Remember this old post about all the projects we were dreaming of tackling with some bonus cash from BHG’s 48-Hour Challenge? After more than 20,000 votes we didn’t win the $5K (congrats Nicole!), but many of those ideas are still on the to-do list. In fact, two of them are already finished. A few weeks ago we spruced up the patio with a DIY firepit and bargain lounge chairs—one down, several to go.
Make that three—because we’re back to share the second quick project we completed. We hinted about adding some layered, textural interest to the half bath, then opted to surprise you instead. So—surprise!
See that subtle cream-on-cream texture visible from the front door? Let’s take a closer look.
We painted cream-on-cream horizontal stripes in the half bathroom. The walls used to match the hallways and the adjoining den (Wishes by Glidden), but we wanted to give the small space a bit more presence and the illusion of width. Horizontal stripes help visually expand a room and add interest without overpowering the space. Our inspiration was Jenn’s Design Star makeover from last summer—it just took us a year to get around to it. Here’s the bathroom before we started:
The whole project took about four hours one evening and was straightforward. Here’s how we did it:
Step 1: Divide & Conquer — Measure the full height of the wall and calculate stripe size. We wanted six horizontal stripes on a 98″ wall. Our formula was to divide the height by (2 x number of stripes) minus 1: 98 ÷ 11 = roughly 8.9 inches per stripe.
Step 2: Make Your Mark — Starting at the floor, mark every 8.9 inches up to the ceiling. We made two small pencil marks per wall, one on each side, so our lines would be even.
Step 3: Tape It Off — Use blue painter’s tape to connect the pencil marks and create the taped stripes. Press the tape firmly so it sits flush for cleaner lines. The tape should be placed outside the marks for the stripes you’ll paint and inside the marks for the negative spaces you won’t paint. If that sounds confusing, just check as you go whether you’re taping the stripe or the gap. The taped stripes should be the target width (8.9″ in our case); the tape for the negative spaces will sit closer together so that after removal both areas match.
Step 4: Roll With It — Use a good roller and paint a shade slightly lighter or darker than the base color—subtlety is important here. Apply two thin, even coats between the wider pieces of tape for crisp stripes. Use an angled brush to cut in near the baseboard and ceiling.
Step 5: Remove the Tape Immediately — This step is essential. Remove each strip of tape as soon as the second coat is finished and still wet (unless you need a third coat). Waiting until the paint fully dries risks peeling and uneven lines. Pull the tape off right after rolling for clean, seamless edges.
And that’s it—horizontal stripes, done. We used a quart of Valspar’s Honeymilk for the stripes and had a $10-off coupon at Lowe’s, so the material cost came to just $2.48. A tiny investment for a visible impact.
We love how the soft stripes enhance our crystal teardrop chandelier—a cheap find from Urban Outfitters—and make it look even more elegant.
Our $9.99 artwork also feels more spa-like against the tone-on-tone stripes:
The stripes also ended up framing the wall sconces perfectly. If you want the same effect, start taping near the fixtures and work outward so the lighting isn’t cut awkwardly by a stripe.
So there you have it: an under-$3 refresh for the half bath. We’ve always loved stripes (our blog background and our recently striped porch are proof), and bringing them into this tiny room felt like the perfect finishing touch.
What do you think? Did you tackle any budget projects recently? Any striping tips or stories to share?