White color is neutral. It does not evoke emotions, does not belong to the cold or warm range of shades. Its properties visually expand space and emphasize the brightness of any color from the entire spectrum. White symbolizes purity and infinity. It is present in every interior and makes it lively, dynamic and luxurious.
Shades of white
White is the most favorite color among professionals. With its help, the interior acquires lightness and weightlessness. There is no other color in nature with similar properties. And what is especially valuable is that it is used in its pure form, without diluting with other paints.
Let's look at what shades this amazing color has.
- Pure white
- White pearls
- Frosty white
- Ivory
- White, with a milky tint
- White, with a matte beige tint
- White platinum
When deciding which shade of white is best, consider the light level in the room. It is especially important to know which side of the world the windows face. For the south side, choose cool tones. For the north - warm. This seems obvious, but many simply forget about this nuance and do not take into account the side of the world when choosing a color.
Factors to consider
The appearance of the room differs at different times of the day. You can't ignore how the chosen colors change depending on the light intensity.
In rooms where the sun “looks” in the morning, white walls take on a bluish tint in the evenings.
- In winter, rooms with white walls and/or furniture will look different than in summer.
- The landscape outside the window also plays an important role.
- Green leaves prevent the sun's rays from entering the room, and snow enhances the impression of a snow-white design.
Rooms into which there is practically no light from the street can be decorated in warm, white colors. This will have a positive effect on the mood of household members and guests. Living rooms facing the sunny side are decorated with cool shades, which will help reduce the temperature.
White in Scandinavian style
This is a northern style and white occupies 70% of it. It feels unique comfort and lightness. Moreover, its construction is very simple. Minimum details and color combinations. White in this style is combined with gray, black, blue and wood tones.
White high-tech style
Many designers believe that white is the color of metal. And indeed it is. The harmonious combination of white in high-tech style with glass and chrome details makes the interior light, despite all its brutality. Combinations with gray, black and red tones are especially relevant. But no one will prohibit the flight of fantasy in the search for new original combinations.
White in minimalist style
In this style, the most important thing is to place accent colors. White is a wonderful background, but threatens to leave the interior without dynamics and zest. Therefore, be sure to add brightness. Gray, black, gray-blue and chocolate shades will look especially advantageous.
Mediterranean style white
If you are lucky enough to have a well-lit room, this style is perfect for you. Beige, blue, dark blue, and wood tones look great against a white background. Give preference to natural colors that have muted pastel shades. The highlight will be stylish decorative decorations and bright prints.
Successful accommodation options with photo examples
How harmonious and cozy a room decorated in light colors will look depends on many factors. It's not just its design, but also its size, lighting and furniture placement.
White furniture for a small room
If the living room is not large, it is better to give preference to multifunctional products, in particular, folding tables and sofas, shelves with additional drawers, poufs with space for storing useful little things.
For a living room with high ceilings
The best option for such a room is a design in a classic style. This is austerity, natural materials and white color and its derivatives. But, if the height spoils the appearance of the room, it can be reduced using special design techniques.
Minimum furniture
All items must have a laconic appearance. Attention should be paid to sofas and armchairs. It is better if they are rectangular. Shapeless objects have no place here. Preference should be given to functional or multi-tiered furniture with additional compartments for storing things.
A white living room never goes out of style. The color itself and its derivatives have always been considered a sign of nobility and wealth. You can experiment with white color, visually adjust the size of the room and make it lighter.
White in a monochrome interior
Monochrome in the interior is a classic that always looks solid and elegant. It uses only neutral colors. White, black and grey. Play with them and experiment. With this design, you won’t be able to “spoil” the interior. Designers recommend using white as the main color so that the interior does not look too gloomy.
Selection of furniture and textiles
For a formal and chic atmosphere, furniture made of wood or plastic is ideal; you can also use MDF. In a large, spacious white living room, a corner sofa with armchairs will look great, which will accommodate the whole family. For a small room, a small sofa and several comfortable poufs are good. This way, the space will not be too cluttered, but functionality will remain.
If you need to visually enlarge the room, use a light leather sofa, a bleached oak table, a carved sideboard, a compact chest of drawers, a wardrobe with mirrored surfaces and a light modular wall. White furniture in the living room interior expands the space and adds the missing volume.
Living room with white furniture Source www.pinterest.ru
A truly expensive and luxurious look is given to the room by the combination of dark furniture and a white background. The play of contrasts will turn an ordinary living room into a noble, chic room.
