Decorating: 9 Decorating Ideas for White Living Rooms
Ditch the paint charts and choose classic white instead. These inspiring living rooms show how good an (almost) all-white scheme can look
Jo Simmons
17 November 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 tester pots before choosing it. But a white living room scheme 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 for first-rate results? These 10 beautiful white living rooms point the way to getting white right.
So how do you get the best from white and what should you pair it with for first-rate results? These 10 beautiful white living rooms point the way to getting white right.
Go for greenery
The lush leaves of a house plant really sings out against a fresh white wall and adds a welcome shot of living colour 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!
The lush leaves of a house plant really sings out against a fresh white wall and adds a welcome shot of living colour 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!
Channel Nordic style
What the Scandinavians don’t know about working a white scheme is probably not worth knowing. They understand the value of white for boosting light levels and helping a space feel co-ordinated and airy, but they are brilliant at punctuating it, too. Here, grey, black and timber are used to give a white living room character and edge.
What the Scandinavians don’t know about working a white scheme is probably not worth knowing. They understand the value of white for boosting light levels and helping a space feel co-ordinated and airy, but they are brilliant at punctuating it, too. Here, grey, black and timber are used to give a white living room character and edge.
Contemplate cladding
There’s no denying it, a white wall can look rather predictable, but if you love white and crave the element of surprise, too, try incorporating cladding or panelling. The horizontal design here creates lines around the room, adding lots of movement without deviating from the white scheme. The dark shadow gap between each board is then interpreted as a colour theme and reproduced on the hearth, armchair and picture frame.
There’s no denying it, a white wall can look rather predictable, but if you love white and crave the element of surprise, too, try incorporating cladding or panelling. The horizontal design here creates lines around the room, adding lots of movement without deviating from the white scheme. The dark shadow gap between each board is then interpreted as a colour theme and reproduced on the hearth, armchair and picture frame.
Create crisp silhouettes
Keep the fresh, clean feel of white by choosing just one or two colours to stand out against it. Here, a teak sideboard adds a block of warm woody colour, while two pops each of bright yellow and blue seem to almost hover against the white backdrop. This pared-back approach ensures the white still looks super sharp, but there is welcome colour, too.
Keep the fresh, clean feel of white by choosing just one or two colours to stand out against it. Here, a teak sideboard adds a block of warm woody colour, while two pops each of bright yellow and blue seem to almost hover against the white backdrop. This pared-back approach ensures the white still looks super sharp, but there is welcome colour, too.
Play with scale
Prevent an all-white scheme from feeling bland by introducing oversized pieces. Here, a large anglepoise-style floor lamp is a witty touch which adds a focal point and lots of height to a very pale and neutral scheme.
Find out how to get the perfect paint finish
Prevent an all-white scheme from feeling bland by introducing oversized pieces. Here, a large anglepoise-style floor lamp is a witty touch which adds a focal point and lots of height to a very pale and neutral scheme.
Find out how to get the perfect paint finish
Feel the folk
This wonderfully 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 Scandi feel but, instead, an Ercol piece dotted with homespun cushions takes this white scheme in a folksy-meets-midcentury direction. It’s an unexpected and winning choice that keeps white on its toes.
This wonderfully 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 Scandi feel but, instead, an Ercol piece dotted with homespun cushions takes this white scheme in a folksy-meets-midcentury direction. It’s an unexpected and winning choice that keeps white on its toes.
Add plenty of detail
So many of the ingredients in this living space are white, but the variety of shapes, forms and pieces gives it heaps of energy. From white seating and ceramics to white-framed photography, the space is rich with detail. Pops 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 scheme? Do these rooms inspire you with ideas or make you reach for the paint colour chart? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
So many of the ingredients in this living space are white, but the variety of shapes, forms and pieces gives it heaps of energy. From white seating and ceramics to white-framed photography, the space is rich with detail. Pops 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 scheme? Do these rooms inspire you with ideas or make you reach for the paint colour chart? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
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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.
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Meet our Beni Ourain rug Farah in this lovely Swedish home