Stripes wallpaper

Striped wallpaper gives a wall instant rhythm and direction without ever feeling loud. The stripe is one of the oldest motifs in interior design, and that is exactly why it is so versatile: a fine, narrow line whispers something classic and restrained, while a broad block stripe makes a room look surprisingly contemporary. This collection holds both extremes and everything in between, in matt and softly lustrous finishes that each catch the light in their own way.

Why striped wallpaper works so well

The clever thing about stripes is the way they quietly adjust a room's proportions. Vertical lines draw the eye upward and make a low ceiling feel higher and more open, which is ideal in a hallway, cloakroom or stairwell. Horizontal stripes do the opposite: they stretch a wall visually and lend a narrow room more width. By choosing deliberately between those two directions, you shape the scale and the mood of a space before a single piece of furniture is in place.

From a fine line to a broad band

The width of the stripe sets the character. A pinstripe or fine pencil line reads as calm and refined and sits well in a dining room or study, where the wall need not dominate the conversation. Wider stripes, often in two tones of the same colour, give a warm, classic feel that suits a bedroom or a seating corner. Broad block stripes or colourful bands, on the other hand, are made to be noticed: one such wall is enough to give a room a signature of its own.

Colours and combinations with striped wallpaper

In soft shades such as sand, taupe, sage or pale blue, a stripe forms a serene base that is easy to build on. If you want more contrast, a deep tone like ink blue, bottle green or anthracite with a lighter line is a rewarding choice for an evening room or library. A stripe carries a lot: set it against plain wallpaper on the adjoining walls for calm, or pair it with a floral motif for a playful, considered mix often seen in country and classic interiors.

Material and finish of striped wallpaper

By far the largest part of this range is made on non-woven backing, a stable base you paste to the wall rather than to the paper itself. That keeps hanging straightforward and makes later removal clean and dry. For rooms that take a knock, such as a hallway or a child's room, a vinyl version is welcome: the surface is wipeable and stands up to daily use. If you love texture, the woven versions offer a stripe you not only see but feel. With this motif, always mind the pattern repeat and the run direction, because accurate work counts double here.

Hanging and calculating your wallpaper

With a stripe, working straight is half the job. Start from a plumb line so your first drop hangs perfectly vertical; the rest then follows naturally. Our wallpaper calculator works out in a few steps how many rolls you need, including an allowance for the pattern. If you are unsure about a large wall or an awkward corner, our page on professional wallpaper hangers lists specialists who keep the lines taut and even across the whole wall.

Buying striped wallpaper at Selected Wallpapers

At Selected Wallpapers you choose from a carefully curated collection by leading interior brands. A sample is easy to order online, so you can judge colour, sheen and stripe width at leisure in your own room and light before you decide. Questions about the direction of the stripe, the number of rolls or a suitable combination? Our team is glad to think along with you. International shipping, duties & taxes included.