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. And 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. 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! They’re available in several sizes to accommodate your space, or you can find black and white striped curtains from Lush Decor which are available in a few different sizes as well. Alternatively, you can hang these handsome black and white colour-block curtains, also from Lush Decor. Colour-blocking complements stripes because it still falls in that category of simple and structured/geometric patterns, as opposed to a busier pattern like florals.
3. Area Rugs
A black and white striped area rug gives stunning dimension to a space! You can conveniently find one in any of several sizes. Aside from peel-and-stick wallpaper, a large area rug is another easy way to really turn up the volume (simply via square footage) on whatever style you want to showcase – in this case, black and white stripes.
For smaller rooms, a soft black and white striped bath mat is perfect for a comfortable place to step after a shower or to stand whilst brushing teeth. Plus, if you’re more cautious and want to try out black and white stripes in a smaller area as opposed to a larger room or entire home, a bathroom is the perfect testing ground! Furnishing a bathroom doesn’t take much effort and is very budget-friendly.
4. Black and White Striped Decor for your Tablescape
As for your eating area, a black and white table runner will dress up your kitchen, dining room, or even 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!
Alternatively (and safer with kids!), these basic black and white striped rectangular placemats would provide a beautiful accent to a rectangular table. Or check out these black and white striped round placemats if you have a round table. From the same seller you can also find black and white striped tablecloths, shower curtains, pillows and curtains for furnishing multiple rooms in your home with this fun style.
5. Tables
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!
For a budget-friendlier find, check out this black and white striped round wooden side table that can be made in two different sizes. With midcentury modern flair and modest size, it’s a great find for fitting into smaller spaces.
One of the most fun ways to complement black and white striped decor is with a chosen colour pop. For pink lovers, this black and white striped pink side table from a Nottingham creator is such a fun statement piece. You can have it made in two different heights.
This black and white striped pillar end table from a Moroccan creator is a handsome statement piece suitable for any room. You can also find other beautiful black and white furnishings from the same seller.
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. There are also plenty other lamps in black and white stripes in different shapes, sizes and fun designs.
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 and white throw pillow cover with hot pink piping from Australia is a chic and lively way to spruce up any pink-lover’s space! It’s also suitable for outdoors. You can find several other outdoor-friendly black and white striped throw pillow covers from the same seller.
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. A similar version is this white foot stool with black legs. Its size is comparable, and it’s reviewed to be quite comfortable. It’s also available in other neutral colours.
9. Decorative Candles
These attractive black and white striped taper candles (for decoration only, not to be burnt) are a striking accent for any mantel, console, or table centerpiece. You can also order them with polka dots and/or other colours, or find other fun black and white wares made by the same seller.
For a black and white striped taper candle that you can opt to burn as well, these are made of a soy/beeswax blend for a clean burn and healthy air. Of course, they’re so pretty you may not want to burn them! The seller can also make them in multiple other colours.
For a traditional, longer-lasting candle, this candle in a black and white striped glass jar comes in several scents from which you can choose. As with all candles I promote for burning (as opposed to decoration only), it’s made of clean-burning soy wax.
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. And 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!
