White interior design

This season we want our homes to look elegant and pared back.  Imagine a white washed room with an open  French window and a white linen curtain gently blowing in the summer breeze.  White is and always will be the ultimate interior design chic, but how many of us are brave enough to pull it off?

Let’s be clear, if you have kids and/or pets perhaps you should forget the white theme, but if your home is purely a grown-up retreat your white home should be manageable.

One of the great things about white is that it is a colour with lots of different shades and tones and so you are sure to find the right white for you. From brilliant white to ivory, from cream to vanilla and dozens more, white is never boring. However, you do need to be aware of the undertone in your white paint – also consider the natural light in your room, it will impact on how the colour looks on the wall.

Once you have your white shade sorted you will need to introduce some colour to the space – a totally white room will simply look cold and clinical.  So where should you add that all important colour?

White sofas and chairs will always look good, but sometimes protecting them with throws and cushions is a good way to introduce a dash of colour. Opt for lots of different textures, faux fur cushions, cable knit throws and perhaps a Floakati rug on the floor.

These shaggy rugs are graded by the weight of the wool (in grams) per square meter and we have different grades ranging from 1,500g to 3,000g. The more wool present in a rug, the heavier it is and the heavier it is, the higher the grade.

When it comes to adding colour, think about the undertones in your white – if your white has warm, sandy undertones, then use a neutral shade such as gold or light brown. If you have a brilliant white, then your colours can be bolder – red, blue or yellow. Find a colour wheel to help you decide whether you want to contrast or complement your white.  Remember the 60:30:10 rule – 60% being your main colour, in this case white, 30% are your main furnishings and 10% is the pop of colour.

Deciding on your main furniture pieces will depend on the mood you want to achieve. If you want warm and cosy, linen covered sofas, warm wood and shaggy rugs are perfect. If you want something more modern and industrial use metallic and hard clean lines in your furniture and a bright rug.

A rug will always anchor the room and so if you don’t want white, think about that 10% and choose a colour that will add character and interest. An Indian Kelimwould be a great rug in your white room – there are so many vivid colours in the rug that you can select one of them for the other 30% of your furniture.

Are you brave enough to embrace white?