FOUR SIMPLE WAYS TO WOW A WHITE ROOM

Photo courtesy of Marin at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

You’ve finally moved into your dream home and most of the decorating is done.  The last question is, what will you do with that all white room?  Here are four simple ways to WOW that room.

1. Choose contrast for a dose of drama.  Many people believe that the only way to enliven a white room is to purchase a major pieces of bright furniture.  Instead of investing in furniture you aren’t sure you’ll love forever, start by selecting items that contrast the white and appeal to you.  Interior design experts caution that while people may think of contrast only in terms of color, it can occur with any design elements.  For example, if the room is a perfect square with boxy windows, choose circular accents such as curved lamps, wavy accent furniture, round rugs, frames and mirrors.  The contrasting shapes easily create a WOW factor.  Another example of ideal contrast is to use dark finishes on furniture or hardwood floors so that they pop.

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2. Add bold accents.  This is particularly important if you aren’t sure how you will use it over the long-term.  If there’s a chance your aging parents may eventually move in, or your children have been lobbying for a foreign exchange student, you don’t have to make a major design commitment.  Add bold accents in rich hues to enliven the white space.  Determine which hues you are drawn to most, then seek out accessories with those colors.  Simply adding those colors in shelves, a large picture frame and some accessory pillows on a neutral couch will make the room really pop.  These elements can easily be changed as your family’s primary use of the room evolves over time.  NOTE: adding too many elements of a dramatic color may be overwhelming, so stick to dashes of dramatic color.

3. Play with sight lines.  Creating visual depth and height is another way to WOW a white room.  For example, in a white library or office, consider adding shelving with books or accessories around the top perimeter of the entire room.  Anyone entering the room will be immediately drawn to the pops of color at the top of the white walls.  If possible, place window treatments with colors or patterns that pop at the very top of the wall above the window to make it appear even longer, and the walls even taller.  If you have built-ins such as a window seat, use rich hues for the pillow-top seat cover to attract one’s line of sight.

4. Bring on black.  Perhaps the most classic color duo is black and white.  The trick, however, is not to overwhelm the blank canvas with too much black.  For example, if you have a collection of black and white photos, or paintings that you want to display on one of the white walls, choose black frames and hang them in a pattern.  Incorporating fabrics such as black and white striped pillows or drapes, or solid black drapes also creates a WOW factor.

Article by: Jennifer Elkow