Striped Wallpaper

Why striped wallpaper works in almost any room

Stripes are the rare pattern that reads as both classic and modern at the same time. A thin pinstripe feels tailored and calm, a bold two-tone stripe feels playful, and a soft watercolor stripe lands somewhere in between. Because the design is built from straight lines, striped wallpaper also does something most patterns cannot: it changes how big a room feels. Vertical stripes draw the eye upward and make low ceilings seem taller, which is why they are so popular in hallways, entryways and small bathrooms. Horizontal stripes do the opposite, stretching a narrow wall wider and giving a boxy bedroom a more relaxed, coastal feel.

Our striped wallpaper is peel-and-stick and fully removable, so you can commit to a bold stripe on one accent wall without committing to it forever. That matters for renters, for families whose tastes change as kids grow, and for anyone who wants to try a trend before repainting.

How to choose the right stripe

Start with direction. If your goal is height, go vertical. If your goal is width or a beachy, cabana feel, go horizontal. Next, think about scale. Thin stripes behave almost like a texture from across the room and pair easily with patterned bedding, art and rugs. Wide, bold stripes become the main event, so keep the rest of the room simple. Finally, consider the edge quality. Crisp, hard-edged stripes suit modern and transitional spaces, while hand-painted or watercolor stripes soften a nursery or a kids' room and hide small wall imperfections better.

Color-wise, a neutral stripe in beige, grey or black-and-white is the safest long-term choice for a living room or bedroom. Pastel stripes are a favorite for nurseries and playrooms, and the ombre and ink styles give a grown-up bedroom a bit of drama without a busy repeat.

Installing and removing striped wallpaper

Stripes are unforgiving of crooked walls, so the first panel is everything. Do not trust the corner or the ceiling line to be plumb. Instead, measure out from the corner the width of one panel, draw a light vertical line with a level, and align the first strip to that line. Once the first panel is straight, every panel after it will follow. Peel the backing a foot at a time, smooth from the center outward with a squeegee, and let the extra run past the ceiling and baseboard before trimming with a fresh blade.

Horizontal stripes install the same way, but check the pattern match at each seam before pressing the panel down. Because our wallpaper is repositionable, you can lift and reset a panel if the lines drift. When it is time for a change, start at a top corner and pull slowly at a low angle. The wallpaper comes off in whole sheets with no residue and no damage to paint, which is exactly why it is a favorite in apartments and rental homes.

Frequently asked questions

Do vertical or horizontal stripes make a room look bigger?

Vertical stripes make ceilings feel higher; horizontal stripes make walls feel wider. Pick based on which dimension your room is short on.

Is striped wallpaper hard to hang?

It is no harder than any other pattern as long as the first panel is set to a level line rather than to the wall corner. Our peel-and-stick material can be repositioned, so small mistakes are easy to fix.

Can I use striped wallpaper in a bathroom or laundry room?

Yes. The material is water-resistant and wipeable. Just avoid placing it directly inside a shower or where water pools.

Will it damage my walls when I remove it?

No. It peels away cleanly from painted drywall and leaves nothing behind, which is why it is safe for rentals and dorms.

Can I get a sample first?

Every striped wallpaper listing offers a sample size so you can check color and scale against your existing decor before ordering full rolls.