Painting vertical stripes on walls is a technique that’s mostly preparation work. If your preparation is done properly, it’ll be a breeze when you actually paint stripes on walls. Painting stripes on walls works well in an already busy area, such as a bathroom or kitchen. Painting walls with stripes can also be effective as an accent wall in a room or hallway, where the other walls are all one color.

Tools for Painting Walls and Stripes

If you’re planning to paint stripes on walls, make sure the walls are free of cracks and bulges. These imperfections will show dramatically in the striping if they’re not repaired beforehand. You’ll need drywall compound or spackle, a spatula or trowel to apply it, and fine sandpaper to smooth the walls flat. Clean the wall thoroughly so that it is free of dust.

You will, of course need the usual tools for painting walls:

• Brushes and rollers
• Drop cloths
• Paint (two contrasting but complimentary colors)
• Paint trays.

To paint stripes on walls, you’ll also need the following tools:

• Level (professionals recommend either a six-foot or a laser level.)
• Masking tape (preferably the safe-release painter’s type)
• Measuring tape
• Pencil or chalk (to mark the walls).

How to Paint Stripes on Walls

Once your prep work is complete, applying the first color is simple, with one cardinal rule: Apply the lightest or the flattest color first. Wait at least 24 hours before you paint stripes in the other color. Stripes are typically painted from 4 to 10 inches wide. Do your math and lightly pencil-mark along the top, middle and bottom of the wall outlining the shape of each stripe.

Use your level to lay the masking tape, lightly but firmly, from top to bottom. A laser level can really save you time and aggravation with this important step. Lay your masking tape outside of the stripe to be painted. Avoid bubbles in the tape, as this can cause the paint to bleed into the adjoining stripe. To avoid painting the wrong stripe, place sticky notes on stripes that you aren’t going to paint in the second color.

When painting stripes on walls, try to go over the surface only once with the roller or brush. This is particularly critical along the edges of the masking tape, to avoid bleeding. Use a brush to paint perpendicular (horizontally) to the masking tape, drawing the brush from the tape onto the stripe. Painting along the tape vertically risks bleeding of the paint under the tape.

Also, unlike painting walls of a single color, limit the amount of paint on your brush or roller. You’ll need to have more control over where the paint is going to go.

Finally, remove the masking tape while the stripe paint is still wet. Letting the paint dry before removing it allows the paint to form a skin, which can peel when the tape is removed. Painting stripes on walls is an ideal two-person job: One person paints while the second follows along, carefully removing the tape.