Homes decorated in white

decorate with white for a fresh look |

(Image credit: Neptune / Mylands / Crown)

Decorating with white is a fantastic way to perfect a pared-back palette. Elegant and timeless in their simplicity, white schemes are a stalwart in the world of interiors. Evoking purity and cleanliness alongside confidence and sophistication, white is a wonderfully versatile color for interiors.

But decorating with white can be a minefield. Get it wrong and your white room ideas will feel cold and impersonal. But get white right – with the help of our tips – and white can feel sophisticated, ethereal, inspiringly light-reflective and space-enhancing.

Decorating with white – how to get it right

There are so many ways to decorate with white – and many of them are quite surprising. Use these techniques and paint ideas to get your white scheme just right.

Choose the right shade of white

(Image credit: Crown)

Shades of white span a huge spectrum, from cool tones, to bright, brilliant whites, through to warmer shades with hints of yellow, so when it comes to choosing a white, think about the mood you want to evoke, advises Justyna Korczynska, senior designer at Crown .

'You can have a very clean white, a chalky one, a greyed one, a white that has a hint of green or one with more of a yellow hue. This is because every white has an underlying tone – it might be something slightly warm or cool – the merest hint of red or blue for example,' explains Justyna Korczynska.

'Keep this in mind – do you want it to be crisp and bright or to have more softness and warmth?'

'There is no hard or fast rule with finding the perfect white, it really depends on what atmosphere you want to create. If the desire is to create a calm, serene space then use tone on tone color; a cooler white with cooler toned pastels or a warm white with warm pastels.'

Consider the light in the room

(Image credit: Mylands )

White can appear different depending on the light and the orientation of the room, so be sure to factor this in when choosing paint advises Dominic Myland, director of Mylands Paints .

'South facing rooms with plenty of light can take cooler whites with their undertones of blue or green, like Greenwich Time™ No. 8, but we recommend warmer whites for darker, north-facing rooms.

'Off whites are grouped tonally on Mylands color cards, so if you are opting for a dark shade you can work up the chart to find an off-white that will harmoniously work with a scheme. We always advise testing paint choices in situ first to see how they appear in different lights throughout the day.'

Choose white furniture

(Image credit: Miss Alice Designs)

If you have a small living room then an all-white scheme featuring white chairs, sofas and upholstery is guaranteed to maximize the feeling of light and space.

'The arm chairs for this white living room were selected primarily of the size and style. It's a petite chair which fits perfectly in the small living room of my client's Victorian flat,' says interior designer Alice Chiu of Miss Alice Designs .

'The upholstered chair with front casters and rolled arms lend a soft and classic look while the simple shape and design of the chair with solid cream fabric adds a modern feel. The brass finish pairs nicely with the back espresso colored legs for simple yet refined detail.'

Combine different shades of white

(Image credit: Neptune)

Decorating with white can leave spaces feeling stark and cold – to combat this, introduce subtle variations in tone to bring life and depth. This white kitchen is anything but boring thanks to its use of subtle texture and layering.

'Many people perceive white as the ‘safe option’ because they know it goes with everything. But pure white can be hard to live with, so it is important to introduce shade and tone,' says Simon Temprell, interior design manager at Neptune .

'Study the architecture of the room, particularly the way that the light falls against each wall and ceiling, as this will help you design a creative neutral palette for your room. You can create monochromatic harmony by choosing three shades from the same family or you could add a subtle contrast to energize things.'

Add structure with architectural features

(Image credit: Four Brothers )

Square box rooms can feel boring and sterile when decorated in white, but introducing shapely architectural features such as alcove shelving, arches, wall paneling or a coffered ceiling can serve to bring depth and interest to the space.

'If you have the right mix of textures, shapes and natural light then white can feel cozy and inviting,' says Sondra Zabroske, AIA, Architect + Team Leader at Four Brothers Design + Build . 'Here I think the structural coffered ceiling and arches help to ground the room and provide a visual scale which can feel much more comfortable than an empty white box.

'White can also be a perfect stage for your favorite color as an accent in a pillow or throw,' adds Sondra Zabroske.

Use white to create a monochrome scheme

(Image credit: Michael Sinclair / Future )

This is a big interiors trend for the year ahead.

Monochrome shades and softer muted greys add a sense of refined elegance to a pure white space. Paneled walls painted soft grey provide a sophisticated backdrop for this scheme, which artfully balances black and white upholstered furniture.

Blocks of pattern, in the form of tailored cushions and artwork, add interest and personality to the modern look.

Combine white with bags of texture

(Image credit: Future / Alexander James)

White is best when combined with texture to avoid a flat, one-dimensional feel.

