Bring Your Minimalist White Room to Life
Use tactile textures, graphic shapes or a hint of pattern to warm-up a minimalist white scheme
Andrea Von
10 August 2015
Formerly editor at thegreenhubonline.com and Houzz UK Editorial Staff. I'm passionate about sustainability, innovative architecture and clever design.
Formerly editor at thegreenhubonline.com and Houzz UK Editorial Staff. I'm passionate... More
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.
Go large
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.
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.
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 timber
Timber 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.
Timber 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.
TELL US
What have you done to make a white space your own? Share your tips and photos in the Comments section.
MORE
When Less is More: How to Pull Off a Minimalist Look That Works
My Houzz: A Minimalist Home That’s Anything but Bare
It’s a Whiteout! Add Star Power to Your Interiors With White on White
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.
TELL US
What have you done to make a white space your own? Share your tips and photos in the Comments section.
MORE
When Less is More: How to Pull Off a Minimalist Look That Works
My Houzz: A Minimalist Home That’s Anything but Bare
It’s a Whiteout! Add Star Power to Your Interiors With White on White
What are you working on?
Related Stories
Interior Design
The Golden Rules of Proportion: Decor Laws You Need to Know
An interior designer reveals the essential rules for achieving a perfectly balanced interior
Full Story
Most Popular
An Interior Designer's Guide to Arranging Cushions
By Anne Ellard
Get to grips with your ever-growing pile of cushions with these professional tips for choosing and arranging cushions in your home
Full Story
Decorating
The Power of Negative Space in Interior Design
By Janet Dunn
A design element that's not even there can forever change how you view your home
Full Story
For Pros
Trade Shows: Why They're Important Events You Don't Want to Miss
From networking to insights into new and emerging trends, here's why trade shows should be a firm 'yes' in your calendar
Full Story
Houzz Tours
Queensland Houzz: A Cute Cottage Awash With Colour and Pattern
Bold colour, quirky prints and an abundance of art transformed this 1920s cottage into an inviting and relaxing gem
Full Story
Project Of The Week
Before & After: A Cheap & Cheerful Makeover of a 1980s Caravan
Armed with an AU$1500 budget, a Melbourne couple rolled up their sleeves and transformed a caravan in just three months
Full Story
Most Popular
Ask the Experts: What Goes With Tan Leather?
Embrace this versatile material, colour and texture with inspirational ideas from designers in the know
Full Story
Most Popular
Masonry Magic: 15 Ways to Trick Out Your Exposed Brick Wall
Do you find exposed brick walls cold? Add contemporary warmth and interest with these 15 transformative ideas
Full Story
Projects Born on Houzz
Before & After: From Dump Zone to New 'Welcome Home' Living Area
Home office, yoga zone, dumping ground... this front room was having a serious identity crisis – but look at it now!
Full Story
Picture Perfect
30 Christmas Schemes to Inspire and Delight
Our coffee-break escape offers you five minutes' worth of images to inspire and delight. Jump right in...
Full Story
Our 8 year old kitchen might not be white, but it is certainly minimalist, whilst being very functional and impresses all who see it. It's not large, but up to date modern and still has the same cutting edge technology you can buy today.
However, our upcoming family room, which is part of our extension we are in the middle of, will be minimalist - again, not totally white, but it will have a large degree of white. Then we will colour it with ornaments, books, TV, Dining table, chairs, (white) lounge and everything else we decorate the room with. Minimalist is very good.
I have a lot of white in my bedroom and I break it up with mixed metals and more 'raw' accessories - to bring more textures into the room. Copper pieces especially look amazing with white and bring some life into the room! No photos of my room sorry - but these are the are the style I mean!
In our new home I have two colours - brown floors (carpet and tiles) and white walls. All cabinetry is white. In the 3 bedrooms are white drapes - allowing us to put whatever colourful doona covers, artwork, etc that we choose. Sorry no pics - still settling in.