Learn a simple, dependable method for painting straight lines with painter’s tape to bring interest to a plain hallway.
One of the perks of blogging is the motivation it gives me to finish projects. I often start many tasks at once and leave half-done projects scattered around, so having a deadline helps me complete them.
This post looks back at the entryway hall in our previous home.
I wanted to add personality to the narrow hall without spending a lot, so I decided to try painting striped walls. With a little research and patience, the project turned out to be fun and transformative.
Here’s what the hall looked like before:
The space was quite narrow, and I wanted to open it up visually and add some interest without clutter.
Inspiration and Research for Painting Striped Walls
I started by searching tutorials and examples of striped walls to learn good techniques and common mistakes. Reading step-by-step guides and personal stories helped me understand the tools and tricks—especially tips about using painter’s tape, measuring accurately, and dealing with paint bleed.
Tutorials that include thorough instructions on layout, taping, and paint application are especially useful when you try this for the first time. They clarify the order of steps and what to watch out for as the paint dries.
It’s also helpful to read about other people’s mistakes—the “horror stories.” They often highlight pitfalls like misplaced tape, uneven spacing, or peeling paint caused by removing tape too late.
Steps for Painting Striped Walls
- Plan and measure your stripe layout. Decide how wide you want each stripe to be and mark the wall lightly with a pencil. Consistent spacing is key to a professional look. If you have a laser level or a long spirit level, use it to draw straight guide lines. If not, make small pencil marks at regular intervals and connect them visually to keep the lines even.
I used small pencil marks and applied painter’s tape over the areas I didn’t want to paint. The tape makes it easy to see where to paint and where to stop, which is especially helpful in a space with many visual distractions.
Tip: Press the tape down firmly along the edges to reduce paint bleed. You can use a plastic scraper or an old credit card to burnish the tape so the seal is tight.
- Paint the stripes and remove the tape while the paint is still slightly tacky. Use the base color and the stripe color in a logical order—either paint the darker base first and tape over it, or use tape to cover the areas that will remain the base color. Apply paint with a small foam roller or brush for crisp edges and even coverage.
In my hallway the main wall color was a warm “white down” (the darker base), and I painted the stripes in “polar bear white” using a small foam roller. I removed the tape before the paint fully dried to avoid peeling paint from the newly painted stripes and to keep the edges sharp.
Removing the tape at the right moment is crucial. Pull tape back on itself at a 45-degree angle for the cleanest line. If any minor bleeding occurred, use a small artist brush to touch up the edge once the paint is dry.
The stripes completely changed the feel of that narrow hallway, adding depth and visual rhythm without overwhelming the space. Small changes like this can make a big difference in how a room feels.
Extra Tips for Painting Straight Lines with Painter’s Tape
- Use high-quality painter’s tape designed for delicate surfaces to prevent peeling existing paint.
- Burnish the tape edge before painting to prevent seepage.
- Apply thin coats of paint rather than heavy ones to limit bleed under the tape.
- Remove tape when the paint is slightly tacky—not fully cured—to preserve crisp edges.
- Have a small angled brush handy for any touch-ups after the paint has dried fully.
More Painting Resources and Ideas
- How to choose a paint color you’ll love and live with.
- How to pick the right paint sheen for your project.
- Step-by-step guidance on how to paint a room efficiently.
- An interior painting supply checklist: what you need to complete a room.
- Practical home decorating tips and tricks for overcoming hesitation and getting started.
- Resources to help you choose the best paint colors for your home.
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