The great debate: White vs. Colour

When it comes to decorating ideas, the nation is split — should you opt for an all-white scheme, or go down the bright route with plenty of colour? Both have so much going for them, but which is going to suit your home and your tastes best? We take a look at the pros and cons of each scheme and give tips on how to use them in your home.

Why Go All White?

When most people move into a new space, they tend to cover every inch of wall space with white paint. This is a great idea, giving a clear idea of the space you have to work with and where colour needs to be introduced.

An all-white scheme, including white furniture, has lots of benefits. It can make small spaces appear bigger, reflect light in otherwise dark rooms and will make any colourful furniture you have stand out all the more. In short, an all-white room provides a blank canvass for whatever else you have planned for the room — such as exciting colourful furniture like this.

Using Colour

For many people, an all-white scheme can seem lacking in imagination or stark. Those with strong ideas about the colours they find a pleasure to live with will want to include them, feeling this is the ideal way to inject some of their own personality into their home.

Colourful colour schemes need not equal chaotic. Used in the right way, colour can enhance the spaces you are working with, highlight interesting architectural features and add a real sense of warmth. And colour comes in many forms too — from soft pastel shades to zingy primary colours.

Those working with smaller spaces need to be careful of saturating an entire room in very dense, rich shades. A neutral backdrop brought to life with accent colours, used on just one wall or in an alcove, is a better route in this scenario. Those with high ceilings and plenty of natural light can afford to be a little bolder with their colour choices.

And, of course, if you would prefer to keep your walls more neutral, there are plenty of other colourful living room ideas to try out, such as using colourful furniture.

Photo: Using colourful furniture is a great way to liven up a space — but keeping floors and ceilings pale helps tone the look down

White Can Be Warm

Contrary to what many people believe, a predominantly white colour scheme does not have to feel cold.

There are literally hundreds of shades of white out there, from those with hints of grey and blue, to warmer choices including tones of cream and taupe.

Consider using several different shades of white within the same room, and include plenty of different textures through soft furnishings, fabrics and decorative accessories to break up any blandness.

A great example of warm white interiors are Scandinavian interior schemes, where natural materials, log fires, snuggly accessories and good lighting all result in some of the most homely settings out there.

Photo: Predominantly white rooms can be made to feel warm by using plenty of texture and different shades of white

Thinking Beyond Walls

Whilst painting your walls is one of the most obvious ways to use colour – or for creating an all-white scheme – there are plenty of other ways.

Your furniture choices offer the most scope here. If you are going for a total whiteout, using white furniture – particularly white gloss furniture – will really add polish and drama to the whole look. Likewise, those after lively, colourful living room ideas should take a look at colourful furniture to build upon their chosen palette.

There is a huge range of coloured furniture out there, but it can be hard to find just the right shade that is unique to you – happily, companies such as Zespoke offer a completely customisable service, allowing you to pick and combine any colours you like — from white gloss coffee tables, to colourful side tables

The Best of Both Worlds

And if you still can’t decide which look is for you, fear not. This does not have to be an ‘either or’ thing. For example, those aiming for an all-white contemporary scheme could mix up white gloss furniture with pops of colour from cushions, glass accessories and rugs.

Similarly, those after a more eclectic and colourful approach need not discount white. In fact, white sofas and fabrics, as well as accessories in pure white, are the ideal foil to an otherwise colour-heavy room.

Photo: Balance very bold colours with white — particularly in small spaces