Stripes Nouveau – 7 Ways to Decorate Your Home with Stripes
Most people play it safe when designing their interiors. After all, they will spend a lot of time in that space, and due to the cost and the time that it requires, redecorating is not done quite often. The downside of playing it safe is that we often end up with an underwhelming décor reminiscent of a motel or some other boring establishment.
But fortunately, there are ways to spruce up your home without going overboard.
One of them is decorating with stripes, which can be both effective and subtle. If you are not sure how to include stripes in your place, here are a few ideas.
Create an Optical Illusion
One of the most common ways to make a room seem more spacious is by painting it white. However, you can create an illusion of an even bigger space by painting narrow stripes on one accent wall. You will accomplish the best effect by using a monochrome scheme of simple colors. Floor-to-ceiling stripes will make the room appear taller, while the different densities will make it look broader. Combine this look in the living room or the bedroom with simple pale wood furniture. Complete it with interesting artwork or light fixtures.
Mix and Match with Other Patterns
If it’s a really bold look that you’re after, try mixing stripes with other patterns. The key is to do it with a limited color palette. It’s best to stick to a maximum of three colors – one main and two accents. Of course, you can always add some white to everything. When the colors are toned down, almost all patterns can go with stripes, but some of the best ideas are floral, dots, checks, damask, paisley, and natural textures. Use rugs, upholstering, tablecloths, tile, and other surfaces to include patterns.
One Focal Point to Rule Them All
One accent piece with bold-colored stripes can do wonders for an otherwise underwhelming room. Here are a few ideas for you, depending on the room you want to treat with this pattern:
Bedroom: Well, the most obvious way to spruce up the bedroom with some stripes is by using your bed linen, throw pillows, and blankets. Before you do that, make sure you choose the best mattress for your sleeping habits, and then cover that beauty up with some green/white, purple/black, or a similar combo. You can also use a monochrome bed sheet and add a pattern with throw pillows.
Living room: The focal point in the living room can be just about anything – ranging from an area rug to an armchair or sofa.
Kitchen: Here, your options are somewhat limited, but you can try with some accent tiles or striped plates and tea mugs on an open shelf.
Bathroom: Similar to the kitchen, the bathroom can feature stripes with an interesting choice of tile. Also, you can use a shower curtain to make things more interesting.
Entryway: Two words: area rug.
Heads up!
Any room can benefit from striking stripes on the ceiling. The ceiling is not where we typically direct our interest, so your stripes won’t be too conspicuous. It will, however, be original – especially if you use warm and bold colors, such as yellow or orange. This will add a sense of warmth and fun to any room, including the bathroom and the kitchen.
Make It Subtle
Stripes don’t have to be dominant elements in the room. If you prefer subtle aesthetics, use a neutral monochrome palette to paint the walls. Two or three shades of grey can fit into a minimalist design without taking over the entire look.
Black & White
Black and white might be the simplest color combinations, but they are also the most dramatic ones. When used in small doses, black and white stripes can be the perfect accent, especially if the surrounding color scheme is limited. This combination can be used in upholstery, throw pillows, accent walls, drapery, and area rugs.
Horizontal Stripes
Vertical stripes are the classical choice, but horizontal is somewhat edgier and more modern. The trick with them is that they make rooms appear wider than they are. They are considered more playful and can be used in a variety of widths and colors.
The Bottom Line
Stripes can be incorporated into any style or color and combined with various other patterns. Just make sure to avoid colors that clash, use strong colors in small areas, and steer away from busy design elements. In any case, start small if you are feeling unsure about introducing patterns into your interiors.
