid also appeals because it allows personalization through display. Paint it prominently across built-in cabinetry or subtly incorporate it into textural accents. Make it rustic or modern. Focus styling seasonally or keep it consistent year-round.

And with the wide availability of buffalo plaid products for the home, from wall tiles and textiles to accessories big and small, there are endless options for incorporating touches of iconic plaid however best suits your lifestyle.

Black and white buffalo check's versatility truly shines when you embrace this graphic pattern throughout the seasons. From cozy winter gatherings full of plaid accents to sunny summer tablescapes punctuated in bright citrus and playful plaid, this timeless print provides character. Allow buffalo plaid's charm to elevate your kitchen vibe year-round through creative use of statement walls, textural textiles, and fun coordinating accessories suited to each season's unique style.