Foolproof Tips When Decorating With All White

All-white interiors are something that will never go out of style. Whether it’s an intended light and airy living room in your newly found house for rent in Cyberjaya or a romantic and colorless bedroom filled with layered textures, there’s something soothing about the thought of a white space.

While you may think an all-white room is easy to pull off, it’s not as easy as it may seem. Decorating with white is much more than simply slapping a room together with white paint and white furniture. It’s so much more than that. You will need to consider a myriad of details, ranging from layering textures to choosing paint colors and materials. In other words, there are very specific recipes for a successful all-white room.

To avoid ending up with a lifeless all-white space, read on for some tips that will help shed light on what it takes to create a successful all-white space.

 Decorate with textures

Texture is everything. It can help create depth and interest in an otherwise monochromatic all-white room. You can play around and layering different shades of white in different textures and materials to compensate for the lack of colors. The effect you get when layering is key to making a white room work. Texture does not just refer to textiles. You can add texture to your space with a plethora of different methods, ranging from textiles to lighting to accents.

All-white does not mean that your room has to be decorated with just one flat shade of white. Incorporating subtle hints of pale faded shades can also give an extra oomph that complements your layered whites and textures. For example, wooden furniture pieces in paler stains and tones can look amazing in an all-white space. The same goes for hints of metal accents such as aged brass or patinated steel. You can also consider adding texture through creating reflective moments by adding lighting, mirrors and a few pieces of artwork.

Pick your paint carefully

Choosing the perfect white isn’t as easy as it seems. White is not a one-shade-fits-all color, although at first it may seem that way. Before you choose your paint color, it is pertinent to take a look at the bare bones of your space. Often, you’ll find that a certain shade of white may work better in your space than another shade depending on the design and accents in your room. For example, an icy, stark, blinding white works well for a contemporary setting, while a warmer-looking white works better for a more traditional European look.

Whites are often coordinated with the cardinal direction that a room faces, as well as the details in your space. So, take a look at the color undertones of your furniture, flooring, fixtures and even stone to determine the type of white paint you choose. Warmer shades of white work best with a room with warm accents. Conversely, cooler shades of white work better with accents like chrome, Carrara marble and modern furnishings. Also, don’t forget to take into account the type and mount of light in the room, where the shade of white you choose can really influence the mood and ambience that you end up with.

Incorporate natural elements

One of the main problems with all-white interiors is that it can end up feeling and looking quite sterile. Depending on your décor and design goals, this may or may not be the best fit for your space. A clinical look is great if your ultimate design goal is a minimal and modern space. However, if you’re veering towards something more warm and welcoming, you will need to incorporate more natural elements to chase the sterile and clinical look away.

Consider adding natural and living elements such as greenery of all types (think cut flowers and indoor trees) and balance them out with rich textures. You can also consider other natural (but dead) elements such as pieces made of wood or leather, earthy pottery and even delicate glassware. Also consider the power that good lighting can bring to your space, especially natural light. All these things will help you make your space feel lived-in and alive, which provides a great balance to the starkness of the color white.

Maintain your space

One of the major downsides of a white space and white furnishings is that it is a magnet for stains. The main issue with white is that it requires a certain level of upkeep. That is why people usually tend to shy away from the color white if they have small children, pets, or are just plain clumsy. The thing you should consider about an all-white space is that it should be tailored to match how you live in your space. You need to know when to pull the plug on white furnishings when it’s simply not practical for you. For example, if you like to eat on your sofa, or if you like dark denim, you should steer clear of white rugs and light furniture.

However, this does not mean that the color white cannot be practical. There are many tricks that you can put up your sleeves to help make it easier to keep your white space clean and tidy. For example, make sure your larger furniture pieces are in a more durable and easily cleanable fabrics and materials. Linen and leather are better options than say, a silk rug, especially in the color white. Most importantly, embrace the myriad of cleaning options available: find a good steam cleaner, embrace the magic eraser and also the power of stain removers.