How To Decorate With White

A fashion staple on the runways of Prada, YSL and Alexander McQueen this year, the bright white trend has now made its way into the home decor market as many look to declutter and refresh their spaces. This simple look has surprising range.

White can be minimalist or ornate, depending on the use of fabrics and textures. It can be bold with the repetition of patterns and sharp lines. Or, it can be part of an organic look by adding in warm woods and earth tones. Inject pops of colour into unexpected places to keep it playful, or mix white with neutrals to emulate vintage luxe. A white couch might not be the best choice in a home with preschoolers who have graffiti tendencies, but, even then, white can be used in a bathroom or small space tucked away to create a den of solitude. Symbolizing new beginnings and infinite possibilities, this colour not only soothes the psyche, but also makes a statement.

The Arya Tile from Icon Stone and Tile adds a playful touch to any room

Candice Arcuri, assistant manager and senior interior decorator, Sojourn Home furnishings

“You can use an eclectic mixture of furniture to create the look. It’s all about balance. Scale is this biggest thing. You want to make sure the pieces are scaled appropriately. A small piece can look dwarfed next to a larger one. I think a good place to start is with space-planning. Start with a piece you really like and then build on that piece. There are many different shades of white, so make sure you choose whites that are close. If you have multiple shades of white, it can look ‘off.’ It has to be carefully done.”

Crate & Barrel’s Milo Chair is casual but sleek indoors or outdoors.

Lynn Donaldson, owner, Lynn Donaldson And Associates Design & Contracting

“With any colour, whether it’s white or purple or whatever, always look at it under 24-hour light; artificial light, as well as natural light and at night. If you’re trying to create that clean, crisp look, but you have cool, fluorescent bulbs, then you are going to end up with more of a grey tone and a drab colour. Pay attention to your lighting and pay attention to the quality of your lighting. That’s different than the wattage of your lighting. Each type of lighting has its own colour.”

The Bloom tile from Icon Stone & Tile

Sophie Belanger, director of marketing, Icon Stone & Tile

“There are so many whites, so choosing the right palette is one thing, but patterns and textures are also important. Tile loaded with textures makes the white come alive. It is a way to introduce self-expression. You can go crazy or [be] very symmetrical. Circles are very architectural, or a pattern of waves is more groovy or younger. You need an oomph factor to make it come alive. By adding textures … it spices it up.”

For casual luzury with contemporary flare, turn to the Eames Lounge and Ottoman from Kit Interior Objects

Rachel Sawyer, co-owner, Kit Interior Objects

“When you have white walls and a few other white pieces, it makes it easier to add colour and not make the room feel overloaded. A white base lets you change your accessories as you get inspired. It allows more room for playing with colour. A lot of people think of white and automatically go to black, but you can soften it with turquoise, mustard-yellows. I would go for more depth in my accent colours. As trends evolve or change, it is easy to get rid of your throw cushions or other accessories. It’s more difficult to change a larger item like a dining table.”

Ware porceline tile from Icon Stone & Tile gives texture to a feature wall

Elysse Bulloch, owner, Simply Stylish Staging

“If you’re up for the maintenance, I think white looks really nice, and it’s always on-trend. It’s not so good if you have kids or a lot of traffic. When white looks dirty, it looks really dirty. Anything shiny is going to show dirt, so it’s better to stay with a matte or something with a bit of texture, just to hide the grime. If you have a busy lifestyle or small children, you don’t want to do this look. White furniture with little kids is not good. It’s just like when you live in a small house: if something is out of place, it looks horrible. So, with an all-white colour scheme, if you can’t keep it sparkling, it’s not going to show its true potential.”

Fusing pops of colour keeps this simple look from Ikea from being too stark.

LeAnne bunnell, owner, Elle Design

“If you want to use a white palette, and you don’t want it to look too slick, sterile or stark, than you really have to think about adding other elements that warm the space up. A modern-organic look has very spare lines and minimal ornamentation in the room, but there are organic elements that come into play; reclaimed wood shelves and really beat-up floors. By showcasing their age and their patina, adding lots of texture in wood pieces for furniture and adding elements of industrial chic (exposed pipes, rusty bits and pieces), you create a really great counterbalance to a space that is all-white. It makes the pieces you put in the room feel curated, almost like they’re in a gallery.”

How To Do White Right

— Do add in complimentary elements such as natural wood, soft textures and pops of colour to soften the space and keep it from looking sterile.

— Do create impact through repetition such as combining white walls with white floors and furniture.

— Do be clear about the look you are trying to achieve before you start.

— Don’t use the look if it doesn’t fit your lifestyle. White lacquered floorboards don’t mix with kids and pets.

— Don’t mix warm and cool whites. Whites with grey undertones and whites with  brown undertones don’t mix.

— Don’t be afraid to use modern and traditional elements. The combination will create even more visual interest.