White is a safe option but it can easily become sterile. Get expert advice on creating a dynamic interior with this popular neutral
When selecting finishes and furnishings for your home it is easy to opt for white. This neutral colour is incredibly versatile and adds instant freshness; but are white interiors always right? Too much of one thing is never a good idea and you risk creating a flat, lifeless space.
To understand how to work with whites in exciting ways we asked Ross Clayton, CEO of Vast Furniture & Homewares for his top tips. Ross has 18 years’ experience in the industry, building an empire of 25 stores around Australia and New Zealand. He has seen many fading interior trends come and go, but believes white will never go out of style.
Why is white so popular?
White is seen as a blank canvas allowing the home occupier to change with ease the way they decorate and select the home furnishings. It’s a pure colour, evoking a feeling of cleanliness and space. It’s a colour which has no risk attached to it. White can be crisp and modern, while rustic at the same time.
Where do people go wrong when choosing white?
It’s a neutral colour, but all colour has a tone to it. There are hundreds of shades of white on the market. Choosing the best shade of white for your home can be as hard as choosing the right shade of blue. For example, using a white with too much grey in the tint can make the walls look dirty.
Warm whites vs cool whites
Warm white, where white is mixed with yellow or red tints, allow for natural materials to sit within the space and creates a rustic, relaxed feel. Natural linen cushions paired back with jute rugs add an earthiness to a white room.
Cool white, where the base tint is blue or black, gives a slight pale grey undertone and allows for a Scandi or a crisper feel. Style the room with navy and white.
Alternative neutrals
A neutral colour is any colour used in a way which isn’t dominating a room. It keeps your emotions even, neither exciting you nor saddening you. More traditionally, a neutral colour palette consists of ashy greys, beige and earth tones. Grey is very popular for a neutral colour.
Used in many shades and depths, grey is sophisticated and relaxing. If earthy tones are more your style, then sandstone, linen and wheat colours are what you will go for. Black can be used in a neutral scheme to add a little drama and sharpens up the styling within a room.
Fresh styling
If you want to add an accent colour, then the hottest colour is green. Add an upholstered ottoman into the lounge room in a deep forest green. Cushions and rugs in muted tones of green can freshen up a space and keep the overall scheme cool. Add a gorgeous green velvet throw to the end of the bed.
Indoor plants are big with home styling and the most popular tree of the past few years is the Fiddle Leaf Fig (Ficus lyrata). This designer tree not only adds a pop of colour and a visual element to the room, it helps with the purification of the air and our natural environment.
This article originally appeared on Homes to Love Australia
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