Houzz TV: How to Paint Perfect Wall Stripes
Watch this video to see how to paint clean, professional-looking stripes wherever you want some pizazz
Brenna Malmberg
March 14, 2017
Painted stripes can quickly and economically add a lot of style to a room. In this episode of Houzz TV, watch as decorative artist and paint expert Shauna Gallagher demonstrates how to paint stripes on a wall. She uses a sample wall to show how to plan, prep and paint stripes on any wall in your home.
Watch: How to Paint Stripes on a Wall
Stripes of paint can be used all the way around a room or on a focal wall, Gallagher says. Either way, they add impact to a room.
Stripes of paint can be used all the way around a room or on a focal wall, Gallagher says. Either way, they add impact to a room.
Tools and Materials
- Measuring tape
- Pencil
- Level
- Masking tape or painters tape
- Putty knife
- Mini roller
- Paint pan (trays)
- Chip brush
- Paint
Plan Out Your Stripes
Before you can start planning, you need to measure the wall with a measuring tape. Next, you need to decide how deep or wide you want your stripes to be. Gallagher likes the look of 14-inch stripes. She also likes to keep the base wall color at the top and the bottom of the final design. In this case, the base color is taupe and the stripes will be light blue.
With this in mind, she does the math and decides that she will paint three 14-inch stripes on her 96-inch wall. The bands of wall left unpainted will be 13½ inches deep. She says it’s good to make the two colors of stripes different sizes. “If they are exactly the same size, it can create a vertigo effect,” she says.
Before you can start planning, you need to measure the wall with a measuring tape. Next, you need to decide how deep or wide you want your stripes to be. Gallagher likes the look of 14-inch stripes. She also likes to keep the base wall color at the top and the bottom of the final design. In this case, the base color is taupe and the stripes will be light blue.
With this in mind, she does the math and decides that she will paint three 14-inch stripes on her 96-inch wall. The bands of wall left unpainted will be 13½ inches deep. She says it’s good to make the two colors of stripes different sizes. “If they are exactly the same size, it can create a vertigo effect,” she says.
Create Your Painting Guide on the Wall
1. Measure down: Mark your stripes down the wall using a pencil and a level. On Gallagher’s sample wall, she measures down 13½ inches and then 14 inches, alternating as she goes. You will want to do this step about every 4 feet across the area you are painting.
1. Measure down: Mark your stripes down the wall using a pencil and a level. On Gallagher’s sample wall, she measures down 13½ inches and then 14 inches, alternating as she goes. You will want to do this step about every 4 feet across the area you are painting.
2. Connect the dots: Draw lines from point to point with a pencil. This creates an easy taping guide.
Gallagher demonstrates her technique on a piece of sample board
3. Tape your lines: Add tape along your pencil lines. When you do this, make sure you place the tape above and below each line according to which space is being painted. Do this carefully to be sure you’re placing the tape on the side of the line that’s not being painted. “It’s really easy to make a mistake on this, so double-check your work so you don’t end up with a stripe that’s the wrong width,” she says.
3. Tape your lines: Add tape along your pencil lines. When you do this, make sure you place the tape above and below each line according to which space is being painted. Do this carefully to be sure you’re placing the tape on the side of the line that’s not being painted. “It’s really easy to make a mistake on this, so double-check your work so you don’t end up with a stripe that’s the wrong width,” she says.
4. Seal the edge of the tape: Run a putty knife along the edge of the tape that will be painted. You want to press down only one side of the tape, Gallagher says. This helps prevent the base coat from pulling off when you remove the tape.
As you tape the wall, you may find it helpful to mark which areas you are going to paint with a sticky note. That way, you won’t lose track of which areas you are painting and which ones you aren’t.
As you tape the wall, you may find it helpful to mark which areas you are going to paint with a sticky note. That way, you won’t lose track of which areas you are painting and which ones you aren’t.
Paint Your Stripes
“The easy part of stripes is actually painting them,” she says. “It’s 90 percent prep work.”
Gallagher likes to use a mini roller to paint the stripes because it allows for better control of placement and paint load.
“The easy part of stripes is actually painting them,” she says. “It’s 90 percent prep work.”
Gallagher likes to use a mini roller to paint the stripes because it allows for better control of placement and paint load.
Tip: If you have textured walls, before painting your stripes, take an extra step to ensure crisper lines. Tape off your stripes, then in the section you will be painting your stripe color, use a brush to swipe the base color along the edge of the tape. This will seal any gaps between the wall and the tape before you paint in the stripe color.
Reveal Your Striped Wall
You should be ready to remove your tape about an hour after you finish painting. After an hour, the paint should be cool and dry to the touch.
As you remove the paint, Gallagher recommends holding your hands close to where you are pulling up the tape. She also likes to roll the tape as she goes so that it doesn’t stick to anything else.
You should be ready to remove your tape about an hour after you finish painting. After an hour, the paint should be cool and dry to the touch.
As you remove the paint, Gallagher recommends holding your hands close to where you are pulling up the tape. She also likes to roll the tape as she goes so that it doesn’t stick to anything else.
You can apply this technique to any room. “Imagine this on a focal-point wall or wrapping an entire room,” she says. “It just shows you how impactful stripes can be.”
Watch: How to Paint Stripes on a Wall
More Houzz TV: How to Paint a Wall Like a Pro | How to Paint a Wall Faster
Watch: How to Paint Stripes on a Wall
More Houzz TV: How to Paint a Wall Like a Pro | How to Paint a Wall Faster
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Shauna,
Thank you for the tips. Here is my design that I was able to make with the help of your instructions.