Decorating
Colour: Bring White Walls to Life With Vibrant Brights
White is the ultimate blank canvas – team it with pops of bright colour to bring some zest into your home
A white scheme is serenely soothing, but it can also form the perfect backdrop for other colours. With a knack of being able to pair up with pretty much any shade imaginable, it’s the ultimate canvas on which you can make your mark. White and a bold colour is a mutually beneficial relationship, white helping the bright to stand out beautifully, while the bright softens or energises a pale scheme. Browse the images below and see which catches your eye. Which hue will you choose?
Dazzle with neon
A neon sign is a surefire way of grabbing attention and energising a room, and where better to site it than along a section of white wall? In an otherwise pale and minimal room, this pink neon question adds humour and character.
A neon sign is a surefire way of grabbing attention and energising a room, and where better to site it than along a section of white wall? In an otherwise pale and minimal room, this pink neon question adds humour and character.
Refresh with green
This bright green rug works nicely against the neutral walls and sofa for a fresh look. It’s particularly effective in this living room, which has bi-fold doors onto the garden and its attendant greenery. Rugs are a good way to introduce colour, as they can easily be swapped for a change of mood.
This bright green rug works nicely against the neutral walls and sofa for a fresh look. It’s particularly effective in this living room, which has bi-fold doors onto the garden and its attendant greenery. Rugs are a good way to introduce colour, as they can easily be swapped for a change of mood.
Plump for pink
Hot pink clashes with so much (and can look amazing in that role), but white cools it beautifully, showing the richness off to its best advantage. This pink sofa, in turn, gives the white room a focal point and a sense of fun.
Check out these ideas for working in super brights
Hot pink clashes with so much (and can look amazing in that role), but white cools it beautifully, showing the richness off to its best advantage. This pink sofa, in turn, gives the white room a focal point and a sense of fun.
Check out these ideas for working in super brights
Be bold with blue
Blue and white is a classic combination, but instead of peppering the colours evenly, try painting just one large piece of furniture in a vibrant shade for a strong effect. Imagine this room with chairs in the same colour as the dresser – the effect would be diluted.
Discover the joy of a blue and white colour scheme
Blue and white is a classic combination, but instead of peppering the colours evenly, try painting just one large piece of furniture in a vibrant shade for a strong effect. Imagine this room with chairs in the same colour as the dresser – the effect would be diluted.
Discover the joy of a blue and white colour scheme
Opt for orange
Bold and sassy, orange is not a colour for the faint-hearted. Choosing these translucent chairs brings in warmth without being too shouty, and helps to highlight the colours in the painting.
Bold and sassy, orange is not a colour for the faint-hearted. Choosing these translucent chairs brings in warmth without being too shouty, and helps to highlight the colours in the painting.
Go mad for mint
Pastel shades such as mint, pale blue and pale pink look incredible alongside pure white. Sticking mostly to one shade helps the colour really stand out, like the mint in this kitchen, which in turn softens the white units.
Browse these wonderfully romantic pastel colour schemes
Pastel shades such as mint, pale blue and pale pink look incredible alongside pure white. Sticking mostly to one shade helps the colour really stand out, like the mint in this kitchen, which in turn softens the white units.
Browse these wonderfully romantic pastel colour schemes
Embrace purple power
Brights don’t have to be loud primaries. These mauves and lavenders look beautiful and calming against the white wall. Softer colours like these can stand to be scattered around a bit more, so try bringing them in on cushions, rugs and even artwork for a cohesive look.
Brights don’t have to be loud primaries. These mauves and lavenders look beautiful and calming against the white wall. Softer colours like these can stand to be scattered around a bit more, so try bringing them in on cushions, rugs and even artwork for a cohesive look.
Pick a floral fancy
A dose of vibrant florals is guaranteed to bring cheer to a white room. If you have a statement piece of furniture, place it centre stage and let it shine. The black background to these flowers gives them maximum strength against the white.
A dose of vibrant florals is guaranteed to bring cheer to a white room. If you have a statement piece of furniture, place it centre stage and let it shine. The black background to these flowers gives them maximum strength against the white.
Usher in a mellow yellow
Mustard shades work beautifully in a white bedroom, offering colour in a calm way. The white walls, floor and woodwork here keep the mustard fresh rather than muddy, while the hints of black and gold turn the room into a grown-up sanctuary.
Which colour would you team with white? Tell us in the Comments below.
Mustard shades work beautifully in a white bedroom, offering colour in a calm way. The white walls, floor and woodwork here keep the mustard fresh rather than muddy, while the hints of black and gold turn the room into a grown-up sanctuary.
Which colour would you team with white? Tell us in the Comments below.
The yellow in this artwork zings out, but it might be a bit lost in an all-white room. Such a pale bright really benefits from an injection of black. The monochrome rug and black in the artwork, far from detracting from the yellow on white effect, only serve to strengthen it.