Long associated with things made with ‘slow love’, stripes appear on tailored Savile Row suits, architecture of grand houses, and in rooms where proportion is treated almost as a form of courtesy. Whether bold and dramatic or soft and subtle, stripes bring an undulating rhythm to interiors. And while decor trends come and go, striped curtains hold their ground as perennial favorites to dress a window. Why? Because they know the art of balance: modern yet timeless, playful yet poised. 

Whether you want to counterbalance the curvy silhouettes of other patterns in a traditional home or introduce visual interest without disturbing the calm of minimalist interiors, striped drapery will lend itself beautifully to any mold. From small-scale candy canes and pinstripes to the unabashed regency and awnings, there is a stripe for every room, home, and heart. 

And with Sewn’s extensive collection of striped curtains, you can never be too far from the perfect one for you. Plus, you have the power to customize your striped drapes as you like. Though be warned that with great power comes great responsibility. So, please do take a moment for a quick rendezvous with our stylists, and explore pro tips and insights to make the most of your super secret stripe power!  

MORE FROM THE STORE: Striped Roman Shades | Floral Curtains | Geometric Curtains 

Let Stripes Play Magicians: Expand Your Space Visually

Stripes are quite the ‘optical’ tricksters! Vertical stripes cue the eye to travel upwards, visually elongating a space or window in the process. They create an illusion of height, which can be useful in making a low-ceiling room seem higher. Similarly, horizontal stripes can make your space or window feel wider and more expansive, perfect for optically expanding narrow or cramped areas. 

So, if you have a small or narrow window, cash on this quality and use vertical or horizontal striped curtains to visually lengthen or widen your windows. The repetitive nature of the pattern also creates a sense of movement that adds dynamism to a space. This encourages the eye to travel along the length and width of curtains, making the space feel more lively, rather than drawing attention to its smallness. 

Size Does Matter: Select the Right Scale Stripe

The scale of the stripes on your drapes decides whether they sing in harmony or strike a discordant note. The stripe’s scale and size should be weighed against the size of the room, the proportions of the window, and the role you intend for your curtains: to command attention or to blend quietly.

In a grand room, slim, narrow stripes can read as soft texture rather than visual punctuation, and that may be exactly what you want. When the aim is subtlety, a dainty candy stripe will melt beautifully into the backdrop, creating atmosphere without demanding attention. If, however, you want your drapery to make a statement, this is where bold stripes - think awning and regency family of stripes - truly come alive, filling the vertical expanse with confidence.

In a petite room, oversized stripes can often feel a little over-eager, but again, it depends on intention. A single large-scale pattern can add drama and personality to a small space, while medium-scale prints offer balance without overwhelming.

If your aim is drama, let scale and contrast work together. Wide stripes in striking palettes as seen in Royal Retreat pull the eye and declare themselves as a focal point. But when your curtains are meant to play supporting cast, choose small to mid-scale proportions in softer contrasts like Dune Grass, letting other elements take centre stage. Read on for more on this below. 

Colors Tell Tales: Pick Your Palette Wisely 

The palette you choose is going to be the mood-setter, the storyteller, and the energy of your space. A lively, bright palette will immediately capture attention, creating a bold focal point, while muted or neutral tones allow the stripes to bring interest without commanding too much attention. 

When shopping for striped curtains, consider the contrast in a fabric’s palette. High-contrast combinations tend to grab attention. While a low-contrast palette, like a white and pastel pink or soft beige, will be less dominating.  Also keep in mind that saturation plays a role in color impact too. Deep, saturated hues like emerald green or vibrant mustard will have more ‘presence’ than muted tones like a sage green or pastel yellow, making the stripe more serene and understated. 

So, before you fall for a stripe, pause to ask: ‘what do I want these curtains to do?’ Are they intended to command attention or simply complement the space? Your answer should guide not just the palette, but also how that palette interacts with scale because the relationship between colour and proportion is what ultimately shapes the overall impact of your window treatment. 

Take Stark Beauty and Finish Fiber for example. They show how large-scale stripes become even more dramatic when paired with bold, high-contrast palettes. Compare that with Wonder Lane and Pinpoint. Here, the small scale works with the gentle palette to create a look that’s understated and quiet. These are the curtains that will blend like texture in a room rather than announce themselves in it.  

And when you want to tread the middle ground, follow the ‘high-low’ rule by combining bold scales with softer palettes or vice versa. Drapes that will help you in striking this chord may feature fabrics like Aeonium and Earthly Palette. In both cases, the contrast between scale and palette creates equilibrium, giving you depth without overwhelming the room.

Add an Edge to Your Decor: Mix Stripes with Curves 

Stripes and curvy patterns are the ultimate odd couple, but that’s exactly why they work! Where stripes are neat and no-nonsense, curves are all flair and flourish. Put them together, and suddenly your space looks straight out of a magazine.

The goal is contrast, but without conflict. A room full of curvy motifs like paisleys, damasks and florals can start to feel overly decorative or feminine. Stripes cut through the softness and provide a balancing counterpoint. On the flip side, if you’ve already got a lot of straight lines, be it from patterned textiles, architecture or furniture, curves help ease the edges and stop the space from feeling too rigid.

The trick is in the mix—use them in conversation with each other. With striped curtains, bring in curves through smaller accents like floral throw pillows, a curved-back chair, a damask wallpaper, or round-edged furniture. If your room already leans heavily on curves, choose narrower or more subtle stripes that add structure without clashing.

When Lines Meet Vines: The Softer, Smarter Side of Stripes

When most clients think stripes, they picture strict, straight lines—uniform, symmetrical, and maybe a bit too sharp for their space. But here’s the thing: stripes don’t always have to march in a single file. They can ripple, sway, meander, mingle and surprise you!

At Sewn, our striped curtains are anything but one-note. We take a more adventurous approach to this classic motif, one that embraces curves, blends patterns and celebrates creativity. Stripes come in many flavours and we’re serving them all.

When ikat meets stripes, they bring an eclectic punch and become ikat-striped fabrics like Foxy Magic. If you have a leaning towards botanical prints, Ghost Orchid and Spiced Pear bring you a concoction of florals and stripes. And if you are looking for stripes in a modern abstract look, you will find fabrics like Wineries to suit your taste. And for the most fun ones, where stripes learn to take the angular route instead of straight lines, we bring you funky black and white art deco style options like Oshino Hakkai and Slate Striations.

Stripes have a way of surprising you when they step outside the lines—whether through creative interpretations, cultural influences, or unexpected pattern fusions. Take your time exploring the range of possibilities, and you’ll find a design that resonates with your style and brings a distinct character to your home. So, go ahead, let your choice of stripes tell a story that’s uniquely yours.

To Sew It All Up

You have seen it all now—stripes as tricksters, stripes as narrators, and stripes as chameleons wearing many avatars. And you cannot wait a moment more to shop your striped custom curtains, we know. Chances are, you already know the kind of striped drapery you want for your home at this point. So, we will not hold you back any longer. We welcome you with a bouquet full of striped fabrics, each waiting to impress you. And with free shipping on all orders, this is going to be one memorable spree. Shop away, fellow draper!