Stripes are a great choice for contemporary walls, and the color choices are virtually limitless within each room. You can use a color contrast approach, choose two similar colors, or go with colors that complement the room. Although there is another handy article that features a how-to video for how to paint vertical stripes in a room, this article will offer practical advice in an easier-to-read format for those who do not want to watch it.
For some people, the video can be a confusing choice, especially if you are trying to pause and print instructions one step at a time. Instead, this printable method makes it easier to figure out what you need to get started and achieve a fabulous look with vertical stripes inside your home.
What You Need
There are a few things that you need before you get started, such as interior paint in each stripe color, painter’s tape to mark stripes to your desired specifications, drop cloth for protecting the floor and furniture in the room, paint roller or paintbrush for painting the stripes, and a smaller brush for painting trim and hard-to-reach places.
A method for making sure your lines are very straight is critical, because when you paint vertical stripes in a room a single small mistake will become a focal point in the room.
You do not start by marking the stripes, but instead by painting the first stripe color as the base coat on the walls. In many cases, this will be the lighter of the two colors, so that you can avoid having to paint several coats in order to cover the darker shade for the second stripe. There is no rule that says you can only choose two shades for vertical stripes, but for this article we focus on a two-tone technique that could easily be altered to accommodate several shades.
Mark the Stripes
Give the first coat at least three days to dry completely, that way the walls do not get damaged when you mark the stripes for the second color.
Use a ruler, tape measure, or whatever method you want for ensuring straight lines, and mark the lines on an entire wall or throughout the room. Most people choose stripes that are equidistant (the same width between each line), but you have a lot of creative liberty within your home and you can make them as near or far as you choose.
Once you have applied the tape, you can begin painting the second color, being very careful around trim, windows, doors, outlets, and other areas that are in tight spaces. Corners can also be challenging, but they should be easy to paint with a smaller paintbrush or corner roller. Give the paint at least forty-eight hours to dry before you remove the tape.
To remove the tape, carefully pull from top to bottom until each piece has been pulled up, and have a small paintbrush ready to tackle any mistakes as soon as possible.
Images by Ross Goodman; Photo stream- https://www.flickr.com/people/ross_goodman/
