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7 tips for a white living room

White is a great base for any interior design. Whether you want to use it to highlight something or go all white, the possibilities are endless. Best of all, almost all shades of it look great. Here are our top tips for decorating a white living room.

A white, bright living room with a four-person family engaged in playing with a LILLABO wooden train set.

Break the usual pattern a little

Even if the main color of the interior is white, don't take it too literally - rules are made to be broken. Play with different shades of white or combine them with other light shades to get a beautiful, natural look.

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A living room with a white KALLAX shelf used as a room divider and a white HEMNES sofa bed next to it.
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Play with color temperatures

Even though snow is white, the white you choose doesn't have to be cold in tone. By combining different textiles, from thin to plush, and especially contrasting shades of white with green and red, you can make white look warmer. Textiles also bring coziness to a space.

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A light beige SÖDERHAMN sofa is in a modern living room with large windows and white-toned decor.
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More light, please!

Different shades of white can do wonders for the atmosphere of a room and make the whole space feel brighter. However, nothing replaces natural light. Ensure good lighting by placing different types of lamps in the room that provide enough light. With different lamps − which you can also listen to music from − and blinds that regulate daylight, you decide how much light is enough at any given time.

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A SYMFONISK speaker lamp with WiFi is placed on a windowsill, and the lamp is lit. There are PRAKTLYSING blinds on the window, and a misty landscape is visible in the background.
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Different layers at a time

There's something so irresistible about layered rugs. They add a playful and stylish touch to a space, especially when they're in different thicknesses and colors. Darker rugs can also create a nice contrast in a room with white floors.

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A gray-beige GUNNEMOR blanket on the armrest of a light beige SÖDERHAMN corner sofa on top of another VOLLERSLEV rug.
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Fill the walls with interesting paintings

What goes well on a white living room wall? Anything, really. A neutral background is a great backdrop for anything you put on it, whether it’s just a few paintings or an entire wall of paintings – or anything in between. Bonus tip: a wall of paintings is also a great way to hide the frame of a flat-screen TV or Wi-Fi speaker.

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In a bright room, light gray SPIKSMED sideboards are lined up against a white wall with colorful paintings attached.
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Finish the room with natural materials

What textures go well with white? Naturalness is key with white. Combine white with natural materials and textiles, for example, and greenery. They make white look more dynamic and add style and softness to the overall look.

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A 3-seater BACKSÄLEN sofa in natural color, a floor lamp that spreads cozy light, and a rug made of natural fiber.
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Accent colors are white's best friend

White surfaces are a great contrast to the things you want to emphasize. They make the accent color stand out better. Choose your favorite and repeat it throughout the room. Small details can have a big impact.

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The pastel-hued, multi-purpose living room features a yellow FRIHULT sofa bed topped with pillows and a blanket, and black side tables next to the sofa.
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Add inspiration to your living room

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There is a laptop on a white table, and there is one white and one beige chair at the table. Next to it is a shelf with books, plants, and storage items.