Since time immemorial, stripes have been in and out of the trending home designs, thus making them iconic. It is hard to go wrong with stripes because even when their popularity fades away, it only takes a few years for stripes to be in again! So, given that wallpaper can last as many as 15 years, this fact serves as a motivation to stripe away. Even so, you are likely aware that stripes can make or break the style in a room. Used right, they exude elegance and transform any space into a home magazine cover. But with a few wrong moves, the room looks off and people entering it feel uneasy.
So, whether they jump at people or remain quietly in the background is a skill you must master. We put together a breakdown of stripes and how you can use striped wallpaper in your home:
Stripe Options
Do you know what stripe you would like to use in your home? Let us consider some ideas:
Classic Stripes
These stripes are as simple as stripes can get. They can either be narrow, medium, or thick, often featuring two contrasting colors. For example, you can have lime green and white mixing and matching. These classic designs hardly ever do not work.
Where can you use classic stripes? Anywhere! Their versatility makes it easy to install these wallpapers in tons of places. Whether you are revamping your bedroom or making your foyer more inviting, classic stripes work. Plus, with removable wallpaper, you can always play around with ideas and take down the paper if you do not appreciate the concept.
Pinstripes
Classic stripes can be narrow, medium, or large. Pinstripes, on the other hand, are very thin lines positioned next to each other. If you want a bit of a visual on this, consider a man’s pinstripe suit. See how close the lines are? That is what you can expect from pinstripes.
Where can these wallpapers work? Given their smart yet formal appearance, these stripes cannot work for relaxed rooms. Instead, they are best suited for libraries, studies, home offices, hallways, and other such spaces. While some people can still try to work these into relaxation spaces, you can only hack them by using a small section of pinstripes. Otherwise, your bedroom ends up looking like a boardroom!
Multi Stripes
The uniformity of pinstripes is surely not for everyone as it can be a bit too bland. Like we said, using such stripes for a bedroom would not work. Nor would it work for a play area or any space where people would like to have a good time. So, what can you introduce to ease tension in a room? Multi stripes!
These stripes lack uniformity and instead, incorporate bands of different colors and thicknesses. One line may have a dark color while the next line may be thicker with a lighter color. This constant change brings in an element of fun.
Where can multi-stripes work! Any room that needs some fun! For example, your children’s play area can do with some visual interest. Or you could try and work these stripes into the family gaming room or movie room. Think the opposite of pinstripes. So, if you would not use pinstripes in the room, then multi-stripes will probably do!
Ticking Stripes
If you thought pinstripes were thin, wait until you set your eyes on ticking stripes. You see, pinstripes feature narrow bands separated by thin lines, creating a smart and formal look. But with pinstripes, all the stripes are thin. So, each subsequent stripe is as thin as the one before it, creating a uniform pattern. Does this make it as formal as pinstripes?
Not even close! Ticking stripes date back to when people would weave fabric to make mattresses. Uniformity was key to ensure that filling did not escape, and from this concept came the uniform stripes. Rather than impart an official look, they give off casual vibes.
Where can you use them? In any room that needs a bit of brightening up! Suppose your study feels a bit too boring or your hallways feel empty and hollow. You can give them a mood lift by installing such wallpaper.
Alternative Stripes
When most people think of stripes, they think of straight lines and marching bands. But did you know? Modern wallpapers are now leaning towards another version of stripes: curved lines. With motifs taking their place in stripes, it has become quite common to see people embracing curves in the place of stripes. Of course, uniformity is still evident, which creates the illusion of stripes. But on a closer look, you soon realize that color changes in the shapes have tricked your mind into thinking the curves are stripes.
Where can you use these alternative stripes? Anywhere! They feature a playfulness that makes them ideal for casual and fun spaces. But even a bit of such wallpaper might be what you need to turn a formal space into a relaxation haven. Why not?
Mistakes to Avoid with Wall Stripes
While stripes can transform any space into an awe-inspiring setup, they can also take a turn for the worse. Below are some of the mistakes people make when trying to use stripes:
Overdoing It
Stripes have significant impacts on spaces, especially on walls where they easily create visual interest. So, not breaking them with anything can make them feel overwhelming. To avoid this, include some art pieces or tone down the colors on other items so that the stripes take a bit of a backseat.
While on this, also avoid overdoing the stripes by having them almost everywhere. Sure, you can have striped walls and ceilings. But also using striped windows, rugs, chairs, and what not only makes the room feel a bit too contained.
Not Checking Dimensions
It may surprise you, but your floor and ceiling may not be parallel to each other. Therefore, if you install wallpaper, you may find that the stripes meet the corner at a weird angle that throws off the look. To ensure this does not happen, start by measuring the walls and checking if there is uniformity. If there is, use wider stripes where the non-uniformity will not be too obvious. Also, make sure the walls are even, or the stripes will not align, creating quite a mess.
Trying out your preferred stripes is always a good way to avoid any surprises after installation. For example, you may find that a vertical orientation does not feel right, and you are better off with a vertical one. Sample stripes before finally settling on one. Also, do not stick to the rules too much. Take a risk!
