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  4. 12 Clean and Classic Ways to Decorate with White

12 Clean and Classic Ways to Decorate with White

Southern Living May 2021 Cover
By Southern Living Editors
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Use White as a Focal Point
Credit: Alexandra Rowley

Crisp, clean, and flawless. Use the color white as a backdrop to accentuate accessories, or let it take center stage for a dramatic effect.

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Embrace Accent Colors

Embrace Accent Colors
Credit: Photo: Alexandra Rowley

Paint walls, ceilings, and trim all the same white hue. The result is a blank canvas, which allows the eye to gravitate toward warm textiles and brighter hues found in furniture and accessories.

Paint: Alabaster (SW7008) by Sherwin-Williams; sherwin-williams.com.

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Warm Up with White

Warm Up with White
Credit: Photo: Charles Walton IV

Allow lighting to create warmth in an all-white room. This bath uses sheer cafe curtains to allow in as much natural light as possible.

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Use White as a Backdrop

Bookshelf
Credit: Photo: Eric Piasecki

Brighten a room that has dark wood floors and accents with white walls. Walls painted white recede, allowing the natural wood paneling and molding to steal the show— without becoming overwhelming.

  • See more of this Amazing Barn Transformation

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Let Textures Shine

Let Textures Shine
Credit: Photo: Laurey W. Glenn

A monochromatic white palette allows experimentation with texture. Layer wood, ceramics, and other materials to keep the look of white paint from falling flat.

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Make Accessories Pop

Get Inspired by Art
Credit: Laurey W. Glenn, Styling: Matthew Gleason

A white background allows accessories to rule the room's decor (and makes for easy updates, too!). Choose pillows, art, and other accents carefully because they'll garner all the attention.

Paint: Titanium (2141-60) by Benjamin Moore; benjaminmoore.com.
Ottoman Fabric: Zig Zag in Shrimp on Tint from Alan Campbell by Quadrille (quadrillefabrics.com), available through DCOTA; 954/921-7575

  • See the rest of this 1920's home

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Enhance Bright Hues

dining room showing custom banquette
Credit: Helen Norman

Mix shades of white to createthe illusion of depth in a space, and add hues of different colors to create a neutral-like color scheme.

Paint: Niveous (OC-36) by Benjamin Moore; benjaminmoore.com.

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Create Light and Airy Spaces

Thuston Small Kitchen Makeover
Credit: Photo: Annie Schlechter

Dress tight quarters in bright white for a more spacious and airy feeling. As the light changes, so will the space's color and ambience.

Paint: Wall, ceiling, and trim paint: White Dove (OC-17) by Benjamin Moore; benjaminmoore.com.

  • See more of this Hardworking Small Kitchen

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Use White as a Focal Point

Use White as a Focal Point
Credit: Alexandra Rowley

Use white to warm up stone walls, interior brickwork, or other hard surfaces, allowing them to appear approachable and inviting.

Paint: Pure White (SW7005) by Sherwin-Williams; sherwin-williams.com.

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Use Bright White

White Kitchen Ranch Makeover
Credit: Photo: Laurey W. Glenn

Use white as your base for the entire room. Colorful fabric and accessories pops against a white background.

Barstools: Grayson from Pottery Barn; potterybarn.com.
Barstool slipcover fabric: For a similar look, try Corazon in Seaglass from Calico Corners; calicocorners.com.

  • See the rest of this Dream Kitchen Makeover

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White Light

Lighten Up with Windows
Credit: Photo: Laurey W. Glenn

Natural light brought in by the large windows pairs well with the white upholstery and white walls in this dining room.

  • See more of this Kansas City home

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White with Wood

White with Wood
Credit: Photo: Helen Norman

A warm wood ceiling and floor treatment paired with painted wood walls adds vintage character to the space.

  • Tour this Modern Dogtrot Home

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Crisp Cottage White

Crisp Cottage White

In keeping with the calming color scheme, an antique shopkeeper's cabinet with glass-front drawers was painted white and serves as an interesting dresser.

  • See more Primary Bedroom Decorating Ideas

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    1 of 12 Embrace Accent Colors
    2 of 12 Warm Up with White
    3 of 12 Use White as a Backdrop
    4 of 12 Let Textures Shine
    5 of 12 Make Accessories Pop
    6 of 12 Enhance Bright Hues
    7 of 12 Create Light and Airy Spaces
    8 of 12 Use White as a Focal Point
    9 of 12 Use Bright White
    10 of 12 White Light
    11 of 12 White with Wood
    12 of 12 Crisp Cottage White

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