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White interiors in a tropical climate can be cool and collected,evoking a sense of the pristine and untouched! While the notion of all whiterooms is romantic they are perceived to be a maintenance nightmare by most people.Though a white color scheme can look invitingly cleanand effortless, all white does have its drawbacks and may not be the bestchoice for a much lived in room.

Read on for how to usewhite effectively in your décor

Open Up With White

An elegantly spacious modern white living room

White as a color has the effectof opening up a room, for eg., it’s a perfect choice for a small bath, to make it seemlarger. In an already large room, all white can make it seem cavernous! Whiteagainst a white background blurs the outlines of various elements in the room,so it seems more visually empty than it actually is.

White opens up a combined living and dining area 

The Color White

White, the color that the eye perceives, is actually a melange ofcolors, which can be used to create varying effects. White should be seen in thecontext of a room, its particular light and the other decor elements in the room.White can have undertones of different colors; warm whites have undertones of yellow,brown or peach while cool whites will have undertones of blues, grays andgreens.

White with cool undertones in a kitchen with brushed metal appliances 

Warm white in a room with light beige undertones

The Right White

In a room with natural wood accents and furniture, warmwhites play up similar tones, in modern rooms with silver, metallic andmirrored surfaces as accents, cool whites are more appropriate. Rustic, countrydecor feels well paired with warmer whites, while cutting edge, uber modernlooks are better suited to cool whites as a backdrop.

Cool white with a blue undertone for an ultra modern bathroom

White Rules

When decorating with white, the two most important things toremember are, one, to create interest with texture as you are not using colors,and second, to remember that all elements in the room are going to stand outstarkly because the white backdrop will frame them and throw them into relief.

Fabrics in different textured finishes used in a dazzling white bedroom

Use texture effectively by incorporating it into elementslike upholstery fabric. A mix of cotton, linen and surface embellishment likeembroidery or print can draw the eye in a subtle, understated manner.

A white dining room with silver metallic accents

Elements like decor accessories can be in a metallic sheen ormirror finishes contrasting the all white look of the room, breaking themonotony of the singe color.

Do remember that a white room shows up dirt rather quickly, but theend effect of opting for an all white room, whether a living, kitchen, dining or a bath, can beexceptional, cleanly clutter free and wonderfully pristine!