‘I love to work with a blend of white and off-white wallcoverings as a foil for richer finishes such as gilt or dark wood. White silk wallpaper or pearlized polished plaster - something I believe we're going to see more of as it gives a subtle richness and texture to walls – are great for bringing a contemporary feel to more traditional interiors,’ explains interior designer Katharine Pooley.

Go for an all-white kitchen to turn chaos into calm

(Image credit: Future / David Lovatti)

Classic, timeless and, ultimately, saleable when you come to move, white in a kitchen can't fail. Practicality has to reign, though, which means picking white paint colors that can be wiped down so that your space remains consistently sparkling.

Enhance space with an all-white bathroom

(Image credit: Taran Wilkhu)

'Crisp white works wonderfully in bathrooms. Nothing beats the pure white bathroom backdrop achieved with high-grade Calacatta Oro or Statuario marble slabs, which I like to set against chrome taps,' says Katharine Pooley, although we love the trend for gold taps, too.

'Don't forget about joinery finishes. Crackled gesso, resin and Tabu timber veneers all look terrific in white as the finish is unadulterated by the distraction of color.'

Take white decorating ideas outside, too

(Image credit: Neptune)

Decorating with white outdoors makes fantastic sense: it's perfect for showing off planting, it bounces sunlight about efficiently, it looks almost excessively smart, and it will never date.

Use it for your home's walls, for decking and for patios. And, of course, your front door.

What room colors go with white?

The beauty of white is that it will work harmoniously with just about any color on the color wheel. Using a white is all about adding depth and contrast in different layers and textures, says Jane Landino, creative head of studio at Taylor Howes .

‘To make a white palette feel designed and considered it’s important to mix and match patterns, albeit neutral ones and occasional pops of color. Just because something is white doesn’t mean it has to be plain: think about the application – is the wallpaper silk or textured, as an example. White is one of the most versatile shades in all of design – it instantly brightens while evoking a sense of calm and flawlessness. Add interest through colorful art, accent soft furnishings and antique furniture and objects. It also makes it easier to change up the look of a room.’

What feature wall colors go with white?

If you want to create an elegant and timeless accent or feature wall, then look to colors found in nature.

The beauty of a neutral scheme is that it provides a wonderful scaffold upon which to hang accents of color, adds Deborah Bass, founder of Base Interior .

‘This is especially true in a home office where a neutral wall or a textured plaster or wallpaper wall finish creates a background for books and art, both of which can take the decorative center stage. ’ She recommends grounding subtler shades with a deeper, richer natural timber to create a balance. ‘Neutrals offer an elegant, timeless response to the working from home dilemma, likewise versatile in the sense that different family members might be using the space at different times of day and for a variety of functions,’ she adds.

Pippa is Content Editor on Homes & Gardens online contributing to Period Living and Country Homes & Interiors print issues. A graduate of Art History and formerly Style Editor at Period Living, she is passionate about architecture, creating decorating content, interior styling and writing about craft and historic homes. She enjoys searching out beautiful images and the latest trends to share with the Homes & Gardens audience. A keen gardener, when she’s not writing you’ll find her growing flowers on her village allotment for styling projects.

39 Best White Room Ideas for 2022

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These ideas will make you feel like you're floating on cloud nine.

By Sienna Livermore, Brittney Morgan and Emma Bazilian

Oct 23, 2019

Courtesy of Tessa Neustadt for Emily Henderson Designs

White walls always look clean and classic, but without the right styling, it can get boring, fast. Whether your design aesthetic is coastal, boho, or minimalist, we've got ideas (from products to inspo) for how you can make an all-white space have serious swoon-factor.

Matthew Millman

1 of 39

Create Contrast

While designing a Hawaii vacation home for a pair of self-professed minimalists, Catherine Kwong used the same white backdrop (Benjamin Moore’s Swiss Coffee) in every room. Graphic black-and-white art and charcoal accessories add contrast.

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Amy Neunsinger, Joshua Tree 3

$175 AT ONE KINGS LANE

Ask any designer—it's virtually impossible to go wrong with black-and-white photography.

Francesco Lagnese

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Au Naturel

One easy way to make white feel fresh? Mix it up with natural materials. Here, Dan Mazzarini combined a sleek whitewashed coffee table with a plush wool rug and woven pendant lights for a Connecticut family’s cozy family room.

Serena & Lily

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Perennials Rockland® Pillow Cover

$24 AT SERENA AND LILY

Don't let the color scare you: this double-sided pillow—woven stripes on the front, plush velvet on the back—is made from Perennials performance fabric, so you won't have to worry about spills, stains or even sun and rain.

DAVID A. LAND

5 of 39

Beam Me Up

Rough-hewn beams make a bold statement against the white walls and ceiling of the formal living room in an 18th-century Nantucket home designed by Elizabeth Georgantas.

