While we often indulge in using colour in most rooms in our homes, the bedroom is usually the one neutral space as it is a place of rest and relaxation where we don’t want to be overstimulated. And there’s nothing as timeless and soothing as white bedroom ideas.
However, in recent years, white in general as a colour, as well as specifically white bedroom colour schemes have earned a bit of a bad rep – but if done right, a white bedroom can be stylish, interesting and cosy, rather than boring, bland and cold, as some might say.
‘White often gets an unfair reputation for being bland, but in reality it can be the strongest possible starting point,’ says Lucy Van der Gucht, interior designer and founder of Lucy Van der Gucht Interiors. ‘Far from feeling plain, it provides depth, flexibility and longevity, allowing personality to emerge through the furnishings, artwork and textiles layered on top. A well-chosen white acts as a calm backdrop.’
Article continues belowOur favourite white shades for bedrooms
If you’re looking to create the perfect white bedroom, it all starts with using the best white paint for a bedroom on your walls – you ideally want something soft with warm undertones to create a serene, relaxing environment. These are just a few of our favourites.
'It adds depth and warmth to a space but is light and fresh in character, too,' interior designer Francesca Leat says.
This neutral shade is Francesca's another go-to - and it's also one of the favourite white shades of Ideal Home's editors.
This shade is one of Dulux's palest of cream shades which has just enough warmth to cosy up a bedroom.
'I always come back to White 06. It has a gentle pink undertone so it feels warm and easy to live with,' Tash Bradley from Lick says.
1. Incorporate deeper colours through accessories and furnishings
Just because the base (or main) colour of your bedroom is white, that doesn’t mean you can’t bring in more colours through the way you furnish and decorate the space. On the contrary!
‘The key to making a white bedroom feel interesting is in the layering,’ says Tash Bradley, director of interior design at Lick. ‘Once you have that neutral base, you can bring in richer tones and textures through furniture and soft furnishings. Think velvet headboards, linen curtains, or adding depth with colours like olive, rust or deep brown.’
2. Add texture to walls
Texture is crucial for creating depth in a space but also for making a space feel cosy and warm – and that’s key in a bedroom, especially if it’s all white. There are various ways in which you can introduce texture. But one that will cover the most ground is by doing it on walls.
‘I regularly use textured wallpapers in bedroom spaces and Philip Jeffries has some wonderful white linen options which add warmth and texture to the walls without being too cold,’ says Francesca Leat, owner, director and head designer at Francesca Leat Interiors. ‘There is also something very luxurious about having white linen walls in a bedroom scheme.’
A textured wallpaper like one from Philip Jeffreis, as Francesca mentioned, or this Galerie linen wallpaper from John Lewis is one way to bring texture to your walls. But you can also do it with some bedroom wall panelling ideas.
3. Layer lighting for a cosy feel
The potential danger in going for an all-white colour scheme is that it might make the room feel cold. To combat that, there are a few things you can do – as already mentioned, the shade of white is key, as is incorporating enough varied textures. The other is a layered lighting scheme.
‘Lighting plays a key role in making a room look and feel cosy. Look at using decorative lighting over traditional spot lights, particularly in a bedroom. Bedside lamps, wall lights, pendant lights and floor lamps all can add depth and character as well and cosiness to a space,’ Francesca Leat says.
Lucy Van der Gucht agrees, ‘Thoughtful lighting is essential – bedside lamps or wall lights create a far more intimate atmosphere than relying solely on overhead lighting.’
4. Include a statement headboard
Statement and patterned headboards are trending this year. They work amazingly well as a focal point in any bedroom. But if you are looking to spice up the look of your white bedroom, adding a statement headboard is the perfect way to do it.
‘Bedrooms offer endless opportunities to introduce colour and texture. A statement headboard is an excellent focal point and one of the simplest ways to add character,’ Lucy Van der Gucht suggests.
5. Pair with warm woods
Whether you create a room that is rustic or glamorous, white and wood are a always a winning combination. The plain white wall and window is a blank canvas for furniture to stand out and become the focal point.
The white shutters and wood flooring continue the scheme, and could be easily swapped out with white painted floorboards and a wooden venetian blind, to reverse the scheme. The painted hallway door adds a clever pink addition to the room when it open, and provides a seamless paint effect in the hallway when closed.
6. Add depth by using pattern and texture
You can keep the colour scheme neutral while still embracing pattern and textures, to add depth. A white paisley pattern on a light grey background provides just enough interest on a feature wall, while the remaining walls shine bright in white. Textured cushions and throws in muted tones, over crisps white bedding, add layers of interest.
'White is a wonderful neutral ground and lends itself to any colour in a scheme! Look to introduce several textures and colours in the remaining upholstery, window treatments and rugs. It also means if you grow tired of smaller items in the space you’re not wedded to a particular colour on the walls and can change things up as regularly as you like,' Francesca Leat says.
7. Unify walls and woodwork with tone-on-tone white
White is the ideal shade to incorporate every wall in the same shade. Whether it's the ceiling, skirting boards, floors, beams or wood paneling this ultra clean shade is ideal to create a uniformed blank canvas.
'White is a great choice for a bedroom because it creates a calm, serene backdrop. I often recommend using it across everything, walls, ceiling and woodwork, to create a really cohesive, cocooning feel,' Tash at Lick advises.
8. Choose white-washed walls to add a rustic touch
The right shade of white can feel rustic. With so many hues of white, there's a tone to suit all decors. White-washed wooden walls can lend a warmer, more authentic rustic feel to a bedroom scheme.
Pair with classic checks to inject a further touch of timeless country chic.
9. Soften the look of exposed brick with white
Bare brick walls have a rough and rugged style that looks cool, but can overwhelm, especially a bedroom. Soften the textured feel with a coat of white paint. This pairing is particularly popular with fans of industrial-style decor.
10. Use blue accents to create a coastal vibe
Accents of blue welcomes a coastal feel in an all-white decorating scheme. From soft furnishings to seascape wall art, the blank canvas of white provides the perfect backdrop for seaside azure blue accessories.
11. Choose off-white to add warmth
There are many shades that may look grey to you and I, but they are very much still white. The off-white shades still provide a beautifully blank canvas, only with more warmth – ideal for warming up rich accent shades.
Off-white walls and bedlinen combine beautifully with muted red and blue accents in this elegant bedroom.
12. Add a feature wall that doesn't overpower
Adding a striking wallpaper pattern to an otherwise all-white scheme can have impressive results.This simple, yet statement white pegboard wallpaper adds pattern without distracting from the all-white feel.
Lucy Van der Gucht concludes, ‘Together, these elements transform a white room from cool and minimal to warm, inviting and restful.’