Decorating
Fine Lines: 16 Clever Ways to Decorate With Stripes
Cross the line with these stripy ideas for walls, accents, ceilings and floors
While a leopard can’t change its spots, you can sure shake things up with stripes. Make a statement with bold colours and thick stripes, or pare things back with a neutral palette and lines of varied widths.
Unlike some pattern motifs (tartan walls anyone?) stripes can be utilised on any surface from walls and floors to soft furnishings and decorative decor. The only thing you have to do is figure out which stripes will work for you and in what way.
Unlike some pattern motifs (tartan walls anyone?) stripes can be utilised on any surface from walls and floors to soft furnishings and decorative decor. The only thing you have to do is figure out which stripes will work for you and in what way.
2. Create interest on your ceiling
Heads up! There is more to this stunning kitchen than meets the eye. The cheery yellow and white stripes add a sense of fun and warmth to this kitchen space.
Heads up! There is more to this stunning kitchen than meets the eye. The cheery yellow and white stripes add a sense of fun and warmth to this kitchen space.
3. Utilise different widths for interest
There’s no rule saying that stripes need to be the same width. Play with mixing thick stripes with thin for walls, but make sure to use wise choices from the colour palette so as to avoid a ‘barcode’ effect.
There’s no rule saying that stripes need to be the same width. Play with mixing thick stripes with thin for walls, but make sure to use wise choices from the colour palette so as to avoid a ‘barcode’ effect.
4. Make an outdoor feature wall
A different take on the classic white and blue stripe really makes this outdoor room stand out from the crowd. Natural wood tones for the surrounding furniture and neutral flooring let the outside wall be the standout feature.
A different take on the classic white and blue stripe really makes this outdoor room stand out from the crowd. Natural wood tones for the surrounding furniture and neutral flooring let the outside wall be the standout feature.
5. Design a unique wall aesthetic
Step back in time with a retro colour palette and a curved striped edge. A set of three thick stripes really give this room a kick.
Step back in time with a retro colour palette and a curved striped edge. A set of three thick stripes really give this room a kick.
6. Add a striped floor rug
Adding a rug to your flooring is a great way to experiment with different patterns and colours without having to commit to something permanently. This chevron rug adds a light touch to the surrounding dark tones of the lounge, coffee table and fireplace.
Adding a rug to your flooring is a great way to experiment with different patterns and colours without having to commit to something permanently. This chevron rug adds a light touch to the surrounding dark tones of the lounge, coffee table and fireplace.
7. Provide a subtle backdrop
Stripes don’t have to always be used as an accent or dominant feature. A soft, striped feature wall allows this eclectic collection of world globes to take centrestage.
Stripes don’t have to always be used as an accent or dominant feature. A soft, striped feature wall allows this eclectic collection of world globes to take centrestage.
8. Incorporate stripes into your soft furnishings
Stripes and furniture are often a match made in heaven. Break up larger-than-life stripes with soft accompaniments such as cushions and throws for a welcoming effect.
Stripes and furniture are often a match made in heaven. Break up larger-than-life stripes with soft accompaniments such as cushions and throws for a welcoming effect.
9. Produce a dramatic effect in a subtle way
The drama of black and white stripes used in small doses can be the perfect accent to a limited surrounding colour scheme.
The drama of black and white stripes used in small doses can be the perfect accent to a limited surrounding colour scheme.
10. Accent your living area with lined modern art
Wall hangings can be a good way to introduce stripes into your living area. Bright colours should work as a feature to the space without dominating it. Too many brightly coloured lines in the one space can make you cross-eyed.
Wall hangings can be a good way to introduce stripes into your living area. Bright colours should work as a feature to the space without dominating it. Too many brightly coloured lines in the one space can make you cross-eyed.
11. Make an impact with contrasting stripes and colours
If you’re going to go bold – you have to get it right. This interior incorporates thick stripes, zigzags and a take-no-prisoners colour scheme, but it works. This brave statement succeeds where many other fail as the rest of the space is furnished minimally and the large windows break up the overall effect with light.
If you’re going to go bold – you have to get it right. This interior incorporates thick stripes, zigzags and a take-no-prisoners colour scheme, but it works. This brave statement succeeds where many other fail as the rest of the space is furnished minimally and the large windows break up the overall effect with light.
12. Try vertical stripes in your hallway
Stripes are usually rather strong aesthetically, but they can be taken down a few notches with a neutral colour scheme, as illustrated here. Vertical stripes also offer a nice change of pace to the horizontal variety.
Stripes are usually rather strong aesthetically, but they can be taken down a few notches with a neutral colour scheme, as illustrated here. Vertical stripes also offer a nice change of pace to the horizontal variety.
13. Experiment with different materials
Industrial-style striped walling? It exists and here is the proof. These mismatched panels make for a unique backdrop for this chic space.
Industrial-style striped walling? It exists and here is the proof. These mismatched panels make for a unique backdrop for this chic space.
14. Play with complementary colour palettes
Different hues of blue and green make for a calming atmosphere in this small bathroom space. The large circular mirror breaks up the thick stripes and gives the illusion of there being more space than there really is.
Different hues of blue and green make for a calming atmosphere in this small bathroom space. The large circular mirror breaks up the thick stripes and gives the illusion of there being more space than there really is.
15. Balance bold stripes with equally strong features
The thick, grey wall stripes pictured here are bold in nature, but the brightly coloured surrounding decor is what draws the eye first. If one thing will dominate over large wall stripes it is fluoro accents.
The thick, grey wall stripes pictured here are bold in nature, but the brightly coloured surrounding decor is what draws the eye first. If one thing will dominate over large wall stripes it is fluoro accents.
16. Mix striped decor with different styles and textures
Give the classic black and white stripe aesthetic a twist by pairing it with unusual decor. This side table draws the eye, but works beautifully within the overall space – and particularly the mustard-coloured lounge.
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Has this Ideabook inspired you to step it up with stripes? Or do you already dare to use stripes in your decor? We’d love to see your high-resolution photos in the comments section below.
Give the classic black and white stripe aesthetic a twist by pairing it with unusual decor. This side table draws the eye, but works beautifully within the overall space – and particularly the mustard-coloured lounge.
SHOW US
Has this Ideabook inspired you to step it up with stripes? Or do you already dare to use stripes in your decor? We’d love to see your high-resolution photos in the comments section below.
Use bold, coloured stripes to your advantage by drawing focus from that which you don’t want to be noticed. With the thick ceiling-to-floor tangerine stripes on display, you barely notice the large built-in wall obstruction in the corner of this room.