Decorating With White

Bright and fresh, white is a perennial favourite for interiors and home accessories. But now, with the return of minimalism, white is re-emerging as a major interior design trend.

Nothing reflects light better than white. It makes rooms feel more airy and gives them a feeling of space. An ideal choice for more compact rooms, it opens them up and creates the illusion of a larger space.

White highlights everything around it and works as a great background on which to add colour and bright home accessories.

Exceptionally versatile, it can be used to create an array of interior styles including modern minimalist; a sophisticated antique look; beach theme; vintage or shabby chic style.

Choosing the Right Tone

White with a tint of grey or blue undertone will give your room a modern edgy feel.  Beware, though, of using brilliant white as it can make a room feel too stark.

White with a hint of yellow or brown, adds a soft warm glow to a room, giving it a sunny feel. It also enhances the look of antiques.

Jordi Vayreda used white as the background colour in the project above.
“A study was made of the space and the white customised for each place according to the natural light or with the combination of artificial lights – or depending on the surface. White was mixed with some black and ochre to achieve the right shades – never red, to avoid a white rose.” The designer explains.

Decorating Tips and Tricks

• In an all white scheme use different tones, textures, shapes and prints to add contrast and soften the look. Jordi Vayreda added different materials to provide texture such as marble, leather and wood.
• To prevent the interior from looking too sterile add warm whites, wood, and layered lighting.
• Create a modern, seamless effect by using flooring that is the same colour as the walls.
• Keep furniture light and use sheer fabrics to create a soft, floaty look.
• Use white as your canvas and introduce colours by way of home accessories – which can then be changed according to different seasons or trends. Remember, any colour added to an all white scheme will really stand out.
• For a neutral scheme add shades of ivory, taupe and grey.

How have you used white in your home or interiors?

Photo credit: Space designed by jordivayreda projectteam – photographer Josep Font