Painting stripes on the wall is a simple and cost-effective way to dramatically change your Concord, CA living space’s look. It can quickly create depth and intrigue, whether you want a bold, contrasting stripe or a subtle, tonal stripe. Painting stripes on the wall also allows your creative ideas to create unique designs that suit your personal style.

Let us guide you through everything you need to know about painting stripes on your walls: 

How to Paint Stripes on Your Walls

Materials Needed:

• A paint for base the base color
• Another paint color for the stripes (one, two, or more different colors, if you prefer)
• Tape measure
• Pencil
• Painter’s tape
• Drop cloths
• A step ladder
• Paint roller and covers
• Primer

Instructions: 

1. Decide what kind of stripes to do

Do you want vertical or horizontal stripes? The choice is up to you, but to make it look great, consider the size of your room. Is it small and cramped? Is it a bit too low? Vertical stripes can make the space look higher than it is, while horizontal stripes will create the illusion of a spacious room.

2. Plan

It’s essential to plan everything out before you start painting. Unlike regular painting with one color, a lot of measurement is involved when painting stripes to the wall. More colors and measurements are involved when adding stripes to the wall. 

Decide on the paint color and finish you want, and gather the necessary tools for the project. Measure the wall you want to paint, and identify the thickness of each stripe. You would wish all stripes to be of equal width and equal spaces, so base your measurements on the width (if you want vertical stripes) or the length (if you want horizontal stripes) of your wall. This step is also vital, especially if you are particular about the colors you want your last and first stripes to be, unless you’re using only one color.

3. Prepare the walls

It’s crucial to do prep work on your walls before painting them. First, wipe them with a clean, damp cloth. Inspect the walls for any flaws. Fill any cracks and holes with a drywall compound and let it dry. Once the compound is dry, sand the excess to smooth and even the surface. Apply the primer on the walls and let it dry.

4. Paint the walls

Paint your entire room with the base color. When using several colors for stripes, make sure that the base color is the lightest of all the shades. That way, you will only add dark or colorful stripes on top of the base color rather than having to paint each stripe individually. Let the paint dry, preferably for about 48 hours.

5. Mark the stripes

Mark the precise position of your stripes using a colored pencil and tape measure. Make sure to draw all the lines as straight and levelly as possible.

6. Tape the walls

After drawing all your lines, apply painter’s tape along the edge of the ceiling, electrical outlets, and woodwork. Carefully tape along the outside edge of all the stripe pencil marks to ensure that all stripes will be even.

Remember to press the tape edges firmly to prevent the paint from getting underneath the tape and to give your stripes a clean and crisp edge.

7. Paint the stripes

Paint the stripes on your wall using a roller. Make sure to roll over the edges of the tape so the lines will come out straight and clean. Apply the second coat, if necessary, to achieve a more beautiful finish.

8. Remove the painter’s tape

Use care when carefully removing the painter’s tape while the paint stripes are still wet – otherwise, you might pull off some of the paint. You should remove the painter’s tape at an angle to prevent messing up your paint job.

Tips and Tricks for Perfect Painted Stripes

Painting stripes can be rewarding, but the difference between good and great results often lies in the small details. Here are some tips and tricks to help you achieve crisp, professional-looking stripes on your walls:

1. Choose the right paint sheen

It’s best to choose semi-gloss or satin finishes for your stripes. These sheens are easier to clean and help the stripes stand out against matte or eggshell background walls.

2. Set the mood

Consider the mood you want to create when deciding what colors to pick. High-contrast stripes (like black and white) make a bold statement, while tones of the same color add subtle elegance. Before committing to the paint job, test paint colors first in different lighting conditions in your room to see how they change throughout the day.

3. Ensure straight lines

For more accurate and visible lines across your workspace, use a laser level instead of a traditional bubble level. For especially long stripes, consider snapping a chalk line as a guide before applying the tape.

4. Prevent paint bleeds

 Sometimes, the second color seeps through the other side when painting stripes, even if you use painter’s tape. To prevent this, seal the edges of the painter’s tape by painting over them with the base wall color before applying the stripe color. This seals the tape edges, and any paint that bleeds under will match the wall.

5. Use quality painter’s tape

Speaking of painter’s tape, invest in a high-quality one to prevent paint bleed. Choose one designed for sharp lines – it can make a big difference. A good quality painter’s tape can also ensure clean removal without damaging the paint underneath.

6. Be patient when removing tape

Remove the tape while the paint is still slightly damp to avoid peeling off any dry paint along with the tape. Pull the tape back over itself at a 45-degree angle for the cleanest edge.

7. Make some touch-ups if necessary

Keep a small artist’s brush handy for quick touch-ups around the edges of your stripes. This can help clean up any minor imperfections after removing the tape.

Conclusion

Painting stripes on your walls is a bit more complicated than painting the wall with plain color, but with the proper planning, preparation, and tools, you can get a good result. 

But if you’re afraid you may make mistakes—whether on the color choice, tools, or execution—turn to professional house painters in the Bay area including Concord, Antioch, Benicia, Lafayette, Pleasant Hill, Walnut Creek and Vallejo. They know what to do and how to do it.

Custom Painting Inc. can handle decorative painting jobs like painting stripes on walls, and you can also consult us if you want more tips to make your house look even more beautiful with paint. Call us at 925-686-0903 or send us a message to get a free estimate.