Stripes Are More Popular Than Ever—Here's How to Use Them in Your Décor Bold or subtle, stripes are here to stay. Close Credit: Bjorn Wallander Stripes never really go out of style. Whether it's a bold nautical stripe in your costal getaway, a subtle ticking stripe that fits right in with the Nancy Meyers aesthetic, or a crisp, sophisticated pinstripe, this pattern stands the test of time. Mary Kathryn Wells, an interior designer in Nashville, is a fierce promoter of the staying power of a stripe. "I love that a stripe is such a timeless way to bring in pattern; I don’t have to worry that in a few years I’ll be tired or it will be dated. Stripes age wonderfully," she says. But that doesn't mean that every stripe feels fresh on every occasion. There are certain stripes that will come and go with the trends, and we're sharing a few ways interior designers suggest you make them look current now. Mary Kathryn Wells, owner and designer of Mary Kathryn Wells Interior Design Regan Baker, interior designer at Regan Baker Design Amy Peltier, CEO and creative director of Peltier Interiors Gabrielle Santiago, principal designer and founder of Gabrielle Santiago Design Pattern Drenching Is About Bold, Complementary Patterns—Here's How to Do It Well Are Stripes Making a Comeback? Stripes are a classic. They're always there, always consistent, always reliable. But, now, they're coming even more to the forefront. This increase in stripes in design might have something to do with nostalgia. "I have noticed a trend of stripes resurfacing along side of transitional trends such as Nancy Meyers-inspired decor and 90s boyhood nursery style," says Gabrielle Santiago, founder of Gabrielle Santiago Design. "Nostalgia is really driving these trends. People are wanting to spark a feeling and stripes evoke a sense of comfort and relaxation." For the stripe lovers among us, this pattern never faded in popularity to begin with. "Stripes never go in or out of style in my mind; they’re like a great pair of jeans to me in that regard," says Wells. "If they’ve been making a resurgence I hadn’t noticed because I always love them!" How Stripes Are Being Used Today Think of stripes as the comfort food of décor motifs. They're something people keep returning to again and again, looking for familiarity. But that doesn't mean they have to look the same every time they're used. Today, designers are getting more creative in their approach to stripes and thinking outside the line. "Stripes are being used in different shapes and forms beyond bedding or textiles, like tiles for example, where you can create a completely new pattern," says interior stylist Regan Baker. "Customizing that pattern play can result in a more classic use of stripes or a more graphic and artistic approach." How to Use Stripes in Your Home To get a stripe look that feels both timeless and on trend, here's what designers are currently doing in their own projects and homes. Use Stripes as a Bedding Layer Credit: Suzanna Scott Photography / Regan Baker Baker likes to use layers of stripes in bedding. She'll use a horizontal stripe to make the bedding look cozier or a vertical stripe to emphasize length and elongate a space. In this bedroom, the tan and white stripe is an unexpected foil to an otherwise simple blue and white room. "Wider and thicker stripes offer a more graphic, modern, and contemporary feel," she says. "These bolder stripes can play around with solids a bit better and offer a nice, transitional graphic pattern." Incorporate a Pattern Credit: Mary Kathryn Wells Interior Design Make stripes more interesting by choosing an option with more than one pattern. "Stripes are often a way to incorporate pattern without the use of pattern feeling overwhelming, and without having to worry that I’ll tire of a certain print," says Wells. In this room, the stripe is made of smaller stripes and dashed stripes, giving the look a traditional aesthetic from afar and a more surprising look up close. Pair Stripes With Louder Prints Credit: Mary Kathryn Wells Interior Design Stripes are simple enough that they blend well with other bolder patterns. "I’m a big-time pattern mixer, and stripes are such a good way to blend various patterns in a way that works without overwhelming," says Wells. In this room, Wells doesn't hold back in terms of color, vibrance, and décor, but the striped window treatments offer a grounding element. "For a more fun and free-wheeling pattern lover, a simple, clean stripe can be a great complement to a louder print such as a large floral or an abstract artsy print," she says. Toile Is Having a Design Moment—Here's How to Make the Classic Print Look Fresh Opt for Subtle Striped Details Credit: Mary Kathryn Wells Interior Design Stripes don't have to be the star of the room to add a worthy detail. Wells likes to buy striped hand towels for just a touch of pattern and interest in a bathroom. "A simple striped Turkish hand towel like this one is always my go-to hand towel for bathrooms. Because bathrooms don’t have much (if any) furniture or elements in them, it’s a nice way to bring in something of interest without making things feel chaotic," she says. Look for a Crisp Nautical Stripe Credit: Heather Bien A crisp nautical stripe never goes out of style—particularly when it's done in blue and white. Use it as an accent in a pillow or opt for one bold piece of furniture, like a chair or ottoman, in a striking wide stripe. The look is classic and inviting. Use Stripes As a Neutral Credit: Heather Bien A thin ticking stripe can read as a neutral from a distance. Use it anywhere you'd typically reach for a solid color, whether that's on bedding, sofa, or drapery. The colors also blend together and create a base that is a lovely backdrop for florals, bigger stripes, and other patterns. Incorporate Vintage Elements Credit: Instagram / @alyssalizarraga Santiago likes incorporating vintage elements with her stripes. In this bedroom, she used a timeless striped wallpaper as the foundation for a vintage-inspired room that incorporates a classic metal bed, wooden antiques, and nostalgic oil paintings. How to Bring the Parisian Design Trend Into Your Home, From Beautiful Trim to Ornate Mirrors Use Stripes to Anchor a Room Credit: Amy Peletier/Vana Kevorkian The now popular classic styled stripes, which have a more subtle contrast, become a supporting actor to other focal points in a room, says Amy Peltier, CEO and creative director of Peltier Interiors. She looks for these more subtle stripes to add a light-heartedness and relatability to her designs. "I couldn't think of a more classic pattern to help achieve that than the 'good ole' stripe," adds Peltier. Choose a Floral Stripe Credit: Amy Peletier/Peter Valli Soften the look of stripes by opting for a floral-inspired pattern. "This feels a bit more interesting than a solid, but won't overpower the rest of the room," says Peltier. "I love a striped pattern, think a leaf or vine design on vertical repeat. It adds a soft prettiness without being a literal floral." Incorporate Stripes in Multiple Places Credit: Amy Peletier/Peter Valli The options for incorporating stripes in your home are truly endless. "Stripes are an essential component to our design style, in fact we use them in almost every project," says Peltier. She uses them anywhere from a bedskirt to the walls. "They add dimension and pattern, but in the most subtle of ways. In fact, I almost want to list the places you shouldn't use a stripe so the list will be smaller!" 14 Valuable Collectibles to Look for in Thrift Stores Explore more: Home Home Design & Decor