Decorating
Harness the Power of White
If you think pale means bland, it's time to discover mighty whiteness - your secret weapon when you remodel your home
Architects know how to use the clean, clear power of the white to work wonders in even the smallest space. It can create flow into an extension, unite contrasting materials and make a feature of architectural elements. Pale just got very interesting…
Highlight period features
Mouldings, cornices and skirting boards were designed to add style, interest and elegance, so capitalise on their presence in a period home. Just off-white enhances their wedding-cake outlines in an unostentatious way and works with a pale-fading-to-grey scheme.
See more ways with period features
Mouldings, cornices and skirting boards were designed to add style, interest and elegance, so capitalise on their presence in a period home. Just off-white enhances their wedding-cake outlines in an unostentatious way and works with a pale-fading-to-grey scheme.
See more ways with period features
Keep it sleek
In a narrow kitchen that can’t be expanded, you need all the design help you can get. These high-gloss, handleless slimline units are a great solution: they keep your eye focussed on the (again, white) double doors at the far end, keeping a sense of flow and emphasising the length so the space still feels generous.
In a narrow kitchen that can’t be expanded, you need all the design help you can get. These high-gloss, handleless slimline units are a great solution: they keep your eye focussed on the (again, white) double doors at the far end, keeping a sense of flow and emphasising the length so the space still feels generous.
Brighten a basement
This luxe lower-ground floor level bedroom has been built with a small Mediterranean-style space outside in the light well. Whitewashed steps disguise the steepness, help reflect the sunlight and make the exterior area feel more Greek boutique hotel than London basement.
This luxe lower-ground floor level bedroom has been built with a small Mediterranean-style space outside in the light well. Whitewashed steps disguise the steepness, help reflect the sunlight and make the exterior area feel more Greek boutique hotel than London basement.
Think curves
Staircases don’t need to be linear constructions. This design incorporates a wide, white ribbon that wraps around the staircase to provide a softer contrast to the layers of sharp angles. The whiteness of the curve make the space feel ultra modern and uses the extra space to add expression.
Staircases don’t need to be linear constructions. This design incorporates a wide, white ribbon that wraps around the staircase to provide a softer contrast to the layers of sharp angles. The whiteness of the curve make the space feel ultra modern and uses the extra space to add expression.
Coordinate flooring
For a great feeling of inside-outside flow through, choose extension and outside flooring in similar off-white shades. It doesn’t have to be the same texture, but echoing the pale tones makes for a more natural link between the two zones.
See more bifolding doors inspiration
For a great feeling of inside-outside flow through, choose extension and outside flooring in similar off-white shades. It doesn’t have to be the same texture, but echoing the pale tones makes for a more natural link between the two zones.
See more bifolding doors inspiration
Focus on stairs
This basement conversion makes a cool TV and games den, but the area around and under the stairs is enough of a feature in itself. White walls, a white underside for the stairs and a glazed wall make the stair area feel like a room in its own right. And a rather sophisticated one at that.
This basement conversion makes a cool TV and games den, but the area around and under the stairs is enough of a feature in itself. White walls, a white underside for the stairs and a glazed wall make the stair area feel like a room in its own right. And a rather sophisticated one at that.
Build in tonal storage
This laid-back family space can be kept clutter free thanks to ample built-in and freestanding storage. Keeping to the pure white theme for shelving nooks and the room-divider storage helps them blend into the background. Neat and chic.
This laid-back family space can be kept clutter free thanks to ample built-in and freestanding storage. Keeping to the pure white theme for shelving nooks and the room-divider storage helps them blend into the background. Neat and chic.
Know the score
This inventive skylight draws in maximum light and its unusual shape is highlighted by the textured, scored cladding on the super-sharp surfaces. The zigzags and vertical lines give this space the feel of a soaring architectural gem, but in a kitchen: genius.
This inventive skylight draws in maximum light and its unusual shape is highlighted by the textured, scored cladding on the super-sharp surfaces. The zigzags and vertical lines give this space the feel of a soaring architectural gem, but in a kitchen: genius.
Smooth over edges
In an odd-shaped room, lessen the impact of curved or irregular walls with white that surrounds on all sides - including the ceiling. Keep decor spare and monochrome to work the look.
Liked this? Share your favourite ways with clean, bright white in the comments below.
In an odd-shaped room, lessen the impact of curved or irregular walls with white that surrounds on all sides - including the ceiling. Keep decor spare and monochrome to work the look.
Liked this? Share your favourite ways with clean, bright white in the comments below.
In a low space with traditional beams and brickwork, go all white for a pure country look. Dark beams would have the effect of lowering the ceiling, making this space feel more cramped. The unusual shade of the Aga is another clue that this interior designer is tapping into the power of white.