White living room with black furniture Source Living room design
An elegant chandelier on a long pendant is perfect as a lighting fixture for a monochrome interior. Lamps on the walls with metal shades will provide local lighting and create volume. The rich decoration of the room with antique furniture, expensive vases, rare paintings and an abundance of antiques will be harmoniously complemented by a chic crystal chandelier.
Black and white living room with a large chandelier Source Repair without problems
Paintings, photographs and panels will look great on a white background, so you can safely place art objects on the walls.
Painting on a white wall in the living room Source house-biz.com.ua
Near upholstered furniture you can place a rug with a pleasant texture, for example, with long pile. An excellent option would be to choose zebra colors. This combination is suitable for a monochrome interior, as it looks discreet and elegant.
Living room with zebra rug Source Pinterest
Textiles should be selected in the same colors as the general color background. The texture will depend on the style of the room. Light-colored furniture must be covered with blankets or special covers in order to maintain an attractive and clean appearance for as long as possible.
The color of the curtains can be chosen to match the walls, or you can choose a pattern that matches the furniture and other details. Shiny curtains with tints of light beige or grayish shades will perfectly complement the interior of a white living room. Even black fabric cannot spoil the overall look of a monochrome design. It is only important to correctly calculate the proportions for the accent.
White living room with dark curtains Source Apartment interior design
White in eco style
Eco-style is the greenest and most natural design direction. Harmony and comfort are the main guests here. All natural tones are involved in creating a peaceful atmosphere: cream, wood, olive and bright green, sand and gray. All colors are calm, but against a white background they look contrasting and bright. This effect does not overload perception and leads to tone.
Disadvantages of white color in the interior
- White surfaces are easy to leave dirty marks on. And yes, they will be very noticeable. Therefore, use materials from which dirt can be easily removed. In the hallway it is tiles or plaster.
- Unpleasant associations. For many, white is strongly associated with a hospital and a depressive atmosphere. Therefore, if you initially do not like white, then use it in the interior only when necessary.
Based on the experience of professional designers, it has been noticed that customers like interior solutions with an overwhelming amount of white more than the original bright, daring and bold ones. Bright rooms look complete and cohesive, and also compensate for the shortcomings of overhangs. The white color “hides” them.
Of particular importance in building a white interior is the texture of all surfaces and decorative elements. Use matte and glossy, smooth and rough textures. Combine and play with them. The same applies to the texture of fabrics. Combine light and heavy, rich and pale, shiny and matte. It's very simple, but so effective. Try it yourself and you will be surprised at the result.
Selection of finishing materials
Plastering
The walls of a room furnished with white furniture can be decorated with various types of materials. The most common solutions are the use of plaster, wallpapering or paneling. The first option is quite non-standard for domestic apartments. To create the desired effect, decorative plaster is used. It contains a modern plasticizer, thanks to which the plastered surface can resemble wood, natural stone or even fabric in texture. It is worth noting the practicality of this wall design - neither wallpaper nor even wood veneer can compare with plaster in terms of durability. In addition, the colors of the walls in this version can be updated quite easily and relatively inexpensively. The only negative is the high cost of decorative plastering work.
Wallpaper
The most traditional option for selecting materials for wall decoration in a residential area. The advantages of wallpaper are well known - it’s easy to apply with your own hands, it’s quite inexpensive, it hides uneven walls and adds coziness to the room. The downside is the need to update the wallpaper quite often. White furniture requires the purchase of very expensive wallpaper, which emphasizes the wealth of the owners of the house. Moreover, this rule should be taken into account for white wallpaper - inexpensive options look too simple and not rich enough. If you choose plain white ones, you should pay attention to their texture - manufacturers produce options that imitate plaster, stucco and even wood. All three options for textured imitation are perfect for white furniture. However, traditional wallpaper will look good, especially if the furniture itself is distinguished by an abundance of decorative elements or complex shapes.
Panels
Finally, perhaps the most high-status solution is the use of panels. These can be either wooden or a modern version - typesetting products made from MDF. Outwardly, they are very similar; not every specialist can tell them apart. In addition to their beautiful appearance, the panels are durable and visually enlarge the room. In order to make a narrow room wider, it is necessary to place the panels horizontally. This draws out the room, gives volume, but visually lowers the ceiling. If the task is to make a room that is too low, it is worth placing the panels vertically. Hidden lighting looks especially advantageous. This idea not only increases the internal space, but also solves the problem of insufficient lighting in the room.
