Warm Up to White All Around the House
Explore the many ways to design a white kitchen, bathroom, dining room or bedroom that's far from stark and sterile
We often associate white interior color with modern minimalism, but it is also perfectly at home with cozy Shabby Chic style. While color lovers would argue that white is cold, bland and sterile, its advocates would say it can create a feeling of space, hide blemishes and soften architectural quirks.
Glossing over the debate as to whether white is actually a color at all, let's take a look at what color experts can tell us about white and how we can use it to create designs that look anything but cold and bland.
Glossing over the debate as to whether white is actually a color at all, let's take a look at what color experts can tell us about white and how we can use it to create designs that look anything but cold and bland.
Darryl Carter, author of The New Traditional, says, "White makes old things seem more current. White rooms are more complex than they appear, because there are no distractions. Every choice becomes critical."
This beautiful aged corner dresser has a wonderful warm patina and is the main focus of this simple room, preventing it from feeling overly stark.
This beautiful aged corner dresser has a wonderful warm patina and is the main focus of this simple room, preventing it from feeling overly stark.
In the Renaissance influential architect Leon Battista Alberti encouraged artists to add white to their colors to make them lighter and brighter.
Here white is beautifully combined with watery blue-white paneled walls to create a coastal design.
Here white is beautifully combined with watery blue-white paneled walls to create a coastal design.
Whitewashing helps cover up and gloss over any painting errors, giving you a blank slate — painting everything white can hide a multitude of sins. Rooms appear bigger, and boundaries blur.
Some tricky architectural elements in the small space here have been skillfully dealt with using white.
Some tricky architectural elements in the small space here have been skillfully dealt with using white.
Buddhist pilgrims in Japan wear white robes for rituals, purification and bathing in sacred rivers.
This serene white bathroom is warmed by the wood, but the views are what create a natural haven for daily cleansing rituals.
This serene white bathroom is warmed by the wood, but the views are what create a natural haven for daily cleansing rituals.
The pairing of black and white is a classic: light and dark, good and evil, yin and yang. This combination also represents formality and seriousness, as in the costumes of judges and tuxedos.
This wonderful chandelier adds an essential splash of color to prevent the room from taking itself too seriously.
This wonderful chandelier adds an essential splash of color to prevent the room from taking itself too seriously.
In feng shui white is the color of the metal element. According to feng shui expert Rodika Tchi, white is a very versatile color that can brighten a room's energy instantly. Tchi recommends using white anywhere in the home, especially to contrast brighter colors.
Dreaming about white is supposed to represent happiness at home — think of how a white picket fence often surrounds the safe and happy homes we dream of.
This room shows how white can be warm, with different shades of it mixed with warm neutrals and loads of texture. I don't think it's just the cute pooch who feels safe and happy here!
This room shows how white can be warm, with different shades of it mixed with warm neutrals and loads of texture. I don't think it's just the cute pooch who feels safe and happy here!
Layering whites can look stunning, but keep in mind that not every white is the same — make sure you're working with the same hues before you start painting or putting in tile.
This design uses the same bright white but in alternating matte and gloss finishes. The contrasting brown floor adds warmth, and a splash of color at the end of the space provides a focal point for the room.
More:
How to Pick the Right White Paint
More Houzz guides to designing with white
This design uses the same bright white but in alternating matte and gloss finishes. The contrasting brown floor adds warmth, and a splash of color at the end of the space provides a focal point for the room.
More:
How to Pick the Right White Paint
More Houzz guides to designing with white
This gorgeous lace bedspread screams femininity, but the room still manages to balance traditional and modern, male and female, light and dark — so clever!