18 looks that prove stripes will always be in vogue
Bold and beautiful or sweet and subtle, stripes offer a versatile way to add personality. And as well as being easy to use, they’re super-effective at tricking the eye into believing your rooms are longer, taller or just generally more fabulous – they really are the cleverest pattern around...
Work your walls
There’s nothing quite like a stripe for adding impact, but if you want to make a statement that doesn’t shout too much, team with a complementary colour. In this dining area, the walls and shutters create a frame that both encloses and highlights the pattern for a look that’s fresh and fun.
Pictured: Christopher John Rogers Carte Blanche Stripe wallpaper, walls painted in Carte Blanche Raw Tomatillo modern eggshell, both Farrow & Ball
Change direction
Think about how to position tiles. These rainbow designs placed horizontally and vertically create a fun patchwork look. If you want to tone things down a little, pick out one or two colours within the pattern to use in the rest of your scheme.
Pictured: Deck Chair Rainbow tiles, £79.20/sq m, Ca’ Pietra
Mix it up
Combine stripes with checks and pretty scalloped edges – two of the other trends that we’re seeing everywhere at the moment. It’s a stylish way to introduce some colour and character into otherwise understated spaces.
Pictured: Scallop 2-Tone pendant, Botany table lamp, pleated shade; all David Hunt Lighting. For a similar striped blind, try Blinds 2 Go
Clash patterns
'Stripes are a key feature of country house style, and one way to play with this traditional pattern is to use it in a slightly unexpected way,' says Lou Petersen, head of design innovation at DFS.
Try a mix-and-match look for an eclectic finish that is bursting with personality and interest.
'Start with a "matchy matchy" approach by pairing a ticking stripe bed frame with a matching accent piece such as a storage ottoman, then contrast these against a striking patterned wallpaper, bold coloured panelling, or statement artwork or lighting,' Lou explains.
Pictured: Joules Hambledon bed frame in blue ticking stripe, DFS
Cover it up
Basin skirts are making a bit of a splash at the moment and it’s easy to see why – they offer such an easy way to change the look of a room. Go for something understated or make a statement with clashing colours – and when you fancy a change just swap it out for something different.
Pictured: Pickle & Bonbon stripe fabric, Colours of Arley
Combine and contrast
When adding stripes there’s no need to go all out – just opt for some pretty accessories, such as these cushions, which have a sweet retro-feel frill. As this pair proves, stripes are happy to sit together if you choose harmonious shades such as natural green and soft orange, and vary the scale for a playful yet ordered look.
Pictured: Amuse La Bouche cushion covers, Rose & Grey
Anchor a scheme
Striped flooring not only creates an uplifting design detail but also helps to anchor a decorating scheme, drawing the eye down. It's been put to clever use here in this entrance hall, laid in a striking diagonal blue and white pattern.
Pictured: Bert and May blue Alalpardo tiles, Hyperion Tiles
Be bold in the bedroom
Choosing striking bedding is the quickest way to make an impactful change. Here, though the stripes are bold, the palette is simple and the headboard and accessories have a rustic feel, so the whole effect is soothing and laidback.
Pictured: Red Ticking cotton linen duvet cover, Secret Linen Store
Go for an all-over look
How much fun is this? If you’re going for striped walls, why not continue the pattern onto the door? It’s a great way to create a seamless look and make your space feel bigger. Remember to use a paint that’s suitable for the door surface.
Pictured: Wall and door in Flax Blue and Shell eggshell, both Neptune
Start from the ground up
There's an abundance of ways that stripes can be used to take your floor from overlooked to eye-catching. An elegant bathroom if ever we saw one, this white and russet red colour combination creates a sophisticated scheme. Also note the varying thickness of stripes, which contribute to a more understated look.
'Thinner stripes are used to create subtle and stylish patterns, enough to add that desired element of character to a room without overwhelming the space,' says Sarah Jenkinson, product manager at Kingsmead,
Pictured: Wide, midi and skinny striped tiles in rhubarb and Brighton Stone, Bert & May
Add in accessories
If you want to combine patterns, florals and stripes are a tried- and-trusted favourite – perfectly illustrated by this stylish combo of vase and blowsy blooms. It’s a classic look brought completely up to date thanks to the fresh colours and informality of the arrangement.
Pictured: Hay x Laila Gohar Sobremesa stripe vase, Sobremesa green jug, both Heal’s. Sobremesa blue bean pot, Finnish Design Shop
Extend ceiling height
Linear stripes are particularly effective in a hallway, brightening up the area to create the illusion of a larger space. Colour and paint expert, Annie Sloan, explains: 'The fundamental principles of using stripes to make a space look larger are simple: vertical stripes of any width will make walls appear taller, whilst narrower stripes can give a high-ceilinged feel to a space.'
Pictured: Stig Stripe wallpaper and Blanche wallpaper, Cathy Nordstrom
Dare to go diagonal
If you want your space to feel fun, lively and modern, choose diagonal lines in pretty shades. Here, the stripes draw the eye to the top corner of the room, visually stretching the space and creating a dynamic feature wall that’s the perfect backdrop to pared-back furniture.
Pictured: Granita wallpaper, Bobbi Beck. For a similar sofa, try Swyft Home. For a similar coffee table, try Noa & Nani
Make a DIY splashback
Make stripes a more permanent feature in your kitchen with this painted splashback idea, creating a bold focal point against the neutral wall, and working in harmony with the terracotta flooring and dark blue units. A great way to give your space personality and character, this look perfectly taps into the 'kitschen' trend.
Pictured: Original kitchen, Harvey Jones
Highlight architectural details
'A simple striped motif can be used in many ways – from understated accents through to bold hero walls,' says Helen Shaw, director of marketing (international) at Benjamin Moore.
For an eye-catching look, incorporate a vibrant tone such as a classic red candy stripe pattern, to add excitement. Or for a more traditional design, opt for a regency style stripe alternating between bands of colour by equal width.
'For the ultimate on-trend look, follow the line of a skirting board with stripes in pretty pastels to highlight architectural details and transform them into eye-catching elements,' adds Helen.
Embrace abstract shapes
Introduce an arty feel by teaming a striped lampshade with a range of other graphic lines and bold colours. Here, a dynamic linear headboard has been paired with the striped lamp for an eclectic and creative space.
Pictured: Pink Stripes Print lampshade, Houseof
Make it graphic
Stripes are the perfect excuse to experiment with colour and combining vertical and horizontal lines will create a graphic look. 'Thick stripes are great for a bold aesthetic and work especially well in two-tone colours,' says Sue Jones, luxury interiors expert and co-founder of OKA.
Pictured: Carte Blanch capsule collection by Christopher John Rogers, Farrow & Ball
Think outside the box
Herringbone, chevron, brick-style or blocky, there are so many ways to position metro tiles, but this is one of our favourites. Arranged vertically, these create horizontal stripes for a simple look and, thanks to their mottled glazed finish, bring a relaxed rustic feel.
Pictured: Fellini Argilla and Crema tiles, both Claybrook
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