Selecting shades of interior white for your home seems simple enough, but pairing a shade of white with other shades of whites and your existing furniture and finishes can be a design challenge.
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”5498″ img_size=”full” onclick=”link_image”][vc_custom_heading text=”We’re a young couple and this is our first home. We need help picking a wall colour. We were thinking white but now we’re stuck. We don’t know which white is right because we have white trim and baseboards already. Can you help us out? signed T&D ” font_container=”tag:h5|text_align:left|color:%23ffffff” use_theme_fonts=”yes” css=”.vc_custom_1452560898870{margin-top: 0px !important;padding-top: 20px !important;padding-right: 20px !important;padding-bottom: 20px !important;padding-left: 20px !important;background-color: #000033 !important;}”][vc_empty_space][vc_custom_heading text=”Designing with Shades of White ” use_theme_fonts=”yes”][vc_column_text]Such a smart couple to know that white is difficult to choose. But when done right, white is fresh and youthful. First off, there’s nothing wrong with using different shades of white in one room. It actually looks wonderful. If the baseboards and trim are a crisp white, painting the walls a lovely warm shade of white will look great. Some of my favourites are Pointing 2003 by Farrow and Ball, as well as Benjamin Moore Cloud White (CC – 40).[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image source=”external_link” onclick=”link_image” css_animation=”top-to-bottom” custom_src=”https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1611/24030087340_005080aa64_c.jpg”][vc_column_text]Another favourite white is Benjamin Moore Ballet White (OC – 9). It’s a slightly chalky greyed white. It’s never harsh and still looks clean. Judging by your floor colour, Ballet White might look good because it definitely is a deeper white.
A trick of the trade is to use a combination of glossy, flat and eggshell. If you want just a slight variance between colour, changing the finish will do that.[/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text=”Repeat Your Perfect Shade of White” use_theme_fonts=”yes”][vc_single_image source=”external_link” onclick=”link_image” custom_src=”https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5786/22651891208_6d88f3194e_c.jpg” caption=”346Living”][vc_column_text]When doing white walls, it’s important that the white is repeated in the room. Pops of colour can still be done, but there must be a tie-in. Even if it’s just some accent pieces or cushions, you need to continue the white.[/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text=”Accent Walls Must Relate” use_theme_fonts=”yes”][vc_single_image source=”external_link” onclick=”link_image” custom_src=”https://farm1.staticflickr.com/701/22449095933_39d9c6f148_c.jpg” caption=”redonline/houzz”][vc_column_text]Don’t be afraid to do an accent wall in a colour. The accent wall above works beautifully because of the white shelves that sit on it. There’s nothing worse than having a brightly coloured wall that doesn’t relate to anything. Be wary of doing a quick fix accent wall – usually not a good idea. Always have a tie in.[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image source=”external_link” onclick=”link_image” custom_src=”https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5709/23056693212_5e4590b38c_c.jpg” caption=”bhg / petitpapier.typepad”][vc_column_text]Having a little contrast in a room adds style. Notice the windows above and how they provide such a punch. A touch of dark will bring a room alive.[/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text=”Keep It Simple” use_theme_fonts=”yes”][vc_column_text]When deciding on how to use shades of white in your home, make sure to follow the basic rules for selections I covered in my post Two Rules for Choosing Selections. Remember that it’s easy to be overwhelmed with choices, but keeping it simple will create an inviting and relaxing space.[/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text=”Contrast White Paint with Dark Floors ” use_theme_fonts=”yes”][vc_single_image source=”external_link” onclick=”link_image” custom_src=”https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5711/23070305665_52a1097f06_c.jpg” caption=”onekinddesign / blueprintmodern”][vc_column_text]Dark floors with white walls look amazing, especially if there are dark touches in the room. In the room on the left hand side, note the brown colour repeated in the throw, the wall sconce, the picture frame and the door rail.[/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text=”Consider the Lighting in Your Space” use_theme_fonts=”yes”][vc_single_image source=”external_link” onclick=”link_image” custom_src=”https://farm1.staticflickr.com/596/23044253206_43537ced20_c.jpg” caption=”decor8blog / planette-deco.fr”][vc_column_text]The amount of light a room receives is important to consider when choosing white for the walls. If you like a crisp fresh white like the room on the right, Benjamin Moore’s Simply White (OC – 117) is a great choice, especially if you are painting the window trim and baseboards the same as the walls.[/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text=”Use Accent Colours on Doors and Furniture” use_theme_fonts=”yes”][vc_single_image source=”external_link” onclick=”link_image” custom_src=”https://farm1.staticflickr.com/653/23056700852_c13e74b025_c.jpg” caption=”lauriegrassi / twentythreefour”][vc_column_text]Another way to add punch to a room is to highlight a door. Painting an interior door black will elevate the entire room. Matching the door to the furniture, as in the photo on the left, adds another layer of interest.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”Karen’s Design Advice for T&D” use_theme_fonts=”yes”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image source=”external_link” onclick=”link_image” custom_src=”https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1490/24030450230_18512b795c.jpg”][vc_custom_heading text=”The best thing about paint is that it’s an inexpensive fun fix. Consider painting the door and the handrail a warm black (Benjamin Moore Black Beauty 2128-10). Do the handrail in a glossy black for a bit of shine. White with a punch of black is such a classy combination.” font_container=”tag:p|text_align:left|color:%23ffffff” use_theme_fonts=”yes” css=”.vc_custom_1453068558195{padding-top: 20px !important;padding-right: 20px !important;padding-bottom: 20px !important;padding-left: 20px !important;background-color: #000033 !important;}”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_custom_heading text=”Because of the position of your fireplace and television, you can have some fun with paint on that wall. Paint the wall a warm white, but highlight the fireplace by painting a vertical strip of black surrounding the television alcove and fireplace, floor to ceiling. Since there is no stone or brick to give the room some strength, use paint to do it. Use a flat black paint to add beautiful depth.” font_container=”tag:p|text_align:left|color:%23ffffff” use_theme_fonts=”yes” css=”.vc_custom_1452563203779{padding-top: 20px !important;padding-right: 20px !important;padding-bottom: 20px !important;padding-left: 20px !important;background-color: #000033 !important;}”][vc_empty_space][vc_single_image source=”external_link” onclick=”link_image” custom_src=”https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1624/24217468562_cbfbe132b0.jpg”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”Thanks for the before photos and your question about white. Have fun, think outside the box and always test colour on the wall. Don’t make your final decision from a 2 inch paint sample. Oh and send us the after photos – would love to see how it looks! -Karen” font_container=”tag:p|text_align:left|color:%23ffffff” use_theme_fonts=”yes” css=”.vc_custom_1452563754563{padding-top: 20px !important;padding-right: 20px !important;padding-bottom: 20px !important;padding-left: 20px !important;background-color: #000033 !important;}”][vc_separator color=”custom” border_width=”3″ accent_color=”#000033″ css=”.vc_custom_1452564948730{margin-top: 32px !important;}”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1452564857527{padding-top: 20px !important;padding-right: 20px !important;padding-bottom: 20px !important;padding-left: 20px !important;background-color: #f7f7f7 !important;}”]
Do You Have a Question?
If you have a question about this article, or one of your own, please
send me an email, or message me on Facebook. Don’t forget to include photographs of your space! To continue reading about using shades of white in your home, check out my post Do White Right.
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