 Photo by Philipp Berndt, Unsplash *Please note that this post contains affiliate links and any sales made through such links will reward me a small commission – at no extra cost for you. For more details, you can read my Terms and Conditions page. First things first: Is white the right paint colour for your space? Ok. So before we get started on this (to me very interesting) topic, I want to share something with you: choosing any paint colour for any room is not always an easy task. Whether you're looking for a bold colour for the accent wall in your powder room or wanting to repaint your entire kitchen, selecting the right hue can be quite the challenge. There are several reasons for this. When looking into paint colour options, many factors come into play. Here are 5 key questions you should ask yourself: 1. What is the current lighting situation of the room? 2. Are there any windows? If so, what direction are they facing? (This one is crucial, because the wall colours will be affected in very different ways, depending on if the light comes from the North, South, East or West). 3. Is there any other existing wall covering that cannot be changed or removed? 4. How big is the room? 5. What atmosphere/ambiance do I want to create?  A few of Benjamin Moore's selection of shades of white Painting an entire room in white: is it a good idea? I’m going to be completely transparent (ok… pun intended) with you here. I like white walls. There, I said it. Do I like a nice, rich, bold dark blue every now and then? Yes, I do. But here’s the thing. There are many good reasons to paint your walls white. And guess what? There are MANY different shades of white. In fact, there are literally hundreds to pick from. I can see how you might be tempted to just go with any white paint colour, after all, what difference would it make, right? Well my friend... don’t do that. Choosing the right shade of white for your walls is crucial, since it will greatly impact the look of your space. Depending on your room, pick too cold of a white, and you’ll end up with a very drab, uninspiring, gloomy, and sterile ambiance. Pick too warm of a white, and you’ll end up with yellow undertones and a “glowy” (pretty sure I just made up that word, but you know what I mean) room that will make you wonder: “something feels wrong here, but what is it?” And trust me, that is not a good place to be. Cool or warm? A great place to start, is to differentiate a cool white from a warm white. Almost any paint colour has undertones in it. It is no different with white paint colours. Simply put, a warm colour usually means it contains yellow undertones. A cool colour means it contains blue undertones.  Photo from www.greenefficientliving.com.au  Living room painted in White Dove OC-17, a warmer white, from Benjamin Moore.  Same living room painted in Pure White OC-64, a cooler white, from Benjamin Moore. Pros of painting your wall surfaces white It goes without saying that white walls come with quite a few perks. One of the major pros of a the colour white is that it's highly reflective. Which means that it will make your room appear bigger, more open and spacious. Secondly, this may sound a tad cliché, but think of a white room as a blank canvas. When you have a room that is completely painted in the right shade of white, styling and décor opportunities are limitless. You can really play around with your accessories and furniture selection. You can create different types of design styles only by changing your throw pillows, your linens or your blinds. It is much easier and cost effective to update a space this way, rather than dealing with the involved (and not-so-fun) task of repainting all your walls.  Photo by Philipp Berndt, Unsplash redirect.viglink.com?u=http%3A%2F%2Fruggable.com&key=e5dc1c719e1d338454b5dd9401c60f05Another important perk of having white walls: it allows for the eye to rest. You'll also notice that a nice view will really “pop” against a white backdrop. The green from the tree leaves out your window will become more vibrant. The blue of the sky more radiant. Heck, you might even notice those beautiful birds flying by some more! The contrast effect created by a white wall can be quite stunning. Lastly, when done properly, an all-white room will highlight focal points such as art pieces, area rugs, chandeliers or statement pendant lights. In other words, the most important elements of design in your room become the star features, and finally get the attention they truly deserve!
Conclusion I sometimes hear: “But Kiki, I'm nervous my space will look dull if I paint it all in white”. To this I say: “White walls are only dull if you make them”. Select the right shade of white, add interesting textures and patterns here and there, some plants (I'm a big fan of plants), and voila! You now have a room that is relaxing, inviting and beautiful. Next time you wonder about if a white out room is a good idea, remember these valuable tips. If you’re not feeling too confident about picking the right shade of white paint, don’t hesitate to reach out to a pro. After all, that’s what we’re here for! Have an interior design project you’d like some help with? Don’t hesitate to reach out!
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AuthorKiki Lalancette Design Archives
January 2022
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