The Chicest Ways To Use Stripes In Your Bathroom Without Making It Feel Outdated

When you think of a striped bathroom, nautical themes and satin finish 80s wallpaper (that somehow always seems to include dark green and cream) may be some of the first things to come to mind. Stripes have never truly gone out of style, they have just changed and evolved with the times, but this pattern still makes a statement and remains timeless. Though colors, sizes, and uses have shifted through trend cycles, the stripe pattern is truly a classic that isn't on its way out anytime soon. 

If you want to try and incorporate some stripes into your bathroom, there are many ways to do so that will feel fresh, relevant, and renewing rather than outdated. A lot of the success of using stripes in a modern way is to pull inspiration from current trends. Look for popular colors, unique places to use patterns, and variations of the stripe that may not seem quite so obvious. Although this pattern is one of the simplest, it also lends itself to endless variations that give you a whole lot of material to play with. 

First of all, maximalism is in. So if you are going for stripes, don't be afraid of bold and bright colors. If you have a smaller space you may want to keep the pattern to just an accent wall, although vertical stripes are known for making a room feel taller. Pattern mixing is also in, so going for playfully chaotic reads as much more relevant than going matchy-matchy. A great way to get a fun feel without quite as much contrast is using a single color in different shades. This will still allow for the stripe pattern to show through, but it won't be as jarring, and can be better for a more peaceful vibe. If you really want to go zen, you may want to embrace stripes in a whole other way — wood panels. These can add some warmth and an organic feel to the space as well as some depth and dimension. Just be sure to use wood that is treated to hold up in high humidity. 

But it's not just your walls that can participate. You can add striped elements in your accessories as well — shower curtains, bath mats, towels, etc. — and don't think that they have to match either. Patterns that toe the line between clashing and working together are a huge trend right now, and combing them correctly can take stripes from stiff and stuffy to striking. 

Wondering if stripes really are a good idea when it comes to decorating your home? Well, there are a couple things to avoid if you are concerned about making your bathroom look like it was renovated before the last decade. One huge trend circa 2012 was chevron, which arguably is a type of stripe. This pattern was plastered everywhere during this era, so it's almost impossible to make it look fresh — especially when painted in a grayscale. Thick, bold horizontal stripes were also quite trendy at this time, and particularly when using neutral colors, this can look dated and tired. When it comes to striped wallpaper, there is more than one way to go wrong, but one style you may wish to steer clear of is modern farmhouse. This style was once the pinnacle of home design, but the country-quaint patterns and neutral color pallets have since been traded out for a more vibrant and fun approach. 

Though this is more of a general note than a bathroom design choice that'll date your space, the one thing to be wary of when using stripes — particularly on walls — is that they line up straight and even. This pattern is completely unforgiving, and if you have crooked walls or crooked application, it will be instantly noticeable and impossible to hide.