8 Ways to Decorate With Indigo Tie-Dye

Tie-dye has been quietly making a comeback — but not in its former, rainbow-hued, crunchy guise. Today’s tie-dye has more to do with the ancient Japanese tie-dyeing technique of shibori than with T-shirts sold out of a Volkswagen bus. Most often seen with indigo dye on a white or natural background, this art form has inspired designers and DIY-ers to create everything from wall coverings to rugs. Here are eight fresh ways to get the look.

1. Statement rug. Indigo tie-dye works like a graphic pattern on a large rug like the one shown here. Try one in the dining or living room to inject color and pattern into a neutral space.

Rug: Aubry Angelo, Minneapolis


If you want to try a bold tie-dye look but aren’t ready to commit to a room-size piece, think about using an accent rug instead. A small rug (no larger than 3 by 5 feet) used in the entryway or layered over a larger natural fiber rug is a good way to dip a toe into the trend.

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2. Cushions. With everyone from designers to mass retailers getting in on the trend (the pillow on the left shown here is from Target) there are indigo tie-dye and shibori-style cushions available at every price point. Try mixing up one or two tie-dye cushions with other graphic black and white prints for a fresh, modern look.


3. Wallpaper. Wallpaper that looks like tie-dye makes a bold statement in a small space, like the powder room shown here. In a more open space (like an entry hall) a single wall is probably enough.

Wallpaper: Detroit Wallpaper Co.


4. Bedding. Bring out the beachy, bohemian side of tie-dye with bedding in shades of blue and an art wall featuring vintage seaside paintings. A glass buoy held up by rigging brings even more seaside flair — and keeping the rest of the space simple helps it from feeling too theme-y.


5. Framed. If you come across an especially beautiful bit of handmade textile, consider framing it as art. The texture is a welcome change from the usual prints and photographs, and it’s a great way to introduce a bit of pattern.


6. Upholstery. Instead of sticking with a safe solid, perk up an old armchair by recovering in indigo tie-dye upholstery-weight fabric. If you’re feeling crafty, you could even tie-dye your own plain fabric and have your upholsterer use it to cover the piece.

Twist Up a Room’s Look With Tie-Dye





7. Sofa update. Wrapping the seat cushions in beautiful Japanese shibori textiles is a quick and easy way to give a sofa or daybed a fresh look. When you get tired of it, just pull it off!

8. Making art from scraps. If you have an artistic side, why not try your hand at making a modern mobile, soft sculpture or bunting using scraps of tie-dye textiles? Using the leftovers from another project is a creative way to reuse and upcycle materials.

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