Striped Curtains

Striped curtains are one of the most versatile patterned options. Vertical stripes draw the eye upward and make ceilings feel higher, particularly effective with floor-to-ceiling curtains. Narrower stripes look more classic and tailored; wider bold stripes make more of a statement. Pair striped curtains with plain soft furnishings to avoid visual conflict. A stripe works as the pattern anchor in a room and pairs well with solid-coloured sofas, cushions, and rugs.

Striped curtains and patterned wallpaper require careful consideration. The safest approach is to use striped curtains with plain or subtly textured walls. If you want to use wallpaper, keep the patterns at completely different scales and in a shared colour palette, a large-scale botanical wallpaper with a fine stripe curtain, for example. Avoid matching stripe directions on both walls and curtains, as this can make the room feel rigid and visually busy.