11 Ways to Make the Most of White Walls
Let your white walls lay the foundation for a stylish interior. Find out how to work the colour to best effect
Who says white is bland? Just because your room’s walls haven’t vibrant colours galore, it doesn’t mean it needs to be boring. White is, in fact, the ultimate blank canvas, ideal to bring the zest of life to any space. With an inherent quality of being able to complement any colour, white affords endless ways to decorate for minimalists and maximalists alike. Whether it is rendered with vibrant shades or paired with more neutrals, there’s nothing more effortlessly and eternally sophisticated than the shade white.
We suggest not giving in to bright walls and to let your white walls become the anchor for creating inspiring spaces that are anything but dull. Here are some design schemes bursting with style that you can give a chance.
We suggest not giving in to bright walls and to let your white walls become the anchor for creating inspiring spaces that are anything but dull. Here are some design schemes bursting with style that you can give a chance.
2. Go to the dark side
Alluring and dramatic, the black-and-white colour combination is a winner even if you’re obsessed with colours. For one thing, you don’t need to mull over colour charts to choose the ideal palettes. Although monochrome is an audacious pairing, it can be in equal parts striking and subtle. Take a look at this living room designed by Praxis, the black sofas make a strong statement, while the white walls don’t disrupt the understated elegance.
Alluring and dramatic, the black-and-white colour combination is a winner even if you’re obsessed with colours. For one thing, you don’t need to mull over colour charts to choose the ideal palettes. Although monochrome is an audacious pairing, it can be in equal parts striking and subtle. Take a look at this living room designed by Praxis, the black sofas make a strong statement, while the white walls don’t disrupt the understated elegance.
4. Splash a single shade
It is a clever yet simple technique used by interior designers to add depth and harmony to a space – choosing a one-colour scheme but in varying layers and textures. If you’re a fan of fuss-free design, then this should be your go-to option to amp up your white walls. This dining area by Savio & Rupa Interior Concepts does just that with bold and bouncy red shades. The ruby pendant lights, deep-red cushions and red-and-white woven placemats give a real fizz to the otherwise neutral area.
It is a clever yet simple technique used by interior designers to add depth and harmony to a space – choosing a one-colour scheme but in varying layers and textures. If you’re a fan of fuss-free design, then this should be your go-to option to amp up your white walls. This dining area by Savio & Rupa Interior Concepts does just that with bold and bouncy red shades. The ruby pendant lights, deep-red cushions and red-and-white woven placemats give a real fizz to the otherwise neutral area.
5. Play up the floor
Whether you prefer textured, patterned, solid or glossy, a bold base is a shortcut to style a white-walled room. This room’s scheme by Ravi Vazirani Design Studio is energised by the use of beautiful tropical olive-and-grey geometric tiles, which look right in place against the white walls and the overall industrial-chic set-up. If you’re not willing to commit to something permanent yet, opt for a multi-coloured rug.
Take a tour of this house here
Whether you prefer textured, patterned, solid or glossy, a bold base is a shortcut to style a white-walled room. This room’s scheme by Ravi Vazirani Design Studio is energised by the use of beautiful tropical olive-and-grey geometric tiles, which look right in place against the white walls and the overall industrial-chic set-up. If you’re not willing to commit to something permanent yet, opt for a multi-coloured rug.
Take a tour of this house here
6. …or the ceiling
One unexpected way to wake up neutral scheme is by dabbling with a dash of colour on the ceiling. The key is to use a vibrant colour or pattern over a relatively small patch for a touch of drama. A unique patterned teal blast by Dipen Gada & Associates peps up the tempo this living room’s overhead.
One unexpected way to wake up neutral scheme is by dabbling with a dash of colour on the ceiling. The key is to use a vibrant colour or pattern over a relatively small patch for a touch of drama. A unique patterned teal blast by Dipen Gada & Associates peps up the tempo this living room’s overhead.
7. Opt for metallic linings
A shiny yet delicate way to create highlights in a room is by incorporating metallic accents. Metallics have a timeless appeal, capable of exuding a modern, industrial-chic look as well as lending themselves to period design. From chrome furniture to touches of silver and gold accessories, adding metallic accents will instantly give your white walls a luxurious charm. Here, KNS architects have used the legs of the glass-topped table and its chairs to create focal points against the white background.
A shiny yet delicate way to create highlights in a room is by incorporating metallic accents. Metallics have a timeless appeal, capable of exuding a modern, industrial-chic look as well as lending themselves to period design. From chrome furniture to touches of silver and gold accessories, adding metallic accents will instantly give your white walls a luxurious charm. Here, KNS architects have used the legs of the glass-topped table and its chairs to create focal points against the white background.
8. Create a gallery-like set-up
There’s a reason why most museums and galleries around the world have white walls. This flawless shade is perfect to set the stage for pieces of art. The two paintings in this boudoir double the visual delight.
There’s a reason why most museums and galleries around the world have white walls. This flawless shade is perfect to set the stage for pieces of art. The two paintings in this boudoir double the visual delight.
9. Personalise with photos
If you’re like us and love clicking and getting clicked, then create an impact by framing your personal photographs and pictures of everything that inspires you on one of the walls. We recommend mixing a variety of frame styles and sizes for an interesting play of shape and texture. Follow a one-colour rule for a more cohesive look, just like this monochromatic setting does.
If you’re like us and love clicking and getting clicked, then create an impact by framing your personal photographs and pictures of everything that inspires you on one of the walls. We recommend mixing a variety of frame styles and sizes for an interesting play of shape and texture. Follow a one-colour rule for a more cohesive look, just like this monochromatic setting does.
10. Maximise the mirrors
White walls and some strategically placed mirrors can create the optical illusion of increasing the area. Although most times restricted to bathrooms, mirrors used in any room can boost the sense of the space. This mammoth mirror is simply propped behind the seats; the home owners can reposition it anytime they like.
White walls and some strategically placed mirrors can create the optical illusion of increasing the area. Although most times restricted to bathrooms, mirrors used in any room can boost the sense of the space. This mammoth mirror is simply propped behind the seats; the home owners can reposition it anytime they like.
11. Nod to greens
Invite greenery into your home to breathe new life into your blank walls. White and living green are a vibrant yet understated combination. Plants can fit into every nook and corner. Dot your space with a variety, just like these homeowners have. With a fern here and a snake plant there, the result will be refreshing and welcoming.
Read more:
How to Get an All-White Decor Right
Colour Choice: How to Choose Between White and Cream Walls?
Tell us:
What are your tricks to amp up a white living room? Do share them in Comments below.
Invite greenery into your home to breathe new life into your blank walls. White and living green are a vibrant yet understated combination. Plants can fit into every nook and corner. Dot your space with a variety, just like these homeowners have. With a fern here and a snake plant there, the result will be refreshing and welcoming.
Read more:
How to Get an All-White Decor Right
Colour Choice: How to Choose Between White and Cream Walls?
Tell us:
What are your tricks to amp up a white living room? Do share them in Comments below.
Love rainbow hues? White walls will give you the liberty to infuse and layer colour into your design. The best part is you can shuffle things around as often as you like without having to repaint the walls. We suggest starting with a bold-coloured sofa. This single piece of furniture can be upholstered without breaking your bank. In this living room imagined by Usine Studio, a structured powder-blue sofa, paired with an eclectic coffee table, creates a stunning, contemporary statement.