The power of white

Don't shy away from going all-white with your home decor. It has more advantages than you think.

White evokes perfection, purity, cleanliness, and at the same time, confidence and sophistication. White is elegant in it’s simplicity. When it comes to home decor, white is one of those colours that many home owners shy away from. They are nervous about making an
all-white room feel welcoming and balancing simplicity without getting boring. But, decorating a home in ‘all white’ is easier than you might think.

Team white with any colour, and you can never go wrong. You can go from timeless to nautical to crisp and fresh. It is an excellent backdrop for displaying artwork. It reflects all light. It makes spaces appear larger, which is why it is used on ceilings. White creates a canvas for you to decorate in different ways all year around. White is never boring. This dramatic colour has proved its worth in weddings world over. We never get tired of looking at white decor.

The ability to experiment with this colour is unending. As fun and creative as it is to play with pops of colour, their absence can be just as eye-catching. And if you think that all-white is synonymous with sterile, think again. The crisp, chic colour scheme (well, lack of colour scheme, really) is one of the most classic. Using all white can make a room look larger. It is pleasing to the eye. And makes decorating decisions quite easy — if done right. Here are some quick tips to get a ‘wow’ factor when decorating your home with all-white colour. You may be surprised how easily comfortable white can be in your home:

Start with a blank slate. Instead of getting intimidated by white, look at white as a fresh start to do whatever you want and go wherever your creativity will take you! Do you have a killer view of the ocean, trees, mountains or city? Or is it just plain white walls? White is a beautiful canvas to use as a backdrop for your gorgeous vistas. Build confidence by starting with white walls and gradually build up colour around it. Instead of engulfing your whole room in a colour, try white and see what speaks to you in your home. This go-to neutral pairs perfectly with every shade, but don’t underestimate its power to stand alone.

Pair it with your favourite metals for a timeless combination. All-white decor practically begs for a mix of metallics to spice it up with sparkle. If any single colour dominates your aesthetic, mixed metallics are more than likely to make it even better. White and stainless steel, brass, copper, silver and gold add depth and to what would otherwise be a plain white design. Whether you pair white with stainless steel appliances in the kitchen or with brass lighting fixtures in your living room, metals reflectance is a great pairing with the crispness of white.

Don’t shy away from white upholstery. You may be thinking that white upholstery is harder to keep clean, for it shows dirt quickly. While this may be true, consider what type of room will match the fabric type for which you use it in. You can achieve a luxe neutral look with white upholstery and decorative accents in a variety of light hues to add extra depth and dimension. For example, a white sofa is a great anchor, you can bring it to life with everything else in your living room to showcase your own personality.

Let your artwork be the focal point in your room with a white backdrop. Use a piece of artwork to take centre stage If you love artwork, sculptural pieces, or any elements that command attention, consider displaying it on an all-white wall, over an all-white fireplace mantle or over your all-white bed. All eyes will go right to your one-of-a-kind artwork without you having to try!

Use it in your kitchen. The versatility of white is what adds to its beauty. It can go from an ultra creamy white to even a beige. White by itself pairs well traditional wooden or marble table tops, with an ultra-modern lacquer finish. Combining it with black is a winning combination for confident design. Gleaming white appliances and Eurostyle cabinets and drawers complete the arrangement. Many homeowners are increasingly opting for white in the kitchen because it feels clean and classic.

Layer tone-on-tone whites for a warmer room with personality and depth. If your room is lacking personality or warmth, consider layering whites in similar shades of white, warm whites, gray, warm greys etc. to create depth and interest. This works well in bedrooms, for example, an upholstered headboard, window treatment and white bedding can all work together in harmony with varying shades. You can experiment with patterns and textures.

Use white to make all the “blemishes” go away. White can also work like an eraser in your interiors. Whether your home has some architectural mishaps, exposed mechanical ducts, or overhead unsightly blemishes in the drywall – white can camouflage the eyesores. In older homes, white can help highlight gorgeous details. Transform your home by using all-white interiors and see how comfort is closer than you once thought!

(The author is design lead — interiors, Urban Ladder)