Blank, white walls are everywhere at the moment. It seems a lot of us can’t get enough of that crisp, clean, Scandinavian look, but it can look clinical if you don’t get it right. We’ve put together a few pointers to get you started on creating some cosiness in that all-white room…
Bridging the Gap with Furniture
This is particularly important if you’ve gone for the ‘white wash’ look with white wooden floors in addition to your paintwork. Rather than continue the minimalist look with your furniture, add a bit of depth to the room with some natural materials. Dark wood works particularly well for making a room feel cosy, and it’s easy enough to stain any old wooden bookshelves or side tables to create the look without spending a fortune.
If you’re starting from scratch in a new home though, you’ll probably want to buy new furniture. For a one-stop-online-shop, Furniture Plus has a huge range of wooden furniture in all sorts of finishes (the walnut finish is particularly amazing for achieving cosiness in an all-white room).
Softening the Look with Textures
One of the easiest ways to soften an all-white room is to add texture. Your most obvious point of call should be cushions, blankets and rugs, of course. In the bedroom, try adding a patterned rug that sits just underneath the base of the bed, leaving around a metre peeking out. It’s worth spending a bit extra on good quality throws and blankets too, as nothing feels cosier than a super soft fabric to add to your sofa or bed.
For something a little different, you could opt to add texture with art. Large tapestries and canvases can transform a white wall from clean and clinical to an artistic feature, and you could even have a go at creating your own. For some inspiration, check out this Pinterest board.
Choosing the Right Accent Colours
An all-white room doesn’t literally have to be all white; you’ll need an accent colour or two in there to soften things up and keep it looking homely. Dark colours work really well, so you could try grey, navy or even black to add a little depth. If you prefer a more colourful palette, then small pops of bright yellow and mint green work well, or you could even try a fuchsia pink.
Hopefully you’re now feeling inspired and have a vision of what your all-white room is going to look like. Aim for cosy, rather than clinical, and you’ll be well on your way to nailing the trend.
