Make a Beeline for Stripes
Here's how to introduce this classic motif to any room in your home
There’s something about stripes. Whether narrow or wide, straight or chevron, stripes have a character all of their own. There are jolly stripes, nautical stripes, sombre stripes and stripes that are powerfully assertive. You can use stripes to add a playful touch to any space or even to bring a whole room together. Stripes can also lend real zest to the most minimalist of interiors. Here’s a room-by-room guide to bringing the joy of stripes to every space in your house.
Stripes will add that extra flourish and can be used to manipulate the sense of space in what is normally a tight area in the home. Stripes running parallel to the walls can make a short space feel longer, while stripes running perpendicular to the walls, as seen on this landing, can make a narrow space feel wider.
12 unexpected places to use stripes
12 unexpected places to use stripes
…or a stairs show
Stripes are especially suited to staircases, lending instant elegance to all styles of stairs.
A stripe painted on the middle of a timber staircase will define the well-trodden central area of the steps. Use a dark colour on the central area to absorb the inevitable wear and tear, with a lighter colour each side for drama and emphasis.
Stripes are especially suited to staircases, lending instant elegance to all styles of stairs.
A stripe painted on the middle of a timber staircase will define the well-trodden central area of the steps. Use a dark colour on the central area to absorb the inevitable wear and tear, with a lighter colour each side for drama and emphasis.
Carpet them instead
Again, choose a colour palette that will absorb the punishment the steps will inevitably suffer. An element of white among the stripes will bring lightness to the overall scheme, but notice here that forgiving inky blue is the dominant theme.
With a carpet runner, you’ll need to decide between a runner that runs the full width of the steps and one that leaves a painted edge of about 10 centimetres each side. The narrower option is visually more attractive, but bear in mind the additional housekeeping required, between dusting the painted timber and vacuuming the carpeted runner.
Again, choose a colour palette that will absorb the punishment the steps will inevitably suffer. An element of white among the stripes will bring lightness to the overall scheme, but notice here that forgiving inky blue is the dominant theme.
With a carpet runner, you’ll need to decide between a runner that runs the full width of the steps and one that leaves a painted edge of about 10 centimetres each side. The narrower option is visually more attractive, but bear in mind the additional housekeeping required, between dusting the painted timber and vacuuming the carpeted runner.
Use them on walls…
Be brave and enliven a small cloakroom with a bold, striped wallpaper. Big gestures in small spaces can work surprisingly well.
For the fainter of heart, a wallpaper with more muted stripes will still cut a dash, while striped towels and accessories will strike a jaunty note in a more low-key way.
Be brave and enliven a small cloakroom with a bold, striped wallpaper. Big gestures in small spaces can work surprisingly well.
For the fainter of heart, a wallpaper with more muted stripes will still cut a dash, while striped towels and accessories will strike a jaunty note in a more low-key way.
Keep it simple
Instead of painting furniture (see previous photo), focus on the flooring and save your feet and protect the most trafficked-areas of your kitchen floor – at the sink and stove – by adding a jolly, striped runner. Fit non-slip backing under the rug to ensure it stays in place, and a washable rug will ensure your floor stays as fresh as you will wish.
Instead of painting furniture (see previous photo), focus on the flooring and save your feet and protect the most trafficked-areas of your kitchen floor – at the sink and stove – by adding a jolly, striped runner. Fit non-slip backing under the rug to ensure it stays in place, and a washable rug will ensure your floor stays as fresh as you will wish.
Define an area…
Anchor the dining area in an open-plan kitchen, dining and living room with a large, striped rug, ideally sized to extend under the seats around the table.
As well as providing a strong focal point to your room, the rug will serve as a useful landing spot for crumbs and debris from the table. A flat-woven rug will be easier to maintain than a deep pile option.
See how a striped rug is every room’s best friend
Anchor the dining area in an open-plan kitchen, dining and living room with a large, striped rug, ideally sized to extend under the seats around the table.
As well as providing a strong focal point to your room, the rug will serve as a useful landing spot for crumbs and debris from the table. A flat-woven rug will be easier to maintain than a deep pile option.
See how a striped rug is every room’s best friend
…or two
In the same way, accentuate the seating area in your living room or open-plan space with a large, striped rug.
Plain stripes, especially black and white, will be powerful and can work to bring together a room with one simple gesture. Herringbone stripes, as here, will produce a more muted effect.
Use the direction of the stripes to manipulate the sense of space in the room or to contrast with the direction of other finishes such as floorboards or tiles.
In the same way, accentuate the seating area in your living room or open-plan space with a large, striped rug.
Plain stripes, especially black and white, will be powerful and can work to bring together a room with one simple gesture. Herringbone stripes, as here, will produce a more muted effect.
Use the direction of the stripes to manipulate the sense of space in the room or to contrast with the direction of other finishes such as floorboards or tiles.
Accessorise it
Mix cushions with chevrons and plain stripes to fun effect on your couch and armchairs. Black-and-white cushions will work especially well in a monochrome or muted interior. They will also enliven dark leather seating which can be dull and light-absorbing
Little gestures like a striped vase or a stripy throw will add to the jolly conversation.
Mix cushions with chevrons and plain stripes to fun effect on your couch and armchairs. Black-and-white cushions will work especially well in a monochrome or muted interior. They will also enliven dark leather seating which can be dull and light-absorbing
Little gestures like a striped vase or a stripy throw will add to the jolly conversation.
Take it to the windows…
The tiny gesture of a striped blind on a window will set a merry tone in any room. The stripes will also work to distract from an ugly window or from an uninspiring view. Blue and white works well here, setting a semi-nautical tone against crisp white walls and wooden accents.
The tiny gesture of a striped blind on a window will set a merry tone in any room. The stripes will also work to distract from an ugly window or from an uninspiring view. Blue and white works well here, setting a semi-nautical tone against crisp white walls and wooden accents.
…or to the bathroom
With their overtones of all things nautical, stripes are especially at home in the bathroom.
Go all out with a striped floor or wall tiles. Or opt for more low-key, versatile touches such as stripy towels, shower curtains and other accessories to lift the spirits at the start and end of each day.
TELL US
Do you love stripes or do you have another favourite motif to add decorative touches to your home? Let us know in the Comments section.
With their overtones of all things nautical, stripes are especially at home in the bathroom.
Go all out with a striped floor or wall tiles. Or opt for more low-key, versatile touches such as stripy towels, shower curtains and other accessories to lift the spirits at the start and end of each day.
TELL US
Do you love stripes or do you have another favourite motif to add decorative touches to your home? Let us know in the Comments section.
Add a wonderful, welcoming touch to your home with a runner on your hall floor. The runner will also play a key role in your household dirt-management regime. Given the amount of dirt a runner can trap on a weekly basis, a washable one will be a bonus.