It’s safe to say that we’re a big fan of stripes—and interior designers are, too. “Stripes, with their classic appeal and versatility, are a favorite of mine,” says Kaylee Pauley, the founder of Kaylee Pauley Interiors. “They make their way into nearly every room I design, often setting the tone and grounding the space.”
As evidenced by our new Classics collection, which features many striped patterns of all kinds—thick, thin, colorful, and more subdued—there is truly a striped design for everyone. Note that just because you’re bringing striped fabric and wallpaper into a space doesn’t mean that you have to shy away from embracing other prints in the same room, though. Here, designers share their go-to tips for how to best pair stripes with other designs.
Ground the Space with a Neutral
Any pattern-heavy space is going to need some less busy prints as well. “When using multiple patterns, grounding the space with a neutral is essential,” says Orna Fathers, the founder of Grace This Space Interiors, who recommends choosing a solid fabric or a subtle tone-on-tone option for the job. “Neutral elements help tie everything together and prevent the room from feeling too busy.” She notes that neutral pieces are especially key if you’re bringing stripes into a smaller space. “Balance a striped wallpaper with solid-colored upholstery and patterned accents like pillows or an ottoman,” the designer suggests.
Keep Scale Top of Mind
Designers stress the importance of mixing different scales of pattern within a space. “If you are working with a thin stripe, consider mixing with medium to larger scale motifs that complement instead of compete,” says Jennifer Jones, the founder of Niche Interiors.
She adds that incorporating a variety of patterns into a room is always a wise idea. When it comes to stripes, “less is more,” Jones says. The designer adds, “Don’t go stripe-happy! Be sure to layer in stripes with a range of other patterns in a space to create a layered look.”
Fathers expresses similar views, noting that if you do use multiple stripes, you should vary their scale. “If you have bold, thick stripes on a wall, using another thick stripe on furniture can feel overwhelming,” she says. “Instead, opt for a smaller-scale stripe or mix in a different pattern entirely.”
Pair Stripes with Florals
If you love both stripes and florals equally, you’re in luck, notes Jennifer Beget, who is a fan of mixing these two prints in her own projects. “Florals are very organic and have imperfect shapes, which pair beautifully with stripes, which are typically very straightforward,” says the founder of J Beget Designs. “A great rule to abide by when mixing stripes with other patterns is to pull out complementary colors to bring cohesiveness between the two different patterns,” the designer explains.
Stick to a Unified Color Scheme
Sara Deane, the founder of Sara Deane Interiors, agrees that sticking to a general color scheme is key when incorporating stripes into an already pattern-filled room. “Try using them in a color that unifies them with other patterns in the space, so that instead of a pattern, they read more like a texture,” she says.
Fathers adds, “If using a bold wallpaper like Jasper Moss, balance it with a solid curtain fabric like Moss Solid Linen. For contrast, add a patterned pillow fabric like Thatcher Midnight.”
Mix Textures
Speaking of texture, “Mixing textures along with patterns also adds depth,” Fathers says. “A striped fabric like Madeline works beautifully with an organic print like Suzy on curtains,” she explains. “This keeps the room visually interesting while maintaining balance.”
Pair Stripes with Geometrics
Jodi Peterman, the founder of Elizabeth Erin Designs, likes to use stripes in rooms with other eye-catching yet not overly busy prints. “Stripes add structure, but they also need a little softness and surprise, so I love pairing them with patterns that have some movement—think subtle geometrics or tone-on-tone textures that don’t fight for attention,” she says.
Fathers agrees that stripes and geometrics can look outstanding paired together. “Madeline combined with a curvier pattern like Hayes keeps the design visually interesting,” she says.