Stripes, especially pinstripes, are very classy and elegant, but they can also add a manly touch to any room, much like the classic pinstripe look that is very sexy and high-class. Creating multiple pinstripes in a living room does not require hiring a contractor or taking classes first, although these are both great ideas that are optional for those without the self-confidence to tackle the project without help.

The techniques for pinstripes are vastly the same as for any other striping method, as you will notice through the steps below.

Choosing Colors and Materials

Start by choosing the colors for each stripe and gather needed materials for creating perfect pinstripes, including painter’s tape and a drop cloth for the floor. You will also need a paintbrush or corner roller, and roller or large paintbrush for the other stripe in the room, as well a very small paintbrush for the second pinstripe. You do not have to stick to a two-color theme with this method, but this is the most popular choice for a contemporary look. You can choose to go with this method or add multiple shades for the stripes, depending on your personality and the look you are creating.

To add more depth, you can add a second pinstripe to the large stripe, hence the multiple stripe look; this technique creates a large or medium, small, and very small stripe in three different colors. For the very small stripe, a great metallic shade is perfect, based on the colors represented throughout the room’s decor, and these paints are usually only slightly more expensive than other interior paint shades. This can also be a perfect way to introduce a small color pop in a neutral or color-contrast space, or to add a masculine touch to any living room decor.

Painting the Shades

Paint the base coat first, which should be the lightest shade in your palette and the largest stripe in most cases. This makes it easy to paint the other shades without needing several coats for each stripe, making the job go faster. Once you are happy with the base coat, and have allowed sufficient drying time, begin taping the areas for the first pinstripe. Measure very carefully and mark each one with painter’s tape, being extra careful to get the lines absolutely straight.

After marking, paint each pinstripe in the desired shade and allow time for this layer to dry, forty-eight to seventy-two hours for most rooms. Remove the tape very carefully by pulling from top to bottom and touch up any areas that are damaged from the tape. Allow time for touch-ups to dry, and decide how thin you want the final pinstripe to be in the room. As a rule of thumb, the largest stripe should be three times the size of the first pinstripe, and the second pinstripe should be one-third the size of the first pinstripe. Use painter’s tape again to mark each line for the smallest pinstripes, and allow at least three days for drying before you remove the tape.