White Done Right

Plain white walls can often times make a room feel bare or unfinished, like you haven't gotten around to painting yet. But the white rooms above feel rich, layered, and complete. In addition to the eye-catching furniture pieces and bursts of color throughout the spaces, what really makes the walls stand out are the architectural details. Wood paneling, cove moldings, arched doorways, high ceilings, and oversized windows add interest to what could seem like bare walls. The rooms are bright and airy, and the items in the room really stand out against the blank canvas. My recommendation to those looking to try a white room: choose the room that offers the best architectural interest. Perhaps the ugly wood-paneled den that could use a face lift or the living room with the bay windows.

Obviously, us apartment-dwellers and most anyone living in a home built in the 70s or later might be a little skim on the architectural accents. If that's the case, and you really want an all-white room, it seems that a single oversized piece of art is the way to go. The large scale of it will add drama and give the impressive sense of being in an art gallery versus a boxy high-rise apartment.

Do any of you have white walls? Do you feel like the room is unfinished or do you like the clean, bright look of it?

Photo sources: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8