Decorating & Design
25+ Ways To Decorate With White For Every Season
Published on August 29, 2018
From cool whites that impart a breezy feel during summer months to crisp shades that call to mind winter’s chill, white’s versatility is what makes it an enduring favorite in our homes no matter the season. Click through for decorating inspiration on how to take advantage of this adaptable hue in your home year-round.
Take advantage of white’s timeless appeal. Solid white upholstery on outdoor armchairs and a sectional allowed landscape architect Wendy Berger more creative licence when choosing throw pillows. Her striped and colorful choices are stylish without being overwhelming.
Use white to update a vintage piece. A rocking chair in a cool, contemporary shape makes the most of spring and summer’s slow pace.
Let white bring the beach vibe indoors. Floating above a custom-made table, a pair of linen pendant lights keep to this dining area’s laid-back feel.
Take advantage of white’s effortless cottage style. Washable cotton slipcovers are a quick way to boost comfort and keep furniture pristine.
Welcome white’s simple beauty. Flowers displayed in a white pitcher give this principal bedroom vignette a delicate, pastoral feel.
Pair white with spring- and summer-inspired motifs. “I like the idea of a palm leaf in the country,” says homeowner Stephanie Nerlich of her rural Grand Valley, Ontario, home. “Even though it’s a bit more Miami, it still feels right.”
Take white outside. Set around a spacious dining table, white industrial metal chairs are a perfect complement to a concrete patio.
Pair white with texture. Abaca chairs and wooden shades add warmth against white shiplap in this farmhouse-style home.
Lighten up with white drapery. A sheer drape imparts a breezy, relaxed feel in any room come summertime — and even more so when hung casually over a found tree branch. Ruffles add an element of texture.
Embrace white’s rustic side. Small chips and cracks in the wood give the vintage bench in homeowner Wispy Bovin’s entryway added character.
Use white to add interest in unexpected places. Mulberry-colored velvet drapes trimmed with a white floral motif add an extra element of visual interest in this living room by designer Elizabeth Metcalfe.
Layer in warm white pieces. A throw blanket draped casually over a sofa provides an extra measure of warmth on cool fall days.
Let white pop. A white dog balloon sculpture stands out against a black chalkboard wall in this young boy’s room.
Fill bare walls with wool. Fill an acrylic box with raw white wool and showcase it on the wall for a creative autumnal-inspired display.
Use white to add wow factor. Orange is a favorite hue come fall, but even it needs spicing up, too. In this nursery, blanched animal heads break up the daring wallpaper and create a fun moment.
Use white as a backdrop. Plain white matting allows for vibrant fall foliage to pop in picture frames.
Incorporate nature’s whites. Using birch stumps for a table base is an unexpected move, but one that’s well-suited for a pastoral dining space, as seen in Carmen Dunjko’s home in eastern Ontario.
Display white collections. Let fall’s cozy, relaxed appeal extend into the kitchen — homeowner Trudy Crane filled an awkward corner in her Montreal apartment with a collection of ceramics in irregular shapes set atop cake stands.
Use white paint to brighten. Homeowner and designer Kelvin Browne used a creamy white to lighten up the dark wood envelope of his Cape Cod saltbox. White floor and table lamps in unique shapes add an extra element of intrigue.
Add texture with white. Designer Suzanne Dimma hung a textural juju hat near the entrance of her nature-inspired cottage for visual interest and a bit of whimsy.
Elevate classic decorations with white. A light spray of faux snow and wide white ribbon transform a basic store-bought cedar wreath into a custom piece.
Display a winter bouquet. Set atop the coffee table in Janis and Jay McKenzie’s Whistler, B.C. home, a bouquet of frosted leaves is a nod to the season.
Opt for an all-white tree. When placed in a child’s room and adorned with colorful baubles, this frosty Christmas tree feels especially sweet.
Pair white with other wintery hues. A small tree decorated with cream, white and silver ornaments is the centerpiece of this cozy living room.
Contrast a crisp white with a moody hue. Bright white accents punctuate deep blue walls in interior designer Betty Theodoropoulos’ living room.
Embrace an all-white envelope. Former fashion designer Lorren Leveille’s all-white cabin in Prince Edward County, Ontario, was inspired by a magazine spread of a 17th-century stone house in England, decorated exclusively in chalky white tones. “Peace and serenity are the operative words for me.”
Break up warm tones with cool whites. A large ceramic plate atop homeowner and designer J Gibson’s stone fireplace diverges from the warm tones of the rustic wooden walls.
Incorporate white accents. Draped over an accent chair, a faux white sheepskin throw provides an extra element of warmth and coziness.
Create subtle contrast with different shades of white. Two paint colors — a brighter white up top and a creamier white below a peg rail — add visual interest to walls.