The use of white in the interior of the living room is a rather unusual solution, and due to the subtleties of care, it is not suitable for everyone. But if you approach the design with due attention, you can get an extremely pleasant and attractive result.
White gloss in the living room interior looks stylish and expensive
Pros and cons of glossy walls in the living room
White furniture has only recently become very popular, and this is deservedly so. The following advantages of using white furniture, including walls, can be highlighted:
- Style. White furniture is a classic and versatile option that will always remain stylish. A snow-white wall will transform even a small and inconspicuous living room, because its color is associated with lightness, cleanliness and freshness, and it looks elegant and even sophisticated.
- Cosiness. Although white is considered a cold color, snow-white furniture is excellent at bringing coziness to a room. This is explained by the lightness and airiness that are inherent even in large-sized walls. This will create a relaxing, perhaps even serene atmosphere in the living room.
- Reflection of light. White furniture makes the room brighter due to the ability of its surface to reflect the sun's rays. This effect is especially noticeable when using a glossy wall. This feature will allow you to maintain a sufficient amount of light in the living room even on cloudy days.
- Visual expansion of space. A white wall, especially a glossy one, can very noticeably create the illusion of expanding space and increasing the height of the ceiling. In this case, the gloss acts like a mirror. This effect can be enhanced by adding a few more white objects to the interior.
- Versatility. Thanks to its neutrality, white color goes well with any other color, as well as looks good in almost any style. Also, a snow-white wall is practical, because in case of renovation it can be preserved, since it will certainly fit into any interior.
White furniture combines beautifully with bright accents.
To increase the practicality of the wall, you should choose MDF as the material for the white glossy surface, as it is easy to clean and does not require special care.
White shades are especially relevant for small rooms
The effect of shine and reflection allows you to visually increase the space of the living room
A white glossy wall can transform the interior so much that the atmosphere of the living room will promote relaxation and lift your spirits. However, one cannot fail to note some of its disadvantages, namely:
- The need for careful and regular care. Dust is hard to see on a white surface, but various chips, scratches and dirt are very noticeable. This is especially true for glossy surfaces, on which abrasions appear much faster and more clearly.
- The impossibility of decorating the interior in light colors. Snow-white furniture against a light background, and especially white, will simply get lost. This color combination is possible only in one case - when the entire room is made in monochrome.
A monochromatic interior can always be diluted with a bright accent
Features of care
Glossy furniture is easy to clean, it is easy to wash and polish, but is still quite fragile. It will also take much more time to care for glossy furniture than matte furniture. When cleaning, do not use aggressive products from the arsenal of household chemicals; the following are not suitable:
- powders with alkali;
- acids;
- solvents;
- hard lint sponges;
- brushes;
- rags or lint-free rags.
Please note that once the protective film is removed, high gloss finishes will not require any cleaning for the first four weeks. In the future, such surfaces are wiped with special wipes - even ordinary sponges and rags will not work here. Painted MDF facades are cleaned with soapy water and a soft cloth. Then you need to wipe the facade with clean water and wipe with a soft, dry cloth. Facades covered with PVF film can be wiped from dust with a soft, dry cloth; stains can be removed with weak ethyl alcohol, soap solution or a product containing ethanol (for cleaning windows).
Please note that prolonged use of alcohol solutions may cause the film to swell, so use such solutions with caution.
Acrylic coatings on furniture facades are easy to clean, and if defects occur, the surface can be polished. Plastic surfaces can be wiped down and washed without worrying about their appearance. For care, use a soft cloth with soapy water or a special composition for caring for plastic. Polishes and alcohol-containing compounds are not suitable for caring for plastic. It is also recommended to treat glossy surfaces with antistatic agents. In addition, good ventilation throughout the room will reduce the risk of contamination of sensitive surfaces. All cleaning and care products must be specified in the instructions for use when purchasing furniture. To give additional shine, special products are produced - polishes with the addition of wax. Some care products contain special labeling “for glossy surfaces.” Use only high-quality surface care products from trusted brands. Then your new furniture will retain its elegant appearance for a long time.
Tips for wall placement in living room design
Before you start arranging furniture, you should make a plan on paper or in a special program. In this case, it is necessary to create comfortable and sufficiently spacious passages between the elements. So, if the wall has hinged doors, then the distance around it must be calculated taking them into account. Likewise, if placed near doors, you need to make sure that these elements do not interfere with each other.
The dimensions of the wall for the living room depend on the dimensions of the room
White gloss looks deeper and brighter against a contrasting wall
Do not forget about the rule of proportionality: the size of the furniture should increase in proportion to the size of the room. That is, using a massive wall in a small living room is extremely undesirable. If no other option is possible, then it should be placed at the far end of the room, away from windows and doors.
Glossy objects look good in the interior either if they are dispersed around the room in the form of small accents, or as the center of the composition. That is, when installing a white glossy wall, you should not place additional objects with a similar finish in the room.
The location of the wall next to the TV has already become classic. Modern liquid crystal screens do not produce glare, and therefore such a proximity would be quite appropriate. In addition, both the wall and the TV claim to be the central element in the living room, so combining them or placing them close together will look good.
Classic placement of the TV in a niche created by cabinet furniture
If desired, the TV can be hidden behind sliding doors
Glossy wall with built-in fireplace
Why is gloss not suitable for the bedroom?
Designers have differing opinions on this issue, but the majority is in favor of a lack of gloss in the design of this room. The bedroom is intended for relaxation; the key points of the interior here should be calm and comfort. Reflective surfaces will not allow you to relax, and some shades can make the room cold and somehow lifeless.
If we still talk about using white gloss MDF in the design of the sleeping area, then you should be very careful about the arrangement of objects in the room. Avoid placing reflective surfaces near mirrors and light sources.
White glossy wall: examples of the best combinations in the living room interior
The white gloss of the wall will go very well with frosted glass. This will allow you to place accents without making the design tasteless. If additional white elements are used in the interior, then they should also be chosen in a matte finish. If these are not static objects, such as tables and chairs, this will also be practical, because glossy surfaces wear off much faster and lose their appearance.
Modular wall in Art Nouveau style with frosted glass on a hanging cabinet
Paired with white facades, a tinted tempered glass door looks great
Floating structures hung on the living room wall have an airy and weightless appearance.
The combination of gloss and metal is very interesting. The latter gives such furniture a rather unusual look, allowing you to create both a strict and modern extravagant image.
Wood inserts in a monolith of white gloss also look good. For example, it could be an asymmetrical wooden panel with an antique effect. Another option is to cover individual sections of the wall with natural wood. However, the main thing here is not to overdo it and be able to correctly withstand such combinations.
Stylish combination of white gloss and wooden inserts
Modular wall with decorative lighting for glass shelves
Styles in which the use of shiny furniture is appropriate
Art Deco
Quite a popular modern style, as it is able to combine luxury and comfort. A glossy modular wall or cabinet is quite appropriate in such an interior, because they attract attention, look chic, but at the same time are functional and easy to care for. In addition, the Art Deco style welcomes the use of natural materials, so leather furniture will fit perfectly into the overall decor. The use of glass is also not prohibited.
Minimalism
Reflective surfaces in this style not only diversify the sobriety of the decor, but also bring light and air into the room. Again, the convenience of maintaining glossy furniture is captivating. In addition, the combination of natural and modern materials is an ideal opportunity to use it in decoration.
