All-white rooms are a designer darling for a reason. Whether in a cool cream or warm ivory, bleached tones lend a crisp sophistication to spaces. Plus, they create the illusion of a larger space, especially when paired with an open layout concept. At the same time, all-white interiors can easily skew into monotonous territory. So how do you strike just the right balance? Ahead, we break down the right way to decorate with white.
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Know Your Whites
White paint and furnishings come in various shades. Cool hues often have blue or gray undertones. Whether it’s a silvery-white sofa or an alabaster bust, cool whites are luminescent in sun-filled rooms. If surrounding furnishings are colorful, cool whites can also really pop!
On the other hand, toasty whites with beige or cream undertones feel cozier. Pieces like a linen sectional sofa or mother-of-pearl decor have an inherent warmth to them and match well with natural materials like wood and stone. All in all, working primarily in cool tones or warm tones can create a sense of cohesion, making it a lot easier to work in other colors.
Welcome Color
When it comes to working color into a bleached-out backdrop, trust the tried and true 60-30-10 rule. A design axiom, the rule dictates that primary colors — in this case, white — should take up 60 percent of the room. 30 percent should go to a secondary color, while the last 10 percent is reserved for a stand out, accent shade. In a white interior design, living room, try peppering in earth tones as a complement and pops of color for character.
Take In Texture
Different textural elements can make a big difference in colorless rooms. Employ cream linens, earth-toned rattan pieces, or furry sheepskins to break up the all-white monotony. Tile and rugs can cultivate subtle visual interest as well, as can pillows and woolly blankets.
Melding white and texture can also have a pronounced effect. White silk wallpaper, polished plaster, and paints with matte, sheen, or glossy finishes lend depth to ivory-infused interiors.
Lead image: Design by Allison Caccoma, Inc. / Photo by Stacy Bass