9 Decorating Ideas for White Living Rooms
These inspiring living rooms show how good an (almost) all-white room can look
Jo Simmons
7 December 2015
Houzz UK Contributor. I have been an interiors journalist since 1995, writing several books on design and numerous features for glossy homes mags over the years. For Houzz, I cover decorating ideas and trends and interview designers and professionals for their insights. My favourite pieces to write, though, are Houzz Tours, as I love exploring and learning about real homes. Call me curious — or nosy!
Houzz UK Contributor. I have been an interiors journalist since 1995, writing several... More
White is a reliable, go-to shade that delivers huge benefits. It helps a space feel brighter, lighter and bigger, and you don’t need to spend a small fortune on paint samples before choosing it. But a white living room can be hard to pull off. Too much white can look harsh and sterile, or it can simply lack bite. So how do you get the best from white, and what should you pair it with? These 10 beautiful white living rooms point the way to getting white right.
1. Go for greenery. The lush leaves of a houseplant really sing out against a fresh white wall and add a welcome shot of living color against the pure backdrop. The fact that this retro ceiling pendant in this white living room almost mimics the shape of the potted tree is a bonus!
2. Channel Nordic style. What the Scandinavians don’t know about working a white design is probably not worth knowing. They understand the value of white for boosting light levels and helping a space feel coordinated and airy, but they are skilled at punctuating it, too. Here, gray, black and wood are used to give a white living room character and edge.
3. Consider paneling. There’s no denying it: A white wall can look rather predictable. If you love white and crave the element of surprise too, try incorporating paneling. The horizontal design here creates lines around the room, adding lots of movement without deviating from the white design. The dark shadow gap between each board is interpreted as a color theme and reproduced on the hearth, armchair and picture frame.
4. Create crisp silhouettes. Keep the fresh, clean feel of white by choosing just one or two colors to stand out against it. Here, a teak sideboard adds a block of warm wood color, while accents of bright yellow and blue seem to almost hover against the white backdrop. This pared-back approach ensures that the white still looks sharp, but there is welcome color too.
5. Play with scale. Prevent an all-white room from feeling bland by introducing oversized pieces. Here, a large Anglepoise-style floor lamp is a witty touch that adds a focal point and height to a pale and neutral space.
6. Feel the folk. This wonderful white living room, complete with white shelving displaying magazines with neat white spines, is broken up by a few pieces of seating. A sharp, contemporary charcoal sofa would have given this space a very Scandinavian feel, but instead, an Ercol piece dotted with homespun cushions takes the room in a folksy-meets-midcentury direction. It’s an unexpected and winning choice.
9. Add plenty of detail. So many of the ingredients in this living space are white, but the variety of shapes, forms and elements gives it heaps of energy. The space is rich with detail, including white seating, ceramics and white-framed photography. Touches of black and red add contrast but never threaten to overthrow the purity of this white living room.
Tell us: Do you love a crisp white living room? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
More
10 Reasons to Embrace White Walls
Color of the Year: Off-White Is On Trend for 2016
Tell us: Do you love a crisp white living room? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
More
10 Reasons to Embrace White Walls
Color of the Year: Off-White Is On Trend for 2016
What are you working on?
Related Stories
Kitchen Guides
10 Key Kitchen Dimensions You Need to Know
Here are key kitchen dimensions that will help you design like a pro
Full Story
More Room Guides
35 Serene Puja Room Designs
Take a leaf out of these elegantly designed, beautiful prayer rooms on Houzz
Full Story
Decorating Guides
What Are the Benefits of Hiring an Interior Designer?
From furnishing working drawings to beautifying the home, find out how an interior designer plays multifunctional roles
Full Story
More Room Guides
Turn One Room Into Two With These Genius Ideas
Carve out an extra room within your home with these fab room-splitting tips and tricks
Full Story
Bedroom Guides
What Are the Ideal Wardrobe Measurements?
Here are dimensions for different types of wardrobe designs that ensure maximum functionality and storage
Full Story
Architecture
These Indian Homes Know How To Combat Harsh Climate
See how these homes by SPASM, Kumar Moorthy & Associates and JPLUSDARCHITECTS mitigate the ramifications of harsh climate ahead of time
Full Story
Architecture
How to Find an Architect That's Right for You
Make the construction and renovation of your home a pleasant and memorable journey by selecting the right architect
Full Story
Bathroom Guides
Step-by-Step: A Guide to Renovating Your Bathroom
Planning to renovate your bathroom? Learn about the different stages involved in the remodelling process
Full Story
Living Rooms
30 Best Sofa Designs
This guide gives a rundown of sofa types that will leave you spoilt for choices
Full Story
Small Spaces
7 Stylish Ways to Dry Your Laundry In a Small Apartment
Has your drying rack become a perpetual eyesore in your home? These dapper laundry drying solutions have you covered
Full Story
tranquilitylh, It could go either way. It depends on the style and the amount of contrast you'd like in your room. I'd start by asking yourself, do you want the trim to standout, or to mold into the room?
Here's a room with white walls with "whiter" trim for example...
Number 8 above is a great example of lighter walls and darker white trim.
Number 6 & number 9 above are a great examples of using all the same white for both walls and trim.
Mandi @ Dura
Nice tips for white living rooms. Awesome ideas and nice article.
Moroccan rugs are a perfect choice to blend with a white Scandinavian interior. Check out our store for an authentic collection of handcrafted rugs for the well-traveled soul.
https://bohoconvention.com
Meet our Beni Ourain rug Farah in this lovely Swedish home