White Spaces: 7 Tips to Make Your All-White Room Aesthetic Dream a Reality

From HGTV to our favorite Instagram stylists’ feed, we’ve been seeing the all-white house interior trend for quite a while now—and for good reason. Not only do white rooms look less cluttered and more modern: the color white can also make a room seem brighter, more airy, and more spacious. No wonder more and more stylists are embracing the white-on-white design. 

If you think the white room aesthetic is for you, we’re happy to let you in on a few interior design secrets. Here are a few tips to incorporate more white into your space—plus a few all-white room inspirations to spark your creativity.

1. Start with the wall.

Ideally, you’d want to start with all-white walls. So if you can afford to paint your walls white, off-white, or cream, then you are halfway there. Now, there’s a variety of white paints out there, with undertones that range from cool to warm. The best shade of white is a matter of personal preference. Generally, cool and pure white shades complement a modern interior, while warm tones of cream and vanilla pair well with a classic, more traditional look.

2. Set the stage with a white or cream rug.

Next to the wall, your floor takes up the majority of the visual space. But unlike your wall, it’s much easier to cover a dark floor than to paint a dark wall. This is where white and cream area rugs and runners come in. You can opt for a solid white color, or a white or cream base with a few subtle details in silver, grey, or tan. Just remember: white and cream rugs are not the easiest to keep pristine, so opt for washable rug options if you can.

3. Keep the bigger furniture white or light.

While there’s no rule that says white rooms should only have white furniture, keeping at least the bigger furniture white, cream, or ivory would let you achieve this look more easily. In the living room, this would mean your couch, your shelves, and/or your TV console. In the kitchen or bathroom, this would be your kitchen or vanity cabinets and countertop. And in the bedroom, this could be your headboard and side tables, or just your sheets and duvet cover.

4. Mix in different shades of white to give it dimension.

Yes, there are different shades of white. And no, you don’t need to use just one shade. In fact, mixing different shades and tones of white—even adding a few warm greys—will make your space look more warm, welcoming, and lived in (instead of cold and sterile).

5. Add warmth through texture.

Aside from mixing different shades, mixing different textures and materials can bring life and energy to your room. So go ahead, mix brick with wood, velvet with marble, matte with glossy, plush with woven—you get the point.

6. Use decor sparingly, and in the same color family.

A few decor pieces will add more character and make your space look more personal. But remember, the idea of an all-white interior is to tone down the visual chaos. So the less decor pieces you have, and the more cohesive they all look against your furniture pieces, the better. 

7. Add an accent color to break the monotony.

Don’t be afraid to add a splash of color to your space. White is a beautiful, timeless color that pairs well with every color in the spectrum. So feel free to sprinkle a few colorful pieces here and there to add a little contrast to your space.

READERS: Do you love all-white spaces? Share your tips with us in the comments section below!