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How to Design a White Interior So You Aren't Afraid to Live in It? Is it Even Practical?

Just like black, white in interiors evokes a great deal of caution among clients. Everyone can imagine white walls, even furniture, but floors? Such a radically white approach is only for the brave. However, it has its undeniable advantages – we avoid the complex harmonization of similar materials, as is the case, for example, with wood. Matching a wooden floor, window frames, doors, veneers on furniture, and accessories is often a superhuman effort. In contrast, with white, everything goes very smoothly. Thanks to the monochromatic harmony, the textures of materials stand out. A huge advantage is the light. A white interior shines during the gloomy winter months. And when you add large windows, no depression will get to you. Just like with black, there's no need to fear white. The whiter the interior, the simpler it is.

White loft living space with black steel staircase — black-and-white cowhide rug, white dining table with metal Tolix chairs, industrial pendant lamps and panoramic window with landscape view

How Practical is it?

Let's not kid ourselves, a white floor is indeed more demanding to keep clean. But it's nothing that a mopping robot can't handle when you don't feel like doing it yourself. More than the color, the texture of the surfaces is always crucial. Especially with white, it's better to choose surfaces that are lightly textured but not overtly porous. A light texture ensures that you don't become a slave to cleaning your own home.

Black metal ibex skull mounted on white painted brick wall — decorative accent emphasising the texture of white-painted brick masonry in an industrial white interior

Detail of white porcelain rotary light switch with twisted textile cord on corner of white painted brick wall — surface contrast in a white industrial interior

How to Choose White Surfaces That Stay White.

The most important criterion is the maintainability of the white. Thus, everything should be washable, including the paintwork.

Even though there is an endless variety of materials available, the choice in white is not entirely straightforward. Let's start with the floor. If you want it to be truly white, the best option is a surface that ideally has no joints at all. This means a screed with the smallest possible texture, ideally without cavities that could get clogged with dirt over time. Another choice is tile with minimal grouting. Here, you definitely need to select from the more expensive ranges. If the grouting is to be minimal and in the smallest number possible, the tile format must be as large as possible, and you need to be sure that the tile will be flat. Another option is bleached wooden flooring, which will always retain a slightly pinkish hue. If you want to get rid of that, then it's better to choose vinyl. The last option for achieving white wood is then to paint the wooden floor with pure white paint.

Floor combination detail: geometric hexagonal tiles in grey and white tones transitioning into smooth white concrete screed — metal table leg in foreground, wicker garden chairs in background

Generous white apartment with dark solid-wood dining table with black patina, multi-arm pendant lamps (Flos Aim), white sofa and gallery artwork — contrast of dark timber and white space

White Mediterranean kitchen with round natural wood table, rattan hanging lantern, white zellige tile splashback and passage to living room through white arched opening — bright natural interior

For walls, the choices are simpler. In addition to screeds and tiles, we can opt for cladding made of lacquered MDF boards, either in a classic style with decorative moldings suitable for renovating older apartments, or grooved, which are ideal for new constructions.

White statement corridor with dark-painted side walls and white panel moulding along both sides — chrome wall sconces flanking the passage, light wooden floor, abstract artwork at far end

Scandinavian living room in all-white — rattan cane armchair in foreground, white corner sofa, marble coffee table, waxed pine herringbone floor and multi-arm chandelier

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For furniture, the choices are very broad. White matte laminate with a colored edge is excellent for maintenance, ensuring that the dark core of the board is not visible at the edge. Artificial stones, which are used not only for countertops but also for cabinet doors, are also great materials, especially for kitchens in terms of maintenance.

Detail of kitchen island with front panel in white veined sintered stone — thin-edge worktop, herringbone parquet floor, large windows in background

White on furniture is straightforward when selecting wooden, metal, or plastic pieces. For upholstered furniture, it's better to opt for "off-white" or go with leather/faux leather.

View from below of white bell pendant lamp in white attic interior — decorative dry branches and black vase on white shelf, framed artwork; inspiration for white Scandi interior

White marble shower enclosure with black overhead rain shower and hand shower, black thermostatic module, LED backlit niche shelf with toiletries and glass shower screen

We experienced a distinctly white interior in our own barn project, which is radically black on the outside and white on the inside. Conversely, you can see white combined with natural materials in the Algarve project implementation.

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And why are we so fond of Lanzarote? Because this radical approach is applied to the entire island. All the houses are strictly white, combined with green, or alternatively, blue and brown windows. Simply a balm. Follow us on our Instagram to see how you can buy such a house on Lanzarote.

White Mediterranean architecture with green doors and palm trees — courtyard with white mineral surface, green metal garden chairs and white bell tower; inspiration for white exteriors in warm climate

And in conclusion? Don't be afraid to be radical; it's worth it!

od Radky - 10. 8. 2023