Add Color to White

In a house that utilizes the color white on walls, cornflower blue and tangerine come together through throw pillows, ottomans, and an area rug to add a powerful punch of color. Neutral sofas mean throw pillows can be swapped out easily and the whole color palette of the room can change as well.

On a neutral linen sofa, loud colors and patterns fit in perfectly. When dealing with multiple patterns, scale is important. The pattern on the area rug is much larger than the throw pillow patterns, so the three patterns don't compete.

Color Tip: Pair a conservative color with a bolder hue that complements the first, like the classic cornflower blue and bright tangerine duo in this living room.

In the family room, shades of blue lend a natural feel that has both energy and vibrance. Navy blue, turquoise, and cobalt can all be found in this scene. Variations of the hue help the space feel more dynamic. Plenty of natural light from the room's three sets of French doors furthers the sunny look of the space.

Classic, white cabinetry and walls allow for strategic pops of color in the kitchen. A multicolored striped rug brings in a variety of colors. Turquoise and orange in the rug influenced the addition of a vase and patterned window shade that tie in perfectly with the rug. The graphic patterns introduce loads of personality, too.

Color Tip: Color trends come and go. If you're making a big investment, such as cabinets or upholstered furniture, and aren't sure you'll love a certain color in five years or fear you may tire of it, stick with neutrals for the big pieces. Add color via easy-to-change, lower cost items, such as window treatments, rugs, and accessories.

This small office space just off the kitchen doubles as workspace and a place to store additional dishware. Glass-front cabinets and open shelves display orange and blue dishes that reinforce the kitchen's color scheme. A marble backsplash connects the space to the rest of the kitchen.

A custom bench and corner storage unit keep family clutter at bay in the entryway. White walls and furniture are warmed up by honey-hued floors and yellow in the fabric on the bench, pillows, and window treatment. 

White cane chairs are paired with a clean-lined, modern table in an interesting juxtaposition of styles. Pops of color come from tabletop accessories and a blue throw pillow. The dining room's simple palette makes the view outside the French doors the main focus.

The formal living room feels breezy and light thanks to natural light and the expert use of white. A white-painted coffered ceiling and built-ins emphasize the home's traditional style. Jungle green accessories and fabric introduce exotic color in small doses that fits right in to the existing style of this room.

A dark wood bed warms up this mostly white master bedroom and anchors the breezy space. By utilizing simple, white bedding as a foundation, throw pillows can be changed seasonally or when the mood strikes. Combining a discrete foundation with pillows in large graphic patterns creates a look that's vibrant, not overbearing.

Color Tip: If you don't want white walls, but you're not wild about colored walls, paint your walls a white that's tinted to a hue used in your room. Often, paint companies have a collection of whites that aren't just white but contain subtle variations of white that lean toward a color, like this barely blue hue.

Blue trim crisps up simple Roman shades. A patterned blue chair and rope side table make the perfect reading spot in the master bedroom, and a rug helps to add additional texture to the space.

While the homeowner preferred white walls in the larger rooms, she likes to use color in small rooms, such as kid's rooms. Here, a soft gray pairs beautifully with sky blue. A woven rug, bamboo shades, and a woven light fixture all add texture to the space to make it more dynamic.