8 Chic Schemes Using Stripes

Free Play

Stripes needn't mean whipping out the ruler and spirit level, as this free-hand effect stripe demonstrates. Choose earthy neutrals for a refreshingly relaxed take on classic pinstripes that'll give an artisanal edge to your space.

Natural Charm

Add a focal point to your room and draw your eye through the space using a striped feature wall. Balance this bold effect with a coordinated tonal palette that's in keeping with your furniture for a harmonious look. Creamy shades and khaki greens look striking with rustic wooden furniture – try our Country Retreat palette of colours as your starting point.

The Right Stripes

Play with the width of the stripes, like this home office space, which mixes the Colour of the Year 2016 Cherished Gold with a palette of different hues. Don't be afraid to add the odd stripe of unexpected contrasting colour – like the blue used here – for an utterly contemporary effect.

Look Sharp

Bring some extra life to a suave monochrome scheme with a slither of neon. Just a hint of bright edging to a few stripes here and there will make your walls sing (or should that be zing?). Add a twist to Deep Fossil stripes with Fuschia Lily for a similar feel.

Offbeat

This one's for all those rule-breakers out there. Play with a blank wall by adding crisp, cheerful stripes and blocks in an irregular pattern – the more the merrier! Balance with areas of white and neutral greys to keep the look modern and grown-up. Put together your palette using our Friendly Barter colour trend, pictured.

French Accent

A dash of thin, light pink adds an understated feminine touch to any neutral bedroom in need of a softer feel. Accessorise with French-style furniture and blush-toned textiles for a boudoir with a certain Je ne sais quois. Try Sorbet on a background of Flying Feather to create a similar scheme.

Blurred Vision

Dispense of the masking tape altogether and go for a soft, blurred stripe technique. Radiating calm and tranquility, it's a creative way to dress your walls with colour without it becoming overwhelming. Pick a palette of colours using your bedding as colour inspiration – you can find the nearest colour match using the Dulux Visualizer app.