Decorating Guides
Decorate with Yellow Stripes
Make a room feel big and cheery with bold or mellow yellow stripes
I've often heard that yellow is a stimulating color, and it makes sense. Yellow simply awakens the senses and feels as fresh as the lemon fruits that wear its color. Adding stripes of yellow is a bold, playful way to bring a vibrant attitude to a room. Yellow is my happy color. Here are some ideas for making it work at home.
This home office is so bright and cheery — what an inspiring space to work. The vibrant yellow ticking stripes on the wall are the perfect shade of sunshine yellow.
Bright yellow stripes in a bathroom give the space that summer cabana style.
Tip: Keep in mind that painting stripes in a bathroom is tricky with all the tilework and light fixtures to paint around. Be sure to use a level so that your stripes come out straight.
Tip: Keep in mind that painting stripes in a bathroom is tricky with all the tilework and light fixtures to paint around. Be sure to use a level so that your stripes come out straight.
For a more traditional style, choose a softer shade of yellow for painting stripes on the wall. Then choose accents that draw on the same shade for less contrast, so the stripes don't pop as much. Here, the curtain and shower curtain blend in well with the walls.
If you paint stripes of darker yellow on lighter yellow, you create a monochrome effect. The stripes add dimension to this bedroom, but the layers of yellow keep the stripes from feeling as vibrant and bold as yellow-on-white stripes. This is a more mellow yellow.
Wide horizontal yellow stripes add a sense of whimsy to this bedroom. The black-and-white striped pendant shade adds to the playful vibe.
The pattern in this area rug feels like yellow and white stripes. The bold yellow draws the eye in instantly, and the pattern draws you across the room, as stripes would do.
DRAPER STRIPE CITRINE RUG 8X10
This rug is on my wish list for our apartment. The citron yellow stripes would instantly make our living room feel happy and look more cohesive. The great thing about stripes is the pattern translates across all styles, from country to modern.
Large Yellow and White Omaggio Vase
This striped ceramic vase looks beautiful on its own as a decorative object. Or I'd display some big white peonies in the vessel — the lush blooms would balance the straight-line stripes.
More: The Case for Striped Walls
How to Mix Patterns Like a Pro
More: The Case for Striped Walls
How to Mix Patterns Like a Pro
Tip: For a more dramatic effect in a small space, paint your stripes across all four walls and the door. It will make the door disappear and make the room appear larger.