EARN YOUR STRIPES

Stripes are showing up everywhere in the design world. Big and bold or subtle and understated, here's how to add them to your space

- Words by AMY LEHNER

Stripes have never really gone out of style.

Think of your wardrobe: You probably own at least one sailor-striped T-shirt or a pinstriped button-up shirt. Stripes have been lurking backstage in the world of interior design, too. Design experts say their current popularity surge comes from a nostalgia for country-house chic and yacht-club preppiness. Key trends this season are classic beach club stripes, Bengal stripes and variegated and textured stripes for both indoor and outdoor use, says Sigi van Niekerk of Hertex Fabrics.

START SIMPLE

If your design aesthetic is anchored around solid colours and monochromes, it can be intimidating to introduce patterns. Adding stripes is a good way to dip your toe into this world. If you're not willing to commit, begin with accessories. In living rooms, striped scatter cushions are a perennial favourite. You can easily add lampshades or vases, too.

In the bedroom, linen is the obvious place to start. Choose a narrow stripe in neutral colours to play it safe or be bolder with wider or brighter stripes. Bathrooms can often be boring, as there are not a lot of surfaces to play with, but a classic striped Turkish towel can add a note of interest, while a striped shower curtain can be a playful touch.

You can also incorporate stripes with décor accessories throughout your spaces, like storage with stripes on, or plates and cups with a striped pattern as the focal point.