How To Decorate With Bold Stripes
Stripes are one of the most timeless and versatile design patterns that have always been a staple in my pattern palette. But they are really having a moment, and i’m seeing bold stripes in particular being used in a fearless and impactful way. If you are inspired, here’s how.
From bold and playful to calm and classic, I believe stripes deserve a spot in every room. They are an absolute classic that work in just about any interior style, whether you’re a colour-loving pattern pattern-clashing maximalist like me, or prefer a more pared-back, minimalist interior. I adore how they can swing between playful and punchy to calm and structured, either adding all the drama or bringing in an element of restraint. Like I say, very versatile.
But here is something you should know. Stripes provide a great framework when mixed with other, more flamboyant patterns. They can break up a fight when patterns clash and inject a sense of calm and structure to more abstract pattern palettes. Whether bold and graphic or soft and subtle, they always bring that sense of structure, which is exactly why you’ll spot them in so many of my designs.
A stripe adds structure and impact to a maximalist scheme. Headboard upholstered in Sherbert Stripe, wallpaper in Wonderland floral, all from the Harlequin x Sophie Robinson collection.
Stripes Work in Any Space
One of the reasons I keep coming back to stripes is that they offer an easy way to layer without overcomplicating things. They can add both energy to a space and help tie it together. They make brilliant pattern partners, mixing effortlessly with florals, checks, and abstracts, as long as you keep your colour palette cohesive.
This is key, so write this down. You can create a look that’s layered in pattern, without it appearing chaotic, if the colours link the patterns together. In my bedroom, I paired a fabulously flamboyant floral wallpaper with a bold multi-stripe. The stripe accentuates the grandeur of the headboard and gives the eye a place to rest amongst all the flowing pattern. It strikes just the right balance between feminine and structured.
See how perfectly a stripe works with a floral? Paper Straw Stripe fabric, and Woodland floral Wallpaper from my collection at Harlequin.
On curtains and blinds
Stripes are one of the few patterns that can go literally anywhere; on walls, floors, furniture, fabrics, even ceilings. They’re incredibly adaptable, which means you can go big and bold, or keep it subtle and refined, depending on the space and your personal style. I’ve been a long-standing fan of a striped curtain. I love how they frame a window, and as curtains can be quite expensive, they make a good investment, should you go on to change the wallpaper pattern at a later date for example. When I was designing my collection with Harlequin, I wanted to take the classic stripe curtain one step further, so I devised this diagonal stripe fabric. It’s a beautiful heavy weave, so the drape is just divine. I love how it frames the patio doors onto my garden in a bold and graphic way, and yet also balances with the pretty floral wallpaper.
On the Walls
A striped wallpaper adds instant visual impact to a room, and I think you can have a lot of fun with it. A simple candy stripe is a subtle way to introduce interest to a wall that would otherwise be plain. However, the modern way to decorate involves opting for a bold stripe. You can also play visual tricks with stripes, which is worth knowing about. Vertical stripes draw the eye up and make ceilings feel taller and grander, while horizontal stripes can visually stretch a narrow hallway. I don’t think you should be afraid to mix them up. The effect is playful and unexpected.
Colours of Arley Stripe wallpaper and fabrics, available in custom colours.
Colours of Arley have made it their business to do stripes so well, and offer a full colour spectrum of colour ways across fabrics and wallpapers. They have been influential in bringing the bold stripe back and I love how their brand of bold stripes brings a sense of joie de vivre. Their colour palettes are really thoughtfully put together, which makes them brilliant for picking up on a hero colour already in your scheme. And if you can’t quite find the perfect combo? You can go bespoke and create your own custom stripe. Now that’s my kind of fun.
Across Upholstery
I statement armchair is always in my room scheme toolkit. It’s an opportunity to choose a bolder colour, or a bolder pattern, and nothing provides more impact than a modern bold stripe. But you don’t have to hold your stripes back to just chairs, headboards, sofas, dining chairs, and benches all look more elegant with a signature stripe. The winner of this season’s Interior Design Masters, John won a contract to produce a range of homewares for top UK retailer John Lewis. As you may know, I was a guest judge on the Interior Design Masters final, and it’s been such a joy to see John go on to create this brilliant collection, which includes this incredible striped chair. Bold, graphic, and totally on trend.
Check out this incredible striped chair from the collaboration between Interior Design Master’s winner John Cooper X John Lewis
On the Floor
Rugs are one of the easiest ways to bring in stripes, and they sit seamlessly with lots of different decor styles. They help ground a space and introduce pattern without dominating, so provide an excellent backdrop on which to layer other patterns. Or they can be the main attraction and bring in the colour palette that runs across the entire scheme. I often used a heavily coloured rug as a jumping off point, and this Joyful Stripe Wool Rug (another piece from my Dunelm collection) is a stylish option that could work to balance out florals, or be the main attraction.
I love the layers this Joyful Stripe Wool Rug brings! From my collection at Dunelm
In the Bathroom
I am seeing the trend for striped tiles patterns everywhere right now, and I’m here for it! It’s very simple to do, taking classic rectangular tiles, arranged in a linear striped pattern, using alternating colours. It can be used across the whole wall, like you would a wallpaper or just inside the shower enclosure. I love the way it’s been used here with a contrasting wallpaper above, again showing how well a structured stripe works alongside a more flamboyant pattern. A stripe is a great way to get a lot of pattern interest into a small room without overwhelming it.
The Ca’ Pietra petite porcelain gloss in two contrasting shades creates a bold statement, perfect for vanity or shower walls: Ca Pietra, Wallpaper: Divine Savages
Up the Stairs
Stripes on stairs just work. They hide wear and tear very well, and lead the eye up the staircase, which is a great visual trick. They’re also great for coordinating rugs, runners, and even fitted carpets. I’m especially pleased with this fabulous Rock Candy stripe Runner from my Dunelm collection, that pulls in the rich cobalt blue from the walls but adds in soft pinks, lilacs and greens for a joyful twist.
Runner: Sophie Robinson X Dunelm
On the Ceiling
Never forget the fifth wall and consider making a feature of your impressive high ceilings with a bold stripe. It could be subtle and tonal or something more striking and playful. A painted ceiling with broad stripes can bring unexpected drama, especially in small spaces like a closet, dressing room or hallway. It’s a brilliant way to inject playfulness and imagination, and in a child’s room, something like a circus tent effect turns the ceiling into a show-stopping feature they’ll never forget. There are plenty of bold stripe wallpapers to choose from, or you can create your own bespoke stripe design simply with a laser level and some masking tape.
Credit: Designer – Huxley Home
Mixing Patterns
When it comes to mixing patterns, stripes are the secret sauce. They help balance busier motifs and bring cohesion and balance. I often start my schemes with a hero print – in my own home this tends to be a fabulous floral. Next, I’ll add in a bold stripe. It could be a traditional ticking stripe or something bolder and broader, depending on the impact I want it to attract. Next, I’ll ground the scheme with some natural textures like timber, rattan or stone. And then I’ll liberally add plenty of clashing patterns across curtains, blinds and scatter cushions for my own maximalist signature style.
Ready to take the plunge with stripes? If you’re still finding your feet with pattern mixing, head over to my blog post on How to Mix Patterns. It’s full of easy-to-follow tips for layering prints with confidence. And if you’re after some instant inspiration, check out my Collection with Harlequin, where you’ll find plenty of patterns, including lots of stripes!
