How to Diversify a White Interior: Example from Sweden

Many people fear light monochromatic interiors: it seems that the absence of color creates a feeling of emptiness. However, in this apartment from Gothenburg, designers view white not as a static lack of color but as a starting point for layering materials, shades, and decor.

White walls, ceiling, kitchen, and furniture — designers dared to bleach the space almost entirely. But they did it skillfully and professionally. First, they worked with different shades of white: from ivory and bone color to mint and smoky. For the floor, they chose a warm tone; walls and ceiling — cool tones.

To warm up the cool interior, they chose natural warm-toned wooden furniture. They also added color: all variations of green harmonize beautifully with the white background. In this project, in addition to plants, designers used decor: posters and vases in olive tones were added.

Without texture, white walls and ceiling can look flat and create a sense of emptiness. Designers introduced texture and added architectural elements. Molding with relief appeared around the ceiling, and texture was added using wooden and woven elements.

Mixing textures is an excellent hack for monochromatic interiors. Wood, ceramics, glass, or tiles can also be white, but through the interaction of textures, an interesting effect can be achieved.

If fully white Scandinavian interiors aren’t for you, adding color with accessories is a simple and economical solution. This doesn’t mean you have to use bright or shouty shades. For example, in this interior, black and gray tones were added to the speakers.