They are bold and beautiful, and even the smallest hint always adds a sense of drama. Adding black and white stripes to your decor in the littlest ways can make a big impact on your room. So let’s look at all the vivid ways we can decorate with black and white stripes.
How To Decorate With Black and White Stripes
Whether you use them dramatically in your full room, or a touch of black and white stripes in your accessories, whether you use them in monochromatic spaces or add a pop of colour for contrast, whether you use them on your walls and floors, or furnishings and decoratives, it’s unlikely that any touch of black and white stripes will go unnoticed.
So let’s go through all the possible ways in which we can use them, so we can pick those that suit us best.
Vertical Stripes
Using stripes vertically gives an illusion of increased height.
So whether broad stripes or narrow, you can add vertical stripes to a room with a low ceiling to make it look higher.
Horizontal Stripes
Using stripes horizontally gives an illusion of increased length.
Adding horizontal stripes to a space can make narrow strips of wall look wider and passages look unending.
Diagonal Stripes
Placing stripes diagonally is by far the most dramatic.
If you are looking to make a bold statement, then diagonal stripes is the way to go.
Different Widths
Narrow stripes will barely be visible in a large space and so have no impact at all. Go for wider stripes in a larger rooms.
Conversely, wide stripes will make a small room look even smaller. Go for narrower stripes in smaller spaces.
Irregular Stripes
Though the most obvious kind of black and white stripes that first come to mind are regular, evenly placed stripes, you can always use stripes in all kinds of combinations.
They make for glamourous spaces…
… and beautiful vignettes.
Patterns
You can layout these stripes in simple patterns.
Something as basic as varying the angle of the stripes makes for a completely different look from parallel stripes.
And there are infinite patterns you can create with these stripes.
Where To Use Black And White Stripes
1 – On The Walls
Use stripes along all the walls of your space.
Or to highlight a particular wall.
Use them above a solid wainscoting.
I think they look especially good when teamed up with wood.
I always love the eclectic vibe of clean, modern stripes with a rustic or vintage texture.
Use pinstripes for a suave aura.
Even these arches look so dramatic painted in black and white.
2 – On The Ceiling
Using black and white stripes on the ceiling is visually striking.
Though, I would remember to make sure the ceiling is not too low.
You can also combine the striped ceiling with dark walls as above, or a pattern, as below.
3 – On Both!
Having the stripes continue right across, from walls to ceiling, can look fabulous.
See how the narrow, vertical stripes in this bathroom make it look tall and graceful.
The stripes flow smoothly and gracefully across this arch.
And how sensational is this?!
4 – On Floors
Do you remember this stunning entryway we had made by inlaying black marble in a striped pattern into the existing floor?
The main feature of this foyer too, is its striped floor.
And how pretty is the striped flooring pattern of this one?
5 – Stripes All Over
What if you use stripes all across the room – on the floor, walls and ceiling?
It certainly makes for electrifying spaces.
6 – Around Stairways
Just as with other spaces, adding stripes to your stairways is a great way to make them eye-catching.
If not on the walls, you could use stripes on the risers and treads of the steps.
Combine them with other bright colours for a bold impression.
7 – Striped Furniture
Just like with all the other examples we’ve seen above, adding stripes to furniture pieces can make them show stoppers.
Using stripes along the contours of the furniture further accentuates its curves and shapes.
Patterns are just as dramatic on furniture.
And you can combine the stripes with other patterns and colours to make a variety of effects.
8 – Striped Curtains
There are so many pretty design elements in this kitchen, yet the first thing to catch the eye is the beautiful, striped, window treatment.
These monochromatic drapes work just as well in this living room bursting with colour below, as they do in the neutral kitchen above.
And since black and white goes so well with greens, they always look lovely in outdoor spaces too.
9 – Striped Rugs
Just as with anything else, black and white striped rugs look lovely in light and white spaces.
They add a dramatic touch to a colourful space.
And are beautiful in all kinds of stripe variations.
Source (I could only trace this pic to Pinterest. Any help to credit the rightful owner will be welcome)
They look lovely in patios and terraces too.
10 – Striped Upholstery
Striped upholstery looks beautiful whether it’s broad and bold..
Or slim and delicate.
Whether on a beautifully carved, vintage piece of furniture..
Or a modern piece with clean lines.
Whether you upholster the seat…
Or the back.
Or mix up the stripes with all kinds of colours and prints.
And, of course, it looks lovely on outdoor furniture too.
11 – Striped Headboards
A black and white striped headboard would look good in a clean, modern bedroom or a fun, bohemian one.
I’d be just as happy to use it in a formal master bedroom, as in a youthful, children’s room.
12 – Striped Bedding
You can combine black and white stripes with black and white solids for a plush, formal bedroom vibe.
Use textures, tassels and broader stripes for a bohemian space.
Mix it up with bright prints and colours for an eclectic vibe.
Use it with earth tones for a warm, grounded feel.
Having a set of black and white striped bedding gives you so much flexibility to mix and match and play around with colours.
13 – Striped Cushions
You can use black and white striped cushions on black furniture…
With softer tones and a pop of colour…
With bold, primary colours to create eye-catching vignettes.
Source (I could only trace this pic to Pinterest. Any help to credit the rightful owner will be welcome)
With pretty pastels and patterns for a more soothing vibe.
In small measure, you can also use stripes on stripes!
Source (I could only trace this pic to Pinterest. Any help to credit the rightful owner will be welcome)
14 – Striped Decor Accessories
Use them in the tiniest of accents like candles and vases…
To larger pieces like mirrors and lamps.
Create stunning tablescapes.
Or amusing kids spaces with teepees and bean bags.
Or simply use washi tape to make your washing machine a show stopper.
You can use black and white stripes one way or another. You’ll make spaces that are bold, striking and sensational.
Some people will love them.. and others won’t. But you’ll rarely find a person who can just ignore black and white stripes and be indifferent to them.
I’ve covered a whole lot of ways to use these stripes. But the one thing that you must have figured out by going through all these ways, is that you can never have a complete list of all the possible ways to use them.
Big and small, wide and narrow, short and tall, simple or patterned, small accent or large background, monochromatic or brilliantly coloured… and then any variety of combinations of all of these.
Let your imagination and inner eye decide how you would want to use black and white stripes in your space.
And then share your own journeys and discoveries with me!
Until next time,
