Mastering the Art of Stripes in Interior Design
The stripe that started our obsessions with stripes. This bathroom is from Castello di Scerpena, a medieval castle in Tuscany.
We’re seeing stripes pop up in interior decor everywhere these days, from bathroom tiles, to drapes, and wallpaper. Though stripes are as old as time, we’ve haven’t seen them this popular for a long time. Here are our favorite ways that designers are using stripes, and how you can incorporate this classic pattern in your own home.
The Sophisticated Allover Stripe à la Française
The French came up with the idea of using a single pattern in a room - from the walls, drapes, bedding and upholstery. As seen above, the allover use of stripes in a room is a very powerful design statement that feels both bold and livable.
Layering stripes on stripes has a very powerful visual effect - you can achieve this look with using the same stripe on the walls, ceiling and upholstery, or you can vary the scale of the pattern but use it in monochromatic tones.
Two rules to remember about using stripes in your home:
Vertical stripes will accentuate the height of your space, and make your room appear taller, while horizontal stripes will make your room feel wider.
Half-Testers & Twin Beds Decked Out in Classic Stripes
When the allover stripe in a room is too much for you, try elevating your bedroom and bedding with these striped half-testers. The vertical stripes give the illusion of more height and they instantly make the room feel more interesting.
Striped Upholstery Ideas to Give Your Home Some Drama
Sometimes, all it takes is one piece of furniture upholstered in a stripe pattern to give you a sophisticated and laid-back look. Take inspiration from these beautiful interiors that all feature a singular stripe focal point.
How Stripes Can Elevate an Ordinary Bathroom
The Stripe Glossary You Need to Know
Not all stripes are the same - here is a quick run down of the type of stripes interior designers work with.
Pinstripes & Ticking Stripes
Pinstripes are thin, closely spaced vertical stripes typically seen in menswear but also used in interior design. They add a sense of sophistication and formality to furnishings, such as upholstery, curtains, and bedding.
But in interiors, ticking was the original stripe that started the trend. Read the full history of ticking fabric by Melinda Page.
“The original utility fabric, ticking served a purely practical purpose until its meteoric rise to design stardom in the mid-20th century. ”
Ticking stripes and pinstripes are so versatile because they act as a neutral in a room - so they can be paired with bold colors and other bold patterns, like florals.
Awning Stripes
Awning stripes are wide, bold, horizontal stripes reminiscent of those found on traditional awnings. They can bring a nautical or retro vibe to interior spaces, often seen on upholstery, cushions, and curtains.
Shop our favorite nautical striped pieces:
Sundial Chaise from Serena & Lily
Red Striped Plate from Vietri
Green Striped Beach Towel from Business & Pleasure
Yellow Striped Chair from Urban Outfitters
Regency Stripes
Regency stripes are wide, bold, vertical stripes typically alternating between two or more colors. They are commonly associated with Regency-era design and can lend a sense of elegance and drama to interiors, often seen on walls, curtains, and upholstery.
Above, the beautiful and dramatic wallcovering in Axel Fringe Stripe by Schumacher, followed by the chair in the Abito Stripe fabric by Thibaut.
Schumacher, Thibaut and Pierre Frey have some of the best stripe wallcovering and upholstery fabrics available. We’re even seeing tabletop designs featuring stripes, in plates, glassware, and linens - often in very fun colors - that we love to use to bring a pop of color to a tablescape.
Brightly colored striped table linens available at the Cabana Magazine shop.
We are loving these striped tumblers available at Neiman Marcus.
The playful Pemo chair by Arthur Arbesser, fashion designer in Milan, available on 1st Dibs.
Kelly Wearstler’s Fairfax Chair in a subtle stripe.
Stripes are a very versatile pattern, and can be used to either play up the drama in a room, or to give it some quiet sophistication. From small accessories to full rooms with stripes head to toe, we love this timeless pattern and are so excited that people are starting to fall in love with stripes all over again.
