Fourth of July is filled with bright colors and bold patterns and is a great source of decorating inspiration, especially if you think outside the box!
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Happy Fourth of July! I hope you all are enjoying this holiday with sunshine, relaxation, and a cold drink…whatever you fancy. Everywhere you go you can see the archetypal red, white, and blue that celebrates our nation’s independence.
I’m totally into mixing and matching patterns right now, but when am I not!? Stars and stripes can be a very daring combination when it comes to decorating! If done well, it can give a fun and whimsical vibe to a space. PLEASE don’t feel like you need to stick to red, white, and blue when decorating with stars and stripes! It has its place, but it’s kind of a “been there done that” color palette. Branch out and have some fun!
Although I don’t like to stick to too many rules when decorating, here are FIVE tips that may be helpful when designing a space using stars and stripes.
1. Stay away from red, white, and blue. (Unless you’re going for that look.)
I am proud to be an American, but I don’t need a Fourth of July parade marching through my home! Neutrals are great options for strong patterns like stars and stripes.
2. Mix in some solids.
You need to mix in some solid colors to break up the patterns. Once again, neutrals would be a great fit here. Otherwise your space will look like a circus tent! Think walls, floors, and fabrics.
3. Pick one place to go BIG.
If you are decorating with stars and stripes, I’m assuming you’re going for bold. I would suggest picking one place to showcase your patterns. The best places to use a bold pattern would be the floors, walls, or fabrics. I will say that if you stick to neutral colors and similar scales, going bold with pattern in more than one place can work. Look at the second image below via Sissy and Marley for an example.
4. Keep it simple.
Don’t over-decorate the space. You need to have a “less is more” mentality when it comes to using stars and stripes.
5. And my favorite…Add in some fun details.
Finally, have some fun with the space, and add some creative details using stars and stripes!
5 Inspiring Rooms Using Stars and Stripes
Here are some beautiful nurseries and bedrooms that use stars and stripes as their main attraction in some untraditional ways. They all create a totally unique look using our nation’s best décor patterns!
Why this works: This color palette is made up of neutrals, with white being the predominant color and tan and gold being the accent colors. The patterns seen in the star wallpaper and the striped roman shade do not compete with each other because they are a similar scale and color. The color of the stars and stripes mimics the gold metal accents seen in the hardware and light fixtures and pulls the room together.
Why this works: This color palette contains two basic neutrals, gray and white. The star wallpaper and striped rug are a similar scale once again. The background is white, so choosing to mix two large patterns in this room isn’t too busy. It allows your eyes to rest at some point, and land on the adorable accessories!
Why this works: This monochromatic color palette keeps things simple with black and white as the “star” of the show. As we have seen above, the star wallpaper and striped rug are the same size, so one is not outdone by the other. The accessories piggy back on the black and white color scheme and make the whole room cohesive.
Why this works: This room is a unique take on stars and stripes. Although there are different patterns seen in this room, they work together because of the colors and scales. The striped rug and striped pendant are both larger in scale, while the striped pillow cases are smaller in scale. The rug grounds the room with its large stripes, while the pillow case stripes allow you to look around the room without forcing you stop again. The different size stars and random placement, creates a nice flow in the room.
Why this works: The light colors seen in the room create a sweet, soft, and subtle space. The painted stars are a smaller scale than the rug, but that works, because of their neutral color. The rug is the only pop of color, so the stripes are able to shine!
I hope I’ve convinced you to use stars and stripes in your decorating and find inspiration in an unexpected way! Can you see yourself decorating with stars and stripes?
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