When choosing living room wallpaper stripes, the direction of the stripe is your first major decision. Vertical stripes visually lengthen your walls, making a room feel taller and more spacious. They draw the eye upward, which is particularly effective in rooms with lower ceilings. Horizontal stripes, on the other hand, can make a room feel wider and more expansive. They tend to create a sense of calm and can be great for accent walls or in rooms that feel a bit narrow. Consider the existing architecture of your room and the overall mood you want to achieve before committing.
Understanding stripe patterns and scale
The scale of your stripes matters as much as their direction. Bold, wide stripes make a strong statement and can dominate a smaller room if not used carefully. They work well in larger living rooms or as an accent wall to add drama. Thin, pinstripe-like patterns offer a more subtle effect, adding texture and visual interest without overwhelming the space. These are often easier to work with and more forgiving in terms of installation. Consider the size of your furniture and the overall decor style. Very large furniture might compete with very wide stripes, while a minimalist setting might be enhanced by a subtle stripe.
The spacing between stripes also affects the look. Closely spaced stripes can create a sense of movement, while widely spaced ones offer a more relaxed feel. Think about how the pattern will repeat around the room. A pattern that looks great on a single roll might become too busy when repeated on all four walls.
Types of wallpaper materials for striped designs
The material of your wallpaper will influence its durability, ease of installation, and how it looks. For living rooms, you have several primary options:
1. Vinyl-coated wallpaper: This is a durable and washable option, making it suitable for high-traffic areas like living rooms. The vinyl coating protects the paper from moisture and stains, and it’s relatively easy to clean with a damp cloth. It often comes pre-pasted or unpasted.
2. Non-woven (or ‘paste-the-wall’) wallpaper: This is a popular choice for DIYers. Made from a blend of natural and synthetic fibers, non-woven wallpaper is breathable, tear-resistant, and easy to remove. The key advantage is that you apply the paste directly to the wall, not the paper, which makes hanging faster and less messy. It’s excellent for intricate stripe patterns as it doesn’t expand or contract significantly when wet.
3. Traditional paper wallpaper: This is the most common type but generally less durable and harder to clean than vinyl or non-woven options. It’s best suited for low-traffic areas or if you plan to redecorate relatively soon. It requires pasting and soaking, which can be trickier for beginners, especially with striped patterns where seams must align perfectly.
4. Peel-and-stick wallpaper: Made from vinyl or fabric with a strong adhesive backing, peel-and-stick wallpaper is the easiest to install and remove. It’s ideal for renters or those who like to change their decor frequently. While convenient, ensure the quality is high, as cheaper versions can sometimes leave residue or bubble. For stripe patterns, precise alignment is crucial, and the flexibility of peel-and-stick can be both an advantage (for repositioning) and a challenge (if it stretches).
Calculating how much wallpaper you need
Accurate measurement is critical, especially with patterns like stripes where matching is essential. A miscalculation can lead to a visible seam mismatch or running out of paper mid-project. Use a reliable wallpaper calculator or follow the standard method: measure the width and height of each wall. Add these measurements together to get the total linear footage. Then, divide this by the wallpaper’s coverage width (usually around 20.5 inches for standard rolls). Always add an extra 10-15% for pattern matching and potential mistakes. For detailed guidance, consult how much wallpaper you need for a 12×12 room.
Installation tips for striped wallpaper
Achieving a flawless finish with striped wallpaper requires attention to detail. Here’s what you need to know:
Preparing your walls
Your walls must be clean, dry, and smooth. Fill any holes or cracks and sand them smooth. If your old wallpaper is peeling, remove it completely. A primer is often recommended, especially for non-woven or traditional paper, as it creates a uniform surface and helps with adhesion and future removal. Ensure the primer is compatible with your chosen wallpaper type.
Hanging the first strip
This is the most important step. Use a spirit level to draw a perfectly vertical plumb line from ceiling to floor on your starting wall. This line will guide your first strip. Even if your wall seems straight, rely on the plumb line, not the corner of the room, as corners are rarely perfectly plumb. If your stripes are horizontal, you’ll need a horizontal plumb line, which is more complex and often requires professional help or very careful measurement.
Matching the pattern
Stripes are unforgiving. Ensure that the pattern on each new strip perfectly aligns with the previous one. This may require trimming excess paper from the edges of the roll to ensure a seamless match. Most wallpapers have a pattern repeat measurement, which tells you how often the pattern repeats. For stripes, this often means that the visible stripe width and spacing are the key elements to match. You will often have to cut off more paper than you think to get the perfect match, which is why ordering extra is crucial. If you’re struggling with seams, consider wallpaper borders for living room as a complementary element.
Dealing with seams and edges
Use a seam roller gently over the pasted seams to ensure good adhesion and a flat finish. Avoid pressing too hard, which can squeeze out excess paste and damage the paper. Trim excess wallpaper at the ceiling and baseboard with a sharp utility knife and a straight edge. Be patient and make clean, single cuts. If you encounter bubbles or wrinkles after hanging, try to smooth them out towards the nearest edge with a smoothing tool or a clean cloth. For small bubbles, you might be able to prick them with a pin and smooth them down.
Common mistakes to avoid with striped wallpaper
1. Not checking the batch number: Always ensure all your wallpaper rolls have the same batch number. Different batches can have slight color variations, which will be very noticeable with stripes.
2. Skipping the plumb line: Trusting your eye or the wall’s corner is a recipe for crooked stripes. Always use a spirit level to draw your initial guide lines.
3. Over-pasting or under-pasting: Too much paste can make the paper difficult to handle and create a mess. Too little paste will result in poor adhesion and peeling edges. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for the correct paste amount and type.
4. Rushing the pattern match: Sacrificing the pattern match to save time or paper will be obvious and detract from the overall look. Take your time to ensure each stripe aligns perfectly.
5. Ignoring wall preparation: Uneven or dirty walls will prevent the wallpaper from adhering properly, leading to bubbles and peeling, especially noticeable with the clean lines of stripes.
When to consider professional help
While many striped wallpapers are designed for DIY installation, complex patterns, large rooms, or if you’re aiming for a truly flawless, high-end finish, hiring a professional installer is a wise investment. They have the tools, experience, and techniques to handle challenging aspects like pattern matching around windows and doors, and ensuring perfect seams. If you’re looking to completely change your space with a feature wall, you might even consider a stunning wallpaper mural as an alternative or complement.