Around now, everyone’s diving into New Year’s resolutions. Resolutions are focused goals that aim to improve one’s life – outwardly (secure a job promotion) or inwardly (mediate daily). These goals are important, regardless of whether we continue to succeed or tap out after one just week. Resolutions focus on personal improvement, and that’s worth keeping at. But what if we also focus on improving the way our living space looks? That way, even if our attempts at keeping personal resolutions are shaky (and there is no shame or failure – only learning!), our outer environment still reflects a fresh look. If we didn’t lose those ten pounds as quickly as we’d hoped, we at least re-decorated our home – and that’s an accomplishment worth celebrating! Here’s a fun idea: consider decorating your home with black and white striped decor to shake things up for a change.
The Appeal of a Black and White Theme
Black and white decor is timeless. These two ‘colorless’ shades complement each other as perfect opposites. White looks great with any other color, and so does black. Together, the two colors are a power couple. And as stripes, they are fantastic. Black and white stripes are playful. Black and white striped decor makes a bold statement. And black and white striped decor is interesting. You won’t get bored, at least not for a good while!
A black and white theme is easy to pull off. These are the most common color options you’ll find for painted furniture and household items and decor. Black and white stripes spiral up a lighthouse. Black and white checkered tiles, in whatever size or pattern, are a ubiquitous design that look fantastic in most any space. Last year I finally bought my own desk: an upholstered desk in a black and white geometric diamond pattern, which I absolutely love. And when you look at something you love every day, you feel more inspired.
The best thing about a black and white theme is that you can complement it with pops of any color. Bright red works especially well with black and white striped decor. And staples in black or white will pass the test of time. Even if you personally tire of the same white couch after a couple of decades, it will be easier to sell than, say, a 70s-reckoned burnt orange couch. These colors never go out of style.
10 Black and White Striped Decor Items to Spice up your Space
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1. Peel and Stick Wallpaper
Peel and stick wallpaper is my new favourite thing: it’s removable! So if you want to try out a new look on your walls or furniture, it doesn’t have to be permanent. The best way to immerse yourself in black and white stripes is to cover the walls in peel and stick wallpaper. No commitment! Only recently did I even realize this existed. I was trying to find easy ways to transform old furniture without sanding and painting it. I discovered peel and stick wallpaper as a perfect alternative: it’s not only an option for the walls, but it’s fantastic for giving furniture a whole new look. So even if you aren’t up for surrounding yourself in black and white striped walls, you could always just dress up the inside walls of a bookshelf, or the doors of a cabinet, or the top of a table. The options are endless!
One thing to note about peel and stick wallpaper is that it can take off furniture lacquer. I learned this the hard way, but thankfully only on an old and very scratched end table. And while it can be tricky to line up multiple strips of the paper perfectly alongside each other so that the design matches up evenly, the end results looks stunning when finished with care. It doesn’t take any special skill, just patience and a steady hand. The only tool I really found useful in addition to scissors is an X-Acto knife to trim the paper as needed. X-Acto knives are great for precise cuts, but use with caution. They are heavy for their size, and slippery (I have a scar from when I was twelve). When you aren’t actively using it, always keep it capped and secured somewhere safe.
2. Curtains
Not ready to don a whole room in black and white striped walls? Try black and white striped curtains! This set comes in three different lengths, depending on your window length and how high you want them hung. (And for an entirely different theme, they also come in gorgeous yellow and white stripes.) I would not count on these being truly room darkening as they are more for aesthetics, but you can pair them with room darkening blinds as needed.
3. Area Rugs
A black and white striped rug gives stunning dimension to a space! They come in multiple sizes and while many people layer the smaller rug under a doormat, it would be perfect for a small space like a bathroom. Keep in mind that white will show stains so while many rugs are made for indoor or covered outdoor use, you will end up washing them more often if used outdoors. Inside, as long as you keep good grips on the red wine glasses, you shouldn’t have to wash it as often.
4. Table Runner
A black and white table runner will dress up your kitchen, dining room, or coffee table like a fashionable scarf dresses up any basic outfit. And though it is rectangular, you aren’t limited to a rectangular or square table. It also looks great on a round table. This table runner comes in nine different lengths so be sure to measure your table and decide how long you want yours. If you have little ones at home, you may not want the ends hanging off the edges!
5. Corner Table
This black and white checkered end table with a red drawer is not inexpensive. But it’s very, very cool and a worthy splurge if you truly love it. It is beautifully hand-painted by Etsy shop owner Michele Sprague, who sells many quality items (including smaller ones at lower prices). Most items are covered in black and white checkers or stripes and make perfect black and white striped decor for a room of any size. From bar stools to tea sets, her craftsmanship and creativity are remarkable and the shop is worth a browse!
6. Black and White Striped Lamps
I truly love lamps. They are the ultimate functional decor and perfectly complement a desk, end table or night stand. For decorative lamp shades to affix onto your own lamp base, check out this horizontal black and white striped lamp shade or this vertical black and white striped lamp shade. They are sold from a London-based Etsy shop among many other beautiful handmade lamp shades, including reversible ones.
7. Throw Pillow Covers
Pillows are easy accent pieces that pull together a bedroom or living room. These black and white striped throw pillow covers can conveniently encase throw pillows of the same size for a fun addition to the bed or couch. And pillow covers are conveniently temporary and interchangeable for any season or theme. This black, white and pink throw pillow cover is a chic and lively way to spruce up any pink-lover’s space! The best thing is it’s customizable to fit many different pillow sizes, and you can choose either fuchsia or magenta. (Fuchsia has a slightly more purple hue, and magenta has a slightly more red hue.)
8. Foot Stool
For those of us who don’t favor the ninety-degree angle leg position when sitting in a normal chair, a handy foot stool provides more comfort. This white foot stool with black legs comes actually comes in six different colors. It provides just the right feet elevation when seated at a desk (I am using it right now!). I like its simple, classy look which complements my black and white patterned desk.
9. Candles
These attractive black and white striped taper candles are a striking accent for any mantel, console, or table centerpiece. You can also order them with black polka dots instead of stripes.
10. Dishes
If you are, unlike me, without a toddler in house and in a position to ‘have nice things,’ this black and white striped and gold-rimmed tea mug and other pieces from Sieger’s Ca’ d’Oro collection are stunning. For everyday use, this Kate Spade black and white striped stainless steel travel mug is a chic go-to for morning coffee. This black and white checkered set of two mugs with lids and stirring spoons is a super cute way to enjoy tea or coffee with your friend or significant other.
Black and White Decor with Stripes for the Win
So here we covered the walls, windows, furniture, and floor in black and white stripes. (If you are ever ambitious enough to try peel and stick wallpaper on the ceiling, please let me know how it goes and I’ll cover your project in a post!) We have black and white striped lamps, pillow covers, candles and dishes for classy accents. We have plenty of black and white striped decor for a stellar new look! Most major furniture pieces and other embellishments can be easily found in solid white or black. This color scheme is a classic one that is both refined and intriguing. Give it a go in your home and then comment on what you did and how it went!