21 October 2026
What is Ikat? The Patterns We’re About to See Across Interiors
A blog by interiors editor, Georgina Blaskey
Georgina Blaskey is an interiors journalist and editor, whose work has appeared across leading publications including SheerLuxe and The Telegraph. Known for her thoughtful approach to design trends, she explores how timeless interiors can be reimagined for modern living, sharing her perspective on why Ikat is set to become one of the next big trends in interiors.
Why Ikat Is The Pattern We’re About To See Everywhere
There’s a new pattern making a strong case for itself in interiors, and it isn’t shy. Ikat is colourful, slightly blurred and full of movement, the sort of design that can make even a very sensible room feel as though it has had a good holiday. Addison Ross has embraced it with a collection of lampshades, table linen, lacquered trays, backgammon sets and tableware, bringing the pattern to the places where we love to gather and entertain.
What Is Ikat? The Meaning Behind The Pattern
Ikat isn’t simply a print. It is a centuries-old resist-dyeing technique in which threads are tied and dyed before they are woven, creating the characteristic softened edges and almost painterly appearance. The name comes from the Malay-Indonesian word ikat, meaning to tie or bind. The technique has long been practised across Central Asia, South-East Asia, India, Africa and Latin America, with each region developing its own motifs, colours and traditions.
Ikat textiles are unique because they’re created using an incredibly laborious technique and that slight irregularity is part of the appeal. It is not trying to look computer-perfect, which is probably why it feels so welcome right now.
Why Ikat is Having A Moment
Interiors are moving away from rooms that feel too polished, too coordinated or as if they arrived in one enormous delivery. We want more evidence of the hand, more pattern, more colour and a little bit of visual surprise. Ikat does all of that at once.
It has the energy of a bold geometric, but the softened edges keep it from feeling harsh. It can be exotic without becoming themed, decorative without being old-fashioned and colourful without demanding that every other element in the room match it.
How To Decorate With Ikat
The easiest way to introduce Ikat is through smaller pieces. A tray on a coffee table, a lampshade in a reading corner or a set of napkins on the dining table can bring pattern into a room without requiring a full decorative rethink.
Addison Ross’s lacquered trays are particularly useful because the Ikat appears inside, giving you a flash of colour when the tray is in use, while the exterior keeps things feeling more restrained.
For a more confident approach, use Ikat table linen as the starting point for a tablescape. Keep the crockery simple, add glassware in a contrasting tone and let the pattern do the talking. Or pair a patterned lampshade with plain upholstery, natural wood and one or two antique pieces. The contrast is what stops the look from becoming too matchy-matchy.
Ikat For Every Interior Style
In a traditional home, Ikat works beautifully with dark wood, antique furniture and collected accessories. In a more contemporary scheme, it can soften clean-lined furniture and bring warmth to marble, lacquer and metal. It also sits happily alongside stripes, checks and florals, provided you vary the scale and give each pattern enough breathing room.
The trick is not to treat Ikat as a theme. Think of it as one expressive layer within a room. Used thoughtfully, it adds movement, character and a sense of history, which is exactly what many of our homes have been missing.
Shop the Ikat Collection
From Ikat Empire lampshades and lacquered two-tone trays to linen tablecloths, napkins and lacquered backgammon sets, the Ikat Collection brings colour and movement to every corner of the home. Mix colourways like khaki, mink and cherry with our Bobbin cutlery for a tablescape that feels effortlessly layered. Shop the Ikat Collection
The Ikat Collection
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