2026’s Hottest Pattern Is Circus Stripes—Here’s How to Use Them Like a Pro

After years of pared-back palettes and quiet minimalism, home design is ready to have a little fun again—and stripes are stepping back into the spotlight. This new accent is bold, bright, and unapologetically playful, drawing inspiration from the dramatic stripes of vintage circus tents and the fairground decor of this year’s Pinterest Predicts 2026 FunHaus trend. These statement-making lines bring instant energy to a space, whether they’re splashed across walls or woven into textiles.

Read on to hear from two interior designers and what they have to say about one of this year's hottest trends. Plus, learn where to use them and how to play with scale, color, and pattern for an even more striking appearance.

What’s Behind the Circus Stripes Style

This isn’t entirely new territory; stripes have a long history in home design. Interior designer Sussan Wemlinger specifically points to the 1980s and early 1990s, when design trends favored using a single pattern throughout a room, from walls and window treatments to furniture and even lampshades. Other patterns and motifs, at varying scales, were then used to accentuate the main selection.

“Invariably, there would be a stripe,” says Wemlinger. “The stripe was usually what kept the room from looking tacky.” Large horizontal stripes were the next iteration of striped decor, notably on draperies and painted on walls in the mid-2000s and early 2010s. After a long period of subdued neutrals, the stripe has returned, this time with a bold (and sentimental) twist. 

“I think this particular trend is happening now because consumers are ready for some lightheartedness and color,” says Wemlinger. She adds that recent color trends, focused on neutrals and earth tones, have been driven by a desire to bring comfort to our homes. “While I think comfort is still something consumers crave, they’re ready to get out of their safe haven and try something outside the box. This design trend fits the bill,” she says. 

There’s also a strong sense of nostalgia at play. “Circus stripes and other whimsical designs are popular right now because we, as a society, are feeling nostalgic for times past. Ask any millennial!” says interior designer Lindsay Putzier.

Embracing Circus Stripes Today

Putzier and Wemlinger are designers who aren’t afraid to bring bold color and pattern into everyday homes, which is how they approach the circus stripes trend today. What we’re seeing is that circus stripes can be found on both surfaces and furnishings, in expected and delightfully unexpected places:

• Walls and ceilings: Wallpapered or painted stripes, including statement ceilings, are the heart of this trend. For big top-inspired ceiling stripes, Wemlinger notes that a square room or ceiling maximizes the effect.
• Upholstery: Accent chairs, sofas, headboards, and bed canopies are all ideal for an infusion of this bold pattern. Putzier notes that the backs of dining chairs are an unexpected yet chic spot to embrace circus stripes. 
• Draperies: Window treatments are an easy place to incorporate circus stripes, but also consider room dividers and bed canopies to maximize the tent inspiration.
• Decorative accents: Vases, picture frames, and table settings all offer low-stakes opportunities to add circus stripes to existing spaces, but they can also complement larger-scale uses of the stripes.

While stripes are a natural fit for kids’ rooms, they’re certainly not limited there. Family rooms, bedrooms, and other gathering areas are ideal spaces to experiment. “Any room can have a bit of whimsy if you want it to,” says Putzier, noting that rooms with soft furnishings make it easier to incorporate the bold pattern.

Powder rooms are another great opportunity, as they are often spaces that embrace a different or bolder style trend for a bit of unexpected delight. “In a powder room, I’d do the whole room in a striped wallpaper, then color-drench the ceiling, vanity, trim, and door to take it to the next level,” says Wemlinger. 

Color Combinations

Color is where circus stripes truly come alive, bright and bold in a classic two-tone motif. Wemlinger encourages leaning into bold pairings such as turquoise and yellow, orange and blue, or pink and black. She also recommends exploring both vibrant and slightly muted versions of those hues. 

Don’t go too soft: both designers agree that neutrals and earthy color combinations aren’t the best fit here. Wemlinger advises avoiding pairings like green and yellow or brown and orange, while Putzier cautions against using neutrals or overly subdued tones altogether. Circus stripes, Putzier says, are meant to be confident and high-energy. “If you’re a neutrals-only type of person, circus stripes probably aren’t for you, and that’s ok. There are plenty of other stripes that work for neutral homes,” says Putzier.

Scale and Sizing

“Generally, a wide width would be best if one really wants to pull off the look,” says Wemlinger. The large scale is iconic of the circus stripes look. However, Wemlinger says there’s definitely room for variety in the aesthetic: mid-width stripes of about 3 to 5 inches can still add excitement if you want something more restrained.

A single-width, two-color stripe is the classic pattern. However, the trend might incorporate an additional stripe in a narrower width and, possibly, in a third color. The flexibility in the scale and color helps you match the look to your home. 

Balanced Boldness

“There has to be some boldness somewhere else in the room to pull off this bold aesthetic,” says Wemlinger. The circus stripe alone shouldn’t be the sole source of bold color; it can feel too vibrant and unbalanced. Coming off years of whites and neutrals, adding color can feel daunting. If coloring walls or furniture is a step too far for your current setup, Wemlinger suggests opting for a dramatic painted trim to provide the needed balance. 

Sharp and linear, circus stripes are strikingly geometric, so consider shape as well. The way draperies naturally bunch and undulate is a perfect example of how material or application can contrast the sharp lines. Working wavy profiles into a space could also help counter the rigidity of bold stripes: think wavy mirrors or headboards, scalloped accents, rounded upholstered furniture, and softly curved light fixtures. 

Pattern Mixing

Circus stripes have a bold personality, so adding more patterns might feel counterintuitive. However, it can soften the bold stripes and add more dimension to the room, so they don’t look flat. Plus, a well-curated mix of patterns will help the boldness of circus stripes feel collected rather than kitschy or overly playful. 

“I’d avoid doing too many other linear patterns with these stripes,” says Putzier, nixing herringbone and chevron from potential pattern mixing.

“A fun floral fabric would be a great contrast to the circus stripes, but scale in relation to the stripes is something to keep in mind,” suggests Wemlinger.

Color is an essential factor here as well. “When incorporating other patterns, make sure the colors coordinate well and are in the same color range as the stripe,” says Putzier. “For example, jewel tones can be paired together easily.”

How Much Whimsy Is Right for You?

Both designers emphasize that circus stripes can be calibrated to match your comfort level. “For someone who wants just a touch of whimsy, throw pillows are the way to go. For medium whimsy, why not upholster one accent chair?” says Putzier. “For ultimate whimsy, swag window treatments featuring stripes would be amazing!” 

For those who feel hesitant about the bold pattern and color, Wemlinger recommends starting with something small, such as a striped pillow, vase, planter, or artwork. She also notes that introducing color elsewhere in the room can help ease the transition into bolder territory.

Those ready to fully embrace circus stripes can think bigger. “A striped sofa or chair would not only be a head turner but a conversation starter as well,” says Wemlinger. For maximum style impact, you can double down by using the pattern on both ceilings and walls to capture the circus-inspired look and feel.

With an idea in mind for the overall aesthetic, you are likely to find a way to incorporate stripes, whether it’s wild and energetic or simply providing an undertone of drama. You don’t have to run away to the circus to find big top style! From simple yet bold picture frames, lampshades, and table linens to eye-popping painted accents on furniture and walls in a variety of colors and scales, circus stripes can feel fresh, sophisticated, and nostalgic all at once.