White is widely recognized as one of the most classic colors. Popular across many interior design styles and rooms, white is a timeless shade that provides a clean and neutral backdrop throughout the home. Although white is achromatic meaning it, in theory, looks good next to all hues on the color wheel, across should be done so carefully.
Certain white color pairings can create an overly harsh look and distract from the calming quality of white. Here, we've rounded up five colors that interior designers generally steer clear of in . Read on to hear from the experts on what they do instead to make the most of this classic color choice.
The key to mastering white color pairings is to focus on matching the undertones of both white and your chosen color. Helen Shaw, Director of Color Marketing at Benjamin Moore tells us below why the undertones are so important when decorating with white to create a cohesive color scheme. 'White continues to be a popular choice for people looking for a minimalistic and uncluttered look for their homes.
However, when deciding on a color combination, opt for colors with similar undertones that complement the light available in the room.' 'For example, warm whites such as , , and create a soft glow and welcoming mood, so avoid pairing with colors on the cooler side of the wheel like blue.' 'Cool whites with undertones of blue or gray create a crisp and clean look and are a great choice for contemporary spaces or in combination with green, gray, or .