Decorating: How to Add Life to a Minimalist White Room
Warm up slick white without losing the minimal aesthetic using tactile textures, graphic shapes or a hint of pattern
When styling or redecorating your home, you may have found yourself wondering, how much is too much – or, in the case of minimalism, how little is too little? Minimalism is about using the barest essentials to create an elegant, uncluttered space. It’s characterised by simplicity, linear structures and, more often than not, acres of white.
But while simple white schemes look sleek, they can sometimes feel soulless. So how can you create a crisp, clutter-free space that still feels warm and welcoming? Here are some ways you can add life to (and show off) your minimalist white rooms.
But while simple white schemes look sleek, they can sometimes feel soulless. So how can you create a crisp, clutter-free space that still feels warm and welcoming? Here are some ways you can add life to (and show off) your minimalist white rooms.
Dig into a plain wall
A built-in shelf or niche adds dimension to a plain white wall and is a practical way to display a collection of objects. Try different colours or surfaces in the niche – tiles, wallpaper or glass – or experiment with different lighting effects.
A niche like this is also an effective way to create shelving in a small room without encroaching on limited space.
A built-in shelf or niche adds dimension to a plain white wall and is a practical way to display a collection of objects. Try different colours or surfaces in the niche – tiles, wallpaper or glass – or experiment with different lighting effects.
A niche like this is also an effective way to create shelving in a small room without encroaching on limited space.
Strip back
Industrial and minimalist style are perfect partners. An exposed brick wall makes a striking feature in a minimalist space and adds warmth to a cool white scheme. If stripping a wall is too hefty a task, use trompe l’oeil wallpaper to emulate the look.
The different shades of brick in this room create an authentic, worn feel; add elements such as exposed lightbulbs for extra interest.
Industrial and minimalist style are perfect partners. An exposed brick wall makes a striking feature in a minimalist space and adds warmth to a cool white scheme. If stripping a wall is too hefty a task, use trompe l’oeil wallpaper to emulate the look.
The different shades of brick in this room create an authentic, worn feel; add elements such as exposed lightbulbs for extra interest.
Sneak in some pattern
In a bathroom or kitchen, where decorating can add more clutter than style, patterned tiles are a no-fuss, low-maintenance way to give a room personality (as well as being easy to clean).
If you’d rather stick to monochrome, as in this serene bathroom, but are worried that black on white is too harsh, add a natural element, like this wooden stool or the circular timber hooks, to soften the look.
In a bathroom or kitchen, where decorating can add more clutter than style, patterned tiles are a no-fuss, low-maintenance way to give a room personality (as well as being easy to clean).
If you’d rather stick to monochrome, as in this serene bathroom, but are worried that black on white is too harsh, add a natural element, like this wooden stool or the circular timber hooks, to soften the look.
Introduce natural wood
Wood cladding is an understated way to soften a plain white room. It gives it an earthy touch and adds a hint of rustic charm to a polished space. Or, if you have floorboards, strip and oil them for a wonderfully warm element.
Here, the exposed beams tie in with the kitchen island to round out this minimalist kitchen.
Wood cladding is an understated way to soften a plain white room. It gives it an earthy touch and adds a hint of rustic charm to a polished space. Or, if you have floorboards, strip and oil them for a wonderfully warm element.
Here, the exposed beams tie in with the kitchen island to round out this minimalist kitchen.
Mix up materials
One easy way to add a hint of colour and texture to a white room without paint or wallpaper is by using a different material – concrete and wood tend to work well with white. In keeping with the industrial style in this kitchen, the concrete worktop offsets the white without detracting from it.
One easy way to add a hint of colour and texture to a white room without paint or wallpaper is by using a different material – concrete and wood tend to work well with white. In keeping with the industrial style in this kitchen, the concrete worktop offsets the white without detracting from it.
Get groovy with textured walls
A textured wall is an easy-to-create alternative to a plain white wall, especially if you have a large surface to work with. A wall like this isn’t dominating, either – here it subtly adds texture while allowing the vintage leather sofa to stand out.
A textured wall is an easy-to-create alternative to a plain white wall, especially if you have a large surface to work with. A wall like this isn’t dominating, either – here it subtly adds texture while allowing the vintage leather sofa to stand out.
Be adventurous with surprising shapes
A simple white scheme can handle a striking piece of furniture. An unusual structure is great for giving a minimalist room a focal point (and an excellent talking point!). This has a particularly powerful effect if the structure is an essential feature of the room’s functionality, like this standout kitchen island.
Take a look at 8 contemporary white kitchens
TELL US…
What have you done to make a white space your own? Share your tips and photos in the Comments below.
A simple white scheme can handle a striking piece of furniture. An unusual structure is great for giving a minimalist room a focal point (and an excellent talking point!). This has a particularly powerful effect if the structure is an essential feature of the room’s functionality, like this standout kitchen island.
Take a look at 8 contemporary white kitchens
TELL US…
What have you done to make a white space your own? Share your tips and photos in the Comments below.
Think of your space as a blank canvas. An all-white colour scheme can be used to frame a ‘look at me’ centrepiece, which means you can go to town with feature lighting, such as this sculptural, oversized pendant.
Explore some simple ways to incorporate art into your home