Decorating with Stripes

Stripes are all over the fashion scene this summer – why not add this playful pattern to your home? Its a nice break from solids and florals. Whether you go super traditional or über-modern, stripes have the power to direct the eye and reshape a space – especially on walls and floors. On furniture or accessories, they’re a ‘neutral pattern’, as they are easy to incorporate into any type of room and decor.

A few tips for decorating with stripes?

1. Use high-contrast stripes in small doses. Think bold stripes in a powder room or on curtains. Painting bold stripes in a huge family room might be too much if they are high-contrast.

2. Match the size of the stripes to the size of the room. In general, the larger the space, the wider wall stripes should be, because thin stripes in a big expanse can look like mere texture from far away.

3. Blend stripes, florals, and solids. A foolproof recipe for throw pillows: Designs that are clearly distinct but share a palette. Try a wide stripe, a floral, and a solid. The effect is coordinated, but enough variety to not be matchy-matchy.

Stripes on walls are a bold choice – but they don’t have to be. Using similar colors (or even contrasting flat and glossy paint of the same color) can add subtle interest. And its super easy – check out our tutorial on how to paint stripes on a wall.

decorate with stripes

If this is a little bold for you, a striped chair can update an entire room. Look how easy it is to add a little pop to your decor with stripes!

how to decorate with striped chairs

And don’t overlook the floor! Striped rugs are a wonderful way to ground your room and add a bit of unexpected contrast to your design.

decorate with striped rugs

Personally, I’m obsessed with striped curtains.

striped curtains

And – if you’re really just diving into patterns – even a pillow or throw is perfect!

striped pillow

Inspired by stripes?? Go for it!

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About Melissa

Written by Melissa Angert, editor of this fashion blog and author of Girlymama. You can also find her on Twitter as Melissa Angert. She is a mom of 3 living in Providence.

Comments

  1. I’m so OVER stripes and chevrons…
    This is pretty, but I could never have it.