Perigold

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Robert Abbey Voltaire 24 Lamp

Now 51% off

$249 AT PERIGOLD

Saddle leather accents will lend instant richness to any white interior.

Paul Raeside

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Paint Your Floors

One of our favorite designer hacks for freshening up creaky old floors: just add a coat of white paint! (And don't worry about cracks—they add character.) Andrew Flesher used Benjamin Moore’s Super White in his 300-year-old Westchester home.

Nordstrom

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Dusen Dusen Arc Duvet Cover & Shams

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Add bright accents to graphic black-and-white bedding for a burst of morning energy.

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Strike the Right Tone

White millwork, tone-on-tone wallpaper by Marthe Armitage, a classic Saarinen table and pale wood accents makes this breakfast room designed by Los Angeles’s Cuffhome feel extra ethereal.

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Ton 811 Caned Dining Side Chair

$495 AT WILLIAMS SONOMA

A cane side chair is always a classic—the white-painted frame makes it feel extra Scandi-chic.

Christian Harder

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Mouldings Matter

An all-white kitchen doesn’t need to be boring—Alison Victoria integrated whimsical architectural details, like a pair of corbels sourced from a Paris flea market, to add personality to hers.

Wayfair

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Ekena Millwork Boston Traditional Scroll Vintage Decor 10.5

$58 AT WAYFAIR $76 AT HOME DEPOT $70 AT OVERSTOCK

If a trip to the Paris flea markets isn't in the cards, look for mouldings that have a lived-in look.

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Show Off Your Collection

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Wisteria

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Weathered Oak & Linen Cane-Back Armchair

$22,226 AT WISTERIA.COM

An occasional chair that works anywhere—perfect for when guests come to visit.

LAURA RESEN

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Accent With Black

Is there anything sexier than a black and white combo? If it's a small space, keep it mostly white to make the room feel more spacious, then accent with black.

Target

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Threshold

Printed Floral Shower Curtain Neutral - Threshold

Now 30% off

$14 AT TARGET

The tassel trim and block print make this shower curtain look like a designer find.

Mali Azima

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Wood-Paneled Everything

Between the pale oak floors and butcher block counters, this Florida kitchen embraces an informal yet cozy aesthetic. Black latches on plank cabinetry lend extra vintage charm.

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March

Victoria Morris Pottery White Speckled Canisters

$400 AT MARCHSF.COM

These hand-thrown speckled lidded stoneware canisters are basically the chicest storage containers you'll ever see.

Courtesy of A House In The Hills

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Use Your Green Thumb

All white can get boring, fast, so liven it up with potted plants and greenery. It'll feel like an actual oasis in your living room.

See more at A House in The Hills.

Crate & Barrel

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Faye Cream Terra-Cotta Vase

Crate & Barrel
$39.95 - $59.95

BUY NOW

These beautiful glazed terra-cotta vases come in two sizes, 12 inches tall and 18 inches tall.

MATT ALBIANI

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Shiplap For Days

White shiplap walls in the bedroom of this Nantucket boathouse create a nautical vibe that still feels timeless.

Thayer Allyson Gowdy

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Marble Goals

This is the marble bathroom our Pinterest dreams are made of. Even though this bathroom is mostly white, the black and grey veins in the marble give the space depth.

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Fireclay Tile

Sintra Hand-Painted Tiles

$35 AT FIRECLAYTILE.COM

Hand-painted Moroccan tiles add interest to an all-white color scheme. You can also get these in a teal motif, if you want a splash of color instead.

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Go a Little Off-White

Pure white can sometimes look stark, but if you want to keep your space light and bright, there's a solution. Try cream or off-white—the warmer tones feel more inviting.

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Safavieh

Rania Fenced Mirror

Now 16% off

$180 AT SAFAVIEHHOME.COM

The intricate detail on this white fenced mirror adds depth and luxury to any space.

Courtesy of Sacramento Street

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Play With Texture

Warm up a white room with texture—think woods, seagrass, rattan, or anything natural. It's perfectly minimalist, but still feels inviting.

See more at Sacramento Street.

Courtesy of Tessa Neustadt

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Turn Your Bathroom Into A Spa

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See more at Amber Interiors.

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Gabby Louie Side Table

$419 AT SHOPCANDELABRA.COM

A white marble top and a gold, geometric Greek Key-inspired base make this side table a gorgeous statement piece.

Courtesy of Tessa Neustadt

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Boho Farmhouse

A crisp, matte white is totally timeless. It makes this already expansive living room feel even larger. Though it's got the frame of a classic farmhouse, the boho decor adds seriously unexpected character.

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Verellen

Grant Sofa

FIND RETAILER

What would an all-white space be without a white sofa? This one features a hard wood frame and an eight-way hand-tied seat construction. Not to mention, it looks so cozy.

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