Typically ignored in decor, white is often not considered a colour. But used purposefully, white can be one of the most powerful and useful colours in your decorating toolbox. The key to a successful space is often using the right shade of white, as well as the appropriate selection of furniture and accessories.
Looking for ways to incorporate white into your space? Here are Design Recipes’ top 10 tips:
1. Use white to create negative space. It is important for the eye to have a place to rest.
2. Paint trims, baseboards and sills white. Trims, baseboards and sills add a sense of contrast when placed against accent colour walls.
3. Consider using different tints, tones and shades of white in the same space. This can often inspire a soothing, calm feel.
4. Mix materials. Consider bringing in texture by using area rugs, throws, toss pillows and accessories.
5. Use books. Books are an affordable way to add pops of white, especially on bookshelves.
6. Use white as a foundation colour. A foundation colour is a colour such as grey, black, white or even brown that serves as an anchor to create a colour palette. There are few colours more versatile than white. When using this technique, keep walls and ceilings white and add colour to your space through accents and accessories.
7. Bring in flowers. White flowers can infuse a light and fresh feeling.
8. Keep ceilings white in small spaces. White ceilings help elongate a room, while ceilings painted a different colour can close a space in.
9. Pair white with high-contrast colours. White is a powerful colour when paired with contrast colours such as black, red, orange, yellow, blue and green. Often, white can make bright colours feel brighter.
10. Use white in rooms that don’t get much light. White can help reflect light.
Cathy Hobbs is an Emmy Award-winning television host and an interior design and home-staging expert.
