White symbolises purity and freshness and can inspire mental clarity. It is the perfect colour to be surrounded with in times of stress so can be used in any room.
You can combine many different shades of white in a room to add interest and dimension, but you need to choose shades with similar undertones to create a cohesive look.
Whites can have blue or yellow undertones. A white with blue undertones has a cooler more greyish hue, whilst a white with yellow undertones is warmer and creamier. If you use them together creamier yellow based white can look dirty against the brighter bluish white.
It is also important to consider the light when you choose white tones. Cooler north-facing rooms have a bluer light so stick to warmer whites. South-facing rooms have more of a golden light and can take more blue-grey whites.
I recommend testing swatches at different times of the day and, if you are going to be using artificial lighting, choose bulbs that mirror the palette’s warm or cool undertones.
Once you have chosen your undertone, use several different shades of white to create depth and interest to your scheme. Monochrome schemes need texture to bring them to life so mix up your whites using different materials throughout the room: crumpled linen, fluffy white towels, a natural woven rug.
Interest comes from a variety of textures and sheens and from natural materials – wood, stone, fur, metal, glass. White always looks good with other neutrals and black and white is a classic combination that always works.
It is important to think practically about the application – there is no point in using white powdery paint in a high traffic environment where it will become scuffed and dirty. White shows the dirt so make sure you consider this when choosing it for a busy room or for family life!
White works beautifully with natural materials. An anchor like a dark wooden floor, a distressed brick wall or a dark granite worksurface helps to ground the space. Metallics also work with white to add a touch of glamour. You need to think about how you add interest to your room, so it doesn’t look too flat or sterile.
You can stick with a minimal all-white scheme, adding interest with texture or you can use a monochrome scheme as the background for artwork or interesting pieces of furniture. Paint your walls art gallery white and display a collection of beautifully framed and curated paintings. This works equally well in contemporary or old buildings. Adding just one or two pops of colour against an all-white scheme is also a game-changer. Think of a bright pink striped towel in a monochrome bathroom, or a Greek blue pot in an all-white living space.
White is not just a paint colour choice. White furnishings and textiles can have a dramatic effect on a room. Companies such as Sedilia offer sculptural furniture upholstered in fabrics such as an off-white boucle, which works beautifully in large white contemporary spaces. Clean, elegant and sophisticated, white furniture is versatile and timeless.
A white kitchen can look sleek and modern or charming and country. Fit white curtains or blinds and you’ll instantly see how they bounce light around the room and make it feel bigger.
White textiles may seem a risky choice but white is one of the easiest colours to clean and white paint is super-easy to touch up.
In summary don’t be afraid of white. Use whites with lots of texture and natural materials and choosing the right white is key – a yellowy white can look dull, a bright white too clinical and a grey white can look dirty.
