Stripes are the on-trend pattern that never really went away – here's how to decorate with them in 2025

Stripes bring order and structure to a space and have the ability to redirect the eye. When incorporated into an interior design scheme, they inject a dose of understated elegance and sophistication.

The most classic form of decorating with patterns, stripes are a welcome addition to any home, blending into all styles of interiors. Nicky Mudie of Violet & George explains, 'Stripes are one of the most versatile and enduring patterns in interior design. Whether bold or subtle, vertical or horizontal, they have the power to dramatically alter the perception of space, adding rhythm, creating movement, or introducing elegance or playfulness depending on their style and application.'

Classic and playful in equal measure, this season’s stripes on fabrics, furniture, and accessories have reignited our love affair with this timeless trend. Stripes are definitely back, but did they ever really go away? We don't think so.

1. Opt for a vintage striped wallpaper

All good wallpaper ideas feature stripes. While there are plenty of stripe varieties, it's vintage striped wallpapers that feature heavily in this year's wallpaper trends.

Wrapping a room in a bold pattern, a space covered in uniform striped walls is undoubtedly a statement, filled with impact; it's a way of making any space feel fun while nodding to past vintage styles. The bonus is that striped wallpaper can make a narrow room appear wider, hence why it has long been used by interior designers.

Whether it's a farmhouse print composed of stripes and florals or a stripe that mimics a fabric canopy (such as the space pictured above), a vintage-inspired wallpaper is a classic way of decorating with stripes. The beauty of this decorating technique is that it can be toned down with more neutral decor or exaggerated with other bold striped pieces.

2. Match your soft furnishings to your wallpaper

Pattern drenching is a surefire way of making a space feel one-of-a-kind and bespoke. There are plenty of prints you can pattern drench with, but why not embrace the stripe drenching trend and cover your space from head to toe in charming stripes?

The vintage bathroom idea pictured above features a farmhouse-inspired stripe wallpaper on its four walls, and did you even notice the matching blinds? The result is tons of impact without overwhelming the space, allowing the other features like the freestanding tub and marble vanity unit to stand proudly in unison.

Rosanna Bossom, the bathroom's designer, has matched the blinds to the wallpaper, creating a seamless transition between the walls and windows that adds to the drama of the look and expands the space too, as there's nothing that visually competes.

3. Mix and match stripes with other patterns

Mixing patterns can be bold, but when the balance between stripes and other prints has been perfected, the result is a cozy, layered space that embraces the eclectic interior trend.

A feature often seen in maximalist homes, mixed patterns look best once you've decided on a color palette. A clear, shared color scheme will ensure your space doesn't feel overwhelmed and chaotic. Finding similarities in your patterns will also prevent this, such as choosing prints that feature a similar shade, or opting for patterns that are fine and detailed in size, whether a ditsy floral print or a whimsical polka dot.

Lauren E. Lowe, founder of Lauren Elaine Interiors, enjoys mixing stripes with other printed decor. She explains, 'I love how stripes add visual interest, but always feel clean and organized. They can stand alone in a room full of solid colors, or they can enhance large and small-scale patterns.'

Touching on traditional living room ideas, Lauren says, 'Pair stripes with a beautiful chintz fabric and classic English roll-arm upholstery and you have a timeless, traditional space.'

And stripes are undoubtedly versatile. Lauren suggests styling them in a midcentury modern living room, too. ' Or pair a stripe with clean-lined mid-century pieces and contemporary lighting, and you have a modern classic. Stripes are a true design chameleon!'

4. Opt for one statement piece of furniture

Stripes come up in furniture trends year after year. They're one of those prints that never seem to date and are a welcome addition to practically every era or style of furniture, be it a mid-century-inspired chair with a striped seat or a vintage armchair upholstered in a bold striped fabric.

Stripe drenching sits at the end of the stripe spectrum, making it a rather bold way to honor the classic print. So, if you'd prefer to incorporate stripes in a more pared-back way, opting for one piece of furniture that features the pattern might be the best option.

Nicky Mudie of Violet & George designed the space above. She's used stripes to bring contrast against the neutral color scheme, saying, 'Stripes are a powerful way to incorporate bold pattern into an interior scheme, delivering the impact of strong color without overwhelming the room. The pattern naturally breaks up solid areas, lending structure and balance.'

Referring to the entryway idea featuring the marble striped table, Nicky says, 'Bold, contrasting stripes, such as black and white, inject energy and drama, while softer, narrower stripes in neutral or pastel tones add gentle texture.'

5. Incorporate a striped rug

A striped rug is an impactful way to deliver color and personality to a plain space. Plus, laying stripes on the floor can create the visual trick of making a room feel wider or longer.

Kirsty Darby, co-founder of Tate & Darby rugs, suggests 'Layering striped rugs on top of jutes or plain weaves for a more dynamic floor in a plain room.' The entryway pictured above proves that a subtle jute carpet can be enhanced with a colorful striped rug, ticking the texture and pattern boxes.

A striped rug against an otherwise plain background is a powerful tool in interior architecture, it has the effect of redirecting the eye and reshaping a space. Rugs are a simple option, but carpet is fashionable, too. Lorna Haigh, Head of Creative, Alternative Flooring, says, 'Be creative with flooring – a horizontal stripe is graphic and anchors the scheme. Today, the floor is increasingly being used as the 'fifth wall', and pattern gives a room instant character and vitality. Brightly colored striped floors provide an opportunity to inject color and set contrasts.'

6. Layer stripes of different sizes

You don't have to match your stripes for your scheme to feel well-designed. In fact, a scheme featuring different types of stripes (such as varying widths, directions, or even colors) can feel just as cohesive and seamless.

Designer Nicola Harding praises stripes for their versatility. She says, 'You can layer them on top of each other or use them alongside more detailed or complicated patterns to create a sense of contrast. Traditional or modern, vibrant or muted stripes can contribute significantly to the character of an interior. They have a timeless quality that speaks of a bygone era, while their simplicity ensures they can easily complement a contemporary scheme.'

Take this maximalist bedroom idea as an example. The designer, Rachel Chudley, has made the space feel whimsical and enticing, embracing stripes in every form, from the bedding to the wallpaper. It has a nostalgic feel without going overboard with whimsy. Despite their varying widths and directions, the room shows that layers of stripes can come together and feel connected when a color palette and style have been decided upon.

7. Create tiled stripes in a bathroom or a kitchen backsplash

The timelessness of stripes pairs particularly well in a bathroom, giving the space that classic, New England coastal style. But it's not just traditional bathrooms that welcome stripes. They might be just what a modern bathroom is missing, particularly if it feels one-dimensional and lacking contrast.

Take the bathroom pictured above, the designer has created a tiled mural of stripes that covers the shower, providing the perfect amount of contrast that pops against the white walls and transforming the area into an architectural feature.

Striped tile ideas work well in the kitchen, too. If you are looking for space-enhancing kitchen backsplash ideas, you can create stripes with horizontal tiles in colors that match your scheme.

Stripes bring a lasting, heritage feel to any scheme and are a welcome addition to both contemporary or traditional spaces. While decorating with this pattern can seem bold, small accents like soft furnishings or a subtle wallpaper can make all the difference to a one-dimensional scheme that needs some variety. If stripes have left you inspired, why not brave decorating with dots for an equally classic, playful look.