Trend spotters agree: Chevron is hot.

Although the history of the “zig-zag” is quite august, this v-shaped pattern has stormed the landscape of fashion, pop-culture and interior design.

The clean lineation of the Chevron has historically been found in badges and insignia used in military or official uniforms to indicate rank or length of service. It was used in heraldry and in the designs of flags. It has sported classic men’s ties, and now, it is the harbinger of current style.

There really is no neutral opinion regarding this pattern. You love it or hate it. You see it as fresh and energizing or dizzying and loud.

Since the Chevron is a blend of history with cleaner lines, it does provide an immediate and pronounced rejuvenation for a sleepy décor.

It slips in easily where vertical stripes were once the star, the horizontal nature of the chevron makes it the unexpected element that makes a room interesting.

If jumping in with both feet into the bold world of such a distinct pattern, consider a tone on tone version. Camel paired with ivory is far less jarring than a combination of orange and blue.

Whether you go full-force with a bold version or a more subtle approach with soft tones, remember that Chevron is a trend, and trends are temporary.

The trend factor makes Chevron the perfect candidate for pillows, window treatments, accent chairs, rugs and accessories. Also, it is the hot sauce of your decorating. A little bit will go a long way.

Just as with any other pattern, consider the scale of your chevron. A large scale version is better paired with solids and textures while small scale chevron plays nicely with complimentary patterns.

A small dose of Chevron might be just the exclamation point your room is looking for.